N-CSRS 1 d785219dncsrs.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: December 31, 2019

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2019

 

 

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.

IONIC STRATEGIC ARBITRAGE FUND

The Fund’s strategy of investing in a variety of arbitrage strategies entails certain risks including that the sub-advisor’s judgments about allocation between such strategies, as well as individual arbitrage opportunities, may not perform to expectations, resulting in the Fund’s underperformance or even losses versus other similar funds. Arbitrage is the simultaneous purchase and sale of an asset or assets to take advantage of a perceived pricing anomaly. 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 may have high portfolio turnover, which could increase the Fund’s transaction costs and possibly have a negative impact on performance. Small- or mid-capitalization stocks may involve greater volatility and lower liquidity than larger company stocks. The use of fixed-income securities, including convertible securities, entails interest rate and credit risks. In addition, the value of a convertible security could fluctuate based on the value of the underlying stock. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. Investing in derivative instruments involves liquidity, credit, interest rate and market risks. Short sales involve special risks, including greater reliance on the sub-advisor’s ability to accurately anticipate the future value of a security or instrument; the Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited in a short sale.

Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Funds’ risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of these 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 the Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions and therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

American Beacon Funds

June 30, 2019


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overview

    2  

Expense Examples

    5  

Schedule of Investments:

 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

    7  

Financial Statements

    18  

Notes to Financial Statements

    21  

Financial Highlights:

 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

    49  

Renewal and Approval of Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement

    54  

Additional Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

At American Beacon, we take our heritage as a fiduciary very seriously — and we apply that mindset to all aspects of our business as a fund manager. As a result, for more than 30 years, we have endeavored to:

 

u   Identify, engage and oversee the best money managers. As a manager of managers, our goal is to engage the most effective money managers for each asset class, investment style and market strategy we offer. We are committed to partnering with those we judge to be “the best of the best” when it comes to choosing sub-advisors for our mutual funds. Whether our due-diligence process results in the selection of one sub-advisor or multiple sub-advisors, we select those we believe show the greatest potential to help us meet the high standards you’ve come to expect.

 

u  

Offer a variety of innovative investment solutions. Our mutual funds — which span the domestic, international, global, frontier and emerging markets — are sub-advised by experienced money managers who employ distinctive, proprietary investment processes to manage assets through a variety of economic and market conditions. From offering some of the first multi-manager funds, one of the first retirement income funds and the first open-ended mutual fund in the U.S. to focus primarily on frontier-market debt, our robust history includes applying a disciplined, solutions-based approach to our product development process in an effort to help you grow your assets while mitigating risk.

 

u  

Provide a solutions-based approach to achieving long-term investment goals. We seek to provide investment solutions that might enable you to benefit from taking a more disciplined approach to investing. Our mutual funds provide access to institutional-quality, research-intensive investment managers with diverse processes and styles. Over the long run, having such access and spending time in the market — rather than trying to time the market — may better position you to reach your long-term investment goals during market upswings and potentially insulate against market downswings.

Our management approach is more than a concept; it’s the cornerstone of American Beacon’s culture. And we strive to employ it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment solutions to help our shareholders seek long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our mutual 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 Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund (the “Fund”) returned 1.79% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019

 

   

Ticker

 

6 Months*

 

1 Year

 

3 Years

 

5 Years

 

Since Inception
(09/01/2013)

Institutional Class (1,7)

  AHLIX       2.18 %       (1.70 )%       (0.20 )%       1.06 %       1.46 %

Y Class (1,2,7)

  AHLYX       2.19 %       (1.84 )%       (0.28 )%       1.00 %       1.41 %

Investor Class (1,3,7)

  AHLPX       1.79 %       (2.23 )%       (0.63 )%       0.73 %       1.18 %

A without Sales Charge (1,4,7)

  AHLAX       2.07 %       (2.02 )%       (0.57 )%       0.77 %       1.21 %

A with Sales Charge (1,4,7)

  AHLAX       (2.76 )%       (6.64 )%       (2.16 )%       (0.21 )%       0.37 %

C without Sales Charge (1,5,7)

  AHLCX       1.66 %       (2.91 )%       (1.32 )%       0.16 %       0.69 %

C with Sales Charge (1,5,7)

  AHLCX       0.66 %       (3.91 )%       (1.32 )%       0.16 %       0.69 %
                     

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (6)

        6.11 %       7.87 %       2.31 %       2.95 %       3.35 %

ICE BofAML U.S. Dollar LIBOR 3-Month Constant Maturity Index (6)

        1.42 %       2.59 %       1.65 %       1.12 %       0.99 %

 

*

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. Simultaneous with the commencement of the Fund’s investment operations on June 30, 2015, the Ionic Absolute Return Fund LLC (“Private Fund”), a privately offered investment fund managed by the Fund’s sub-advisor, transferred its assets to the Institutional Class shares of the Fund. A portion of the fees charged to the Institutional Class of the Fund has been waived since Class inception (June 30, 2015). Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception.

 

2.

Fund performance for the five-year and since inception periods represents the total returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 9/1/13 up to 6/30/15, the inception date of the Y Class. Expenses of the Y Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the Y Class been in existence since 9/1/13. A portion of the fees charged to the Y Class of the Fund has been waived since Class inception (June 30, 2015). Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception.

 

3.

Fund performance for the five-year and since inception periods represents the total returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 9/1/13 up to 6/30/15, the inception date of the Investor Class. Expenses of the Investor Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the Investor Class been in existence since 9/1/13. A portion of the fees charged to the Investor Class of the Fund was waived in 2015, partially recovered in 2016, and waived in 2017 and 2018. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2015, 2017 and 2018.

 

4.

Fund performance for the five-year and since inception periods represents the total returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 9/1/13 up to 6/30/15, the inception date of the A Class. Expenses of the A Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the A Class been in existence since 9/1/13. A portion of the fees charged to the A Class of the Fund has been waived since Class inception (June 30, 2015). Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception. A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 4.75%.

 

5.

Fund performance for the five-year and since inception periods represents the total returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 9/1/13 up to 6/30/15, the inception date of the C Class. Expenses of the C Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the C Class been in existence since 9/1/13. A portion of the fees charged to the C Class of the Fund has been waived since Class inception (June 30, 2015). Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception. C Class has a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

6.

The ICE BofAML U.S. Dollar LIBOR 3-Month Constant Maturity Index is based on the assumed purchase of a synthetic instrument having 3-months to maturity and with a coupon equal to the closing quote for 3-Month LIBOR. That issue is sold the following day (priced at a yield equal to the current day closing 3-Month LIBOR rate) and is rolled into a new 3-month instrument. The index, therefore, will always have a constant maturity equal to exactly 3 months. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value weighted performance benchmark for government, corporate, mortgage-backed and asset-backed fixed-rate debt securities of all maturities. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

7.

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 2.63%, 2.69%, 3.37%, 2.93% and 3.78%, 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.

 

 

2


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s performance during the first half of the year resulted from mixed performance among the various arbitrage strategies. The Equity Arbitrage Strategy was the biggest positive contributor to performance during the period. The Credit Relative Value Arbitrage and Convertible Arbitrage Strategies also added value over the period. On the negative side, the Fund’s Volatility Arbitrage Strategy detracted from returns as volatility across most asset classes remained subdued for most of the period outside of the spike in U.S. equity markets in May. The Interest Rate Relative Value Arbitrage strategy was the largest detractor, given losses in mortgage holdings that were negatively impacted by sharply lower interest rates and the implied dovish shift in sentiment from the Federal Reserve (the “Fed”).

Equity Arbitrage was the Fund’s largest performance contributor. Gains were attributable to an option-based S&P replacement strategy, exposure to equity closed-end funds and two event driven situations, one a merger and the other a corporate action that benefited an equity warrant position. Losses in the second quarter were primarily attributable to a short-biased equity call spread position in the Consumer sector and across the warrant arbitrage sub strategy, where declining equity volatility was a headwind.

The Convertible Arbitrage Strategy produced gains during the first half. Attribution was primarily driven by positions in the Technology sector. These positions benefited from both credit enhancement and strong underlying stock performance. Of note, underlying volatility also remained high in the sector, which allowed for consistent opportunities to delta trade individual positions. Net exposure to the strategy was reduced marginally over the period.

The Credit Relative Value Arbitrage Strategy was another positive driver of performance, primarily by exposure to closed-end funds invested in floating rate loans and shorter dated high-yield bonds. Floating rate loan exposure was reduced in the second quarter, while positions in funds invested in shorter dated high yield bonds were increased. Not surprisingly, credit hedges detracted from overall performance in the strategy, but were nonetheless increased in the second quarter given continued tightening in credit spreads.

The Interest Rates Relative Value Arbitrage Strategy was the largest detractor from overall gains during the period. These losses were primarily attributable to mortgage holdings that were negatively impacted explicitly by sharply lower interest rates (in the context of a broad flattening in the yield curve) and implicitly by the increasingly dovish shift in sentiment from the Fed. The Fund had been reducing exposure to this sub strategy during the period.

The Fund’s Volatility Arbitrage Strategy also generated losses for the period, as volatility fell sharply across most asset classes. Specifically, losses were attributable to VIX exposure utilized to hedge overall exposure in the Fund, as well as positions oriented around foreign exchange volatility in the euro and the Canadian dollar. VIX hedges remain in the Fund and foreign exchange exposure was increased in the strategy.

Looking forward, the Fund’s sub-advisor will continue to implement its investment process by allocating the Fund’s assets among the following strategies: Convertible Arbitrage, Credit Relative Value Arbitrage, Interest Rates Relative Value Arbitrage, Equity Arbitrage, and Volatility Arbitrage, seeking capital appreciation with low volatility and reduced correlation to equities and interest rates.

 

 

3


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Positions By Investment Strategy           Fund  
Convertible Arbitrage           13  
Credit/Rates Relative Value Arbitrage           7  
Equity Arbitrage           42  
Volatility Arbitrage           7  

Total

          69  
       
Investment Strategy Exposure (%)      LMV        SMV ** 
Convertible Arbitrage      34          (15
Credit/Rates Relative Value Arbitrage      22          (3
Equity Arbitrage      42          (50
Volatility Arbitrage      3          (14

Total

     101          (82

 

*

Long Market Value

**

Short Market Value

Source: Ionic Capital Management LLC

 

 

4


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Expense Example

June 30, 2019 (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 January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019.

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 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.

 

 

5


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Expense Example

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
1/1/2019
  Ending Account Value
6/30/2019
  Expenses Paid During
Period
1/1/2019-6/30/2019*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,021.80       $9.47
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,015.42       $9.44
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,020.50       $10.02
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,014.88       $9.99
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,017.90       $11.16
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,013.74       $11.13
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,020.70       $11.57
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,013.34       $11.53
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,016.60       $15.20
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,009.72       $15.15

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 1.89%, 2.00%, 2.23%, 2.31%, and 3.04% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, and C Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

 

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

6


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
SECURITIES HELD LONG - 122,57%            
COMMON STOCKS - 8.98%            
Communication Services - 1.28%            
Interactive Media & Services - 1.28%            
Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., Class AA       12,540         $ 155,496
Sohu.com Ltd., ADRA       9,834           137,676
           

 

 

 
              293,172
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              293,172
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 5.04%            
Automobiles - 0.13%            
ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.A       11,566           28,915
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 2.53%            
Carnival PLC, ADR       10,179           460,803
Marriott International, Inc., Class A       851           119,387
           

 

 

 
              580,190
           

 

 

 
           
Household Durables - 0.11%            
Purple Innovation, Inc.A       86,496           25,862
           

 

 

 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 1.04%            
Naspers Ltd., Class N, Sponsored ADR       4,909           237,743
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 0.11%            
Blink Charging Co.A       9,880           26,479
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 1.12%            
Kering S.A.       246           145,486
Swatch Group AG, ADR       7,842           111,905
           

 

 

 
              257,391
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              1,156,580
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 0.46%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 0.46%            
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR       6,775           105,487
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 1.30%            
Banks - 0.94%            
Bank of Kyoto Ltd.       5,600           216,334
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - 0.36%            
Crawford & Co., Class B       8,705           81,043
Greenlight Capital Re Ltd., Class AA       18           153
           

 

 

 
              81,196
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              297,530
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 0.47%            
Aerospace & Defense - 0.47%            
HEICO Corp., Class A       1,030           106,471
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 0.43%            
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 0.43%            
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.       6,650           99,417
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $2,083,673)

              2,058,657
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

7


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
WARRANTS - 12.01%            
Consumer Discretionary - 2.34%            
Automobiles - 0.21%            
ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp., 08/08/2023, Strike Price $4.25A       95,593         $ 47,797
           

 

 

 
           
Diversified Consumer Services - 1.08%            
OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd., 03/19/2024, Strike Price $11.50A       53,059           248,847
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 0.66%            
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., 06/30/2020, Strike Price $11.50A       70,328           151,205
           

 

 

 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 0.31%            
Yatra Online, Inc., 12/16/2021, Strike Price $11.50A       498,699           70,067
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 0.08%            
Blink Charging Co., 02/08/2023, Strike Price $4.25A       26,802           11,961
Kaixin Auto Holdings CM / Seven Star Acquisition, 04/30/2024, Strike Price $11.50A       145,895           7,295
           

 

 

 
              19,256
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              537,172
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 1.36%            
Food Products - 1.36%            
Hostess Brands, Inc., 11/04/2021, Strike Price $11.50A       164,517           312,582
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 0.50%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 0.50%            
Altus Midstream Co., 11/12/2023, Strike Price $11.50A       86,160           38,763
Falcon Minerals Corp., 08/15/2022, Strike Price $11.50A       80,169           76,161
           

 

 

 
              114,924
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              114,924
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 2.98%            
Banks - 0.03%            
Zions Bancorp NA, 05/22/2020, Strike Price $35.70A       450           5,976
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - 2.95%            
American International Group, Inc., 01/19/2021, Strike Price $43.12A       55,190           676,078
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              682,054
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 0.04%            
Biotechnology - 0.04%            
Xynomic Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc., 05/15/2024, Strike Price $11.50A       44,485           9,342
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 3.88%            
Commercial Services & Supplies - 0.99%            
NRC Group Holdings Corp., 10/18/2023, Strike Price $11.50A       137,944           227,801
           

 

 

 
           
Professional Services - 2.89%            
Clarivate Analytics PLC, 10/29/2023, Strike Price $11.50A       139,246           661,418
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              889,219
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 0.91%            
IT Services - 0.69%            
Verra Mobility Corp., 10/17/2023, Strike Price $11.50A       39,232           158,890
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

8


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
WARRANTS - 12.01% (continued)            
Information Technology - 0.91% (continued)            
Software - 0.22%            
GTY Govetech, Inc., 02/14/2024, Strike Price $11.50A       65,924         $ 50,102
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              208,992
           

 

 

 
           

Total Warrants (Cost $2,496,689)

              2,754,285
           

 

 

 
    Principal Amount        
           
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 2.61% (Cost $596,009)            
Consumer, Cyclical - 2.61%            
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp., 1.500%, Due 9/15/2022     $ 619,000           597,681
           

 

 

 
           
CONVERTIBLE OBLIGATIONS - 39.69%            
Communications - 11.97%            
Palo Alto Networks, Inc., 0.750%, Due 7/1/2023B       668,000           703,787
Twitter, Inc., 0.250%, Due 6/15/2024       597,000           581,394
Vonage Holdings Corp., 1.750%, Due 6/1/2024B       400,000           402,670
YY, Inc.,            

0.750%, Due 6/15/2025B

      170,000           171,478

1.375%, Due 6/15/2026B

      170,000           172,551
Zillow Group, Inc., 2.000%, Due 12/1/2021       630,000           712,932
           

 

 

 
              2,744,812
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer, Non-Cyclical - 8.42%            
Exact Sciences Corp., 0.375%, Due 3/15/2027       888,000           1,120,080
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 6.500%, Due 3/1/2024B       500,000           417,698
Tilray, Inc., 5.000%, Due 10/1/2023B       488,000           393,450
           

 

 

 
              1,931,228
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 2.41%            
Chesapeake Energy Corp., 5.500%, Due 9/15/2026       692,000           552,340
           

 

 

 
           
Technology - 16.89%            
Altair Engineering, Inc., 0.250%, Due 6/1/2024       495,000           536,205
j2 Global, Inc., 3.250%, Due 6/15/2029       796,000           1,109,404
NXP Semiconductors N.V., 1.000%, Due 12/1/2019       1,033,000           1,088,503
PROS Holdings, Inc., 1.000%, Due 5/15/2024B       648,000           739,763
Zynga, Inc., 0.250%, Due 6/1/2024B       400,000           398,380
           

 

 

 
              3,872,255
           

 

 

 
           

Total Convertible Obligations (Cost $8,787,854)

              9,100,635
           

 

 

 
           
FOREIGN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 3.57% (Cost $940,254)            
Financial - 3.57%            
Greenlight Capital Re Ltd., 4.000%, Due 8/1/2023B       937,000           818,118
           

 

 

 
           
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS - 8.94%            
Agency CMO Interest Only - 7.38%            
Fannie Mae REMIC Trust, 5.500%, Due 12/25/2043, 2014-38 QI       1,006,763           176,291
Freddie Mac REMIC Trust,            

1.000%, Due 3/15/2038, 3421 IO

      4,199,006           128,366

4.500%, Due 12/15/2042, 303 157C

      1,218,724           238,958
Ginnie Mae REMIC Trust,            

4.000%, Due 2/20/2040, 2015-162 LI

      995,742           136,237

6.000%, Due 9/20/2040, 2016-75 IO

      1,218,767           268,908

3.500%, Due 10/20/2041, 2013-81 PI

      2,766,710           302,958

3.500%, Due 5/16/2042, 2015-84 IO

      2,684,568           441,411
           

 

 

 
              1,693,129
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Principal Amount       Fair Value
           
COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS - 8.94% (continued)            
Agency CMO Interest Only Inverse Floater - 1.56%            
Freddie Mac REMIC Trust, 0.216%, Due 4/15/2043, 4517 KI, (1-mo. LIBOR + 1.071%)D     $ 7,017,910         $ 218,261
Ginnie Mae REMIC Trust, 4.217%, Due 11/20/2033, 2003-98 SC, (1-mo. LIBOR + 6.600%)D       857,623           139,674
           

 

 

 
              357,935
           

 

 

 
           

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $2,032,648)

              2,051,064
           

 

 

 
    Shares        
           
INVESTMENT COMPANIES - 19.82%            
Closed-End Funds - 19.82%            
Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc.       66,123           276,394
Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.       24,950           412,673
BlackRock Floating Rate Income Trust       12,410           154,132
Highland Floating Rate Opportunities FundA       54,097           748,703
Invesco Dynamic Credit Opportunities Fund       15,164           169,534
Invesco Senior Income Trust       30,943           133,674
MFS Intermediate Income Trust       82,208           317,323
Nuveen Credit Strategies Income Fund       22,932           181,621
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Fund       23,543           231,899
Nuveen Floating Rate Income Opportunity Fund       12,434           121,107
Pershing Square Holdings Ltd./Fund       37,574           659,799
PGIM Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc.       52,934           774,424
Voya Prime Rate Trust       76,394           363,635
           

 

 

 
           

Total Closed-End Funds

              4,544,918
           

 

 

 
           

Total Investment Companies (Cost $4,417,164)

              4,544,918
           

 

 

 
           
EXCHANGE-TRADED INSTRUMENTS - 3.28% (Cost $616,097)            
Exchange-Traded Notes - 3.28%            
ETRACS Monthly Pay 2xLeveraged Closed-End Fund ETN       52,144           753,481
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 23.67% (Cost $5,428,781)            
Investment Companies - 23.67%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%E F       5,428,781           5,428,781
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL SECURITIES HELD LONG (Cost $27,399,169)

              28,107,620
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES SOLD SHORT - (63.81%)            
COMMON STOCKS - (56.93%)            
Communication Services - (5.29%)            
Diversified Telecommunication Services - (0.68%)            
Vonage Holdings Corp.A       (13,688 )           (155,085 )
           

 

 

 
           
Entertainment - (1.20%)            
Nintendo Co., Ltd.       (300 )           (109,883 )
Zynga, Inc., Class AA       (27,000 )           (165,510 )
           

 

 

 
              (275,393 )
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - (3.41%)            
Tencent Holdings Ltd., ADR       (4,909 )           (222,181 )
TripAdvisor, Inc.A       (2,796 )           (129,427 )
Twitter, Inc.A       (4,523 )           (157,853 )
Zillow Group, Inc., Class CA       (5,867 )           (272,170 )
           

 

 

 
              (781,631 )
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              (1,212,109 )
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - (56.93%) (continued)            
Consumer Discretionary - (8.32%)            
Diversified Consumer Services - (2.15%)            
OneSpaWorld Holdings Ltd.A       (31,877 )         $ (494,093 )
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - (4.97%)            
Carnival Corp.       (10,179 )           (473,832 )
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.A       (42,880 )           (549,722 )
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.       (1,186 )           (115,920 )
           

 

 

 
              (1,139,474 )
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - (1.20%)            
Cie Financiere Richemont S.A., ADR       (15,469 )           (130,558 )
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE       (339 )           (144,284 )
           

 

 

 
              (274,842 )
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              (1,908,409 )
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - (4.09%)            
Food Products - (4.09%)            
Hostess Brands, Inc.A       (64,946 )           (937,820 )
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - (1.85%)            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - (1.85%)            
Altus Midstream Co., Class AA       (7,786 )           (28,964 )
Chesapeake Energy Corp.A       (15,526 )           (30,276 )
Falcon Minerals Corp.A       (26,208 )           (220,147 )
Kinder Morgan, Inc.       (1,900 )           (39,672 )
Petroleo Brasileiro SA, ADR       (7,419 )           (105,350 )
           

 

 

 
              (424,409 )
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              (424,409 )
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - (12.30%)            
Banks - (0.19%)            
Zions Bancorp NA       (974 )           (44,421 )
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - (12.11%)            
American International Group, Inc.       (50,381 )           (2,684,300 )
Crawford & Co., Class A       (8,705 )           (91,663 )
           

 

 

 
              (2,775,963 )
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              (2,820,384 )
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - (3.83%)            
Biotechnology - (3.83%)            
Exact Sciences Corp.A       (5,748 )           (678,494 )
Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A       (67,699 )           (199,035 )
           

 

 

 
              (877,529 )
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              (877,529 )
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - (9.83%)            
Aerospace & Defense - (0.49%)            
HEICO Corp.       (835 )           (111,731 )
           

 

 

 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies - (3.12%)            
NRC Group Holdings Corp.A       (64,345 )           (715,517 )
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - (56.93%) (continued)            
Industrials - (9.83%) (continued)            
Electrical Equipment - (0.30%)            
Nidec Corp.       (500 )         $ (68,288 )
           

 

 

 
           
Professional Services - (5.92%)            
Clarivate Analytics PLCA       (88,360 )           (1,358,977 )
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              (2,254,513 )
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - (11.42%)            
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - (0.28%)            
Kyocera Corp.       (600 )           (39,151 )
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.       (200 )           (8,978 )
Omron Corp.       (300 )           (15,638 )
           

 

 

 
              (63,767 )
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - (1.11%)            
Verra Mobility Corp.A       (19,537 )           (255,739 )
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - (2.45%)            
NXP Semiconductors N.V.       (4,964 )           (484,536 )
Rohm Co., Ltd.       (100 )           (6,715 )
Texas Instruments, Inc.       (620 )           (71,151 )
           

 

 

 
              (562,402 )
           

 

 

 
           
Software - (7.58%)            
Altair Engineering, Inc., Class AA       (7,100 )           (286,769 )
GTY Govetech, Inc.A       (4,819 )           (33,010 )
j2 Global, Inc.       (8,596 )           (764,098 )
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.A       (1,171 )           (238,603 )
PROS Holdings, Inc.A       (6,560 )           (414,986 )
           

 

 

 
              (1,737,466 )
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              (2,619,374 )
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Proceeds $(12,511,918))

              (13,054,547 )
           

 

 

 
           
EXCHANGE-TRADED INSTRUMENTS - (6.88%)            
Exchange-Traded Funds - (6.88%)            
Invesco CurrencyShares Euro Currency TrustA       (1,500 )           (162,405 )
iShares China Large-Cap ETF       (14,000 )           (598,780 )
iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF       (9,400 )           (815,678 )
           

 

 

 
           

Total Exchange-Traded Funds

              (1,576,863 )
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED INSTRUMENTS (Proceeds $(1,587,235))

              (1,576,863 )
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT (Proceeds $(14,099,153))

              (14,631,410 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN SECURITIES (EXCLUDES SECURITIES SOLD SHORT) - 122.57% (Cost $27,399,169)

              28,107,620

TOTAL PURCHASED OPTIONS CONTRACTS - 8.20% (Premiums Paid $2,525,525)

              1,879,988

TOTAL WRITTEN OPTIONS CONTRACTS - (1.60%) (Premiums Received $(609,394))

              (367,837 )

TOTAL SECURITIES SOLD SHORT - (63.81%) (Proceeds $(14,099,153))

              (14,631,410 )

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 34.64%

              7,943,239
           

 

 

 

NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 22,931,600
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

A Non-income producing security.

B Security exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A. At the period end, the value of these securities amounted to $4,217,895 or 18.39% of net assets. The Fund has no right to demand registration of these securities.

C 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.

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 June 30, 2019.

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

F 7-day yield.

ADR - American Depositary Receipt.

CMO - Collateralized Mortgage Obligation.

ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund.

ETN - Exchange-Traded Note.

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

PRIME - A rate, charged by banks, based on the U.S. Federal Funds rate.

REMIC - Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit.

 

Short Futures Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Equity Futures Contracts  
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
S&P 500 E-Mini Index Futures      2      September 2019      $ (295,125    $ (294,420    $ 705  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ (295,125    $ (294,420    $ 705  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Currency Futures Contracts  
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Canadian Dollar Currency Futures      26      September 2019      $ (1,967,805    $ (1,990,430    $ (22,625
Euro Currency Futures      5      September 2019        (710,781      (715,406      (4,625
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ (2,678,586    $ (2,705,836    $ (27,250
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

OTC Swap Agreements Outstanding on June 30, 2019:

 

Total Return Swap Agreements  
Pay/Receive
Floating Rate
  Description   Reference Entity   Counter-
party
  Floating
Rate
  Expiration
Date
    Reference
Quantity
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Pay   1-Month USD-LIBOR   Zions Bancorp   DUB   3.594%     8/5/2019       75,101       937,636     $ -     $ 58,207  
Receive   1-Month USD-LIBOR   Zions Bancorp   DUB   2.394%     8/5/2019       66,436       2,971,682       -       (80,547
               

 

 

   

 

 

 
                $ -     $ (22,340
               

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Purchased Options Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Equity Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
  Currency   Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Paid
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Call - Caesars Entertainment Corp.   CCP     8.00     7/19/2019   USD     196       19,600     $ 34,646     $ 73,500     $ 38,854  
Call - Zions Bancorp NA   CCP     52.50     7/19/2019   USD     59       5,900       7,505       354       (7,151
Call - Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.   CCP     17.50     8/16/2019   USD     73       7,300       4,114       548       (3,566
Call - Beyond Meat, Inc.   CCP     160.00     8/16/2019   USD     19       1,900       27,680       29,640       1,960  
Put - Blink Charging Co.   CCP     2.50     9/20/2019   USD     249       24,900       15,570       13,695       (1,875
Put - ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.   CCP     5.00     9/20/2019   USD     2       200       521       545       24  

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Equity Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
  Currency   Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Paid
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Put - ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.   CCP     2.50     9/20/2019   USD     1,002       100,200     $ 65,417     $ 50,100     $ (15,317
Call - Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.   CCP     17.50     11/15/2019   USD     439       43,900       23,801       17,560       (6,241
Put - ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.   CCP     2.50     12/20/2019   USD     16       1,600       1,457       1,280       (177
Put - Lyft, Inc.   CCP     30.00     1/15/2021   USD     47       4,700       16,904       11,750       (5,154
Put - Shake Shack, Inc.   CCP     45.00     1/15/2021   USD     106       10,600       56,033       28,885       (27,148
Put - Uber Technologies, Inc.   CCP     25.00     1/15/2021   USD     50       5,000       16,687       8,250       (8,437
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 270,335     $ 236,107     $ (34,228
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Exchange-Traded Fund Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
  Currency   Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Paid
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Call - iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF   CCP     87.00     7/19/2019   USD     90       9,000     $ 2,966     $ 3,150     $ 184  
Put - iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF   CCP     83.00     8/16/2019   USD     750       75,000       18,029       12,000       (6,029
Put - iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF   CCP     82.00     8/16/2019   USD     185       18,500       9,675       2,775       (6,900
Put - iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF   CCP     78.00     10/18/2019   USD     90       9,000       5,024       1,800       (3,224
Call - Canadian Dollar Currency Futures   CCP     75.00     12/6/2019   USD     48       48,000       70,798       103,200       32,402  
Call - Canadian Dollar Currency Futures   CCP     74.50     12/6/2019   USD     38       38,000       52,961       96,140       43,179  
Call - Euro Currency Futures   CCP     1.17     12/6/2019   USD     50       6,250,000       111,775       66,250       (45,525
Put - Canadian Dollar Currency Futures   CCP     77.00     12/6/2019   USD     8       8,000       11,840       10,560       (1,280
Put - Canadian Dollar Currency Futures   CCP     75.00     12/6/2019   USD     52       52,000       68,260       28,080       (40,180
Put - Canadian Dollar Currency Futures   CCP     74.50     12/6/2019   USD     40       40,000       54,342       16,800       (37,542
Put - Euro Currency Futures   CCP     1.14     12/6/2019   USD     50       6,250,000       100,394       75,000       (25,394
Call - CurrencyShares Euro Trust ETF   CCP     116.00     1/17/2020   USD     821       82,100       156,270       28,324       (127,946
Call - iShares China Large-Cap ETF   CCP     37.00     1/17/2020   USD     160       16,000       100,326       105,200       4,874  
Put - iShares China Large-Cap ETF   CCP     37.00     1/17/2020   USD     1,440       144,000       391,734       110,880       (280,854
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ 1,154,394     $ 660,159     $ (494,235
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Index Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
  Currency   Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Paid
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Call - Dow Jones Industrial Average Index   CCP     280.00     7/19/2019   USD     100       10,000     $ 9,654     $ 1,500     $ (8,154
Call - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,820.00     7/19/2019   USD     4       400       38,942       54,176       15,234  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,820.00     7/19/2019   USD     4       400       13,652       4,120       (9,532

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Index Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
    Currency     Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Paid
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,225.00       7/31/2019       USD       2       200     $ 4,331     $ 105     $ (4,226
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,800.00       8/16/2019       USD       8       800       61,284       15,920       (45,364
Call - CBOE SPX Volatility Index   CCP     20.00       8/21/2019       USD       350       35,000       41,139       37,800       (3,339
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,450.00       10/18/2019       USD       3       300       6,182       3,690       (2,492
Call - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,975.00       12/20/2019       USD       4       400       37,198       37,880       682  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,575.00       12/20/2019       USD       3       300       9,767       10,815       1,048  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     1,825.00       12/20/2019       USD       4       400       7,846       960       (6,886
Call - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,925.00       3/20/2020       USD       2       200       23,567       31,520       7,953  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     1,950.00       3/20/2020       USD       2       200       3,297       1,780       (1,517
Call - S&P 500 Index   CCP     3,025.00       6/19/2020       USD       2       200       25,131       24,356       (775
Call - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,500.00       6/19/2020       USD       10       1,000       234,955       498,600       263,645  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,000.00       6/19/2020       USD       2       200       3,585       3,300       (285
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,700.00       6/19/2020       USD       20       2,000       345,211       194,000       (151,211
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,500.00       6/19/2020       USD       10       1,000       235,055       63,200       (171,855
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 1,100,796     $ 983,722     $ (117,074
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
                 
Written Options Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Equity Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
    Currency     Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Received
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Call - Chevron Corp.   CCP     127.00       7/12/2019       USD       4       400     $ (442   $ (220   $ 222  
Call - ConocoPhillips   CCP     63.00       7/12/2019       USD       4       400       (226     (178     48  
Call - DuPont de Nemours, Inc.   CCP     76.50       7/12/2019       USD       2       200       (211     (159     52  
Call - EOG Resources, Inc.   CCP     95.00       7/12/2019       USD       2       200       (316     (306     10  
Call - Exxon Mobil Corp.   CCP     78.00       7/12/2019       USD       11       1,100       (731     (506     225  
Call - Marathon Petroleum Corp.   CCP     54.50       7/12/2019       USD       3       300       (224     (678     (454
Call - Phillips 66   CCP     93.00       7/12/2019       USD       1       100       (118     (200     (82
Call - Schlumberger Ltd.   CCP     40.00       7/12/2019       USD       3       300       (147     (204     (57
Call - Chevron Corp.   CCP     125.00       7/19/2019       USD       4       400       (458     (700     (242
Call - Chevron Corp.   CCP     120.00       7/19/2019       USD       8       800       (1,561     (3,920     (2,359
Call - ConocoPhillips   CCP     62.50       7/19/2019       USD       12       1,200       (1,113     (984     129  
Call - DowDuPont, Inc.   CCP     32.50       7/19/2019       USD       6       600       (591     (1,422     (831
Call - DuPont de Nemours, Inc.   CCP     77.50       7/19/2019       USD       2       200       (303     (130     173  
Call - ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.   CCP     2.50       7/19/2019       USD       22       2,200       (758     (440     318  
Call - EOG Resources, Inc.   CCP     90.00       7/19/2019       USD       6       600       (1,435     (2,670     (1,235
Call - Exxon Mobil Corp.   CCP     77.50       7/19/2019       USD       12       1,200       (713     (984     (271
Call - Exxon Mobil Corp.   CCP     75.00       7/19/2019       USD       21       2,100       (2,411     (4,998     (2,587
Call - Kinder Morgan Inc/DE   CCP     21.00       7/19/2019       USD       15       1,500       (427     (525     (98
Call - Marathon Petroleum Corp.   CCP     52.50       7/19/2019       USD       13       1,300       (1,542     (5,330     (3,788
Call - Occidental Petroleum Corp.   CCP     52.50       7/19/2019       USD       4       400       (326     (180     146  
Call - Occidental Petroleum Corp.   CCP     55.00       7/19/2019       USD       8       800       (916     (104     812  
Call - Phillips 66   CCP     90.00       7/19/2019       USD       2       200       (169     (820     (651
Call - Phillips 66   CCP     85.00       7/19/2019       USD       5       500       (1,057     (4,600     (3,543
Call - Schlumberger Ltd.   CCP     40.00       7/19/2019       USD       7       700       (362     (847     (485
Call - Schlumberger Ltd.   CCP     37.50       7/19/2019       USD       5       500       (387     (1,385     (998
Call - Kinder Morgan Inc/DE   CCP     21.50       7/26/2019       USD       5       500       (157     (90     67  

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Equity Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
  Currency   Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Received
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Call - Beyond Meat, Inc.   CCP     125.00     8/16/2019   USD     17       1,700     $ (50,434   $ (59,670   $ (9,236
Call - Blink Charging Co.   CCP     5.00     9/20/2019   USD     58       5,800       (3,488     (145     3,343  
Call - Blink Charging Co.   CCP     7.50     9/20/2019   USD     74       7,400       (2,180     (370     1,810  
Call - ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.   CCP     7.50     9/20/2019   USD     155       15,500       (3,378     (1,162     2,216  
Call - ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.   CCP     5.00     9/20/2019   USD     481       48,100       (21,004     (2,405     18,599  
Call - Canadian Dollar Currency Futures   CCP     77.00     12/6/2019   USD     8       8,000       (7,120     (7,600     (480
Call - ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.   CCP     5.00     12/20/2019   USD     7       700       (276     (70     206  
Call - ElectraMeccanica Vehicles Corp.   CCP     2.50     12/20/2019   USD     120       12,000       (8,555     (4,200     4,355  
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (113,536   $ (108,202   $ 5,334  
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Exchange-Traded Fund Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
  Currency   Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Received
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation/
(Depreciation)
 
Call - iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF   CCP     86.00     7/19/2019   USD     1       100     $ (73   $ (116   $ (43
Call - iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF   CCP     86.00     8/16/2019   USD     245       24,500       (37,965     (30,870     7,095  
Call - iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF   CCP     87.00     8/16/2019   USD     185       18,500       (7,298     (9,805     (2,507
Put - iShares iBoxx High Yield Corporate Bond ETF   CCP     82.00     10/18/2019   USD     90       9,000       (11,252     (3,870     7,382  
Put - iShares China Large-Cap ETF   CCP     40.00     1/17/2020   USD     800       80,000       (310,366     (121,200     189,166  
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (366,954   $ (165,861   $ 201,093  
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Index Options  
Description   Counter-
party
  Exercise
Price
    Expiration
Date
  Currency   Number of
Contracts
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Received
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,870.00     7/5/2019   USD     2       200     $ (8,918   $ (1,070   $ 7,848  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,880.00     7/12/2019   USD     2       200       (8,379     (3,164     5,215  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,960.00     7/19/2019   USD     2       200       (7,965     (9,520     (1,555
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,920.00     7/26/2019   USD     2       200       (7,955     (7,955     -  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,590.00     7/31/2019   USD     2       200       (15,838     (640     15,198  
Call - CBOE SPX Volatility Index   CCP     25.00     8/21/2019   USD     350       35,000       (20,461     (18,550     1,911  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,850.00     10/18/2019   USD     3       300       (22,453     (18,420     4,033  
Call - S&P 500 Index   CCP     3,300.00     12/20/2019   USD     4       400       (7,138     (2,460     4,678  
Put - S&P 500 Index   CCP     2,850.00     12/20/2019   USD     3       300       (24,223     (26,175     (1,952
Call - S&P 500 Index   CCP     3,300.00     3/20/2020   USD     2       200       (2,475     (3,020     (545
Call - S&P 500 Index   CCP     3,400.00     6/19/2020   USD     2       200       (3,099     (2,800     299  
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $ (128,904   $ (93,774   $ 35,130  
             

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Glossary:   
  
Counterparty Abbreviations:
DUB    Deutsche Bank AG
Currency Abbreviations:
USD    United States Dollar
Index Abbreviations:
CBOE    Chicago Board Options Exchange.
S&P 500    Standard & Poor’s U.S. Equity Large-Cap Index.
Other Abbreviations:
CCP    Central Counterparty Clearing House.
ETF    Exchange-Traded Fund.
LIBOR    London Interbank Offered Rate.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

 

Common Stocks

  $ 2,058,657       $ -       $ -       $ 2,058,657  

Warrants

    2,754,285         -         -         2,754,285  

Corporate Obligations

    -         597,681         -         597,681  

Convertible Obligations

    -         9,100,635         -         9,100,635  

Foreign Corporate Obligations

    -         818,118         -         818,118  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

    -         2,051,064         -         2,051,064  

Investment Companies

    4,544,918         -         -         4,544,918  

Exchange-Traded Instruments

    753,481         -         -         753,481  

Short-Term Investments

    5,428,781         -         -         5,428,781  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 15,540,122       $ 12,567,498       $ -       $ 28,107,620  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

Common Stocks (Sold Short)

  $ (13,054,547     $ -       $ -       $ (13,054,547

Exchange-Traded Instruments Sold Short

    (1,576,863       -         -         (1,576,863
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Liabilities

    (14,631,410       -         -         (14,631,410
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities

  $ 908,712       $ 12,567,498       $ -       $ 13,476,210  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

 

Futures Contracts

  $ 705       $ -       $ -       $ 705  

Swap Contract Agreements

    -         58,207         -         58,207  

Purchased Options

    1,879,988         -         -         1,879,988  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 1,880,693       $ 58,207       $ -       $ 1,938,900  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

 

Futures Contracts

  $ (27,250     $ -       $ -       $ (27,250

Swap Contract Agreements

    -         (80,547       -         (80,547

Written Options

    (367,837       -         -         (367,837
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

  $ (395,087     $ (80,547     $ -       $ (475,634
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value

  $ 22,678,839  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    5,428,781  

Foreign currency, at fair value^

    3,435  

Foreign currency with brokers, at fair value#

    25,099  

Purchased options contracts outstanding (premiums paid $2,525,525)

    1,879,988  

Foreign currency deposits with brokers for futures contracts, at fair value

    339  

Cash

    4,290  

Cash with brokers

    7,089,111  

Cash collateral held at custodian for the benefit of the broker

    1,610,000  

Dividends and interest receivable

    117,463  

Deposits with broker for futures contracts

    31,801  

Receivable for investments sold

    2,731,015  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    1,258  

Receivable for tax reclaims

    2,894  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    8,709  

Unrealized appreciation from swap agreements

    58,207  

Prepaid expenses

    62,338  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    41,733,567  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    1,128,964  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    2,360,883  

Securities sold short, at fair value±

    14,631,410  

Written options contracts, at fair value (premiums received $609,394)

    367,837  

Dividends and interest expense payable

    1,495  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    26,403  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    69  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    6,162  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    10,767  

Professional fees payable

    151,902  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    4,808  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    4,196  

Payable for variation margin from open futures contracts (Note 5)

    26,487  

Unrealized depreciation from swap agreements

    80,547  

Other liabilities

    37  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    18,801,967  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 22,931,600  
 

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 50,581,234  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    (27,649,634
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 22,931,600  
 

 

 

 

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

 

Institutional Class

    919,426  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

    2,099,734  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

    23,521  
 

 

 

 

A Class

    14,615  
 

 

 

 

C Class

    6,420  
 

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 6,892,443  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 15,709,280  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 174,384  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 108,239  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 47,254  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 7.50  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 7.48  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 7.41  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 7.41  
 

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 7.78  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 7.36  
 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 21,970,388  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 5,428,781  

¤ Cost of foreign currency deposits with broker for futures contracts

  $ 340  

# Cost of foreign currency with brokers

  $ 25,299  

^ Cost of foreign currency

  $ 3,381  

± Proceeds of securities sold short

  $ 14,099,153  

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

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the period ended June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 214,050  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 7)

    109,620  

Interest income

    39,647  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    363,317  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    176,258  

Transfer agent fees:

 

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    2,455  

Y Class (Note 2)

    11,724  

Investor Class

    643  

A Class

    6  

C Class

    3  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    19,475  

Professional fees

    43,661  

Registration fees and expenses

    30,531  

Service fees (Note 2):

 

Investor Class

    439  

A Class

    11  

C Class

    41  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

 

A Class

    137  

C Class

    289  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    9,657  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    6,063  

Dividends and interest on securities sold short

    85,601  

Other expenses

    5,462  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    392,456  
 

 

 

 

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

    (88,900
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    303,556  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    59,761  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain from:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    1,562,092  

Purchased options contracts

    (842,112

Foreign currency transactions

    (4,396

Futures contracts

    295,911  

Swap agreements

    (27,056

Written options contracts

    76,687  

Short sales

    (735,020

Change in net unrealized appreciation of:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    1,842,091  

Purchased options contracts

    (502,734

Foreign currency transactions

    12,056  

Futures contracts

    (164,177

Swap agreements

    16,553  

Written options contracts

    339,708  

Short sales

    (1,229,772
 

 

 

 

Net gain from investments

    639,831  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 699,592  
 

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 463  

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

 

19


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

 

Operations:

 

Net investment income

  $ 59,761       $ 1,366,154  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities, purchased options contracts, foreign currency transactions, futures contracts, swap agreements, written options contracts, and short sales

    326,106         (6,111,630

Change in net unrealized appreciation of investments in unaffiliated securities, purchased options contracts, foreign currency transactions, futures contracts, swap agreements, written options contracts, and short sales

    313,725         2,484,943  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    699,592         (2,260,533
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

     

Institutional Class

    -         (917,084

Y Class

    -         (2,401,637

Investor Class

    -         (75,180

A Class

    -         (9,603

C Class

    -         (4,388
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    -         (3,407,892
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 10):

 

Proceeds from sales of shares

    5,914,560         17,689,908  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    -         3,397,962  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (15,364,815       (82,447,032
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    (9,450,255       (61,359,162
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net (decrease) in net assets

    (8,750,663       (67,027,587
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Beginning of period

    31,682,263         98,709,850  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 22,931,600       $ 31,682,263  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

20


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 June 30, 2019, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, one of which is presented in this filing: American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage 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 June 30, 2019, 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.

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 or 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  
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  

 

 

21


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 based on 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”).

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 based on 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 Fund may designate earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on the redemption of shares.

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 the 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.

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

 

 

22


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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, equal to 0.35%.

The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into Investment Advisory Agreements with Ionic Capital Management LLC (the “Sub-Advisors”) for the Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualized sub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily equal to 0.80% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

 

          Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

      0.35     $ 53,644  

Sub-Advisor Fees

      0.80       122,614  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

      1.15     $ 176,258  
   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distribution Plans

The Fund, except for the A and C Classes of 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.

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

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, A, and C Classes. of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

 

 

23


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 their 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 June 30, 2019, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   $ 13,481  

As of June 30, 2019, 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
 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   $ 5,657  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Fund may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (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 June 30, 2019, the Manager earned fees on the Fund’s direct investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:

 

Fund

   Direct Investments in
USG Select Fund
 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   $ 4,716  

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 June 30, 2019, the Fund did not utilize the credit facility.

 

 

24


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 June 30, 2019, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

Fund

   Class    Expense Cap     Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
     Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 
   1/1/2019 -
6/30/2019
 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   Institutional      1.34   $ 23,014      $ -        2022  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   Y      1.44     63,968        -        2022  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   Investor      1.72     1,515        -        2022  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   A      1.74     240        -        2022  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   C      2.49     163        -        2022  

Of these amounts, $8,709 was disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2019.

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 2022. The Fund did not record a liability for potential reimbursement due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is uncertain. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager, but not recorded as a liability are as follows:

 

Fund

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

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   $ -      $ 33,392      $ -        2019  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

     -        207,392        -        2020  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

     -        193,214        -        2021  

Sales Commissions

The Fund’s Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of Class A sales charges from broker dealers and it may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no sales charges collected by RID 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 Fund’s 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 June 30, 2019, 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 June 30, 2019, there were no CDSC fees collected for Class C Shares of the Fund.

 

 

25


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trusts, 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 the Fund’s Net Asset Value (“NAV”). The NAV of the Fund, or each of its share classes, as applicable, is determined by dividing the total value of portfolio investments and other assets, less any liabilities attributable to the Fund or class, by the total number of shares outstanding of the Fund or class.

Investments are valued at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”), normally at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, each day that the Exchange is open for business. Equity securities, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price or official closing price (closing bid price or last evaluated quote if no sale has occurred) on the primary market or exchange on which they trade.

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

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.

For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted under the circumstances described below. If the Manager determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the Exchange will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of its portfolio securities, the Manager will adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the Exchange. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the Manager reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. In addition, 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. Eastern Time. 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. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service and are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The pricing service, using methods approved by the Board, 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

 

 

26


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 a Fund is open. The Fund uses outside pricing services to provide closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the Valuation Committee routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.

Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with their futures broker, an amount of cash or U.S. Government and Agency Obligations in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked-to-market daily and an appropriate payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized, but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Other investments, including restricted securities and those financial instruments for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value, are stated at fair value, as determined in good faith by the 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

Common stocks, ETFs, preferred securities, 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. 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. 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.

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

 

 

27


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 ABS that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above 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.

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

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

Certain mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) may be issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or a government sponsored entity, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”). Although these instruments may be guaranteed by the U.S. government or a government sponsored entity, many such MBS are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and are still exposed to the risk of non-payment.

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 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

 

 

28


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 OTC. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

Convertible Securities

Convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes, preferred stock or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or dividends paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. While no securities investment is without some risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than the issuer’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. The market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they do enable the investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock. Holders of convertible securities have a claim on the assets of the issuer prior to the common stockholders, but may be subordinated to holders of similar non-convertible securities of the same issuer. Because of the conversion feature, certain convertible securities may be considered equity equivalents.

Exchange-Traded Notes

The Fund may invest in Exchange-Traded Notes (“ETNs”). ETNs are debt obligations that are traded on exchanges and the returns of which are linked to the performance of market indexes. In addition to trading ETNs on exchanges, investors may redeem ETNs directly with the issuer on a weekly basis, typically in a minimum amount of 50,000 units, or hold the ETNs until maturity. ETNs may be riskier than ordinary debt securities and may have no principal protection. The Fund’s investment in an ETN may be influenced by many unpredictable factors, including highly volatile commodities prices, changes in supply and demand relationships, weather, agriculture, trade, changes in interest rates, and monetary and other governmental policies, action and inaction. Investing in ETNs is not equivalent to investing directly in index components or the relevant index itself. Because ETNs are debt securities, they possess credit risk; if the issuer has financial difficulties or goes bankrupt, the investor may not receive the return it was promised. Because ETNs are unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities, an investment in an ETN exposes the Fund to the risk that an ETN’s issuer may be unable to repay the note upon maturity. As a result, the value of the ETN may decline, including to zero. In addition, as with investments in ETFs and investment companies, the Fund will bear its proportionate share of the fees and expenses of the ETN, which may cause the Fund’s operating expenses to be higher and its performance to be lower than it would if it invested directly in the securities of the index or other reference assets of the ETN. There may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its market benchmark. The Fund’s decision to sell its ETN holdings may be limited by the availability of a liquid market. If the Fund must sell some or all of its ETN holdings and the market for such ETN is weak, it may have to sell such holdings at a discount.

Fixed-Income Investments

The Fund may hold debt, including government and corporate debt, and other fixed-income securities. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a fundamental risk of fixed-income securities is interest rate risk, which is the risk that their value will generally decline as prevailing interest rates rise, which may cause the Fund’s NAV to likewise decrease, and vice versa. How specific fixed-income securities may react to changes in interest rates will depend on the specific characteristics of

 

 

29


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

each security. For example, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, they also tend to be more sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates and are, therefore, more volatile than shorter-term securities and are subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the credit strength of an issuer of a fixed-income security will weaken and/or that the issuer will be unable to make timely principal and interest payments and that the security may go into default. In addition, there is prepayment risk, which is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, certain fixed-income securities with higher interest rates, such as MBS and ABS, may be prepaid by their issuers thereby reducing the amount of interest payments. This may result in a Fund having to reinvest its proceeds in lower yielding securities. Securities underlying MBS and ABS, which may include subprime mortgages, also may be subject to a higher degree of credit risk, valuation risk, and liquidity risk.

Foreign Securities

The Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated and non-U.S. dollar denominated equity and debt securities of foreign issuers and foreign branches of U.S. banks, including negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances, and commercial paper. 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 may be 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, different 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.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities

Generally, an illiquid asset is an asset that the Funds reasonably expect cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act or as otherwise permitted or required by SEC rules and interpretations. Historically, 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. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. However, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity.

Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and the Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. In addition, the Fund may get only limited information about an issuer, so it may be less able to predict a loss. The Fund also might have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. In recognition of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional market for unregistered securities and the importance of institutional investors in the formation of

 

 

30


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

capital, the SEC adopted Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A is designed to facilitate efficient trading among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by the Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities, investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the level of the Fund’s illiquidity. The Manager or the sub-advisor, as applicable, may determine that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. 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.

Securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”) are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment and not with an intention to distribute to the public. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to an exempt transaction and may be accomplished in accordance with Rule 144A. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity. Restricted securities outstanding during the period ended June 30, 2019 are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments.

Interest-Only and Principal-Only Mortgage-Backed Securities

Stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”) are derivative multi-class mortgage securities. SMBS may be issued by agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government and private originators of, or investors in, mortgage loans, including savings and loan associations, mortgage banks, commercial banks, investment banks and special purpose entities of the foregoing. SMBS are usually structured with two classes that receive different proportions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage assets. A common type of SMBS will have one class receiving some of the interest and most of the principal from the mortgage assets, while the other class will receive most of the interest and the remainder of the principal. In the most extreme case, one class will receive all of the interest (the “IO” class), while the other class will receive the entire principal (the principal-only or “PO” class). The yield to maturity on an IO class is extremely sensitive to the rate of principal payments (including pre-payments) on the related underlying mortgage assets, and a rapid rate of principal payments may have a material adverse effect on a Fund’s yield to maturity from these securities. If the underlying mortgage assets experience greater than anticipated pre-payments of principal, a Fund may fail to recoup some or all of its initial investment in these securities even if the security is in one of the highest rating categories.

Interest-only instruments generally increase in value in a rising interest rate environment, which typically results in a slower rate of prepayments on the underlying mortgages and extends the period during which interest payments are required to be made on the IO security. Interest only securities are subject to prepayment risk, which is the risk that prepayments will accelerate in a declining interest rate environment and will reduce the number of remaining interest payments even though there is no default on the underlying mortgages. Principal only instruments generally increase in value in a declining interest rate environment, which typically results in a faster rate of prepayments on the underlying mortgages. Since a PO security is usually purchased at a discount, faster prepayments result in a higher rate of return when the face value of the security is paid back sooner than expected.

Mortgage-Backed Securities

MBS often have stated maturities of up to thirty years when they are issued, depending upon the length of the mortgages underlying the securities. In practice however, unscheduled or early payments of principal and interest on the underlying mortgages may make the securities’ effective maturity shorter than this, and the prevailing interest rates may be higher or lower than the current yield of the Fund’s portfolio at the time resulting in reinvestment risk.

 

 

31


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Rising or high interest rates may result in slower than expected principal payments which may tend to extend the duration of MBS, making them more volatile and more sensitive to changes in interest rates. This is known as extension risk.

MBS may have less potential for capital appreciation than comparable fixed-income securities due to the likelihood of increased prepayments of mortgages resulting from foreclosures or declining interest rates. These foreclosed or refinanced mortgages are paid off at face value (par) or less, causing a loss, particularly for any investor who may have purchased the security at a premium or a price above par. In such an environment, this risk limits the potential price appreciation of these securities.

Mortgage-Related and Other Asset-Backed Securities

The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities consisting of collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage pass-through certificates. 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 commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”), collateralized mortgage obligations (“CMOs”), mortgage pass-through securities, mortgage dollar rolls, CMO residuals or stripped mortgage-backed securities (“SMBS”).

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Fund may invest in shares of other investment companies, including money market funds and ETFs. The Fund may invest in securities of an investment company 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 become 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 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.

The Fund can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as money market funds under the Investment Company Act, to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. The Fund could invest in money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. If the Fund invests in money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the money market funds in which the Fund invests, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable money market funds advised by the Manager.

Preferred Stock

A preferred stock blends the characteristics of a bond and common stock. It can offer the higher yield of a bond and has priority over common stock in equity ownership, but does not have the seniority of a bond and its participation in the issuer’s growth may be limited. Preferred stock generally has preference over common stock in the receipt of dividends and in any residual assets after payment to creditors should the issuer be dissolved. Although the dividend is set at a fixed or variable rate, in some circumstances it can be changed or omitted by the issuer. Preferred stocks are subject to the risks associated with other types of equity securities, as well as additional risks, such as credit risk, interest rate risk, potentially greater volatility and risks related to deferral, non-cumulative dividends, subordination, liquidity, limited voting rights, and special redemption rights.

 

 

32


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. The Fund re-characterizes 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.

Rights and Warrants

Rights are short-term warrants issued in conjunction with new stock or bond issues. Warrants are options to purchase an issuer’s securities at a stated price during a stated term. If the market price of the underlying common stock does not exceed the warrant’s exercise price during the life of the warrant, the warrant will expire worthless. Warrants usually have no voting rights, pay no dividends and have no rights with respect to the assets of the corporation issuing them. The percentage increase or decrease in the value of a warrant may be greater than the percentage increase or decrease in the value of the underlying common stock. Warrants may be purchased with values that vary depending on the change in value of one or more specified indices (“index warrants”). Index warrants are generally issued by banks or other financial institutions and give the holder the right, at any time during the term of the warrant, to receive upon exercise of the warrant a cash payment from the issuer based on the value of the underlying index at the time of the exercise. The market for warrants or rights may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price. There is no specific limit on the percentage of assets the Fund may invest in rights and warrants.

Short Sales

The Fund may enter into short sale transactions. A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market price of the security. Securities sold in short sale transactions and the dividends and interest payable on such securities, if any, are reflected as a liability. A Fund is obligated to deliver the security at the market price at the time the short position is closed. The risk of loss on a short sale transaction is theoretically unlimited, because there is no limit to the cost of replacing the security sold short, whereas losses from purchase transactions cannot exceed the total amount invested. As of June 30, 2019, short positions were held by the Fund and are disclosed in the Schedule of Investments.

Special Purpose Acquisition Company

A special purpose acquisition company (“SPAC”) is a collective investment structure that allows public stock market investors to invest in private equity type transactions, particular leveraged buyouts. SPACs are shell or blank-check companies, governed by the SEC, that have no operations but go public with the intention of merging with or acquiring a company with the proceeds of the SPAC’s initial public offering (“IPO”). For the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund did not hold SPAC securities in the portfolio.

U.S. Treasury Obligations

U.S. Treasury obligations include bills (initial maturities of one year or less), notes (initial maturities between two and ten years), and bonds (initial maturities over ten years) issued by the U.S. Treasury, Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal component parts of such obligations (known as “STRIPS”) and inflation-indexed securities. The prices of these securities (like all debt securities) change between issuance and maturity in response to fluctuating market interest rates. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk.

 

 

33


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Variable or Floating Rate Obligations

The coupon on certain fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest is not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The coupon on a floating rate security is generally based on an interest rate such as a money market index, LIBOR or a Treasury bill rate. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate obligations at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons.

As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on floating rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of increasing interest rates, changes in the coupons of floating rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of floating rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline.

5.  Financial Derivative Instruments

The Fund may utilize derivative instruments to gain market exposure on cash balances or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. When considering the Funds’ use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Fund does not use derivatives for the purpose of creating financial leverage.

Futures Contracts

Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standard quantity of securities at a specified price on a future date. The Fund may enter into financial futures contracts as a method for keeping assets readily convertible to cash if needed to meet shareholder redemptions or for other needs while maintaining exposure to the stock or bond market, as applicable. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the possibility of illiquid markets or imperfect correlation between the values of the contracts and the underlying securities or that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations.

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

During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund entered into futures contracts primarily for hedging purposes.

The Fund’s average futures contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of futures contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Futures Contracts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Period Ended June 30, 2019  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

    17  

 

 

34


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund purchased/sold options primarily for return enhancement and hedging.

The Fund’s options contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of options contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by the notional value of contracts outstanding at each quarter end:

 

Average Option Notional Amounts Outstanding
Period Ended June 30, 2019

 

Fund

  Purchased Contracts           Written Contracts  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

  $ 15,645,375       $ 245,850  

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.

 

 

35


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Swap Agreements

The Fund may invest in swap agreements. Swap agreements are negotiated between the Fund and a counterparty to exchange or swap investment cash flows, assets, foreign currencies, or market-linked returns at specified, future intervals. Swap agreements are either privately negotiated in the over-the-counter market (“OTC Swaps”) or cleared in a central clearing house (“Centrally Cleared Swaps”). The Fund may enter into credit default, cross-currency, interest rate and other forms of swap agreements to manage its exposure to credit, currency, interest rate, and inflation risk. In connection with these agreements, securities or cash may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the respective swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy/insolvency.

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

For OTC payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are reflected as such on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and represent payments made or received upon entering into the swap agreement to compensate for differences between the stated terms of the swap agreement and prevailing market conditions (credit spreads, currency exchange rates, interest rates, and other relevant factors). Centrally cleared swaps provide the same rights to the protection buyer and seller except the payments between parties, including upfront premiums, are settled through a central clearing agent through variation margin payments. Upfront and periodic payments for OTC and centrally cleared swaps are recorded as realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations upon termination or maturity of the swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the swap is recorded as realized gain or loss on the Statement of Operations. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are included as part of realized gains or losses on the Statement of Operations.

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

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

Total Return Swap Agreements

The Fund may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Fund is subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.

 

 

36


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s total return swap contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of total return swap contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end:

 

Average Total Return Swap Notional Amounts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Period Ended June 30, 2019  

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

    5,386,860  

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 June 30, 2019:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Assets:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Purchased options contracts outstanding     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ 1,879,988         $ 1,879,988
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)       -           -           -           -           705           705
Unrealized appreciation from swap agreements       -           -           -           -           58,207           58,207

Liabilities:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Written options contracts outstanding     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (367,837 )         $ (367,837 )
Payable for variation margin from open futures contracts       -           (27,250 )           -           -           -           (27,250 )
Unrealized depreciation from swap agreements       -           -           -           -           (80,547 )           (80,547 )
                                           
The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations as of June 30, 2019:

 

    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
Purchased options contracts     $ -         $ (380,355 )         $ -         $ -         $ (461,757 )         $ (842,112 )
Futures contracts       -           61,925           -           31           233,955           295,911
Swap agreements       -           -           -           (135,120 )           108,064           (27,056 )
Written options contracts       -           -           -           -           76,687           76,687

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
Purchased options contracts     $ -         $ -         $ -         $ -         $ (502,734 )         $ (502,734 )
Futures contracts       -           (29,406 )           -           -           (134,771 )           (164,177 )
Swap agreements       -           -           -           -           16,553           16,553
Written options contracts       -           -           -           -           339,708           339,708

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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

 

 

37


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

delivery or sale-buyback financing transactions by and between the Fund and select counterparties. The Master Forward Agreements maintain provisions for, among other things, initiation and confirmation, payment and transfer, events of default, termination, and maintenance of collateral.

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, June 30, 2019.

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2019:      
    Assets           Liabilities  
Futures Contracts(1)   $ 705       $ 27,250  
Swap Agreement - OTC     58,207         80,547  
Purchased Options Contracts     1,879,988         -  
Written Options Contracts     -         367,837  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities   $ 1,938,900       $ 475,634  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)   $ (1,880,693     $ (395,087
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA   $ 58,207       $ 80,547  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Financial Assets, Derivatives, and Collateral Received/(Pledged) by Counterparty as of June 30, 2019:

 

    Gross Amounts of
Assets Presented in

the Statement  of
Assets and Liabilities
          Derivatives
Available for
Offset
          Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
             

Counterparty

              Non-Cash Collateral
Pledged
          Cash Collateral
Pledged
          Net Amount  

Deutsche Bank AG

  $ 58,207       $ (58,207     $ -       $ -       $ -  
    Gross Amounts of
Liabilities Presented in
the Statement of
Assets and Liabilities
          Derivatives
Available for
Offset
          Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
             

Counterparty

              Non-Cash Collateral
Received
          Cash Collateral
Received
          Net Amount  

Deutsche Bank AG

  $ 80,547       $ (58,207     $ -       $ -       $ 22,340  

(1) Includes cumulative appreciation or (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

6.  Principal Risks

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

Allocation and Correlation Risk

The sub-advisor’s judgments about, and allocations between arbitrage strategies, asset classes and market exposures may adversely affect the Fund’s performance. There can be no assurance, particularly during periods of market disruption and stress, that the Fund will, in fact, experience a low level of correlation with a traditional portfolio of stocks and bonds or with the debt or equity markets generally. This risk may be increased by the use of derivatives to increase allocations to various market exposures.

 

 

38


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Arbitrage Risk

The Fund may use a variety of arbitrage strategies in pursuing its investment strategy. The underlying relationships among securities and derivative instruments in which the Fund takes long and short positions may change in an adverse manner, in which case the Fund may realize losses. The expected gain on an individual arbitrage investment is normally considerably smaller than the possible loss should the transaction be unexpectedly terminated.

The expected timing of each transaction is also important since the length of time that the Fund’s capital must be committed to any given transaction may affect the rate of return realized by the Fund, and unanticipated delays could cause the Fund to lose money or not achieve the desired rate of return.

The success of the Fund’s investment strategies is dependent on the sub-advisor’s ability to exploit pricing inefficiencies among interrelated instruments. Although arbitrage positions are considered to have a lower risk profile than directional trades as the former attempt to exploit price differentials rather than overall price movements, such strategies are by no means without risk. Pricing inefficiencies, even if correctly identified, may not converge within the time frame within which the Fund maintains its positions. Even pure “riskless” arbitrage – which is rare – can result in significant losses if the arbitrage cannot be sustained (due, for example, to margin calls) until expiration. The Fund’s strategies are subject to the risks of disruptions in historical price relationships, the restricted availability of credit and the obsolescence or inaccuracy of valuation models. Market disruptions may also force the Fund to close out one or more positions. Such disruptions have in the past resulted in substantial losses for funds employing similar strategies.

The Fund expects a major component of its investment strategies to involve spreads between two or more securities. To the extent the price relationships between such securities remain constant, no gain or loss may occur. Such spread strategies do, however, entail a substantial risk that the price differential could change unfavorably and result in losses.

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.

Some of the markets in which the Fund may effect derivative transactions are over -the-counter (“OTC”) or “interdealer” markets. The participants in such markets are typically not subject to credit evaluation and regulatory oversight to the same extent as are members of “exchange-based” markets. This exposes the Fund to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a credit or liquidity problem with the counterparty and the recent turbulence in the financial markets highlights the importance of being aware of counterparty risk resulting from OTC derivative transactions. 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 Funds 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 Funds to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.

 

 

39


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Credit Risk

The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction, including a derivatives contract or a loan, will fail to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. The strategies utilized by the sub-advisors require accurate and detailed credit analysis of issuers and there can be no assurance that its analysis will be accurate or complete. The Fund may be subject to substantial losses in the event of credit deterioration or bankruptcy of one or more issuers in its portfolio. Financial strength and solvency of an issuer are the primary factors influencing credit risk. In addition, inadequacy of collateral or credit enhancement for a debt instrument may affect its credit risk. Credit risk may change over the life of an instrument and debt obligations which are rated by rating agencies may be subject to downgrade. The credit ratings of debt instruments and investments represent the rating agencies’ opinions regarding their credit quality and are not a guarantee of future credit performance of such securities. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of the timely payment of principal and interest (or dividends) and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. The ratings assigned to securities by rating agencies do not purport to fully reflect the true risks of an investment. Further, in recent years many highly-rated structured securities have been subject to substantial losses as the economic assumptions on which their ratings were based proved to be materially inaccurate. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by the Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and make it difficult for the 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 (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). Since the Funds 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 securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies or by purchasing or selling forward currency exchange contracts in non-U.S. currencies, or non-U.S. currency futures contracts. Foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar or, in the case of hedging positions, the U.S. dollar may decline in value relative to the currency being hedged, 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. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, the Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Fund. Currency futures, forwards or options may not always work as intended, and in specific cases the Fund may be worse off than if it had not used such instrument(s). There may not always be suitable hedging instruments available. Even where suitable hedging instruments are available, the Fund may choose to not hedge its currency risks.

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 and credit risk. As a

 

 

40


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to market risk. The Fund’s 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 Fund 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.

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, (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. To the extent the Funds invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region.

Futures Contracts Risk

Futures contracts are derivative instruments where one party pays a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose the Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes (losses) and imperfect correlation between the price of the contract and the underlying security or index, which will increase the volatility of the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract).

Hedging Risk

If the Fund uses a hedging instrument at the wrong time or judges the market conditions incorrectly, or the hedged instrument does not correlate to the risk sought to be hedged, the hedge might be unsuccessful, reduce the Fund’s return, or create a loss.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk

Portfolio turnover is a measure of the Fund’s trading activity over a one-year period. A portfolio turnover rate of 100% would indicate that the Fund sold and replaced the entire value of its securities holdings during the period. High portfolio turnover could increase the Fund’s transaction costs because of increased broker

 

 

41


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

commissions resulting from such transactions. These costs are not reflected in the Fund’s annual operating expenses or in the expense example, but they can have a negative impact on performance. Frequent trading by the Fund could also result in increased realized net capital gains, distributions of which are taxable to the Fund’s shareholders (including net short-term capital gain distributions, which are taxable to them as ordinary income).

High-Yield Securities Risk

Investing in high-yield, below investment-grade securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) generally involves significantly greater risks of loss of your money than an investment in investment grade securities. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak or expected to become weak. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that the issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal and interest. Below investment grade securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment grade securities.

Illiquid and Restricted Securities Risk

Securities not registered in the U.S. under 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.

Interest Rate Risk

Investments in fixed-income securities or derivatives that are influenced by interest rates are subject to interest rate risk. The Fund may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates if it invests in debt securities with intermediate and long terms to maturity. Debt securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than debt securities with shorter durations. For example, if a bond has a duration of four years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in a 4% decrease in the value of the bond. Yields of debt securities will fluctuate over time. Following the financial crisis that started in 2008, the Federal Reserve has attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to each other overnight) at or near zero percent. The Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds rate several times since December 2015 and may continue to increase rates in the future. Interest rates may rise significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to the Fund. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain European countries and Japan have recently experienced negative interest rates on deposits and debt securities have traded at negative yields. Negative interest rates may become more prevalent among non-U.S. issuers, and potentially within the United States. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates.

Leverage Risk

The Fund’s use of futures, forward foreign currency contracts, swaps, other derivative instruments and selling securities short will have the economic effect of financial leverage. Financial leverage magnifies the exposure to the swings in prices of an asset or class of assets underlying a derivative instrument and results in increased volatility, which means that the Fund will have the potential for greater losses than if the Fund does not

 

 

42


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

use the derivative instruments that have a leveraging effect. Leverage may result in losses that exceed the amount originally invested and may accelerate the rate of losses. Leverage tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of an increase or decrease in the Fund’s exposure to an asset or class of assets and may cause the Fund’s NAV to be volatile.

Liquidity Risk

When there is little or no active trading market for a specific security it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived value. During such periods, certain investments held by the Fund may be difficult to sell or other investments may be difficult to purchase at favorable times or prices. As a result, the Fund may have to lower the price on certain securities that it is trying to sell, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance. Redemptions by a few large investors in the Fund at such times may have a significant adverse effect on the Fund’s NAV and remaining Fund shareholders. In addition, the market-making capacity of dealers in certain types of securities has been reduced in recent years, in part as a result of structural and regulatory changes, such as fewer proprietary trading desks and increased regulatory capital requirements for broker-dealers. Further, many broker-dealers have reduced their inventory of certain debt securities. This could negatively affect the Fund’s ability to buy or sell debt securities and increase the related volatility and trading costs. The Fund may lose money if it is forced to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs.

Market Risk

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, 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 the federal corporate income tax rate, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent

 

 

43


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 market’s 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. 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.

Mortgage-Backed and Mortgage Related Securities Risk

Investments in mortgage-backed and mortgage-related securities are subject to market risks for fixed-income securities which include, but are not limited to, interest rate risk, credit risk, extension risk and prepayment risk. 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.

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.

Options Risk

In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit that might have been realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the call option. For a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. By using put options in this manner, the Fund will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized from appreciation of the underlying security by the premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs. If the Fund sell a put option, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to buy the underlying asset at a disadvantageous price. If the Fund sell a call option, there is a risk that the Fund may be required to sell the underlying asset at a disadvantageous price. If the Fund sell a call option on an underlying asset that the Fund owns and the underlying asset has increased in value when the call option is exercised, the Fund will be required to sell the underlying asset at the call price and will not be able to realize any of the underlying asset’s value above the call price.

 

 

44


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and closed-end funds. To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, 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, the Fund’s investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. The Fund must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of the Fund’s investment may decline, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance. ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of its benchmark index. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed-income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. ETFs have expenses associated with their operation, typically including advisory fees.

Prepayment and Extension Risk

Prepayment risk is the risk that the principal amount of a bond may be repaid prior to the bond’s maturity date. Due to a decline in interest rates or excess cash flow, a debt security may be called or otherwise prepaid before maturity. If this occurs, no additional interest will be paid on the investment and the Fund may have to invest at a lower rate, may not benefit from an increase in value that may result from declining interest rates, and may lose any premium it paid to acquire the security. Variable and floating rate securities may be less sensitive to prepayment risk. Extension risk is the risk that a decrease in prepayments may, as a result of higher interest rates or other factors, result in the extension of a security’s effective maturity, heighten interest rate risk and increase the potential for a decline in its price.

Short Position Risk

The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a short position if the price of the instrument sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which an offsetting position is purchased. Short positions may be considered speculative transactions and involve special risks, including greater reliance on the sub-advisor’s ability to accurately anticipate the future value of a security or instrument. The Fund’s losses are potentially unlimited in a short position transaction.

Swap Agreement Risk

Swaps can involve greater risks than a direct investment in an underlying asset, because swaps typically include a certain amount of embedded leverage and as such are subject to leveraging risk. If swaps are used as a hedging strategy, the Fund is subject to the risk that the hedging strategy may not eliminate the risk that is intended to offset, due to, among other reasons, the occurrence of unexpected price movements or the non-occurrence of expected price movements. Swaps also may be difficult to value. Interest rate swaps, total return swaps, currency swaps, credit default swaps and commodities swaps are subject to counterparty risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. In addition, interest rate swaps are subject to interest rate risk, total return swaps are subject to market risk, and interest rate risk if the underlying securities are bonds or other debt obligations, currency swaps are subject to currency risk, and commodities swaps are subject to commodities risk.

 

 

45


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Valuation Risk

This is the risk that a Fund has valued a security at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become illiquid and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. If market conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, a Fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when a Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before a Fund determines its NAV. A Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third-party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents.

Volatility Risk

The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time.

Warrants Risk

Warrants may be more speculative than certain other types of investments because warrants do not carry with them dividend or voting rights with respect to the underlying securities, or any rights in the assets of the issuer. In addition, the value of a warrant does not necessarily change with the value of the underlying securities, and a warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date.

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.

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.

 

 

46


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

As of June 30, 2019 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)
 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   $   31,140,226      $ 1,675,125      $ (3,713,094   $ (2,037,969

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.

During the year December 31, 2018, the Fund had the following post RIC MOD capital loss carryforwards:

 

Fund

  Short-Term Capital
Loss Carryforwards
          Long-Term Capital
Loss Carryforwards
 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

  $ 23,033,314       $ 4,939,340  

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 June 30, 2019 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
 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage

   $ 71,168,558      $ 9,126      $ 75,580,571      $ 1,074,786  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 are as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           June 30,
2019
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 
Ionic Strategic Arbitrage   Direct     $ 10,580,670       $ 21,608,847       $ 26,760,736       $ 5,428,781       $ 109,620  

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.

 

 

47


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

During the period ended June 30, 2019, 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
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     69,440       $ 519,731         369,844       $ 3,082,484  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         124,603         917,078  
Shares redeemed     (467,430       (3,484,228       (2,330,102       (19,288,064
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (397,990     $ (2,964,497       (1,835,655     $ (15,288,502
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     723,701       $ 5,394,144         1,656,742       $ 13,891,665  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         325,403         2,391,713  
Shares redeemed     (1,526,206       (11,437,062       (7,519,109       (61,521,380
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (802,505     $ (6,042,918       (5,536,964     $ (45,238,002
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     86       $ 640         72,977       $ 608,461  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         10,299         75,180  
Shares redeemed     (57,577       (428,720       (187,306       (1,512,063
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (57,491     $ (428,080       (104,030     $ (828,422
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     6       $ 45         3,052       $ 25,298  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         1,319         9,603  
Shares redeemed     (317       (2,363       (3,160       (25,994
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (311     $ (2,318       1,211       $ 8,907  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    C Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     -       $ -         9,885       $ 82,000  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         604         4,388  
Shares redeemed     (1,687       (12,442       (12,183       (99,531
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (1,687     $ (12,442       (1,694     $ (13,143
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

11.  Subsequent Events

The Board of American Beacon Funds has approved a plan to liquidate and terminate the American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund on or about October 15, 2019, upon the recommendation of American Beacon Advisors, Inc., the Fund’s investment manager.

 

 

48


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           June 30, 2015A
to
December 31,
 
                                     
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 7.34       $ 8.37       $ 9.06       $ 9.89       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.02 C        0.03 B        0.33         0.16         0.04  

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

    0.14         (0.35       (0.34       (0.02       0.11  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.16         (0.32       (0.01       0.14         0.15  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.71       (0.61       (0.45       (0.06

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         -         (0.07       (0.52       (0.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.71       (0.68       (0.97       (0.26
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 7.50       $ 7.34       $ 8.37       $ 9.06       $ 9.89  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    2.18 %E        (3.80 )%        (0.15 )%        1.39       1.46 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 6,892,443       $ 9,666,324       $ 26,386,023       $ 105,989,910       $ 63,421,998  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.51 %F        2.48       2.67       3.14       3.55 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    1.89 %F        2.21       2.47       3.10       2.84 %F 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.12 )%F        1.35       0.15       1.05       (0.31 )%F 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.50 %F        1.62       0.35       1.09       0.40 %F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    113 %E        556       390       436       159 %E 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $(0.06).

C 

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

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Includes non-operating expenses consisting of prime broker fees and dividends from securities sold short. The Expenses, net of reimbursements, excluding non-operating expenses is 1.34% for the period ended June 30, 2019.

 

See accompanying notes

 

49


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           June 30, 2015A
to
December 31,
 
                                     
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 7.33       $ 8.36       $ 9.06       $ 9.90       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.01 C        0.15 BC        0.02         0.10         0.06  

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

    0.14         (0.47       (0.04       0.03         0.10  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.15         (0.32       (0.02       0.13         0.16  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.71       (0.61       (0.45       (0.06

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         -         (0.07       (0.52       (0.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.71       (0.68       (0.97       (0.26
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to beneficial interests

    -         -         -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 7.48       $ 7.33       $ 8.36       $ 9.06       $ 9.90  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    2.05 %E        (3.80 )%        (0.27 )%        1.28       1.56 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 15,709,280       $ 21,259,294       $ 70,589,684       $ 61,253,803       $ 26,059,687  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.56 %F        2.54       2.94       3.31       3.83 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    2.00 %F        2.33       2.79       3.30       3.27 %F 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.20 )%F        1.61       0.08       0.88       0.83 %F 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.36 %F        1.82       0.23       0.88       1.40 %F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    113 %E        556       390       436       159 %E 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.09.

C 

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

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Includes non-operating expenses consisting of prime broker fees and dividends from securities sold short. The Expenses, net of reimbursements, excluding non-operating expenses is 1.44% for the period ended June 30, 2019.

 

See accompanying notes

 

50


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           June 30, 2015A
to
December 31,
 
                                     
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 7.28       $ 8.32       $ 9.01       $ 9.88       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.01 C        0.13 B C        0.08         0.30         0.02  

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

    0.12         (0.48       (0.12       (0.20       0.12  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.13         (0.35       (0.04       0.10         0.14  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.69       (0.58       (0.45       (0.06

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         -         (0.07       (0.52       (0.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.69       (0.65       (0.97       (0.26
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 7.41       $ 7.28       $ 8.32       $ 9.01       $ 9.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    1.79 %E        (4.17 )%        (0.49 )%        0.98       1.36 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 174,384       $ 589,523       $ 1,539,554       $ 3,339,009       $ 2,186,944  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    3.09 %F        3.22       3.00       3.47       4.23 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    2.23 %F        2.60       2.93       3.50       3.23 %F 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.61 )%F        0.98       (0.08 )%        0.32       (1.52 )%F 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    0.25 %F        1.60       (0.01 )%        0.29       (0.53 )%F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    113 %E        556       390       436       159 %E 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.07.

C 

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

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Includes non-operating expenses consisting of prime broker fees and dividends from securities sold short. The Expenses, net of reimbursements, excluding non-operating expenses is 1.72% for the period ended June 30, 2019.

 

See accompanying notes

 

51


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           June 30, 2015A
to
December 31,
 
                                     
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 7.26       $ 8.31       $ 9.01       $ 9.88       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.00 C        0.23 B        0.03         0.07         0.08  

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

    0.15         (0.58       (0.07       0.03         0.06  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.15         (0.35       (0.04       0.10         0.14  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.70       (0.59       (0.45       (0.06

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         -         (0.07       (0.52       (0.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.70       (0.66       (0.97       (0.26
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 7.41       $ 7.26       $ 8.31       $ 9.01       $ 9.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    2.07 %E        (4.23 )%        (0.51 )%        0.98       1.36 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 108,239       $ 108,393       $ 113,957       $ 115,308       $ 115,261  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.75 %F        2.78       3.23       3.65       7.35 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    2.31 %F        2.63       3.08       3.58       3.37 %F 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.35 )%F        1.58       (0.22 )%        0.27       (3.54 )%F 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    0.09 %F        1.73       (0.07 )%        0.34       0.44 %F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    113 %E        556       390       436       159 %E 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $0.17.

C 

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

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Includes non-operating expenses consisting of prime broker fees and dividends from securities sold short. The Expenses, net of reimbursements, excluding non-operating expenses is 1.74% for the period ended June 30, 2019.

 

See accompanying notes

 

52


American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           June 30, 2015A
to
December 31,
 
                                     
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 7.24       $ 8.23       $ 8.90       $ 9.85       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.02       0.03 C        0.00 B        (0.01       0.05  

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

    0.14         (0.44       (0.11       0.03         0.05  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.12         (0.41       (0.11       0.02         0.10  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.58       (0.49       (0.45       (0.05

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         -         (0.07       (0.52       (0.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.58       (0.56       (0.97       (0.25
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 7.36       $ 7.24       $ 8.23       $ 8.90       $ 9.85  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    1.66 %E        (4.95 )%        (1.21 )%        0.17       1.00 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 47,254       $ 58,729       $ 80,632       $ 152,859       $ 131,408  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    3.61 %F        3.63       3.75       4.40       8.14 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    3.04 %F        3.42       3.73       4.34       4.11 %F 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.23 )%F        0.30       (0.83 )%        (0.46 )%        (4.30 )%F 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.67 )%F        0.51       (0.82 )%        (0.40 )%        (0.28 )%F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    113 %E        556       390       436       159 %E 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Amount represents less than 0.005% of average net assets.

C 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment income per share would have been $(0.04).

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Includes non-operating expenses consisting of prime broker fees and dividends from securities sold short. The Expenses, net of reimbursements, excluding non-operating expenses is 2.49% for the period ended June 30, 2019.

 

See accompanying notes

 

53


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Renewal and Approval of Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement

At in-person meetings held on May 9, 2019 and June 4-5, 2019 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 5, 2019 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund (“Fund”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Manager, Ionic Capital Management LLC (the “subadvisor”), and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund.

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.” In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the subadvisor, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and the subadvisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund as well as information from the Manager and the subadvisor. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Board received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to the Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative expenses, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

A firm may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations. The class of shares used for comparative performance purposes was the share class with the lowest expenses available for purchase by the general public, which was the Institutional Class. The Board also considered that the use of Institutional Class performance generally facilitates a meaningful comparison for expense and performance purposes.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to renew or approve each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal and approval of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements. The memorandum explained the regulatory requirements surrounding the Board’s process for evaluating investment advisors and the terms of investment advisory contracts. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the renewal and approval of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

 

54


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement

In determining whether to renew the Agreements, the Board considered the Fund’s investment management and subadvisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Fund; (3) the costs incurred by the Manager in rendering services to the Fund and its resulting profits or losses; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or the subadvisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the subadvisor from their relationships with the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Fund; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Fund; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement subadvisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered the level of staffing and the size of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the adequacy of the resources committed to the Fund by the subadvisor, and whether those resources were commensurate with the needs of the Fund and are sufficient to sustain appropriate levels of performance and compliance needs. In this regard, the Board considered the financial stability of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the subadvisor’s representations regarding its compliance program and code of ethics. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and the subadvisor were appropriate for the Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of the Fund relative to its Broadridge performance universe, Morningstar Category, and benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding Broadridge’s independent methodology for selecting the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe. The Board also considered that the performance universes selected by Broadridge may not provide appropriate comparisons for the Fund. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at Board and Committee meetings throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by the subadvisor regarding the performance of the Fund relative to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Costs of the Services Provided to the Fund and the Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Fund. In analyzing the cost of services and profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits or losses were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager sustaining a loss before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager for the Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the Manager represented that,

 

 

55


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Fund.

The Board also noted that the Manager proposed to continue the expense waivers and reimbursements for the Fund that were in place during the last fiscal year. The Board further considered that, with respect to the Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Fund maintain higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by the subadvisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered representations made by the subadvisor that the subadvisor does not manage any comparable client accounts, and therefore could not provide fee schedules for comparable investment accounts managed by the subadvisor. The Board did not request profitability data from the subadvisor because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the subadvisor with respect to the negotiation of subadvisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that the subadvisor may not account for its profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered the subadvisor’s representation that it has not experienced and does not currently anticipate experiencing economies of scale with respect to its management of the Fund.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to the Fund. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and subadvisor fee rate schedules for the Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the subadvisor as a result of the advisory relationships with the Fund, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the subadvisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the subadvisor. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the subadvisor by virtue of their relationships with the Fund appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund

The performance comparisons below were made in comparison to the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge performance universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance and the 5th Quintile representing the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References below to the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe are to the universe of mutual funds with a comparable investment classification/objective included in the analysis provided by Broadridge. In reviewing the performance, the Trustees viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle as the most important consideration, because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of manager skill.

 

 

56


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The expense comparisons below were made in comparison to the Fund’s Broadridge expense universe and Broadridge expense group, with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References below to the Fund’s expense group and expense universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds included in the analysis by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense universe includes all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar operating structure as the share class of the Fund included in the Broadridge comparative information and provides a broader view of expenses across the Fund’s investment classification/objective. The Board also considered the Fund’s Morningstar fee level category. In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers where applicable and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. In addition, information regarding the subadvisor’s use of soft dollars was requested from the Manager and was considered by the Board.

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with the subadvisor for the Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expenses Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

   4th Quintile

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

   5th Quintile

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking – Institutional Class

   High Expense Ratio

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (three-year period ended December 31, 2018)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

   4th Quintile

Compared to Morningstar Category

   4th Quintile

The Board also considered: (1) that the Fund has only been operational since June 30, 2015; (2) the challenges associated with identifying a peer group for evaluating the Fund’s expenses and performance as none of the funds in the Fund’s Broadridge expense group, expense universe, performance universe or Morningstar category pursue a comparable investment strategy; (3) the additional expenses associated with the implementation of the Fund’s arbitrage-based investment strategy, which is broader than the investment strategies pursued by many of the funds in the Fund’s Broadridge expense group and expense universe; (4) the subadvisor’s investment advisory fee rate was reduced, effective December 1, 2018; and (5) the Manager’s representation that, while the Manager was recommending that the Board continue to retain the subadvisor, the Manager continues to evaluate the Fund’s ongoing operational viability and whether to make any further recommendations with respect to the Fund.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and the subadvisor’s continued management of the Fund.

 

 

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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-PORT as of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT 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 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 Managers Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

Dallas, Texas

   

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 Ionic Strategic Arbitrage Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 6/19


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.

AHL MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

Investing in derivative instruments involves liquidity, credit, interest rate and market risks. The use of quantitative models may lead to high levels of trading and concentration among certain investments, resulting in higher trading costs and return volatility. Investing in foreign and emerging market 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. The Fund may have high portfolio turnover risk, which could increase the Fund’s transaction costs and possibly have a negative impact on performance. 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.

AHL TARGETRISK FUND

Investing in derivative instruments involves liquidity, credit, interest rate and market risks. The use of quantitative models may lead to high levels of trading and concentration among certain investments, resulting in higher trading costs and return volatility. The Fund’s investments in high-yield or junk-rated securities are subject to greater levels of credit, interest rate, market and liquidity risks than investment-grade securities. In a period of sustained deflation, inflation index-linked securities may not pay any income and may suffer a loss. Investing in foreign and emerging market 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. The Fund may have high portfolio turnover risk, which could increase the Fund’s transaction costs and possibly have a negative impact on performance. 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.

Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Funds’ risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of these 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 the Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions and therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.

 

American Beacon Funds

June 30, 2019


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overviews

    2  

Expense Examples

    6  

Schedules of Investments:

 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

    8  

AHL TargetRisk Fund

    28  

Financial Statements

    32  

Notes to Financial Statements

    36  

Financial Highlights:

 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

    66  

AHL TargetRisk Fund

    71  

Renewal and Approval of Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement

    77  

Additional Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

At American Beacon, we take our heritage as a fiduciary very seriously — and we apply that mindset to all aspects of our business as a fund manager. As a result, for more than 30 years, we have endeavored to:

 

u   Identify, engage and oversee the best money managers. As a manager of managers, our goal is to engage the most effective money managers for each asset class, investment style and market strategy we offer. We are committed to partnering with those we judge to be “the best of the best” when it comes to choosing sub-advisors for our mutual funds. Whether our due-diligence process results in the selection of one sub-advisor or multiple sub-advisors, we select those we believe show the greatest potential to help us meet the high standards you’ve come to expect.

 

u  

Offer a variety of innovative investment solutions. Our mutual funds — which span the domestic, international, global, frontier and emerging markets — are sub-advised by experienced money managers who employ distinctive, proprietary investment processes to manage assets through a variety of economic and market conditions. From offering some of the first multi-manager funds, one of the first retirement income funds and the first open-ended mutual fund in the U.S. to focus primarily on frontier-market debt, our robust history includes applying a disciplined, solutions-based approach to our product development process in an effort to help you grow your assets while mitigating risk.

 

u  

Provide a solutions-based approach to achieving long-term investment goals. We seek to provide investment solutions that might enable you to benefit from taking a more disciplined approach to investing. Our mutual funds provide access to institutional-quality, research-intensive investment managers with diverse processes and styles. Over the long run, having such access and spending time in the market — rather than trying to time the market — may better position you to reach your long-term investment goals during market upswings and potentially insulate against market downswings.

Our management approach is more than a concept; it’s the cornerstone of American Beacon’s culture. And we strive to employ it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment solutions to help our shareholders seek long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our mutual 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 AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) returned 1.14% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

1 Year

  

3 Years

 

Since Inception
(8/19/2014)

Institutional Class (1,5)

     AHLIX          1.32 %        5.06 %        2.26 %       4.21 %

Y Class (1,5)

     AHLYX          1.23 %        5.03 %        2.15 %       4.10 %

Investor Class (1,5)

     AHLPX          1.14 %        4.73 %        1.86 %       3.80 %

A Class without Sales Charge (1,2,5)

     AHLAX          1.05 %        4.68 %        1.82 %       3.77 %

A Class with Sales Charge (1,2,5)

     AHLAX          (4.76 )%        (1.36 )%        (0.18 )%       2.51 %

C Class without Sales Charge (1,3,5)

     AHLCX          0.68 %        3.93 %        1.09 %       3.01 %

C Class with Sales Charge (1,3,5)

     AHLCX          (0.32 )%        2.93 %        1.09 %       3.01 %
                         

ICE BofAML 3-Month Treasury Bill Index (4)

              1.24 %        2.31 %        1.38 %       0.89 %

 

*

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.

 

2.

A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.

 

3.

C Class has a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

4.

The ICE BofAML 3-Month Treasury Bill Index is designed to measure the total return on cash, including price and interest income, based on short-term government Treasury bills of about 90-day maturity. One cannot directly invest in an index.

 

5.

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 1.71%, 1.72%, 1.97%, 2.05%, and 2.78%, 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.

For the period, Fixed-Income was the best performing sector. A long position in the German bund (+1.1%) and a long position in the Euribor (+0.8%) were the top markets within the sector.

The remaining three sectors were negative over the period. Currencies were the worst performing sector for the period detracting from Fund performance. A long position in the Japanese yen versus the U.S. dollar detracted the most (-0.8%). Additionally, a long position in the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar generated losses of 0.5%.

Equities also realized losses over the period. The largest negative returner was a short position in the Korean Kospi (-0.6%). This was followed by a short position in the Russell 2000 which produced losses of 0.4%.

Lastly, Commodities added losses as well. Leading losses was a short position in West Texas Intermediate Crude Oil (-0.5%). Detracting the second most was a short position in Copper which returned -0.4%.

Looking forward, the Fund’s sub-advisor will continue to implement its trading strategy designed to capitalize on price trends (up or down) in a broad range of global stock index, bond, currency, short-term interest rate and commodity futures markets seeking to achieve the Fund’s goal of capital growth.

 

 

2


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Commodities           % of VaR * 
Natural Gas      Short          9.56  
Copper      Short          3.11  
Gold      Long          2.67  
Aluminum      Short          2.00  
Silver      Short          1.11  
       
Currencies           % of VaR * 
GBP/USD      Short          5.33  
AUD/USD      Short          3.11  
EUR/USD      Short          2.67  
MXN/USD      Long          2.44  
CAD/USD      Long          1.78  
       
Equities           % of VaR * 
S&P 500 Index      Long          3.56  
Australian SPI 200 Index      Long          2.89  
Euro-STOXX Index      Long          2.22  
FTSE 100 Index      Long          2.22  
South African All Share Index      Long          2.20  
       
Interest Rate           % of VaR * 
U.S. Treasuries      Long          5.11  
German Bund      Long          2.22  
Australian Bonds      Long          2.00  
Japanese Bonds      Long          1.56  
Euribor      Long          1.33  

 

*

Value at Risk (“VaR”) is a measure of the potential loss in value of a portfolio over a defined period for a given confidence interval. A one-day VaR at the 95% confidence level represents that there is a 5% probability that the mark-to-market loss on the portfolio over a one day horizon will exceed this value (assuming normal markets and no trading in the portfolio).

 

 

3


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund (the “Fund”) returned 19.90% for the six months ended June 30, 2019.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019                   
      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

  

Since Inception
(12/31/2018)

Institutional Class (1,3)

         AHTIX          20.10 %        20.10 %

Y Class (1,3)

         AHTYX          20.00 %        20.00 %

Investor Class (1,3)

         AHTPX          19.90 %        19.90 %

A Class without Sales Charge (1,2,3)

         AHTAX          20.01 %        20.01 %

A Class with Sales Charge (1,2,3)

         AHTAX          13.11 %        13.11 %

C Class without Sales Charge (1,2,3)

         AHACX          19.91 %        19.91 %

C Class with Sales Charge (1,2,3)

         AHACX          18.91 %        18.91 %

 

*

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. Please note that the recent performance of the securities market has helped produce short-term returns that are not typical and may not continue in the future.

 

2.

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. Fund performance represents the returns achieved by the Investor Class from 12/31/18 up to the 4/30/19 inception date of the A and C Classes and returns of the A and C Classes since 4/20/19.

 

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 2.04%, 2.14%, 2.42%, 2.44% and 3.19%, 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.

 

4.

The AHL TargetRisk Fund’s annual total return is compared to the TargetRisk Composite Index, which combines the returns of the MSCI World Index Hedged to U.S. Dollars (USD) and the Bloomberg Barclays Global-Aggregate Total Return Index Value Hedged USD in a 60%/40% proportion. The MSCI World Index Hedged to USD represents a close estimation of the performance that can be achieved by hedging the currency exposures of its parent index, the MSCI World Index, to the USD, the “home” currency for the hedged index. The index is 100% hedged to the USD by selling each foreign currency forward at the one-month forward weight. The parent index is composed of large and mid-cap stocks across 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries and its local performance is calculated in 13 different currencies, including the Euro. The MSCI© information contained herein: (1) is provided “as is,” (2) is proprietary to MSCI and/or its content providers, (3) may not be used to create any financial instruments or products or any indexes and (4) may not be copied or distributed without MSCI’s express written consent. MSCI disclaims all warranties with respect to the information. Neither MSCI nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. The Bloomberg Barclays Global-Aggregate Total Return Index Value Hedged USD is a flagship measure of global investment grade debt from 24 local currency markets. This multi-currency benchmark includes treasury, government-related, corporate and securitized fixed-rate bonds from both developed and emerging markets issuers. One cannot directly invest in an index.

Over the first half of 2019, markets were generally positive with some intermittent volatility along the way in large part due to the up and down trade negotiations between the world’s two largest economies, the U.S. and China. In early January, the U.S. Fed surprised markets by projecting no further rate hikes this year as the economy showed signs of cooling growth. Overall, this backdrop led to a supportive environment for the Fund’s investment strategy.

All sectors within the Fund produced positive returns over the period. Bonds led the way as the top performer returning 9.8%. Within the sector, the best performing markets were the U.S. Inflation-Linked Bonds (up 1.8%) and U.K. 10-Year Gilts (up 1.0%). Equities were the next best performing sector adding approximately 6.7% to Fund performance. Within equities, the FTSE 100 Index (up 1.4%) generated the largest gain, and the S&P 500 Index (up 1.3%) registered second most. Credit gained 3.1%. The U.S. High Yield CDX Index (up 1.5%) performed best followed by the U.S. 5-Year CDX Index (up 0.9%). Lastly, Commodities contributed 0.3% to Fund performance.

Looking forward, the Fund’s sub-advisor will continue to implement its strategy of building a multi-asset portfolio and combining rigorous risk controls to provide a stable level of volatility while seeking to achieve the Fund’s goal of capital growth.

 

 

4


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Top Ten Holdings                % of VaR * 
U.S. Treasuries                0.4  
Gilts                0.3  
BBG Commodity ex-Agriculturals Index                0.2  
FTSE 100                0.2  
S&P 500 Index                0.1  
Euro-BUND                0.1  
NASDAQ 100 Index                0.1  
US High Yield CDX Index                0.1  
French Bonds                0.1  
Nikkei                0.1  

 

*

Value at Risk (“VaR”) is a measure of the potential loss in value of a portfolio over a defined period for a given confidence interval. A one-day VaR at the 95% confidence level represents that there is a 5% probability that the mark-to-market loss on the portfolio over a one day horizon will exceed this value (assuming normal markets and no trading in the portfolio).

 

 

5


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

June 30, 2019 (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 January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019.

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 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

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
1/1/2019
  Ending Account Value
6/30/2019
  Expenses Paid During
Period
1/1/2019-6/30/2019*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,012.20       $7.68
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,017.16       $7.70
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,012.30       $8.18
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,016.66       $8.20
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,011.40       $9.58
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,015.27       $9.59
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,010.50       $9.67
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,015.17       $9.69
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,006.80       $13.38
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,011.46       $13.42

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 1.54%, 1.64%, 1.92%, 1.94%, and 2.69% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, and C Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
1/1/2019
  Ending Account Value
6/30/2019
  Expenses Paid During
Period
1/1/2019-6/30/2019*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,201.00       $5.68
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.64       $5.21
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,200.00       $6.22
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.14       $5.71
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,199.00       $7.74
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,017.75       $7.10
A Class***            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,058.30       $2.48
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,017.65       $7.20
C Class***            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,057.40       $3.77
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,013.94       $10.94

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 1.04%, 1.14%, 1.42%, 1.44%, and 2.19% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, and C Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

***

American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund’s A and C Classes commenced operations on April 30, 2019. Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio for the period, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days since inception (61), then divided by the number of days in the year (365) to reflect the period. The Ending Account Value is derived from the fund’s share class actual return since inception. The Hypothetical 5% Annual Return information reflects the (181) day period for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to allow for comparability.

 

 

7


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 90.97%            
Investment Companies - 4.34%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%A B C       45,380,132         $ 45,380,132
           

 

 

 
    Principal Amount        
           
U.S. Treasury Obligations - 86.63%            
U.S. Treasury Bills,            

2.437%, Due 7/5/2019

    $ 50,000,000           49,989,165

2.416%, Due 7/18/2019A

      30,000,000           29,970,941

2.420%, Due 7/18/2019

      55,000,000           54,946,724

2.386%, Due 8/15/2019

      50,000,000           49,869,218

2.391%, Due 8/15/2019A

      32,000,000           31,916,300

2.452%, Due 9/5/2019A

      91,000,000           90,650,901

2.410%, Due 9/19/2019

      50,000,000           49,769,148

2.354%, Due 9/26/2019A

      82,000,000           81,588,804

2.385%, Due 10/3/2019A

      31,000,000           30,830,624

2.385%, Due 10/3/2019

      50,000,000           49,726,813

2.419%, Due 10/10/2019

      50,000,000           49,706,118

2.353%, Due 10/17/2019A

      30,000,000           29,815,725

2.369%, Due 10/17/2019

      100,000,000           99,385,750

2.305%, Due 10/31/2019

      40,000,000           39,725,839

2.031%, Due 11/7/2019

      30,000,000           29,778,281

2.355%, Due 11/14/2019A

      109,000,000           108,153,797

1.995%, Due 12/12/2019A

      30,000,000           29,721,713
           

 

 

 
              905,545,861
           

 

 

 
           

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $950,342,051)

              950,925,993
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 90.97% (Cost $950,342,051)

              950,925,993

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 9.03%

              94,428,866
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 1,045,354,859
           

 

 

 
           
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.                  

A All or a portion represents positions held by the American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd.

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

C 7-day yield.

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:               
Commodity Futures Contracts                                         
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount        Contract Value        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Cocoa FuturesA      398      September 2019      $ 9,939,896        $ 9,651,500        $ (288,396
Corn FuturesA      746      December 2019        16,875,508          16,094,950          (780,558
Gasoline RBOB FuturesA      19      July 2019        1,525,556          1,513,487          (12,069
Gold 100oz FuturesA      536      August 2019        71,470,676          75,774,320          4,303,644  
LME Copper FuturesA      64      July 2019        10,365,576          9,587,200          (778,376
LME Copper FuturesA      56      August 2019        8,389,450          8,391,600          2,150  
LME Lead FuturesA      50      July 2019        2,365,808          2,406,875          41,067  
LME Nickel FuturesA      75      July 2019        5,513,226          5,688,000          174,774  
LME Nickel FuturesA      69      August 2019        5,194,978          5,247,864          52,886  
LME Primary Aluminum FuturesA      294      July 2019        13,150,199          13,099,537          (50,662
LME Zinc FuturesA      58      July 2019        4,170,378          3,690,250          (480,128
LME Zinc FuturesA      58      August 2019        3,810,936          3,635,150          (175,786
Sugar #11 World FuturesA      520      September 2019        7,438,524          7,349,888          (88,636
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 160,210,711        $ 162,130,621        $ 1,919,910  
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

8


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Futures Contracts  
Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Canadian Dollar Currency Futures    1,158    September 2019    $ 88,090,693      $ 88,650,690      $ 559,997  
Japanese Yen Currency Futures    367    September 2019      43,028,569        42,805,963        (222,606
Mexican Peso Futures    3,569    September 2019      91,803,767        91,830,370        26,603  
U.S. Dollar Index Futures    692    September 2019      66,611,024        66,200,872        (410,152
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 289,534,053      $ 289,487,895      $ (46,158
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Equity Futures Contracts  
Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Amsterdam Index Futures    233    July 2019    $ 29,495,947      $ 29,723,046      $ 227,099  
CAC40 Index Futures    515    July 2019      32,176,646        32,401,612        224,966  
DAX Index Futures    157    September 2019      55,021,764        55,289,108        267,344  
Euro Stoxx 50 Index Futures    1,625    September 2019      63,561,935        64,044,324        482,389  
FTSE 100 Index Futures    715    September 2019      66,883,000        66,911,534        28,534  
FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index Futures    1,454    September 2019      54,595,352        54,125,756        (469,596
FTSE/MIB Index Futures    282    September 2019      33,496,874        33,919,653        422,779  
Hang Seng China Enterprises Index Futures    174    July 2019      11,946,937        12,067,092        120,155  
Hang Seng Index Futures    171    July 2019      30,859,040        31,199,067        340,027  
IBEX 35 Index Futures    182    July 2019      18,996,904        18,983,728        (13,176
Mini MSCI EAFE Index Futures    354    September 2019      33,896,321        34,042,410        146,089  
Mini MSCI Emerging Markets Index Futures    217    September 2019      11,319,804        11,429,390        109,586  
MSCI Taiwan Stock Index Futures    1,005    July 2019      38,736,204        38,843,250        107,046  
NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Futures    290    September 2019      43,931,787        44,623,750        691,963  
Nikkei 225 (SGX) Futures    227    September 2019      22,301,973        22,338,914        36,941  
OMXS30 Index Futures    1,142    July 2019      19,626,538        19,931,796        305,258  
S&P 500 E-Mini Index Futures    721    September 2019      104,771,818        106,138,410        1,366,592  
S&P/TSX 60 Index Futures    397    September 2019      59,181,558        59,279,432        97,874  
SPI 200 Futures    826    September 2019      94,147,313        95,088,002        940,689  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 824,947,715      $ 830,380,274      $ 5,432,559  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Interest Rate Futures Contracts  
Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
3-Month Euro Euribor Futures    2,568    September 2020    $ 732,874,544      $ 733,595,397      $ 720,853  
3-Month Euro Euribor Futures    2,157    June 2021      615,183,991        615,817,945        633,954  
3-Month Euro Euribor Futures    1,466    March 2022      417,673,030        418,080,802        407,772  
90-Day Eurodollar Futures    690    September 2020      169,573,080        169,817,625        244,545  
90-Day Eurodollar Futures    741    June 2021      182,167,102        182,360,100        192,998  
90-Day Eurodollar Futures    839    March 2022      206,112,742        206,310,100        197,358  
90-Day Sterling Futures    2,904    September 2020      457,551,058        457,557,214        6,156  
90-Day Sterling Futures    2,884    June 2021      454,439,592        454,268,649        (170,943
Australian 10-Year Bond Futures    1,086    September 2019      108,812,862        109,522,635        709,773  
Australian 3-Year Bond Futures    2,342    September 2019      188,834,050        189,079,210        245,160  
Euro-Bobl Futures    2,113    September 2019      321,738,071        323,018,000        1,279,929  
Euro-Bund Futures    1,159    September 2019      225,307,756        227,653,889        2,346,133  
Euro-Buxl Futures    179    September 2019      40,152,236        41,298,455        1,146,219  
Euro-Schatz Futures    1,665    September 2019      212,218,334        212,586,022        367,688  
Japanese 10-Year Government Bond Futures    345    September 2019      490,963,231        492,308,584        1,345,353  
Long GILT Futures    625    September 2019      102,607,823        103,421,497        813,674  
U.S. Long Bond Futures    499    September 2019      75,705,896        77,641,281        1,935,385  
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note Futures    1,047    September 2019      131,539,237        133,983,281        2,444,044  
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Note Futures    449    September 2019      96,049,223        96,615,680        566,457  
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note Futures    910    September 2019      106,362,559        107,522,188        1,159,629  
U.S. Ultra Bond Futures    248    September 2019      42,576,044        44,035,500        1,459,456  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 5,378,442,461      $ 5,396,494,054      $ 18,051,593  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Short Futures Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Commodity Futures Contracts  
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Brent Crude FuturesA      22      July 2019      $ (1,379,751    $ (1,424,280    $ (44,529
Coffee FuturesA      152      September 2019        (5,663,450      (6,238,650      (575,200
KC Hard Red Winter Wheat FuturesA      150      September 2019        (3,550,317      (3,461,250      89,067  
KC Hard Red Winter Wheat FuturesA      106      December 2019        (2,601,291      (2,567,850      33,441  
LME Copper FuturesA      64      July 2019        (9,895,916      (9,587,200      308,716  
LME Copper FuturesA      287      August 2019        (42,883,338      (43,006,950      (123,612
LME Copper FuturesA      46      September 2019        (6,731,109      (6,895,400      (164,291
LME Copper FuturesA      511      September 2019        (34,134,477      (34,664,963      (530,486
LME Lead FuturesA      112      July 2019        (5,396,646      (5,391,400      5,246  
LME Lead FuturesA      82      August 2019        (3,852,684      (3,958,550      (105,866
LME Lead FuturesA      7      September 2019        (332,817      (338,100      (5,283
LME Nickel FuturesA      75      July 2019        (5,529,478      (5,688,000      (158,522
LME Nickel FuturesA      73      August 2019        (5,204,140      (5,552,088      (347,948
LME Nickel FuturesA      46      September 2019        (3,231,240      (3,506,580      (275,340
LME Primary Aluminum FuturesA      656      July 2019        (30,356,104      (29,228,900      1,127,204  
LME Primary Aluminum FuturesA      290      August 2019        (13,001,594      (12,997,437      4,157  
LME Primary Aluminum FuturesA      414      September 2019        (18,603,531      (18,632,588      (29,057
LME Zinc FuturesA      58      July 2019        (3,727,261      (3,690,250      37,011  
LME Zinc FuturesA      77      August 2019        (4,791,900      (4,825,975      (34,075
LME Zinc FuturesA      61      September 2019        (3,761,385      (3,814,025      (52,640
Low Sulphur Gasoil FuturesA      128      July 2019        (7,129,683      (7,616,000      (486,317
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      3,379      July 2019        (79,638,207      (77,987,320      1,650,887  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      264      October 2019        (1,845,817      (1,583,340      262,477  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      264      November 2019        (1,845,817      (1,712,700      133,117  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      264      December 2019        (1,845,818      (1,786,620      59,198  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      264      January 2020        (1,845,818      (1,766,820      78,998  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      264      February 2020        (1,845,817      (1,717,320      128,497  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      344      March 2020        (2,189,442      (2,076,040      113,402  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      344      April 2020        (2,189,442      (2,054,540      134,902  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      344      May 2020        (2,189,442      (2,088,940      100,502  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      344      June 2020        (2,189,442      (2,125,060      64,382  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      344      July 2020        (2,189,442      (2,137,960      51,482  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      344      August 2020        (2,189,442      (2,127,640      61,802  
Natural Gas Swap FuturesA      344      September 2020        (2,189,442      (2,148,280      41,162  
NY Harbor ULSD FuturesA      128      July 2019        (9,824,426      (10,426,214      (601,788
Silver FuturesA      359      September 2019        (27,410,362      (27,537,095      (126,733
Soybean FuturesA      377      November 2019        (17,271,991      (17,398,550      (126,559
WTI Crude FuturesA      66      July 2019        (3,499,950      (3,859,020      (359,070
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ (373,958,229    $ (373,619,895    $ 338,334  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Currency Futures Contracts  
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Austrailian Dollar Currency Futures      1,988      September 2019      $ (137,894,742    $ (139,875,680    $ (1,980,938
British Pound Currency Futures      2,982      September 2019        (237,725,710      (237,609,487      116,223  
Euro Currency Futures      1,175      September 2019        (166,256,523      (168,120,469      (1,863,946
New Zealand Dollar Currency Futures      566      September 2019        (37,283,971      (38,074,820      (790,849
Swiss Franc Currency Futures      33      September 2019        (4,163,443      (4,257,825      (94,382
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ (583,324,389    $ (587,938,281    $ (4,613,892
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Equity Futures Contracts                                     
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
KOSPI 200 Index Futures      761      September 2019      $ (44,980,559    $ (45,871,563    $ (891,004
Russell 2000 E-Mini Index Futures      49      September 2019        (3,744,146      (3,839,395      (95,249
TOPIX Index Futures      41      September 2019        (5,910,594      (5,898,159      12,435  
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $ (54,635,299    $ (55,609,117    $ (973,818
              

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
INR      36,203      USD      35,875      7/5/2019      DUB      $ 328      $ -      $ 328  
INR      36,203      USD      35,881      7/5/2019      DUB        322        -        322  
INR      72,406      USD      71,165      7/5/2019      DUB        1,241        -        1,241  
INR      72,406      USD      71,641      7/5/2019      DUB        765        -        765  
INR      72,406      USD      71,338      7/5/2019      DUB        1,068        -        1,068  
INR      72,406      USD      71,430      7/5/2019      DUB        976        -        976  
INR      72,406      USD      71,767      7/5/2019      DUB        639        -        639  
INR      72,406      USD      71,846      7/5/2019      DUB        560        -        560  
INR      72,406      USD      71,841      7/5/2019      DUB        565        -        565  
INR      72,406      USD      71,846      7/5/2019      DUB        560        -        560  
INR      72,406      USD      71,948      7/5/2019      DUB        458        -        458  
INR      72,406      USD      71,939      7/5/2019      DUB        467        -        467  
INR      72,406      USD      71,800      7/5/2019      DUB        606        -        606  
INR      108,608      USD      107,913      7/5/2019      DUB        695        -        695  
INR      108,608      USD      107,735      7/5/2019      DUB        873        -        873  
INR      112,763      USD      111,216      7/5/2019      DUB        1,547        -        1,547  
INR      144,811      USD      142,861      7/5/2019      DUB        1,950        -        1,950  
INR      144,811      USD      142,677      7/5/2019      DUB        2,134        -        2,134  
INR      144,811      USD      142,859      7/5/2019      DUB        1,952        -        1,952  
INR      144,811      USD      142,773      7/5/2019      DUB        2,038        -        2,038  
INR      144,811      USD      143,673      7/5/2019      DUB        1,138        -        1,138  
INR      144,811      USD      143,876      7/5/2019      DUB        935        -        935  
INR      144,811      USD      143,637      7/5/2019      DUB        1,174        -        1,174  
INR      181,014      USD      177,999      7/5/2019      DUB        3,015        -        3,015  
INR      181,014      USD      178,198      7/5/2019      DUB        2,816        -        2,816  
INR      217,217      USD      215,628      7/5/2019      DUB        1,589        -        1,589  
INR      217,217      USD      215,450      7/5/2019      DUB        1,767        -        1,767  
INR      217,217      USD      215,115      7/5/2019      DUB        2,102        -        2,102  
INR      217,217      USD      215,351      7/5/2019      DUB        1,866        -        1,866  
INR      253,420      USD      250,014      7/5/2019      DUB        3,406        -        3,406  
INR      253,420      USD      252,238      7/5/2019      DUB        1,182        -        1,182  
INR      325,826      USD      321,590      7/5/2019      DUB        4,236        -        4,236  
INR      325,826      USD      320,948      7/5/2019      DUB        4,878        -        4,878  
INR      325,826      USD      323,290      7/5/2019      DUB        2,536        -        2,536  
INR      325,826      USD      323,063      7/5/2019      DUB        2,763        -        2,763  
INR      325,826      USD      323,015      7/5/2019      DUB        2,811        -        2,811  
INR      325,826      USD      323,476      7/5/2019      DUB        2,350        -        2,350  
INR      362,028      USD      357,633      7/5/2019      DUB        4,395        -        4,395  
INR      362,028      USD      358,905      7/5/2019      DUB        3,123        -        3,123  
INR      362,028      USD      358,443      7/5/2019      DUB        3,585        -        3,585  
INR      398,231      USD      392,475      7/5/2019      DUB        5,756        -        5,756  
INR      398,231      USD      394,310      7/5/2019      DUB        3,921        -        3,921  
INR      434,434      USD      427,960      7/5/2019      DUB        6,474        -        6,474  
INR      434,434      USD      430,323      7/5/2019      DUB        4,111        -        4,111  
INR      434,434      USD      431,512      7/5/2019      DUB        2,922        -        2,922  
INR      470,637      USD      467,599      7/5/2019      DUB        3,038        -        3,038  
INR      470,637      USD      466,023      7/5/2019      DUB        4,614        -        4,614  
INR      470,637      USD      467,330      7/5/2019      DUB        3,307        -        3,307  

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
INR      470,637      USD      467,718      7/5/2019      DUB      $ 2,919      $ -      $ 2,919  
INR      506,840      USD      500,395      7/5/2019      DUB        6,445        -        6,445  
INR      506,840      USD      503,670      7/5/2019      DUB        3,170        -        3,170  
INR      543,043      USD      538,376      7/5/2019      DUB        4,667        -        4,667  
INR      575,091      USD      567,217      7/5/2019      DUB        7,874        -        7,874  
INR      579,245      USD      572,766      7/5/2019      DUB        6,479        -        6,479  
INR      615,448      USD      611,674      7/5/2019      DUB        3,774        -        3,774  
INR      615,448      USD      611,765      7/5/2019      DUB        3,683        -        3,683  
INR      615,448      USD      611,903      7/5/2019      DUB        3,545        -        3,545  
INR      687,854      USD      682,697      7/5/2019      DUB        5,157        -        5,157  
INR      724,057      USD      718,556      7/5/2019      DUB        5,501        -        5,501  
INR      760,260      USD      753,683      7/5/2019      DUB        6,577        -        6,577  
INR      760,260      USD      753,228      7/5/2019      DUB        7,032        -        7,032  
INR      796,462      USD      791,355      7/5/2019      DUB        5,107        -        5,107  
INR      868,868      USD      863,235      7/5/2019      DUB        5,633        -        5,633  
INR      905,071      USD      899,578      7/5/2019      DUB        5,493        -        5,493  
INR      905,071      USD      899,423      7/5/2019      DUB        5,648        -        5,648  
INR      977,477      USD      971,517      7/5/2019      DUB        5,960        -        5,960  
INR      1,122,288      USD      1,115,670      7/5/2019      DUB        6,618        -        6,618  
INR      1,303,302      USD      1,294,871      7/5/2019      DUB        8,431        -        8,431  
INR      1,339,505      USD      1,327,945      7/5/2019      DUB        11,560        -        11,560  
INR      1,846,345      USD      1,832,845      7/5/2019      DUB        13,500        -        13,500  
INR      45,470,766      USD      44,796,348      7/5/2019      DUB        674,418        -        674,418  
USD      39,050,036      INR      38,990,458      7/5/2019      DUB        59,578        -        59,578  
USD      36,023,054      INR      36,202,839      7/5/2019      DUB        -        (179,785      (179,785
USD      179,585      INR      181,014      7/5/2019      DUB        -        (1,429      (1,429
PHP      97,564      USD      95,726      7/10/2019      DUB        1,838        -        1,838  
PHP      292,693      USD      288,289      7/10/2019      DUB        4,404        -        4,404  
KRW      1,299,414      USD      1,276,878      7/10/2019      DUB        22,536        -        22,536  
KRW      1,732,552      USD      1,705,705      7/10/2019      DUB        26,847        -        26,847  
KRW      2,858,710      USD      2,844,386      7/10/2019      DUB        14,324        -        14,324  
PHP      2,910,674      USD      2,856,997      7/10/2019      DUB        53,677        -        53,677  
PHP      2,910,674      USD      2,857,653      7/10/2019      DUB        53,021        -        53,021  
PHP      2,910,674      USD      2,857,653      7/10/2019      DUB        53,021        -        53,021  
KRW      3,118,593      USD      3,078,633      7/10/2019      DUB        39,960        -        39,960  
KRW      5,370,910      USD      5,324,310      7/10/2019      DUB        46,600        -        46,600  
KRW      6,237,186      USD      6,169,983      7/10/2019      DUB        67,203        -        67,203  
KRW      7,103,462      USD      7,037,418      7/10/2019      DUB        66,044        -        66,044  
KRW      7,190,090      USD      7,127,400      7/10/2019      DUB        62,690        -        62,690  
PHP      11,171,136      USD      10,983,214      7/10/2019      DUB        187,922        -        187,922  
USD      33,872,441      KRW      34,651,035      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (778,594      (778,594
USD      385,074      PHP      390,258      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (5,184      (5,184
USD      292,324      PHP      292,694      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (370      (370
USD      254,858      KRW      259,883      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (5,025      (5,025
USD      194,065      PHP      195,129      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (1,064      (1,064
USD      97,264      PHP      97,565      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (301      (301
USD      97,590      PHP      97,565      7/10/2019      DUB        25        -        25  
USD      97,562      PHP      97,565      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (3      (3
USD      48,662      PHP      48,782      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (120      (120
USD      48,639      PHP      48,782      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (143      (143
USD      48,632      PHP      48,782      7/10/2019      DUB        -        (150      (150
TWD      80,535      USD      79,940      7/11/2019      DUB        595        -        595  
TWD      80,535      USD      80,778      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (243      (243
TWD      161,069      USD      159,854      7/11/2019      DUB        1,215        -        1,215  
TWD      161,069      USD      159,881      7/11/2019      DUB        1,188        -        1,188  
TWD      161,069      USD      161,577      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (508      (508
TWD      241,604      USD      239,747      7/11/2019      DUB        1,857        -        1,857  
TWD      241,604      USD      242,139      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (535      (535
TWD      241,604      USD      242,154      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (550      (550

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
TWD      241,604      USD      242,311      7/11/2019      DUB      $ -      $ (707    $ (707
TWD      322,138      USD      321,667      7/11/2019      DUB        471        -        471  
TWD      322,138      USD      323,698      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (1,560      (1,560
TWD      322,138      USD      322,933      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (795      (795
TWD      402,673      USD      404,361      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (1,688      (1,688
TWD      644,277      USD      643,252      7/11/2019      DUB        1,025        -        1,025  
TWD      805,346      USD      808,538      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (3,192      (3,192
TWD      805,346      USD      808,889      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (3,543      (3,543
TWD      885,881      USD      887,985      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (2,104      (2,104
TWD      1,208,019      USD      1,209,443      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (1,424      (1,424
USD      4,446,562      TWD      4,509,938      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (63,376      (63,376
USD      957,121      TWD      966,415      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (9,294      (9,294
USD      238,824      TWD      241,604      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (2,780      (2,780
USD      238,679      TWD      241,604      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (2,925      (2,925
USD      239,831      TWD      241,604      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (1,773      (1,773
USD      239,395      TWD      241,604      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (2,209      (2,209
USD      159,104      TWD      161,069      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (1,965      (1,965
USD      159,326      TWD      161,069      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (1,743      (1,743
USD      159,315      TWD      161,069      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (1,754      (1,754
USD      79,782      TWD      80,535      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (753      (753
USD      79,702      TWD      80,535      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (833      (833
USD      79,865      TWD      80,535      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (670      (670
USD      79,814      TWD      80,535      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (721      (721
USD      79,590      TWD      80,535      7/11/2019      DUB        -        (945      (945
INR      17,868,204      USD      17,718,795      7/12/2019      DUB        149,409        -        149,409  
EUR      5,575,162      USD      5,584,200      7/18/2019      DUB        -        (9,038      (9,038
KRW      86,650      USD      86,492      7/19/2019      DUB        158        -        158  
KRW      173,300      USD      172,865      7/19/2019      DUB        435        -        435  
KRW      259,950      USD      259,769      7/19/2019      DUB        181        -        181  
KRW      346,600      USD      346,640      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (40      (40
KRW      346,600      USD      346,686      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (86      (86
KRW      346,600      USD      346,284      7/19/2019      DUB        316        -        316  
KRW      433,250      USD      431,816      7/19/2019      DUB        1,434        -        1,434  
KRW      433,250      USD      431,655      7/19/2019      DUB        1,595        -        1,595  
KRW      433,250      USD      432,766      7/19/2019      DUB        484        -        484  
KRW      519,901      USD      520,328      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (427      (427
KRW      606,551      USD      604,376      7/19/2019      DUB        2,175        -        2,175  
KRW      693,201      USD      693,591      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (390      (390
KRW      693,201      USD      693,421      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (220      (220
KRW      779,851      USD      777,442      7/19/2019      DUB        2,409        -        2,409  
KRW      779,851      USD      777,434      7/19/2019      DUB        2,417        -        2,417  
KRW      779,851      USD      778,528      7/19/2019      DUB        1,323        -        1,323  
KRW      866,501      USD      863,570      7/19/2019      DUB        2,931        -        2,931  
KRW      866,501      USD      867,017      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (516      (516
KRW      866,501      USD      862,738      7/19/2019      DUB        3,763        -        3,763  
KRW      953,151      USD      948,022      7/19/2019      DUB        5,129        -        5,129  
KRW      1,039,801      USD      1,033,885      7/19/2019      DUB        5,916        -        5,916  
KRW      1,213,101      USD      1,210,653      7/19/2019      DUB        2,448        -        2,448  
KRW      1,299,752      USD      1,292,977      7/19/2019      DUB        6,775        -        6,775  
KRW      1,299,752      USD      1,296,737      7/19/2019      DUB        3,015        -        3,015  
KRW      1,386,402      USD      1,383,784      7/19/2019      DUB        2,618        -        2,618  
KRW      1,906,302      USD      1,893,760      7/19/2019      DUB        12,542        -        12,542  
KRW      2,426,203      USD      2,413,577      7/19/2019      DUB        12,626        -        12,626  
KRW      3,206,054      USD      3,190,563      7/19/2019      DUB        15,491        -        15,491  
USD      84,631,224      KRW      86,650,107      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (2,018,883      (2,018,883
USD      3,144,836      KRW      3,206,054      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (61,218      (61,218
USD      850,188      KRW      866,501      7/19/2019      DUB        -        (16,313      (16,313
PHP      536,290      USD      529,243      7/24/2019      DUB        7,047        -        7,047  
PHP      16,088,712      USD      15,789,776      7/24/2019      DUB        298,936        -        298,936  

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
TWD      80,605      USD      80,751      7/26/2019      DUB      $ -      $ (146    $ (146
TWD      80,605      USD      80,510      7/26/2019      DUB        95        -        95  
TWD      161,211      USD      161,708      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (497      (497
TWD      161,211      USD      161,405      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (194      (194
TWD      161,211      USD      161,483      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (272      (272
TWD      241,817      USD      242,544      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (727      (727
TWD      241,817      USD      242,452      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (635      (635
TWD      241,817      USD      241,727      7/26/2019      DUB        90        -        90  
TWD      322,422      USD      323,116      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (694      (694
TWD      322,422      USD      323,621      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (1,199      (1,199
TWD      403,028      USD      402,538      7/26/2019      DUB        490        -        490  
TWD      403,028      USD      404,297      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (1,269      (1,269
TWD      403,028      USD      404,243      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (1,215      (1,215
TWD      483,633      USD      485,101      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (1,468      (1,468
TWD      483,633      USD      484,490      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (857      (857
USD      30,799,518      TWD      31,274,942      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (475,424      (475,424
USD      638,753      TWD      644,844      7/26/2019      DUB        -        (6,091      (6,091
INR      938,309      USD      939,170      7/31/2019      DUB        -        (861      (861
INR      36,049      USD      36,085      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (36      (36
INR      72,098      USD      72,175      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (77      (77
INR      108,147      USD      108,244      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (97      (97
INR      108,147      USD      108,263      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (116      (116
INR      108,147      USD      108,232      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (85      (85
INR      108,147      USD      108,244      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (97      (97
INR      144,196      USD      144,315      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (119      (119
INR      144,196      USD      144,378      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (182      (182
INR      180,245      USD      180,447      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (202      (202
INR      684,930      USD      681,519      8/9/2019      DUB        3,411        -        3,411  
INR      829,126      USD      826,150      8/9/2019      DUB        2,976        -        2,976  
INR      1,045,419      USD      1,043,728      8/9/2019      DUB        1,691        -        1,691  
INR      1,081,468      USD      1,079,043      8/9/2019      DUB        2,425        -        2,425  
INR      1,225,664      USD      1,226,374      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (710      (710
INR      36,048,945      USD      35,843,321      8/9/2019      DUB        205,624        -        205,624  
INR      38,824,714      USD      38,875,252      8/9/2019      DUB        -        (50,538      (50,538
BRL      26,042      USD      24,739      7/2/2019      HUS        1,303        -        1,303  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,532      7/2/2019      HUS        1,510        -        1,510  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,567      7/2/2019      HUS        1,475        -        1,475  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,696      7/2/2019      HUS        1,346        -        1,346  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,693      7/2/2019      HUS        1,349        -        1,349  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,690      7/2/2019      HUS        1,352        -        1,352  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,674      7/2/2019      HUS        1,368        -        1,368  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,694      7/2/2019      HUS        1,348        -        1,348  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,686      7/2/2019      HUS        1,356        -        1,356  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,689      7/2/2019      HUS        1,353        -        1,353  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,698      7/2/2019      HUS        1,344        -        1,344  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,698      7/2/2019      HUS        1,344        -        1,344  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,685      7/2/2019      HUS        1,357        -        1,357  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,788      7/2/2019      HUS        1,254        -        1,254  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,798      7/2/2019      HUS        1,244        -        1,244  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,800      7/2/2019      HUS        1,242        -        1,242  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,804      7/2/2019      HUS        1,238        -        1,238  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,804      7/2/2019      HUS        1,238        -        1,238  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,805      7/2/2019      HUS        1,237        -        1,237  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,805      7/2/2019      HUS        1,237        -        1,237  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,806      7/2/2019      HUS        1,236        -        1,236  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,807      7/2/2019      HUS        1,235        -        1,235  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,799      7/2/2019      HUS        1,243        -        1,243  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,800      7/2/2019      HUS        1,242        -        1,242  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,800      7/2/2019      HUS        1,242        -        1,242  

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
BRL      26,042      USD      24,801      7/2/2019      HUS      $ 1,241      $ -      $ 1,241  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,801      7/2/2019      HUS        1,241        -        1,241  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,764      7/2/2019      HUS        1,278        -        1,278  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,764      7/2/2019      HUS        1,278        -        1,278  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,776      7/2/2019      HUS        1,266        -        1,266  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,779      7/2/2019      HUS        1,263        -        1,263  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,782      7/2/2019      HUS        1,260        -        1,260  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,781      7/2/2019      HUS        1,261        -        1,261  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,810      7/2/2019      HUS        1,232        -        1,232  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,811      7/2/2019      HUS        1,231        -        1,231  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,808      7/2/2019      HUS        1,234        -        1,234  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,811      7/2/2019      HUS        1,231        -        1,231  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,673      7/2/2019      HUS        1,369        -        1,369  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,677      7/2/2019      HUS        1,365        -        1,365  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,666      7/2/2019      HUS        1,376        -        1,376  
BRL      26,042      USD      24,675      7/2/2019      HUS        1,367        -        1,367  
BRL      26,042      USD      25,037      7/2/2019      HUS        1,005        -        1,005  
BRL      26,042      USD      25,071      7/2/2019      HUS        971        -        971  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,621      7/2/2019      HUS        2,463        -        2,463  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,641      7/2/2019      HUS        2,443        -        2,443  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,666      7/2/2019      HUS        2,418        -        2,418  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,690      7/2/2019      HUS        2,394        -        2,394  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,434      7/2/2019      HUS        2,650        -        2,650  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,418      7/2/2019      HUS        2,666        -        2,666  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,648      7/2/2019      HUS        2,436        -        2,436  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,452      7/2/2019      HUS        2,632        -        2,632  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,444      7/2/2019      HUS        2,640        -        2,640  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,466      7/2/2019      HUS        2,618        -        2,618  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,620      7/2/2019      HUS        2,464        -        2,464  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,603      7/2/2019      HUS        2,481        -        2,481  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,161      7/2/2019      HUS        2,923        -        2,923  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,174      7/2/2019      HUS        2,910        -        2,910  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,399      7/2/2019      HUS        2,685        -        2,685  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,406      7/2/2019      HUS        2,678        -        2,678  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,358      7/2/2019      HUS        2,726        -        2,726  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,368      7/2/2019      HUS        2,716        -        2,716  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,615      7/2/2019      HUS        2,469        -        2,469  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,592      7/2/2019      HUS        2,492        -        2,492  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,595      7/2/2019      HUS        2,489        -        2,489  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,601      7/2/2019      HUS        2,483        -        2,483  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,534      7/2/2019      HUS        2,550        -        2,550  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,552      7/2/2019      HUS        2,532        -        2,532  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,571      7/2/2019      HUS        2,513        -        2,513  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,571      7/2/2019      HUS        2,513        -        2,513  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,575      7/2/2019      HUS        2,509        -        2,509  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,609      7/2/2019      HUS        2,475        -        2,475  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,345      7/2/2019      HUS        2,739        -        2,739  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,319      7/2/2019      HUS        2,765        -        2,765  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,338      7/2/2019      HUS        2,746        -        2,746  
BRL      52,084      USD      49,343      7/2/2019      HUS        2,741        -        2,741  
BRL      52,084      USD      50,181      7/2/2019      HUS        1,903        -        1,903  
BRL      52,084      USD      50,042      7/2/2019      HUS        2,042        -        2,042  
BRL      52,084      USD      50,157      7/2/2019      HUS        1,927        -        1,927  
BRL      52,084      USD      50,030      7/2/2019      HUS        2,054        -        2,054  
BRL      52,084      USD      50,083      7/2/2019      HUS        2,001        -        2,001  
BRL      52,084      USD      50,174      7/2/2019      HUS        1,910        -        1,910  
BRL      52,084      USD      51,148      7/2/2019      HUS        936        -        936  
BRL      52,084      USD      51,153      7/2/2019      HUS        931        -        931  
BRL      52,084      USD      51,157      7/2/2019      HUS        927        -        927  

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
BRL      52,084      USD      51,178      7/2/2019      HUS      $ 906      $ -      $ 906  
BRL      52,084      USD      51,202      7/2/2019      HUS        882        -        882  
BRL      52,084      USD      51,634      7/2/2019      HUS        450        -        450  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,890      7/2/2019      HUS        3,236        -        3,236  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,437      7/2/2019      HUS        3,689        -        3,689  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,442      7/2/2019      HUS        3,684        -        3,684  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,442      7/2/2019      HUS        3,684        -        3,684  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,468      7/2/2019      HUS        3,658        -        3,658  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,510      7/2/2019      HUS        3,616        -        3,616  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,126      7/2/2019      HUS        4,000        -        4,000  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,218      7/2/2019      HUS        3,908        -        3,908  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,129      7/2/2019      HUS        3,997        -        3,997  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,396      7/2/2019      HUS        3,730        -        3,730  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,134      7/2/2019      HUS        3,992        -        3,992  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,199      7/2/2019      HUS        3,927        -        3,927  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,200      7/2/2019      HUS        3,926        -        3,926  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,379      7/2/2019      HUS        3,747        -        3,747  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,381      7/2/2019      HUS        3,745        -        3,745  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,416      7/2/2019      HUS        3,710        -        3,710  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,134      7/2/2019      HUS        3,992        -        3,992  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,153      7/2/2019      HUS        3,973        -        3,973  
BRL      78,126      USD      74,010      7/2/2019      HUS        4,116        -        4,116  
BRL      78,126      USD      75,064      7/2/2019      HUS        3,062        -        3,062  
BRL      78,126      USD      76,225      7/2/2019      HUS        1,901        -        1,901  
BRL      78,126      USD      76,722      7/2/2019      HUS        1,404        -        1,404  
BRL      78,126      USD      76,738      7/2/2019      HUS        1,388        -        1,388  
BRL      78,126      USD      76,827      7/2/2019      HUS        1,299        -        1,299  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,863      7/2/2019      HUS        4,305        -        4,305  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,243      7/2/2019      HUS        4,925        -        4,925  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,283      7/2/2019      HUS        4,885        -        4,885  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,332      7/2/2019      HUS        4,836        -        4,836  
BRL      104,168      USD      98,869      7/2/2019      HUS        5,299        -        5,299  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,791      7/2/2019      HUS        4,377        -        4,377  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,850      7/2/2019      HUS        4,318        -        4,318  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,997      7/2/2019      HUS        4,171        -        4,171  
BRL      104,168      USD      98,905      7/2/2019      HUS        5,263        -        5,263  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,224      7/2/2019      HUS        4,944        -        4,944  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,232      7/2/2019      HUS        4,936        -        4,936  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,194      7/2/2019      HUS        4,974        -        4,974  
BRL      104,168      USD      98,314      7/2/2019      HUS        5,854        -        5,854  
BRL      104,168      USD      98,941      7/2/2019      HUS        5,227        -        5,227  
BRL      104,168      USD      98,966      7/2/2019      HUS        5,202        -        5,202  
BRL      104,168      USD      99,795      7/2/2019      HUS        4,373        -        4,373  
BRL      104,168      USD      100,349      7/2/2019      HUS        3,819        -        3,819  
BRL      104,168      USD      100,073      7/2/2019      HUS        4,095        -        4,095  
BRL      104,168      USD      100,349      7/2/2019      HUS        3,819        -        3,819  
BRL      104,168      USD      101,696      7/2/2019      HUS        2,472        -        2,472  
BRL      104,168      USD      102,294      7/2/2019      HUS        1,874        -        1,874  
BRL      104,168      USD      102,310      7/2/2019      HUS        1,858        -        1,858  
BRL      104,168      USD      102,724      7/2/2019      HUS        1,444        -        1,444  
BRL      104,168      USD      102,730      7/2/2019      HUS        1,438        -        1,438  
BRL      104,168      USD      103,284      7/2/2019      HUS        884        -        884  
BRL      104,168      USD      103,282      7/2/2019      HUS        886        -        886  
BRL      104,168      USD      103,302      7/2/2019      HUS        866        -        866  
BRL      130,210      USD      124,939      7/2/2019      HUS        5,271        -        5,271  
BRL      130,210      USD      124,105      7/2/2019      HUS        6,105        -        6,105  
BRL      130,210      USD      122,902      7/2/2019      HUS        7,308        -        7,308  
BRL      130,210      USD      123,674      7/2/2019      HUS        6,536        -        6,536  
BRL      130,210      USD      123,671      7/2/2019      HUS        6,539        -        6,539  

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
BRL      130,210      USD      123,695      7/2/2019      HUS      $ 6,515      $ -      $ 6,515  
BRL      130,210      USD      125,945      7/2/2019      HUS        4,265        -        4,265  
BRL      130,210      USD      126,992      7/2/2019      HUS        3,218        -        3,218  
BRL      130,210      USD      127,074      7/2/2019      HUS        3,136        -        3,136  
BRL      130,210      USD      127,873      7/2/2019      HUS        2,337        -        2,337  
BRL      130,210      USD      127,910      7/2/2019      HUS        2,300        -        2,300  
BRL      130,210      USD      127,916      7/2/2019      HUS        2,294        -        2,294  
BRL      130,210      USD      127,956      7/2/2019      HUS        2,254        -        2,254  
BRL      130,210      USD      128,422      7/2/2019      HUS        1,788        -        1,788  
BRL      130,210      USD      128,449      7/2/2019      HUS        1,761        -        1,761  
BRL      156,252      USD      149,742      7/2/2019      HUS        6,510        -        6,510  
BRL      156,252      USD      148,447      7/2/2019      HUS        7,805        -        7,805  
BRL      156,252      USD      151,118      7/2/2019      HUS        5,134        -        5,134  
BRL      156,252      USD      152,427      7/2/2019      HUS        3,825        -        3,825  
BRL      156,252      USD      152,563      7/2/2019      HUS        3,689        -        3,689  
BRL      156,252      USD      152,621      7/2/2019      HUS        3,631        -        3,631  
BRL      156,252      USD      152,728      7/2/2019      HUS        3,524        -        3,524  
BRL      156,252      USD      153,453      7/2/2019      HUS        2,799        -        2,799  
BRL      156,252      USD      153,425      7/2/2019      HUS        2,827        -        2,827  
BRL      156,252      USD      153,618      7/2/2019      HUS        2,634        -        2,634  
BRL      156,252      USD      155,045      7/2/2019      HUS        1,207        -        1,207  
BRL      156,252      USD      154,936      7/2/2019      HUS        1,316        -        1,316  
BRL      156,252      USD      154,755      7/2/2019      HUS        1,497        -        1,497  
BRL      156,252      USD      154,936      7/2/2019      HUS        1,316        -        1,316  
BRL      182,294      USD      174,634      7/2/2019      HUS        7,660        -        7,660  
BRL      182,294      USD      179,019      7/2/2019      HUS        3,275        -        3,275  
BRL      182,294      USD      179,782      7/2/2019      HUS        2,512        -        2,512  
BRL      182,294      USD      180,986      7/2/2019      HUS        1,308        -        1,308  
BRL      208,336      USD      203,350      7/2/2019      HUS        4,986        -        4,986  
BRL      208,336      USD      203,267      7/2/2019      HUS        5,069        -        5,069  
BRL      208,336      USD      203,423      7/2/2019      HUS        4,913        -        4,913  
BRL      208,336      USD      204,751      7/2/2019      HUS        3,585        -        3,585  
BRL      208,336      USD      205,857      7/2/2019      HUS        2,479        -        2,479  
BRL      208,336      USD      205,740      7/2/2019      HUS        2,596        -        2,596  
BRL      208,336      USD      205,846      7/2/2019      HUS        2,490        -        2,490  
BRL      208,336      USD      206,494      7/2/2019      HUS        1,842        -        1,842  
BRL      208,336      USD      207,755      7/2/2019      HUS        581        -        581  
BRL      208,336      USD      207,787      7/2/2019      HUS        549        -        549  
BRL      208,336      USD      207,835      7/2/2019      HUS        501        -        501  
BRL      208,336      USD      206,681      7/2/2019      HUS        1,655        -        1,655  
BRL      217,711      USD      208,684      7/2/2019      HUS        9,027        -        9,027  
BRL      234,378      USD      228,548      7/2/2019      HUS        5,830        -        5,830  
BRL      234,378      USD      228,786      7/2/2019      HUS        5,592        -        5,592  
BRL      234,378      USD      228,878      7/2/2019      HUS        5,500        -        5,500  
BRL      234,378      USD      229,025      7/2/2019      HUS        5,353        -        5,353  
BRL      234,378      USD      230,250      7/2/2019      HUS        4,128        -        4,128  
BRL      234,378      USD      231,307      7/2/2019      HUS        3,071        -        3,071  
BRL      234,378      USD      231,470      7/2/2019      HUS        2,908        -        2,908  
BRL      234,378      USD      231,119      7/2/2019      HUS        3,259        -        3,259  
BRL      234,378      USD      231,327      7/2/2019      HUS        3,051        -        3,051  
BRL      234,378      USD      231,208      7/2/2019      HUS        3,170        -        3,170  
BRL      234,378      USD      233,730      7/2/2019      HUS        648        -        648  
BRL      234,378      USD      233,760      7/2/2019      HUS        618        -        618  
BRL      239,261      USD      227,690      7/2/2019      HUS        11,571        -        11,571  
BRL      260,420      USD      250,238      7/2/2019      HUS        10,182        -        10,182  
BRL      260,420      USD      254,052      7/2/2019      HUS        6,368        -        6,368  
BRL      260,420      USD      254,220      7/2/2019      HUS        6,200        -        6,200  
BRL      260,420      USD      255,774      7/2/2019      HUS        4,646        -        4,646  
BRL      260,420      USD      255,741      7/2/2019      HUS        4,679        -        4,679  

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
BRL      260,420      USD      257,255      7/2/2019      HUS      $ 3,165      $ -      $ 3,165  
BRL      260,420      USD      256,832      7/2/2019      HUS        3,588        -        3,588  
BRL      260,420      USD      257,241      7/2/2019      HUS        3,179        -        3,179  
BRL      260,420      USD      259,712      7/2/2019      HUS        708        -        708  
BRL      261,706      USD      259,346      7/2/2019      HUS        2,360        -        2,360  
BRL      272,139      USD      260,865      7/2/2019      HUS        11,274        -        11,274  
BRL      286,462      USD      279,415      7/2/2019      HUS        7,047        -        7,047  
BRL      286,462      USD      279,393      7/2/2019      HUS        7,069        -        7,069  
BRL      286,462      USD      282,580      7/2/2019      HUS        3,882        -        3,882  
BRL      286,462      USD      285,803      7/2/2019      HUS        659        -        659  
BRL      286,462      USD      285,546      7/2/2019      HUS        916        -        916  
BRL      286,462      USD      276,299      7/2/2019      HUS        10,163        -        10,163  
BRL      287,877      USD      285,479      7/2/2019      HUS        2,398        -        2,398  
BRL      288,287      USD      286,396      7/2/2019      HUS        1,891        -        1,891  
BRL      307,621      USD      292,722      7/2/2019      HUS        14,899        -        14,899  
BRL      312,504      USD      305,297      7/2/2019      HUS        7,207        -        7,207  
BRL      312,504      USD      305,421      7/2/2019      HUS        7,083        -        7,083  
BRL      312,504      USD      306,827      7/2/2019      HUS        5,677        -        5,677  
BRL      312,504      USD      306,945      7/2/2019      HUS        5,559        -        5,559  
BRL      312,504      USD      306,960      7/2/2019      HUS        5,544        -        5,544  
BRL      312,504      USD      308,753      7/2/2019      HUS        3,751        -        3,751  
BRL      317,712      USD      304,855      7/2/2019      HUS        12,857        -        12,857  
BRL      319,201      USD      316,306      7/2/2019      HUS        2,895        -        2,895  
BRL      338,546      USD      324,537      7/2/2019      HUS        14,009        -        14,009  
BRL      338,546      USD      335,423      7/2/2019      HUS        3,123        -        3,123  
BRL      338,546      USD      335,995      7/2/2019      HUS        2,551        -        2,551  
BRL      349,484      USD      335,022      7/2/2019      HUS        14,462        -        14,462  
BRL      364,588      USD      356,252      7/2/2019      HUS        8,336        -        8,336  
BRL      364,588      USD      362,262      7/2/2019      HUS        2,326        -        2,326  
BRL      364,588      USD      363,617      7/2/2019      HUS        971        -        971  
BRL      364,588      USD      361,748      7/2/2019      HUS        2,840        -        2,840  
BRL      366,910      USD      364,391      7/2/2019      HUS        2,519        -        2,519  
BRL      371,217      USD      367,613      7/2/2019      HUS        3,604        -        3,604  
BRL      376,653      USD      372,804      7/2/2019      HUS        3,849        -        3,849  
BRL      380,994      USD      365,147      7/2/2019      HUS        15,847        -        15,847  
BRL      381,255      USD      365,653      7/2/2019      HUS        15,602        -        15,602  
BRL      390,630      USD      382,010      7/2/2019      HUS        8,620        -        8,620  
BRL      390,630      USD      387,827      7/2/2019      HUS        2,803        -        2,803  
BRL      390,630      USD      387,337      7/2/2019      HUS        3,293        -        3,293  
BRL      390,630      USD      387,677      7/2/2019      HUS        2,953        -        2,953  
BRL      394,418      USD      390,739      7/2/2019      HUS        3,679        -        3,679  
BRL      416,672      USD      407,363      7/2/2019      HUS        9,309        -        9,309  
BRL      416,672      USD      415,790      7/2/2019      HUS        882        -        882  
BRL      416,672      USD      412,946      7/2/2019      HUS        3,726        -        3,726  
BRL      416,672      USD      415,250      7/2/2019      HUS        1,422        -        1,422  
BRL      416,672      USD      415,649      7/2/2019      HUS        1,023        -        1,023  
BRL      418,730      USD      414,547      7/2/2019      HUS        4,183        -        4,183  
BRL      419,326      USD      416,597      7/2/2019      HUS        2,729        -        2,729  
BRL      428,665      USD      408,876      7/2/2019      HUS        19,789        -        19,789  
BRL      430,461      USD      426,215      7/2/2019      HUS        4,246        -        4,246  
BRL      442,714      USD      432,944      7/2/2019      HUS        9,770        -        9,770  
BRL      442,714      USD      432,724      7/2/2019      HUS        9,990        -        9,990  
BRL      442,714      USD      434,994      7/2/2019      HUS        7,720        -        7,720  
BRL      442,714      USD      440,287      7/2/2019      HUS        2,427        -        2,427  
BRL      442,714      USD      439,492      7/2/2019      HUS        3,222        -        3,222  
BRL      450,813      USD      432,170      7/2/2019      HUS        18,643        -        18,643  
BRL      460,580      USD      439,230      7/2/2019      HUS        21,350        -        21,350  
BRL      464,628      USD      459,039      7/2/2019      HUS        5,589        -        5,589  
BRL      468,756      USD      467,638      7/2/2019      HUS        1,118        -        1,118  

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
BRL      471,742      USD      468,915      7/2/2019      HUS      $ 2,827      $ -      $ 2,827  
BRL      489,850      USD      470,203      7/2/2019      HUS        19,647        -        19,647  
BRL      494,798      USD      486,058      7/2/2019      HUS        8,740        -        8,740  
BRL      497,241      USD      492,146      7/2/2019      HUS        5,095        -        5,095  
BRL      509,266      USD      490,668      7/2/2019      HUS        18,598        -        18,598  
BRL      510,424      USD      505,623      7/2/2019      HUS        4,801        -        4,801  
BRL      511,172      USD      506,065      7/2/2019      HUS        5,107        -        5,107  
BRL      520,840      USD      509,424      7/2/2019      HUS        11,416        -        11,416  
BRL      520,840      USD      509,087      7/2/2019      HUS        11,753        -        11,753  
BRL      520,840      USD      519,371      7/2/2019      HUS        1,469        -        1,469  
BRL      520,840      USD      519,399      7/2/2019      HUS        1,441        -        1,441  
BRL      524,158      USD      520,828      7/2/2019      HUS        3,330        -        3,330  
BRL      534,546      USD      528,334      7/2/2019      HUS        6,212        -        6,212  
BRL      540,111      USD      517,747      7/2/2019      HUS        22,364        -        22,364  
BRL      557,306      USD      538,610      7/2/2019      HUS        18,696        -        18,696  
BRL      572,924      USD      567,471      7/2/2019      HUS        5,453        -        5,453  
BRL      572,924      USD      568,749      7/2/2019      HUS        4,175        -        4,175  
BRL      576,573      USD      572,970      7/2/2019      HUS        3,603        -        3,603  
BRL      625,008      USD      614,046      7/2/2019      HUS        10,962        -        10,962  
BRL      625,008      USD      614,266      7/2/2019      HUS        10,742        -        10,742  
BRL      625,008      USD      621,094      7/2/2019      HUS        3,914        -        3,914  
BRL      631,519      USD      605,342      7/2/2019      HUS        26,177        -        26,177  
BRL      636,441      USD      610,182      7/2/2019      HUS        26,259        -        26,259  
BRL      651,050      USD      639,926      7/2/2019      HUS        11,124        -        11,124  
BRL      654,265      USD      648,144      7/2/2019      HUS        6,121        -        6,121  
BRL      675,822      USD      667,539      7/2/2019      HUS        8,283        -        8,283  
BRL      688,437      USD      665,665      7/2/2019      HUS        22,772        -        22,772  
BRL      703,134      USD      695,100      7/2/2019      HUS        8,034        -        8,034  
BRL      703,134      USD      695,930      7/2/2019      HUS        7,204        -        7,204  
BRL      712,063      USD      705,695      7/2/2019      HUS        6,368        -        6,368  
BRL      720,495      USD      713,003      7/2/2019      HUS        7,492        -        7,492  
BRL      721,220      USD      696,086      7/2/2019      HUS        25,134        -        25,134  
BRL      733,820      USD      729,031      7/2/2019      HUS        4,789        -        4,789  
BRL      733,820      USD      728,932      7/2/2019      HUS        4,888        -        4,888  
BRL      750,219      USD      718,901      7/2/2019      HUS        31,318        -        31,318  
BRL      755,218      USD      729,853      7/2/2019      HUS        25,365        -        25,365  
BRL      805,791      USD      772,250      7/2/2019      HUS        33,541        -        33,541  
BRL      819,638      USD      809,411      7/2/2019      HUS        10,227        -        10,227  
BRL      885,428      USD      850,808      7/2/2019      HUS        34,620        -        34,620  
BRL      885,428      USD      875,454      7/2/2019      HUS        9,974        -        9,974  
BRL      903,966      USD      895,512      7/2/2019      HUS        8,454        -        8,454  
BRL      917,916      USD      887,607      7/2/2019      HUS        30,309        -        30,309  
BRL      920,151      USD      902,964      7/2/2019      HUS        17,187        -        17,187  
BRL      920,151      USD      902,397      7/2/2019      HUS        17,754        -        17,754  
BRL      923,044      USD      890,295      7/2/2019      HUS        32,749        -        32,749  
BRL      963,554      USD      957,755      7/2/2019      HUS        5,799        -        5,799  
BRL      971,270      USD      953,372      7/2/2019      HUS        17,898        -        17,898  
BRL      989,596      USD      956,552      7/2/2019      HUS        33,044        -        33,044  
BRL      1,062,877      USD      1,013,382      7/2/2019      HUS        49,495        -        49,495  
BRL      1,098,211      USD      1,083,888      7/2/2019      HUS        14,323        -        14,323  
BRL      1,119,806      USD      1,082,769      7/2/2019      HUS        37,037        -        37,037  
BRL      1,119,806      USD      1,112,951      7/2/2019      HUS        6,855        -        6,855  
BRL      1,183,213      USD      1,144,251      7/2/2019      HUS        38,962        -        38,962  
BRL      1,224,927      USD      1,209,730      7/2/2019      HUS        15,197        -        15,197  
BRL      1,250,016      USD      1,242,525      7/2/2019      HUS        7,491        -        7,491  
BRL      1,290,777      USD      1,248,556      7/2/2019      HUS        42,221        -        42,221  
BRL      1,329,107      USD      1,303,781      7/2/2019      HUS        25,326        -        25,326  
BRL      1,354,184      USD      1,326,855      7/2/2019      HUS        27,329        -        27,329  
BRL      1,381,254      USD      1,317,456      7/2/2019      HUS        63,798        -        63,798  

 

See accompanying notes

 

19


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
BRL      1,750,597      USD      1,689,251      7/2/2019      HUS      $ 61,346      $ -      $ 61,346  
USD      36,506,210      BRL      39,063,009      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,556,799      (2,556,799
USD      12,214,337      BRL      13,021,003      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (806,666      (806,666
USD      7,374,797      BRL      7,708,684      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (333,887      (333,887
USD      3,200,701      BRL      3,348,652      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (147,951      (147,951
USD      2,947,418      BRL      3,083,473      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (136,055      (136,055
USD      866,433      BRL      930,072      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (63,639      (63,639
USD      776,189      BRL      824,663      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (48,474      (48,474
USD      709,430      BRL      761,051      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (51,621      (51,621
USD      683,034      BRL      734,385      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (51,351      (51,351
USD      645,934      BRL      677,092      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (31,158      (31,158
USD      573,511      BRL      614,591      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (41,080      (41,080
USD      561,263      BRL      599,545      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (38,282      (38,282
USD      513,800      BRL      551,106      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (37,306      (37,306
USD      511,945      BRL      546,882      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (34,937      (34,937
USD      504,661      BRL      540,386      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (35,725      (35,725
USD      491,276      BRL      527,041      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (35,765      (35,765
USD      496,118      BRL      520,840      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (24,722      (24,722
USD      462,388      BRL      496,038      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (33,650      (33,650
USD      472,119      BRL      494,798      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (22,679      (22,679
USD      448,240      BRL      480,344      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (32,104      (32,104
USD      448,681      BRL      480,343      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (31,662      (31,662
USD      440,386      BRL      472,377      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (31,991      (31,991
USD      415,883      BRL      446,134      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (30,251      (30,251
USD      366,955      BRL      393,647      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (26,692      (26,692
USD      359,433      BRL      385,422      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (25,989      (25,989
USD      340,622      BRL      364,009      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (23,387      (23,387
USD      324,480      BRL      348,885      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (24,405      (24,405
USD      324,600      BRL      348,885      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (24,285      (24,285
USD      324,435      BRL      348,885      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (24,450      (24,450
USD      318,144      BRL      341,161      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (23,017      (23,017
USD      305,434      BRL      328,362      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (22,928      (22,928
USD      297,156      BRL      319,015      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (21,859      (21,859
USD      267,188      BRL      286,462      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (19,274      (19,274
USD      267,317      BRL      286,462      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (19,145      (19,145
USD      261,503      BRL      280,200      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (18,697      (18,697
USD      244,732      BRL      262,431      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (17,699      (17,699
USD      242,866      BRL      260,420      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (17,554      (17,554
USD      218,555      BRL      234,378      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (15,823      (15,823
USD      218,505      BRL      234,378      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (15,873      (15,873
USD      198,728      BRL      208,336      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (9,608      (9,608
USD      195,843      BRL      208,336      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (12,493      (12,493
USD      194,274      BRL      208,336      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (14,062      (14,062
USD      179,511      BRL      190,975      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (11,464      (11,464
USD      173,870      BRL      182,294      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (8,424      (8,424
USD      171,406      BRL      182,294      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (10,888      (10,888
USD      169,946      BRL      182,294      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (12,348      (12,348
USD      149,154      BRL      156,252      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (7,098      (7,098
USD      148,991      BRL      156,252      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (7,261      (7,261
USD      149,099      BRL      156,252      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (7,153      (7,153
USD      148,961      BRL      156,252      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (7,291      (7,291
USD      148,954      BRL      156,252      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (7,298      (7,298
USD      148,898      BRL      156,252      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (7,354      (7,354
USD      145,667      BRL      156,252      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (10,585      (10,585
USD      123,993      BRL      130,210      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (6,217      (6,217
USD      124,267      BRL      130,210      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (5,943      (5,943
USD      124,217      BRL      130,210      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (5,993      (5,993
USD      124,267      BRL      130,210      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (5,943      (5,943
USD      124,217      BRL      130,210      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (5,993      (5,993

 

See accompanying notes

 

20


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD      124,100      BRL      130,210      7/2/2019      HUS      $ -      $ (6,110    $ (6,110
USD      122,390      BRL      130,210      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (7,820      (7,820
USD      99,254      BRL      104,168      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,914      (4,914
USD      99,221      BRL      104,168      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,947      (4,947
USD      99,433      BRL      104,168      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,735      (4,735
USD      99,399      BRL      104,168      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,769      (4,769
USD      99,133      BRL      104,168      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (5,035      (5,035
USD      99,379      BRL      104,168      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,789      (4,789
USD      99,390      BRL      104,168      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,778      (4,778
USD      99,280      BRL      104,168      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,888      (4,888
USD      74,562      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,564      (3,564
USD      74,460      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,666      (3,666
USD      74,446      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,680      (3,680
USD      74,431      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,695      (3,695
USD      74,375      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,751      (3,751
USD      74,468      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,658      (3,658
USD      74,505      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,621      (3,621
USD      74,382      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,744      (3,744
USD      73,292      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,834      (4,834
USD      73,283      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,843      (4,843
USD      73,406      BRL      78,126      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,720      (4,720
USD      49,609      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,475      (2,475
USD      49,594      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,490      (2,490
USD      49,702      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,382      (2,382
USD      49,665      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,419      (2,419
USD      49,617      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,467      (2,467
USD      49,609      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,475      (2,475
USD      49,695      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,389      (2,389
USD      49,585      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,499      (2,499
USD      49,573      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,511      (2,511
USD      49,695      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,389      (2,389
USD      49,647      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (2,437      (2,437
USD      48,890      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,194      (3,194
USD      48,860      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,224      (3,224
USD      48,947      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,137      (3,137
USD      48,892      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,192      (3,192
USD      48,932      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,152      (3,152
USD      48,692      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,392      (3,392
USD      48,821      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,263      (3,263
USD      48,828      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,256      (3,256
USD      48,787      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,297      (3,297
USD      48,756      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,328      (3,328
USD      48,753      BRL      52,084      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (3,331      (3,331
USD      24,349      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,693      (1,693
USD      24,845      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,197      (1,197
USD      24,346      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,696      (1,696
USD      24,342      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,700      (1,700
USD      24,327      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,715      (1,715
USD      24,328      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,714      (1,714
USD      24,443      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,599      (1,599
USD      24,469      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,573      (1,573
USD      24,462      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,580      (1,580
USD      24,459      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,583      (1,583
USD      24,459      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,583      (1,583
USD      24,462      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,580      (1,580
USD      24,417      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,625      (1,625
USD      24,382      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,660      (1,660
USD      24,381      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,661      (1,661
USD      24,375      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,667      (1,667

 

See accompanying notes

 

21


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
USD      24,425      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS      $ -      $ (1,617    $ (1,617
USD      24,414      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,628      (1,628
USD      24,350      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,692      (1,692
USD      24,349      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,693      (1,693
USD      24,340      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,702      (1,702
USD      24,313      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,729      (1,729
USD      24,305      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,737      (1,737
USD      24,394      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,648      (1,648
USD      24,378      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,664      (1,664
USD      24,381      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,661      (1,661
USD      24,369      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,673      (1,673
USD      24,366      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,676      (1,676
USD      24,444      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,598      (1,598
USD      24,426      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,616      (1,616
USD      24,413      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,629      (1,629
USD      24,364      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,678      (1,678
USD      24,362      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,680      (1,680
USD      24,352      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,690      (1,690
USD      24,359      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,683      (1,683
USD      24,326      BRL      26,042      7/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,716      (1,716
USD      19,506,452      EUR      19,566,031      7/18/2019      HUS        -        (59,579      (59,579
USD      9,548,656      AUD      9,641,758      7/18/2019      HUS        -        (93,102      (93,102
USD      7,725,416      HKD      7,739,924      7/18/2019      HUS        -        (14,508      (14,508
CLP      403,314      USD      401,999      7/22/2019      HUS        1,315        -        1,315  
CLP      403,314      USD      402,117      7/22/2019      HUS        1,197        -        1,197  
CLP      410,291      USD      410,566      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (275      (275
CLP      410,291      USD      410,578      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (287      (287
CLP      410,291      USD      410,615      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (324      (324
CLP      537,752      USD      535,943      7/22/2019      HUS        1,809        -        1,809  
CLP      537,752      USD      536,093      7/22/2019      HUS        1,659        -        1,659  
CLP      537,752      USD      536,307      7/22/2019      HUS        1,445        -        1,445  
CLP      547,055      USD      547,292      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (237      (237
CLP      547,055      USD      548,126      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (1,071      (1,071
CLP      547,055      USD      548,053      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (998      (998
CLP      547,055      USD      547,551      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (496      (496
CLP      547,055      USD      547,543      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (488      (488
CLP      602,282      USD      597,006      7/22/2019      HUS        5,276        -        5,276  
CLP      602,282      USD      597,024      7/22/2019      HUS        5,258        -        5,258  
CLP      672,189      USD      670,165      7/22/2019      HUS        2,024        -        2,024  
CLP      672,189      USD      670,214      7/22/2019      HUS        1,975        -        1,975  
CLP      683,819      USD      684,399      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (580      (580
CLP      803,042      USD      796,427      7/22/2019      HUS        6,615        -        6,615  
CLP      1,003,803      USD      995,229      7/22/2019      HUS        8,574        -        8,574  
CLP      1,003,803      USD      995,855      7/22/2019      HUS        7,948        -        7,948  
CLP      1,003,803      USD      995,200      7/22/2019      HUS        8,603        -        8,603  
CLP      1,697,608      USD      1,695,040      7/22/2019      HUS        2,568        -        2,568  
CLP      1,697,608      USD      1,696,278      7/22/2019      HUS        1,330        -        1,330  
CLP      3,838,070      USD      3,811,377      7/22/2019      HUS        26,693        -        26,693  
CLP      4,502,352      USD      4,401,078      7/22/2019      HUS        101,274        -        101,274  
CLP      11,292,784      USD      11,224,415      7/22/2019      HUS        68,369        -        68,369  
USD      20,259,994      CLP      20,826,452      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (566,458      (566,458
USD      16,528,020      CLP      17,271,317      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (743,297      (743,297
USD      14,466,841      CLP      14,860,221      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (393,380      (393,380
USD      12,124,412      CLP      12,455,276      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (330,864      (330,864
USD      12,104,149      CLP      12,455,276      7/22/2019      HUS        -        (351,127      (351,127
COP      465,885      USD      457,596      7/30/2019      HUS        8,289        -        8,289  
COP      698,828      USD      705,195      7/30/2019      HUS        -        (6,367      (6,367
COP      698,828      USD      704,914      7/30/2019      HUS        -        (6,086      (6,086
COP      698,828      USD      704,889      7/30/2019      HUS        -        (6,061      (6,061

 

See accompanying notes

 

22


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
COP      698,828      USD      704,669      7/30/2019      HUS      $ -      $ (5,841    $ (5,841
COP      931,771      USD      913,832      7/30/2019      HUS        17,939        -        17,939  
COP      1,397,656      USD      1,371,667      7/30/2019      HUS        25,989        -        25,989  
USD      10,282,713      COP      10,435,832      7/30/2019      HUS        -        (153,119      (153,119
BRL      25,968      USD      25,784      8/2/2019      HUS        184        -        184  
BRL      25,968      USD      25,784      8/2/2019      HUS        184        -        184  
BRL      25,968      USD      25,791      8/2/2019      HUS        177        -        177  
BRL      25,968      USD      25,854      8/2/2019      HUS        114        -        114  
BRL      25,968      USD      25,869      8/2/2019      HUS        99        -        99  
BRL      25,968      USD      25,877      8/2/2019      HUS        91        -        91  
BRL      25,968      USD      25,743      8/2/2019      HUS        225        -        225  
BRL      25,968      USD      26,076      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (108      (108
BRL      25,968      USD      26,112      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (144      (144
BRL      25,968      USD      26,111      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (143      (143
BRL      25,968      USD      26,073      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (105      (105
BRL      25,968      USD      26,119      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (151      (151
BRL      25,968      USD      26,116      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (148      (148
BRL      25,968      USD      26,076      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (108      (108
BRL      25,968      USD      26,083      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (115      (115
BRL      25,968      USD      26,076      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (108      (108
BRL      25,968      USD      26,086      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (118      (118
BRL      51,936      USD      51,565      8/2/2019      HUS        371        -        371  
BRL      51,936      USD      51,571      8/2/2019      HUS        365        -        365  
BRL      51,936      USD      51,585      8/2/2019      HUS        351        -        351  
BRL      51,936      USD      51,738      8/2/2019      HUS        198        -        198  
BRL      51,936      USD      51,996      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (60      (60
BRL      51,936      USD      51,900      8/2/2019      HUS        36        -        36  
BRL      51,936      USD      51,714      8/2/2019      HUS        222        -        222  
BRL      51,936      USD      51,885      8/2/2019      HUS        51        -        51  
BRL      51,936      USD      51,925      8/2/2019      HUS        11        -        11  
BRL      51,936      USD      51,871      8/2/2019      HUS        65        -        65  
BRL      51,936      USD      52,183      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (247      (247
BRL      51,936      USD      52,228      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (292      (292
BRL      51,936      USD      52,160      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (224      (224
BRL      51,936      USD      52,143      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (207      (207
BRL      51,936      USD      52,139      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (203      (203
BRL      51,936      USD      52,138      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (202      (202
BRL      51,936      USD      52,140      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (204      (204
BRL      51,936      USD      52,146      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (210      (210
BRL      51,936      USD      52,147      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (211      (211
BRL      51,936      USD      52,239      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (303      (303
BRL      51,936      USD      52,050      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (114      (114
BRL      51,936      USD      52,064      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (128      (128
BRL      51,936      USD      52,132      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (196      (196
BRL      51,936      USD      52,140      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (204      (204
BRL      51,936      USD      52,146      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (210      (210
BRL      51,936      USD      52,235      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (299      (299
BRL      51,936      USD      52,132      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (196      (196
BRL      51,936      USD      52,157      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (221      (221
BRL      51,936      USD      52,154      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (218      (218
BRL      51,936      USD      52,160      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (224      (224
BRL      51,936      USD      52,159      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (223      (223
BRL      77,904      USD      76,883      8/2/2019      HUS        1,021        -        1,021  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,591      8/2/2019      HUS        313        -        313  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,581      8/2/2019      HUS        323        -        323  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,875      8/2/2019      HUS        29        -        29  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,551      8/2/2019      HUS        353        -        353  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,581      8/2/2019      HUS        323        -        323  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,898      8/2/2019      HUS        6        -        6  

 

See accompanying notes

 

23


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
BRL      77,904      USD      77,806      8/2/2019      HUS      $ 98      $ -      $ 98  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,868      8/2/2019      HUS        36        -        36  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,817      8/2/2019      HUS        87        -        87  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,912      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (8      (8
BRL      77,904      USD      77,704      8/2/2019      HUS        200        -        200  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,890      8/2/2019      HUS        14        -        14  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,781      8/2/2019      HUS        123        -        123  
BRL      77,904      USD      77,367      8/2/2019      HUS        537        -        537  
BRL      77,904      USD      78,272      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (368      (368
BRL      77,904      USD      78,263      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (359      (359
BRL      77,904      USD      78,221      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (317      (317
BRL      77,904      USD      78,250      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (346      (346
BRL      77,904      USD      78,368      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (464      (464
BRL      77,904      USD      78,100      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (196      (196
BRL      77,904      USD      78,109      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (205      (205
BRL      77,904      USD      78,247      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (343      (343
BRL      77,904      USD      78,275      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (371      (371
BRL      77,904      USD      78,282      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (378      (378
BRL      77,904      USD      78,188      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (284      (284
BRL      77,904      USD      78,247      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (343      (343
BRL      77,904      USD      78,260      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (356      (356
BRL      77,904      USD      78,249      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (345      (345
BRL      103,872      USD      102,931      8/2/2019      HUS        941        -        941  
BRL      103,872      USD      103,953      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (81      (81
BRL      103,872      USD      103,942      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (70      (70
BRL      103,872      USD      103,832      8/2/2019      HUS        40        -        40  
BRL      103,872      USD      103,425      8/2/2019      HUS        447        -        447  
BRL      103,872      USD      103,926      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (54      (54
BRL      103,872      USD      103,848      8/2/2019      HUS        24        -        24  
BRL      103,872      USD      103,749      8/2/2019      HUS        123        -        123  
BRL      103,872      USD      103,819      8/2/2019      HUS        53        -        53  
BRL      103,872      USD      103,842      8/2/2019      HUS        30        -        30  
BRL      103,872      USD      102,950      8/2/2019      HUS        922        -        922  
BRL      103,872      USD      103,194      8/2/2019      HUS        678        -        678  
BRL      103,872      USD      104,361      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (489      (489
BRL      103,872      USD      104,459      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (587      (587
BRL      103,872      USD      104,293      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (421      (421
BRL      103,872      USD      104,470      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (598      (598
BRL      103,872      USD      104,075      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (203      (203
BRL      103,872      USD      104,132      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (260      (260
BRL      103,872      USD      104,159      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (287      (287
BRL      103,872      USD      104,319      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (447      (447
BRL      103,872      USD      104,300      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (428      (428
BRL      129,840      USD      129,895      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (55      (55
BRL      129,840      USD      129,993      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (153      (153
BRL      129,840      USD      129,775      8/2/2019      HUS        65        -        65  
BRL      129,840      USD      129,791      8/2/2019      HUS        49        -        49  
BRL      129,840      USD      129,941      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (101      (101
BRL      129,840      USD      129,791      8/2/2019      HUS        49        -        49  
BRL      129,840      USD      129,561      8/2/2019      HUS        279        -        279  
BRL      129,840      USD      129,594      8/2/2019      HUS        246        -        246  
BRL      129,840      USD      129,372      8/2/2019      HUS        468        -        468  
BRL      129,840      USD      129,661      8/2/2019      HUS        179        -        179  
BRL      129,840      USD      129,374      8/2/2019      HUS        466        -        466  
BRL      129,840      USD      128,680      8/2/2019      HUS        1,160        -        1,160  
BRL      129,840      USD      130,491      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (651      (651
BRL      129,840      USD      130,525      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (685      (685
BRL      129,840      USD      130,144      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (304      (304
BRL      129,840      USD      130,165      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (325      (325

 

See accompanying notes

 

24


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
BRL      155,808      USD      154,401      8/2/2019      HUS      $ 1,407      $ -      $ 1,407  
BRL      155,808      USD      155,743      8/2/2019      HUS        65        -        65  
BRL      155,808      USD      155,604      8/2/2019      HUS        204        -        204  
BRL      155,808      USD      155,816      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (8      (8
BRL      155,808      USD      155,453      8/2/2019      HUS        355        -        355  
BRL      155,808      USD      155,516      8/2/2019      HUS        292        -        292  
BRL      155,808      USD      155,290      8/2/2019      HUS        518        -        518  
BRL      155,808      USD      155,292      8/2/2019      HUS        516        -        516  
BRL      155,808      USD      155,246      8/2/2019      HUS        562        -        562  
BRL      155,808      USD      155,306      8/2/2019      HUS        502        -        502  
BRL      155,808      USD      156,464      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (656      (656
BRL      155,808      USD      156,507      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (699      (699
BRL      155,808      USD      156,171      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (363      (363
BRL      155,808      USD      156,439      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (631      (631
BRL      181,776      USD      181,166      8/2/2019      HUS        610        -        610  
BRL      181,776      USD      181,048      8/2/2019      HUS        728        -        728  
BRL      181,776      USD      181,143      8/2/2019      HUS        633        -        633  
BRL      181,776      USD      181,672      8/2/2019      HUS        104        -        104  
BRL      181,776      USD      181,696      8/2/2019      HUS        80        -        80  
BRL      181,776      USD      182,539      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (763      (763
BRL      181,776      USD      182,544      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (768      (768
BRL      181,776      USD      182,568      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (792      (792
BRL      207,744      USD      205,000      8/2/2019      HUS        2,744        -        2,744  
BRL      207,744      USD      207,598      8/2/2019      HUS        146        -        146  
BRL      233,712      USD      231,607      8/2/2019      HUS        2,105        -        2,105  
BRL      233,712      USD      234,726      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,014      (1,014
BRL      259,680      USD      257,315      8/2/2019      HUS        2,365        -        2,365  
BRL      311,615      USD      307,693      8/2/2019      HUS        3,922        -        3,922  
BRL      311,615      USD      308,440      8/2/2019      HUS        3,175        -        3,175  
BRL      389,519      USD      384,474      8/2/2019      HUS        5,045        -        5,045  
BRL      389,519      USD      386,296      8/2/2019      HUS        3,223        -        3,223  
BRL      428,078      USD      430,077      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (1,999      (1,999
BRL      467,423      USD      460,712      8/2/2019      HUS        6,711        -        6,711  
BRL      519,359      USD      515,661      8/2/2019      HUS        3,698        -        3,698  
BRL      545,327      USD      541,723      8/2/2019      HUS        3,604        -        3,604  
BRL      779,039      USD      773,737      8/2/2019      HUS        5,302        -        5,302  
BRL      1,272,430      USD      1,276,913      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (4,483      (4,483
BRL      1,337,743      USD      1,343,886      8/2/2019      HUS        -        (6,143      (6,143
USD      104,022      BRL      103,872      8/2/2019      HUS        150        -        150  
CNY      145,603      USD      145,618      8/26/2019      HUS        -        (15      (15
CNY      145,603      USD      145,539      8/26/2019      HUS        64        -        64  
CNY      145,603      USD      145,551      8/26/2019      HUS        52        -        52  
CNY      145,603      USD      145,355      8/26/2019      HUS        248        -        248  
CNY      218,405      USD      218,116      8/26/2019      HUS        289        -        289  
CNY      291,207      USD      291,057      8/26/2019      HUS        150        -        150  
CNY      436,811      USD      435,275      8/26/2019      HUS        1,536        -        1,536  
CNY      436,811      USD      436,771      8/26/2019      HUS        40        -        40  
CNY      509,612      USD      508,953      8/26/2019      HUS        659        -        659  
CNY      728,018      USD      727,215      8/26/2019      HUS        803        -        803  
USD      3,916,450      CNY      3,931,296      8/26/2019      HUS        -        (14,846      (14,846
USD      1,502,766      CLP      1,549,214      10/2/2019      HUS        -        (46,448      (46,448
USD      1,360,460      CLP      1,403,061      10/2/2019      HUS        -        (42,601      (42,601
USD      1,359,934      CLP      1,403,061      10/2/2019      HUS        -        (43,127      (43,127
PEN      2,651,701      USD      2,572,168      8/22/2019      RBS        79,533        -        79,533  
PEN      2,643,160      USD      2,636,575      11/6/2019      RBS        6,585        -        6,585  
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,890,227      $ (12,029,068    $ (7,138,841
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

All values denominated in USD.

 

See accompanying notes

 

25


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Glossary:
  
Counterparty Abbreviations:
DUB    Deutsche Bank AG.
HUS    HSBC Bank (USA).
RBS    Royal Bank of Scotland PLC.
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD    Australian Dollar
BRL    Brazilian Real
CLP    Chilean Peso
CNY    Chinese Yuan
COP    Colombian Peso
EUR    Euro
HKD    Hong Kong Dollar
INR    Indian Rupee
KRW    South Korean Won
PEN    Peruvian Nuevo Sol
PHP    Philippine Peso
TWD    Taiwan Dollar
USD    United States Dollar
Index Abbreviations:
CAC40    Euronet Paris - French Stock Market Index.
DAX    Deutsche Boerse AG German Stock Index.
Euro Stoxx 50    Eurozone Blue-chip Index.
FTSE 100    Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index.
FTSE/JSE Top 40    Largest 40 companies ranked by full market value in the FTSE/JSE All-Share Index.
FTSE/MIB    Borsa Italiana - Italian Stock Market Index.
Hang Seng    Hong Kong Stock Market Index.
IBEX    Bolsa de Madrid - Spanish Stock Market Index.
KOSPI    South Korean Stock Market Index.
MSCI    Morgan Stanley Capital International.
MSCI EAFE    Morgan Stanley Capital International - Europe, Australasia, and Far East.
NASDAQ    National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations.
NIKKEI 225    Nikkei Stock Average.
OMXS30    Stockholm Stock Exchange’s leading share index.
S&P 500    Standard & Poor’s U.S. Equity Large-Cap Index.
S&P/TSX    Canadian Equity Market Index.
SPI 200    Australian Equity Market Index Future.
TOPIX    Tokyo Stock Exchange Tokyo Price Index.
Exchange Abbreviations:
JSE    Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
LME    London Metal Exchange.
SGX    Singapore Stock Exchange.
Other Abbreviations:
Bobl    Medium term debt that is issued by the Federal Republic of Germany.
Bund    German Federal Government Bond.
Buxl    Long term debt that is issued by the Federal Republic of Germany.
EURIBOR    Euro Interbank Offered Rate.
GILT    Bank of England Bonds.
LME    London Metal Exchange.
RBOB    Reformulated Gasoline Blendstock for Oxygen Blending.
Sugar#11    World Benchmark for raw sugar.
ULSD    Ultra-low-sulfur diesel.
WTI    West Texas Intermediate.

 

See accompanying notes

 

26


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:

 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Short-Term Investments

             

Investment Companies

  $ 45,380,132       $ -       $ -       $ 45,380,132  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    -         905,545,861         -         905,545,861  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 45,380,132       $ 905,545,861       $ -       $ 950,925,993  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

 

Futures Contracts

  $ 33,913,296       $ -       $ -       $ 33,913,296  

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

    -         4,890,227         -         4,890,227  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 33,913,296       $ 4,890,227       $ -       $ 38,803,523  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

 

Futures Contracts

  $ (13,804,768     $ -       $ -       $ (13,804,768

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

    -         (12,029,068       -         (12,029,068
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments-Liabilities

  $ (13,804,768     $ (12,029,068     $ -       $ (25,833,836
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

27


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Principal Amount*       Fair Value
           
FOREIGN SOVEREIGN OBLIGATIONS - 41.49%            
Deutsche Bundesrepublik Inflation-Linked Bond, 0.500%, Due 4/15/2030, Series I/LA B     EUR     4,228,680         $ 5,737,903
French Republic Government Bond OAT, 1.850%, Due 7/25/2027, Series OATEA B     EUR 1,677,630           2,386,480

0.100%, Due 3/1/2028, Series OATIA B

    EUR 1,037,080           1,286,096
United Kingdom Gilt Inflation-Linked, 0.125%, Due 3/22/2026, Series 3MOA B     GBP 3,346,830           5,073,486
           

 

 

 
           

Total Foreign Sovereign Obligations (Cost $14,114,294)

              14,483,965
           

 

 

 
           
U.S. TREASURY OBLIGATIONS - 24.13%            
United States Treasury Inflation-Protected Security, 0.625%, Due 4/15/2023A     $ 3,085,890           3,122,233

0.750%, Due 7/15/2028A

      5,089,350           5,302,347
           

 

 

 
           

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $8,086,866)

              8,424,580
           

 

 

 
    Shares        
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 22.66%            
Investment Companies - 10.60%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%C D       3,701,122           3,701,122
           

 

 

 
    Principal Amount*        
           
U.S. Treasury Obligations - 12.06%            
U.S. Treasury Bill, 2.019%, Due 12/12/2019     $ 4,250,000           4,210,576
           

 

 

 
           

Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $7,912,768)

              7,911,698
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 88.28% (Cost $30,113,928)

              30,820,243

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 11.72%

              4,090,204
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 34,910,447
           

 

 

 
           

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

*In U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted.

                 

A Inflation-Indexed Note.

B 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.

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

D 7-day yield.

GILT - Bank of England Bonds.

OAT - Obligations Assimilables du Trésor.

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Equity Futures Contracts  
Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Amsterdam Index Futures    4    July 2019    $ 507,380      $ 510,267      $ 2,887  
BIST 30 Index Futures    63    August 2019      134,956        136,135        1,179  
CAC40 Index Futures    11    July 2019      686,988        692,073        5,085  
DAX Index Futures    2    September 2019      700,342        704,320        3,978  
Euro Stoxx 50 Index Futures    23    September 2019      899,006        906,474        7,468  
FTSE 100 Index Futures    43    September 2019      4,009,740        4,024,050        14,310  
FTSE China A50 Index Futures    4    July 2019      53,275        54,020        745  
FTSE/JSE Top 40 Index Futures    4    September 2019      150,219        148,902        (1,317
FTSE/MIB Index Futures    4    September 2019      473,366        481,130        7,764  
Hang Seng China Enterprises Index Futures    4    July 2019      274,042        277,404        3,362  
Hang Seng Index Futures    2    July 2019      360,642        364,901        4,259  
IBEX 35 Index Futures    3    July 2019      312,856        312,919        63  
KOSPI 200 Index Futures    10    September 2019      591,432        602,780        11,348  

 

See accompanying notes

 

28


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
MSCI SING IX ETS Futures    7    July 2019    $ 192,717      $ 195,643      $ 2,926  
MSCI Taiwan Stock Index Futures    5    July 2019      191,562        193,250        1,688  
NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Futures    10    September 2019      1,508,784        1,538,750        29,966  
Nikkei 225 (SGX) Futures    12    September 2019      1,174,872        1,180,912        6,040  
OMXS30 Index Futures    11    July 2019      189,070        191,988        2,918  
S&P 500 E-Mini Index Futures    21    September 2019      3,044,193        3,091,410        47,217  
S&P/TSX 60 Index Futures    7    September 2019      1,040,845        1,045,229        4,384  
SGX NIFTY 50 Index Futures    2    July 2019      47,660        47,352        (308
SPI 200 Futures    2    September 2019      228,168        230,237        2,069  
TOPIX Index Futures    4    September 2019      576,687        575,429        (1,258
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
         $ 17,348,802      $ 17,505,575      $ 156,773  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
Interest Rate Futures Contracts                               
Description    Number of
Contracts
   Expiration Date    Notional Amount      Contract Value      Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Canadian 10-Year Bond Futures    10    September 2019    $ 1,082,442      $ 1,091,444      $ 9,002  
Euro OAT Futures    13    September 2019      2,406,454        2,437,158        30,704  
Euro-Bobl Futures    29    September 2019      4,416,966        4,433,281        16,315  
Euro-BTP Futures    10    September 2019      1,479,236        1,527,126        47,890  
Euro-Bund Futures    24    September 2019      4,671,941        4,714,144        42,203  
Euro-Buxl Futures    2    September 2019      449,406        461,435        12,029  
Japanese 10-Year Government Bond Futures    7    September 2019      9,964,024        9,988,870        24,846  
Korea 10-Year Government Bond Futures    6    September 2019      682,917        682,025        (892
Korea 3-Year Government Bond Futures    8    September 2019      765,594        764,907        (687
Long GILT Futures    59    September 2019      9,686,937        9,762,989        76,052  
U.S. Long Bond Futures    26    September 2019      3,953,678        4,045,437        91,759  
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note Futures    52    September 2019      6,546,776        6,654,375        107,599  
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Note Futures    10    September 2019      2,139,885        2,151,797        11,912  
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Note Futures    38    September 2019      4,446,605        4,489,938        43,333  
U.S. Ultra Bond Futures    14    September 2019      2,408,847        2,485,875        77,028  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 55,101,708      $ 55,690,801      $ 589,093  
        

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Centrally Cleared Swap Agreements Outstanding on June 30, 2019:

 

Credit Default Swaps on Credit Indices - Sell Protection(1)  
Index/Tranches   Fixed-
Rate (%)
  Expiration
Date
  Implied Credit
Spread at
6/30/2019(2)
(%)
    Curr   Notional
Amount(3)
(000s)
    Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Fair Value     Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Markit CDX NA.IG-31 5-Year Index Version 1   1.00   6/20/2024     0.5422     USD     15,000     $ 270,529     $ 323,967     $ 53,438  
iTraxx Europe ES-31 5-Year Index Version 1   1.00   6/20/2024     0.5210     EUR     10,000       167,949       274,875       106,926  
Markit CDX NA.HY-32 5-Year Index Version 1   5.00   6/20/2024     3.2420     USD     5,000       273,614       382,737       109,123  
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
            $ 712,092     $ 981,579     $ 269,487  
           

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

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

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

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

 

See accompanying notes

 

29


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

 

OTC Swap Agreements Outstanding on June 30, 2019:

 

Total Return Swap Agreements  

Pay/Receive

Floating Rate

  Description   Reference Entity   Counter-
party
  Floating
Rate
    Expiration
Date
    Reference
Quantity
    Notional
Amount
    Premiums
Paid
(Received)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Pay   1-Month
USD-LIBOR
  BBUXALC INDEX   JPM     0.000%       7/3/2019       33,000       3,698,754     $ (949   $ (112,699
               

 

 

   

 

 

 
                $ (949   $ (112,699
               

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Currency Purchased*      Currency Sold*      Settlement
Date
   Counterparty      Unrealized
Appreciation
     Unrealized
(Depreciation)
     Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
JPY      14,645      USD      14,593      7/18/2019      SSB      $ 52      $ -      $ 52  
GBP      61,158      USD      61,256      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (98      (98
EUR      230,979      USD      230,791      7/18/2019      SSB        188        -        188  
USD      5,203,929      GBP      5,199,859      7/18/2019      SSB        4,070        -        4,070  
USD      4,248,161      EUR      4,262,909      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (14,748      (14,748
USD      3,472,529      EUR      3,484,584      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (12,055      (12,055
USD      1,437,858      EUR      1,439,033      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (1,175      (1,175
USD      593,765      EUR      602,643      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (8,878      (8,878
USD      359,285      EUR      364,501      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (5,216      (5,216
USD      70,172      EUR      70,622      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (450      (450
USD      55,829      GBP      55,944      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (115      (115
USD      28,415      GBP      28,476      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (61      (61
USD      13,445      EUR      13,472      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (27      (27
USD      8,596      JPY      8,588      7/18/2019      SSB        8        -        8  
USD      8,545      CAD      8,549      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (4      (4
USD      7,431      AUD      7,575      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (144      (144
USD      6,170      JPY      6,197      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (27      (27
USD      5,948      JPY      5,986      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (38      (38
USD      5,390      HKD      5,387      7/18/2019      SSB        3        -        3  
USD      3,210      EUR      3,256      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (46      (46
USD      2,587      TRY      2,647      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (60      (60
USD      1,359      SEK      1,356      7/18/2019      SSB        3        -        3  
USD      442      ZAR      451      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (9      (9
USD      236      SEK      242      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (6      (6
USD      199      TRY      206      7/18/2019      SSB        -        (7      (7
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,324      $ (43,164    $ (38,840
                 

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

All values denominated in USD.

 

Glossary:
  
Counterparty Abbreviations:
JPM    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
SSB    State Street Bank & Trust Co.
Currency Abbreviations:
AUD    Australian Dollar
CAD    Canadian Dollar
EUR    Euro
GBP    Pound Sterling
HKD    Hong Kong Dollar
JPY    Japanese Yen
SEK    Swedish Krona
TRY    Turkish Lira
ZAR    South African Rand
USD    United States Dollar

 

See accompanying notes

 

30


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Index Abbreviations:
BIST 30    Bora Instanbul 30 Index.
CAC40    Euronet Paris - French Stock Market Index.
DAX    Deutsche Boerse AG German Stock Index.
Euro Stoxx 50    Eurozone Blue-chip Index.
FTSE 100    Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 Index.
FTSE China A50    Financial Times Stock Exchange China A50 Index.
FTSE/JFE Top 40    Largest 40 companies ranked by full market value in the FTSE/JSE All-Share Index.
FTSE/MIB    Borsa Italiana - Italian Stock Market Index.
Hang Seng    Hong Kong Stock Market Index.
IBEX    Bolsa de Madrid - Spanish Stock Market Index.
JSE    Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
KOSPI    South Korean Stock Market Index.
MSCI    Morgan Stanley Capital International.
NASDAQ    National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations.
NIKKEI 225    Nikkei Stock Average.
OMXS30    Stockholm Stock Exchange’s leading share index.
S&P 500    Standard & Poor’s U.S. Equity Large-Cap Index.
S&P/TSX    Canadian Equity Market Index.
SGX NIFTY    Singapore Stock Exchange NIFTY.
SPI 200    Australian Equity Market Index Future.
TOPIX    Tokyo Stock Exchange Tokyo Price Index.
Exchange Abbreviations:
JSE    Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
SGX    Singapore Stock Exchange.
OTC    Over-the-Counter
Other Abbreviations:
Bobl    Medium term debt that is issued by the Federal Republic of Germany.
BTP    Buoni del Tesoro Poliennali.
Bund    German Federal Government Bond.
Buxl    Long term debt that is issued by the Federal Republic of Germany.
GILT    Bank of England Bonds.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:

 

AHL TargetRisk Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Foreign Sovereign Obligations

  $ -       $ 14,483,965       $ -       $ 14,483,965  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

    -         8,424,580         -         8,424,580  

Short-Term Investments

    3,701,122         4,210,576         -         7,911,698  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 3,701,122       $ 27,119,121       $ -       $ 30,820,243  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

             

Futures Contracts

  $ 750,328       $ -       $ -       $ 750,328  

Swap Contract Agreements

    -         269,487         -         269,487  

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

    -         4,324         -         4,324  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 750,328       $ 273,811       $ -       $ 1,024,139  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

             

Futures Contracts

  $ (4,462     $ -       $ -       $ (4,462

Swap Contract Agreements

    -         (112,699       -         (112,699

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

    -         (43,164       -         (43,164
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

  $ (4,462     $ (155,863     $ -       $ (160,325
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

31


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    AHL Managed
Futures Strategy
FundA
          AHL TargetRisk
FundA
 

Assets:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value

  $ 905,545,861       $ 27,119,121  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    45,380,132         3,701,122  

Foreign currency, at fair value^

    -         75,272  

Foreign currency deposits with brokers for futures contracts and swap agreements, at fair value¤

    36,806,642         716,633  

Cash

    -         44  

Cash collateral held at custodian for the benefit of the broker

    15,426,089         720,000  

Dividends and interest receivable

    86,644         66,714  

Deposits with broker for futures contracts and swap agreements

    52,962,440         880,535  

Receivable for investments sold

    -         627,507  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    2,992,623         92,225  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    134,184         24,494  

Unrealized appreciation from forward foreign currency contracts

    4,890,227         4,324  

Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts (Note 5)

    -         826,175  

Receivable for variation margin on open centrally cleared swap agreements (Note 5)

    -         981,579  

Prepaid expenses

    103,351         125,209  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

    1,064,328,193         35,960,954  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

     

Payable for investments purchased

    -         675,501  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    834,095         -  

Cash collateral held at broker for the benefit of the custodian

    -         140,000  

Swap premium received

    -         949  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    1,150,529         23,029  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    5,389         259  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    88,659         243  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    401,905         45,946  

Professional fees payable

    38,411         7,840  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    49,682         -  

Unrealized depreciation from forward foreign currency contracts

    12,029,068         43,164  

Payable for variation margin from open futures contracts (Note 5)

    4,358,110         -  

Unrealized depreciation from swap agreements

    -         112,699  

Other liabilities

    17,486         877  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    18,973,334         1,050,507  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 1,045,354,859       $ 34,910,447  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

     

Paid-in-capital

  $ 1,016,119,582       $ 29,765,183  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)B

    29,235,277         5,145,264  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 1,045,354,859       $ 34,910,447  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

32


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    AHL Managed
Futures Strategy
FundA
          AHL TargetRisk
FundA
 

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

     

Institutional Class

    36,705,921         2,489,037  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

    58,060,459         363,198  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

    1,726,470         23,704  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A ClassC

    384,555         8,834  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C ClassC

    589,833         22,191  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Institutional Class

  $ 395,043,227       $ 29,895,658  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 621,847,207       $ 4,359,175  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 18,300,747       $ 284,173  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A ClassC

  $ 4,077,098       $ 105,852  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C ClassC

  $ 6,086,580       $ 265,589  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

     

Institutional Class

  $ 10.76       $ 12.01  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 10.71       $ 12.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 10.60       $ 11.99  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A ClassC

  $ 10.60       $ 11.98  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 11.25       $ 12.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C ClassC

  $ 10.32       $ 11.97  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 904,961,919       $ 26,412,806  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 45,380,132       $ 3,701,122  

¤ Cost of foreign currency deposits with broker for futures contracts

  $ 36,189,647       $ 709,881  

^ Cost of foreign currency

  $ -       $ 74,657  

A Consolidated financial statement. See Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

 

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

 

C Class commenced operations April 30, 2019 in the AHL TargetRisk Fund (Note 1).

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

33


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Operations

For the period ended June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    AHL Managed
Futures Strategy
FundA
          AHL TargetRisk
FundA
 

Investment income:

     

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities

  $ 1,324       $ -  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 7)

    234,886         25,415  

Interest income (net of foreign taxes)

    11,017,322         174,357  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

    11,253,532         199,772  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Expenses:

     

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    6,582,173         123,933  

Transfer agent fees:

     

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    75,135         2,184  

Y Class (Note 2)

    272,790         1,592  

Investor Class

    1,158         2,015  

A ClassB

    329         183  

C ClassB

    119         183  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    900,995         55,828  

Professional fees

    57,968         53,410  

Registration fees and expenses

    97,087         52,999  

Service fees (Note 2):

     

Investor Class

    20,960         170  

A ClassB

    1,842         -  

C ClassB

    1,908         -  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

     

A ClassB

    4,861         42  

C ClassB

    27,058         282  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    72,749         4,230  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    89,074         950  

Dividends and interest on securities sold short

    2,997         -  

Other expenses

    23,787         2,646  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    8,232,990         300,647  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

    (361,704       (156,537
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses

    7,871,286         144,110  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

    3,382,246         55,662  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

     

Net realized gain from:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesC

    (24,896       36,496  

Foreign currency transactions

    (109,513       122,070  

Forward foreign currency contracts

    6,958,096         62,420  

Futures contracts

    24,018,740         2,589,025  

Swap agreements

    -         701,900  

Change in net unrealized appreciation of:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesD

    583,603         706,315  

Foreign currency transactions

    563,492         7,562  

Forward foreign currency contracts

    (7,367,176       (38,840

Futures contracts

    (11,853,283       745,866  

Swap agreements

    -         156,788  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net gain from investments

    12,769,063         5,089,602  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 16,151,309       $ 5,145,264  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 46,538       $ 1,783  

A Consolidated financial statement. See Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

 

B Commencement of operations on April 30, 2018 in the TargetRisk Fund.

 

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

 

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

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

34


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundA           AHL TargetRisk FundA  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
          Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Period EndedB
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)                       (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

             

Operations:

             

Net investment income

  $ 3,382,246       $ 1,065,554       $ 55,662       $ -  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities, foreign currency transactions, forward foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, and swap agreements

    30,842,427         (356,327       3,511,911         -  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities, foreign currency transactions, forward foreign currency contracts, futures contracts, and swap agreements

    (18,073,364       24,815,639         1,577,691         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

    16,151,309         25,524,866         5,145,264         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

             

Total retained earnings:

             

Institutional Class

    -         (7,171,786       -         -  

Y Class

    -         (8,502,485       -         -  

Investor Class

    -         (252,884       -         -  

A ClassC

    -         (59,819       -         -  

C ClassC

    -         (32,986       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    -         (16,019,960       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 10):

             

Proceeds from sales of shares

    218,451,804         562,411,814         4,765,173         20,000,000  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    -         14,959,325         -         -  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (112,507,829       (186,100,916       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions

    105,943,975         391,270,223         4,765,173         20,000,000  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets

    122,095,284         400,775,129         9,910,437         20,000,000  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

             

Beginning of period

    923,259,575         522,484,446         25,000,010         5,000,010 D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 1,045,354,859       $ 923,259,575       $ 34,910,447       $ 25,000,010  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Consolidated financial statement. See Note 1 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

 

B Commenced operations December 31, 2018 (Note 1).

 

C Class commenced operations April 30, 2019 in the AHL TargetRisk Fund (Note 1).

 

D Seed capital.

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

35


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 June 30, 2019, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, two of which are presented in this filing: American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk 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.

The American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund commenced operations on December 31, 2018 and is a separate series of the Trust. December 31, 2018 is also the inception date of the Institutional, Y and Investor Classes of the Fund. The Fund constitutes a separate investment portfolio with a distinct investment objective and distinct purpose and strategy.

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 June 30, 2019, 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.

Class Disclosure

On April 30, 2019, the AHL TargetRisk 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 United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Refer to the AHL TargetRisk Prospectus for more details.

 

 

36


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 or 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  
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  

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 Schedules of Investments of the AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund and the AHL TargetRisk Fund (the controlled foreign corporation “CFC Funds”) are consolidated to include the accounts of the American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. and American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Fund, Ltd., respectively, each of which are wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”) of the CFC Funds. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation for the CFC Funds.

For Federal tax purposes, taxable income for the CFC Funds and its Subsidiary are calculated separately. The Subsidiaries are classified as controlled foreign corporations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) and each Subsidiary’s taxable income is included in the calculation of the applicable CFC Fund’s taxable income. Net losses of the Subsidiarys’ are not deductible by the CFC Funds either in the current period or future periods. The Subsidiaries have a fiscal year end of December 31st for financial statement consolidation purposes and a nonconforming tax year end of November 30th.

Each CFC Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in its Subsidiary, which acts as an investment vehicle in order to effect certain investments consistent with the CFC Fund’s investment objectives and policies. The CFC Funds expect to achieve a significant portion of their exposure to commodities and commodities-related investments through investment in the Subsidiaries. Unlike the CFC Funds, the Subsidiaries may invest without limitation in commodities and commodities-related investments.

 

Fund

  Inception Date of
Subsidiary
  Subsidiary Net Assets
at June 30, 2019
    % of Total Net Assets
of the CFC Fund at
June 30, 2019
 

American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy
Fund, Ltd.

  August 19, 2014   $ 246,153,271       23.5

American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Fund, Ltd.

  December 31, 2018     7,609,623       21.8

 

 

37


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

CFTC Regulation

On August 13, 2013, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted rules to harmonize conflicting SEC and CFTC disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping requirements for registered investment companies that do not meet an exemption from the definition of commodity pool. The harmonization rules provide that the CFTC will accept the SEC’s disclosure, reporting, and recordkeeping regime as substituted compliance for substantially all of the otherwise applicable CFTC regulations as long as such investment companies meet the applicable SEC requirements.

The CFC Funds are commodity pools, as defined in the regulation of the CFTC and operated by the Manager, a commodity pool operator regulated by the CFTC.

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.

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 the 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.

 

 

38


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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.

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 June 30, 2019, based on management’s evaluation of the shareholder account base, 2 accounts have been identified as representing an affiliated significant ownership of approximately 86% for the AHL TargetRisk Fund, respectively.

2.  Transactions with Affiliates

Management and Investment Sub-Advisory Agreements

The AHL Managed Futures 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, equal to 0.35%.

The AHL TargetRisk 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 preforming 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 Funds, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with AHL Partners LLP (the “Sub-Advisor”), 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 schedules:

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

All Assets

     1.00

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

First $500 million

     0.55

Next $500 million

     0.50

Next $500 million

     0.45

Over $1.5 billion

     0.40

 

 

39


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Funds for the period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 1,706,489  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    1.00       4,875,684  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    1.35     $ 6,582,173  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 48,196  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.55       75,737  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.90     $ 123,933  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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.

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

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into Service Plans that obligate the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, A, and C Classes of the Funds. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plans, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the 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 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

 

 

40


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Classes on an annual basis. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statements of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   $ 339,429  

AHL TargetRisk

     -  

As of June 30, 2019, 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
 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   $ 88,659  

AHL TargetRisk

     -  

Investments in Affiliated Funds

The Funds may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (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 June 30, 2019, 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
 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   $ 11,171  

AHL TargetRisk

     1,149  

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 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 June 30, 2019, the Funds did not utilize the credit facility.

 

 

41


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                  Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class    1/1/2019 -
6/30/2019
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   Institutional      1.54   $ 196,910      $       2022  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   Y      1.64     169,059              2022  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   Investor      1.92     3,387        (7,805     2022  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   A      1.94     786        (307     2022  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   C      2.69     1,093        (1,419     2022  

AHL TargetRisk

   Institutional      1.04     148,367              2022  

AHL TargetRisk

   Y      1.14     4,545              2022  

AHL TargetRisk

   Investor      1.42     2,684              2022  

AHL TargetRisk

   A      1.44     392              2022  

AHL TargetRisk

   C      2.19     549              2022  

Of these amounts, $134,184 and $24,494 were disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2019 for the AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund and the AHL TargetRisk 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 2022. 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, but not recorded as a liability are as follows:

 

Fund

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

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   $ (9,531   $ 1,430,943      $        2019  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

           2,099,369               2020  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

           913,005               2021  

AHL TargetRisk

     -       61,866        -        2021  

Sales Commissions

The Funds’ Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of Class A sales charges from broker dealers and it may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the period ended June 30, 2019, RID collected $109 for AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund from the sale of Class A Shares. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no sales charges collected by RID for the AHL TargetRisk Fund from the sale of Class A Shares.

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 June 30, 2019, there were no CDSC fees collected for Class A Shares of the Funds.

 

 

42


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 Funds’ 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 June 30, 2019, CDSC fees of $774 were collected for the Class C Shares of AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no CDSC fees collected for Class C Shares of the AHL TargetRisk Fund.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trusts, 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 security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a

 

 

43


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 Depositary 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, preferred securities, 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

 

 

44


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

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

Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities (“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 ABS that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described above 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.

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

Commodity Instruments

Exposure to physical commodities may subject the Funds to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of such investments may be affected by overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as supply and demand, drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. Their value may also respond to investor perception of instability in the national or international economy, whether or not justified by the facts. However, these investments may help to moderate fluctuations in the value of the Funds’ other holdings, because these investments may not correlate with investments in traditional securities. Economic and other events (whether real or perceived) can reduce the demand for commodities, which may reduce market prices and cause the value of the Funds’ shares to fall. No active trading market may exist for certain commodities investments, which may impair the ability of the Funds to sell or realize

 

 

45


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

the full value of such investments in the event of the need to liquidate such investments. Certain commodities are subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional investment risks and result in greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. Because physical commodities do not generate investment income, the return on such investments will be derived solely from the appreciation or depreciation on such investments. Certain types of commodities instruments (such as commodity-linked swaps and commodity-linked structured notes) are subject to the risk that the counterparty to the instrument will not perform or will be unable to perform in accordance with the terms of the instrument.

Fixed-Income Investments

The Funds may hold debt, including government and corporate debt, and other fixed-income securities. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a fundamental risk of fixed-income securities is interest rate risk, which is the risk that their value will generally decline as prevailing interest rates rise, which may cause the Funds’ NAV to likewise decrease, and vice versa. How specific fixed-income securities may react to changes in interest rates will depend on the specific characteristics of each security. For example, while securities with longer maturities tend to produce higher yields, they also tend to be more sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates and are, therefore, more volatile than shorter-term securities and are subject to greater market fluctuations as a result of changes in interest rates. Fixed-income securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the credit strength of an issuer of a fixed-income security will weaken and/or that the issuer will be unable to make timely principal and interest payments and that the security may go into default. In addition, there is prepayment risk, which is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, certain fixed-income securities with higher interest rates, such as MBS and ABS, may be prepaid by their issuers thereby reducing the amount of interest payments. This may result in a Fund having to reinvest its proceeds in lower yielding securities. Securities underlying MBS and ABS, which may include subprime mortgages, also may be subject to a higher degree of credit risk, valuation risk, and liquidity risk.

Foreign Securities

The Funds may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated and non-U.S. dollar denominated equity and debt securities of foreign issuers and foreign branches of U.S. banks, including negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances, and commercial paper. 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 may be 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, different 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 Funds’ rights as an investor.

Other Investment Company Securities and Other Exchange-Traded Products

The Funds may invest in shares of other investment companies, including money market funds and ETFs. The Funds may invest in securities of an investment company 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

 

 

46


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

The Funds can invest free cash balances in registered open-end investment companies regulated as money market funds under the Investment Company Act, to provide liquidity or for defensive purposes. The Funds could invest in money market funds rather than purchasing individual short-term investments. If the Funds invests in money market funds, shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, of the money market funds in which the Funds invest, including advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable money market funds advised by the Manager.

U.S. Treasury Obligations

U.S. Treasury obligations include bills (initial maturities of one year or less), notes (initial maturities between two and ten years), and bonds (initial maturities over ten years) issued by the U.S. Treasury, Separately Traded Registered Interest and Principal component parts of such obligations (known as “STRIPS”) and inflation-indexed securities. The prices of these securities (like all debt securities) change between issuance and maturity in response to fluctuating market interest rates. U.S. Treasury obligations are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk.

5.  Financial Derivative Instruments

The Funds may utilize derivative instruments to gain market exposure on cash balances or reduce market exposure in anticipation of liquidity needs. When considering the Funds’ use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Funds do not use derivatives for the purpose of creating financial leverage.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

The Funds may enter into forward foreign currency contracts to hedge the exchange rate risk on investment transactions or to hedge the value of the Funds’ securities denominated in foreign currencies. Forward foreign currency contracts are valued at the forward exchange rate prevailing on the day of valuation. The Funds 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 Funds bear 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 Funds also bear the credit risk if the counterparty fails to perform under the contract.

During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Funds entered into forward foreign currency contracts primarily for speculative purposes.

The Funds’ 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 June 30, 2019

 

Fund

  Purchased Contracts     Sold Contracts  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

  $ 241,094,366     $ 341,672,560  

AHL TargetRisk

    102,261       9,589,061  

 

 

47


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Futures Contracts

Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standard quantity of securities at a specified price on a future date. The Funds may enter into financial futures contracts as a method for keeping assets readily convertible to cash if needed to meet shareholder redemptions or for other needs while maintaining exposure to the stock or bond market, as applicable. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the possibility of illiquid markets or imperfect correlation between the values of the contracts and the underlying securities or that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations.

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

During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Funds entered into futures contracts primarily for investing and hedging purposes.

The Funds’ average futures contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of futures contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Futures Contracts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Period Ended June 30, 2019  

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

    51,244  

AHL TargetRisk

    332  

Swap Agreements

A swap is a transaction in which a Fund and a counterparty agree to pay or receive payments at specified dates based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates (e.g., interest rates in the case of interest rate swaps) or the performance of specified securities or indices based on a specified amount (the “notional” amount). Nearly any type of derivative, including forward contracts, can be structured as a swap.

Swap agreements can be structured to provide exposure to a variety of different types of investments or market factors. For example, in an interest rate swap, fixed-rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments; in a currency swap, U.S. dollar-denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in a foreign currency; and in a total return swap, payments tied to the investment return on a particular asset, group of assets or index may be exchanged for payments that are effectively equivalent to interest payments or for payments tied to the return on another asset, group of assets, or index. Swaps may have a leverage component, and adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate or index can result in gains or losses that are substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself.

Some swaps currently are, and more in the future will be, centrally cleared. Swaps that are centrally-cleared are exposed to the creditworthiness of the clearing organizations (and, consequently, that of their members—generally, banks and broker-dealers) involved in the transaction. For example, an investor could lose margin payments it has deposited with the clearing organization as well as the net amount of gains not yet paid by the clearing organization if it breaches its agreement with the investor or becomes insolvent or goes into

 

 

48


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

bankruptcy. In the event of bankruptcy of the clearing organization, the investor may be able to recover only a portion of the net amount of gains on its transactions and of the margin owed to it, potentially resulting in losses to the investor.

Swaps that are not centrally cleared, involve the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement. To mitigate this risk, the Fund will only enter into swap agreements with counterparties considered by a sub-advisor to present minimum risk of default and the Fund normally obtains collateral to secure its exposure. Changing conditions in a particular market area, whether or not directly related to the referenced assets that underlie the swap agreement, may have an adverse impact on the creditworthiness of a counterparty.

The centrally cleared and OTC swap agreements into which a Fund enters normally provide for the obligations of the Fund and its counterparty in the event of a default or other early termination to be determined on a net basis. Similarly, periodic payments on a swap transaction that are due by each party on the same day normally are netted. To the extent that a swap agreement is subject to netting, the Fund’s cover and asset segregation responsibilities will normally be with respect to the net amount owed by the Fund. However, the Fund may be required to segregate liquid assets equal to the full notional amount of certain swaps, such as written credit default swaps on physically settled forwards or written options. The amount that the Fund must segregate may be reduced by the value of any collateral that it has pledged to secure its own obligations under the swap.

Credit Default Swap Agreements

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

subject to investment exposure up to the notional amount of the swap.

If the Fund is a seller of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and take delivery of the referenced obligation, other deliverable obligations or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) pay a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. If the Fund is a buyer of protection and a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of that particular swap agreement, the Fund will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced obligation, other deliverable obligations or underlying securities comprising the referenced index or (ii) receive a net settlement amount in the form of cash or securities equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the referenced obligation or underlying securities comprising the referenced index. Recovery values are estimated by market makers considering either industry standard recovery rates or entity specific factors and considerations until a credit event occurs. If a credit event has occurred, the recovery value is determined by a facilitated auction whereby a minimum number of allowable broker bids, together with a specified valuation method, are used to calculate the settlement value.

Credit default swap agreements on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues involve one party making a stream of payments to another party in exchange for the right to receive a specified return in the event of a default or other credit event. If a credit event occurs and cash settlement is not elected, a variety of other deliverable obligations may be delivered in lieu of the specific referenced obligation. The ability to deliver other obligations may result in a cheapest-to-deliver option (the buyer

 

 

49


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

of protection’s right to choose the deliverable obligation with the lowest value following a credit event). The Fund may use credit default swaps on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues to provide a measure of protection against defaults of the issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where the Fund owns or has exposure to the referenced obligation) or to take an active long or short position with respect to the likelihood of a particular issuer’s default.

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

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

Implied credit spreads, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of credit default swap agreements on corporate issues, sovereign issues of an emerging country or U.S. municipal issues as of period end are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedules of Investments and serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent a market participant view of the likelihood or risk of default for the underlying referenced security to credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a particular referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. For credit default swap agreements on asset-backed securities and credit indices, the quoted market prices and resulting values serve as the indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk. Wider credit spreads represent a deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the agreement.

The maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) that the Fund as a seller of protection could be required to make under a credit default swap agreement would be an amount equal to the notional amount of the agreement. Notional amounts of each individual credit default swap agreement outstanding as of June 30, 2019, for which the Fund is the seller of protection is disclosed in the Notes to the Schedules of Investments. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the respective referenced obligations, upfront payments received upon entering into the agreement, or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap agreements entered into by the Fund for the same referenced entity or entities.

 

 

50


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

During the year ended June 30, 2019, the AHL TargetRisk Fund entered into credit default swaps primarily for return enhancement, and hedging.

The Fund’s credit default swap contract notional amounts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet the strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of credit default swap contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, the volume is measure by the notional amounts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Credit Default Swap Notional Amounts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Period Ended June 30, 2019  

AHL TargetRisk

  $ 28,333,333  

Total Return Swap Agreements

The Funds may enter into total return swaps in order to take a “long” or “short” position with respect to an underlying referenced asset. The Funds are subject to market price volatility of the underlying referenced asset. A total return swap involves commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market linked return based on a notional amount. To the extent that the total return of the security, group of securities or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest obligation, the Funds will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty.

The Funds’ total return swap contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of total return swap contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end:

 

Average Total Return Swap Notional Amounts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Period Ended June 30, 2019  

AHL TargetRisk

  $ 2,224,993  

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

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2019:

 

    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     $         $ 4,890,227                   $         $         $ 4,890,227
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)                 702,823           9,060,171           18,222,536           5,927,766           33,913,296

Liabilities:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Unrealized depreciation of forward foreign currency contracts     $         $ (12,029,068 )                   $         $         $ (12,029,068 )
Payable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)                 (5,362,873 )           (6,801,927 )           (170,943 )           (1,469,025 )           (13,804,768 )
                                           

 

 

51


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations as of June 30, 2019:

 

    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     $         $ 6,958,096         $         $         $         $ 6,958,096
Futures contracts                 (13,321,041 )           (10,988,945 )           69,242,238           (20,913,512 )           24,018,740

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     $         $ (7,367,176 )         $         $         $         $ (7,367,176 )
Futures contracts                 (5,019,805 )           (9,538,197 )           3,601,472           (896,753 )           (11,853,283 )

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2019:

 

    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     $         $ 4,324                   $         $         $ 4,324
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)                                     590,672           159,656           750,328
Unrealized appreciation from swap agreements       269,487                                                   269,487

Liabilities:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Unrealized depreciation of forward foreign currency contracts     $         $ (43,164 )                   $         $         $ (43,164 )
Payable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)                                     (1,579 )           (2,883 )           (4,462 )
Unrealized depreciation from swap agreements                                               (112,699 )           (112,699 )
                                           
The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations as of June 30, 2019:

 

    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     $         $ 62,420         $         $         $         $ 62,420
Futures contracts                                     1,511,519           1,077,506           2,589,025
Swap agreements       523,651                                         178,249           701,900

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     $         $ (38,840 )         $         $         $         $ (38,840 )
Futures contracts                                     589,093           156,773           745,866
Swap agreements       269,487                                         (112,699 )           156,788

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

 

52


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 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 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, June 30, 2019.

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2019:

 

    Assets           Liabilities  
Futures Contracts   $ 33,913,296       $ 13,804,768  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts     4,890,227         12,029,068  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities   $ 38,803,523       $ 25,833,836  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)   $ 33,913,296       $ 13,804,768  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA   $ 4,890,227       $ 12,029,068  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Financial Assets, Derivatives, and Collateral Received/(Pledged) by Counterparty as of June 30, 2019:

 

 
    Gross Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Statements of
Assets and  Liabilities
          Derivatives
Available for
Offset
          Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
             

Counterparty

              Non-Cash Collateral
Pledged
   

 

    Cash Collateral
Pledged
          Net Amount  

Deutsche Bank AG

  $ 2,439,161       $ (2,439,161     $ -       $ -       $ -  

HSBC Bank (USA)

    2,364,948         (2,364,948       -         -         -  

Royal Bank of Scotland PLC

    86,118                 -         -         86,118  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

  $ 4,890,227       $ (4,804,109     $ -       $ -       $ 86,118  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    Gross Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
          Derivatives
Available for
Offset
          Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
             

Counterparty

              Non-Cash Collateral
Received
   

 

    Cash Collateral
Received
          Net Amount  

Deutsche Bank AG

  $ 3,731,697       $ (2,439,161     $ -       $ -       $ 1,292,536  

HSBC Bank (USA)

    8,297,371         (2,364,948       -         -         5,932,423  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

  $ 12,029,068       $ (4,804,109     $ -       $ -       $ 7,224,959  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

53


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2019:

 

 

  Assets           Liabilities  
Futures Contracts   $ 750,328       $ 4,462  
Swap Agreement - Centrally Cleared     269,487         -  
Swap Agreement - OTC     -         112,699  
Forward Foreign Currency Contracts     4,324         43,164  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities   $ 1,024,139       $ 160,325  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)   $ 1,019,815       $ 117,161  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities subject to an MNA   $ 4,324       $ 43,164  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

Financial Assets, Derivatives, and Collateral Received/(Pledged) by Counterparty as of June 30, 2019:

 

    Gross Amounts of
Assets Presented in
the Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
          Derivatives
Available for
Offset
          Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
             

Counterparty

        Non-Cash Collateral
Pledged
          Cash Collateral
Pledged
          Net Amount  

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

  $ 4,324       $ (4,324     $ -       $ -       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

  $ 4,324       $ (4,324     $ -       $ -       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
    Gross Amounts of
Liabilities Presented
in the Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
          Derivatives
Available for
Offset
          Gross Amounts Not Offset in the
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
             

Counterparty

        Non-Cash Collateral
Received
          Cash Collateral
Received
          Net Amount  

State Street Bank & Trust Co.

  $ 43,164       $ (4,324     $ -       $ -       $ 38,840  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

  $ 43,164       $ (4,324     $ -       $ -       $ 38,840  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

6.  Principal Risks

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

Commodities Risk

The Funds’ investments in commodity-linked derivative instruments may subject the Funds to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative instruments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as changes in supply and demand, drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, war, acts of terrorism and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The Funds and the Subsidiaries each may concentrate its assets in a particular sector of the commodities market (such as oil, metal or agricultural products). As a result, the Funds and the Subsidiaries may be more susceptible to risks associated with those sectors. The Funds’ investments in commodity-related instruments may lead to losses in excess of the Funds’ investment in such products. Such losses can significantly and adversely affect the NAV of the Funds and, consequently, a shareholder’s interest in the Funds.

Counterparty Risk

There are two separate categories of counterparty risk that arise out of a Fund’s investments in derivatives. The first relates to the risk that its swap counterparty defaults, and the second category relates to the risk that a futures commission merchant (“FCM”) would default on an obligation set forth in an agreement between a Fund and the FCM. As for the first category of risk, entering into derivatives in the OTC market involves counterparty risk, which is the risk that the dealer providing the derivative or other product will fail to timely perform its payment and other obligations or experience financial difficulties, which may include filing for bankruptcy. Therefore, to the extent that a Fund engages in trading in OTC markets, the Fund could be exposed to greater risk

 

 

54


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

of loss through default than if it confined its trading to transactions that are centrally cleared. The second category of risk exists at and from the time that a Fund enters into derivatives transactions that are centrally cleared. In such cases, a clearing organization becomes the Fund’s counterparty and the principal counterparty risk is that the clearing organization itself will default. In addition, the FCM may hold margin posted in connection with those contracts and that margin may be re-hypothecated (or re-pledged) by the FCM and lost or its return delayed due to a default by the FCM or other customer of the FCM. The FCM may itself file for bankruptcy, which would either delay the return of, or jeopardize altogether the assets posted by the FCM as margin in response to margin calls relating to cleared positions. If a counterparty fails to meet its contractual obligations, goes bankrupt, or otherwise experiences a business interruptions, a Fund could miss investment opportunities or otherwise hold investments it would prefer to sell, resulting in losses for the Fund.

Credit Risk

The Funds are 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 the Funds may have an adverse impact on its price and make it difficult for the Funds 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. Since the Funds can invest significantly in high-yield investments considered speculative in nature, this risk may be substantial.

Currency Risk

The Funds may have exposure to foreign currencies by investing in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies or in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, purchasing or selling forward currency exchange contracts in non-U.S. currencies, non-U.S. currency futures contracts, options on non-U.S. currencies and non-U.S. currency futures and swaps for cross-currency investments. Foreign currencies may decline in value relative to the U.S. dollar, or, in the case of hedging positions, the U.S. dollar may decline in value relative to the currency being hedged, and thereby affect a 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. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons, including changes in interest rates, intervention (or the failure to intervene) by U.S. or foreign governments, central banks or supranational entities such as the International Monetary Fund, or by the imposition of currency controls or other political developments in the United States or abroad. As a result, the Fund’s investments in foreign currency denominated securities may reduce the returns of the Funds. Currency futures, forwards, options or swaps may not always work as intended, and in specific cases, the Funds may be worse off than if it had not used such instrument(s). There may not always be suitable hedging instruments available. Even where suitable hedging instruments are available, the Funds may choose to not hedge its currency risks

Derivatives Risk

Derivatives may involve significant risk. The use of derivative instruments may expose the Funds to additional risks that they would not be subject to if they 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 Funds’ initial investment. Derivatives may be illiquid and may be more volatile than other types of investments. The Funds 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 and credit risk. As a result, the Funds may obtain no recovery of their 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 Funds to greater losses in the event of a default by a counterparty.

 

 

55


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Foreign Investing and Emerging Markets 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, (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. To the extent the Funds invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of a single country or region, it is more likely to be affected by events or conditions of that country or region. In addition, the economies and political environments of emerging market countries tend to be more unstable than those of developed countries, resulting in more volatile rates of return than the developed markets and substantially greater risk to investors. There may be very limited oversight of certain foreign banks or securities depositories that hold foreign securities and currency and the laws of certain countries may limit the ability to recover such assets if a foreign bank or depository or their agents goes bankrupt. When investing in emerging markets, the risks of investing in foreign securities are heightened. Emerging markets have unique risks that are greater than, or in addition to, investing in developed markets because emerging markets are generally smaller, less developed, less liquid and more volatile than the securities markets of the U.S. and other developed markets. There are also risks of: greater political uncertainties; an economy’s dependence on revenues from particular commodities or on international aid or development assistance; currency transfer restrictions; a limited number of potential buyers for such securities, resulting in increased volatility and limited liquidity for emerging market securities; trading suspensions; and delays and disruptions in securities settlement procedures. In addition, there may be less information available to make investment decisions and more volatile rates of return.

Futures Contracts Risk

Futures contracts are derivative instruments where one party pays a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose the Funds to additional risks that they would not be subject to if they invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes (losses) and imperfect correlation between the price of the contract and the underlying security or index, which will increase the volatility of the Funds and may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract).

Hedging Risk

If the Funds use a hedging instrument at the wrong time or judges the market conditions incorrectly, or the hedged instrument does not correlate to the risk sought to be hedged, the hedge might be unsuccessful, reduce the Funds’ return, or create a loss.

High Portfolio Turnover Risk

Portfolio turnover is a measure of the Funds’ trading activity over a one-year period. A portfolio turnover rate of 100% would indicate that the Funds sold and replaced the entire value of its securities holdings during the period. High portfolio turnover could increase the Funds’ transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. These costs are not reflected in the Funds’ annual operating expenses or in the expense example, but they can have a negative impact on performance. Frequent trading by the Funds could also result in increased realized net capital gains, distributions of which are taxable to the Funds’ shareholders (including net short-term capital gain distributions, which are taxable to them as ordinary income).

High-Yield Securities Risk

Investing in high-yield, below investment-grade securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) generally involves significantly greater risks of loss of your money than an investment in investment grade securities. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak

 

 

56


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

or expected to become weak. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that the issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal and interest. Below investment grade securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment grade securities.

Interest Rate Risk

Investments in investment-grade and non-investment grade fixed-income securities or derivatives that are influenced by interest rates are subject to interest rate risk. The value of a Fund’s fixed-income investments typically will fall when interest rates rise. A Fund may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates if it invests in debt securities with intermediate and long terms to maturity. Debt securities with longer durations tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than debt securities with shorter durations. For example, if a bond has a duration of eight years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in an 8% decrease in the value of the bond. Yields of debt securities will fluctuate over time. Following the financial crisis that started in 2008, the Federal Reserve attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to each other overnight) at or near zero percent. The Federal Reserve has raised the federal funds rate several times since December 2015 and may continue to increase rates in the future. Interest rates may rise significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting in substantial losses to a Fund. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, a Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Certain European countries and Japan have recently experienced negative interest rates on deposits and debt securities have traded at negative yields. Negative interest rates may become more prevalent among non-U.S. issuers, and potentially within the United States. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent a Fund is exposed to such interest rates.

Leverage Risk

Financial leverage magnifies the exposure to the movement in prices of an asset or class of assets underlying a derivative instrument and results in increased volatility, which means that a Fund will have the potential for greater losses than if a Fund does not use the derivative instruments that have a leveraging effect. Leverage tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of any increase or decrease in a Fund’s exposure to an asset or class of assets and may cause a Fund’s NAV to be volatile.

A Fund may experience leveraging risk in connection with investments in derivatives because its investments in derivatives may be purchased with a fraction of the assets that would be needed to purchase the securities directly, so that the remainder of the assets may be invested in other investments. Such investments may have the effect of leveraging a Fund because a Fund may experience gains or losses not only on its investments in derivatives, but also on the investments purchased with the remainder of the assets. If the value of a Fund’s investments in derivatives is increasing, this could be offset by declining values of a Fund’s other investments. Conversely, it is possible that the rise in the value of a Fund’s non-derivative investments could be offset by a decline in the value of a Fund’s investments in derivatives. In either scenario, a Fund may experience losses. In a market where the value of a Fund’s investments in derivatives is declining and the value of its other investments is declining, a Fund may experience substantial losses. The use of leverage may cause a Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it may not be advantageous to do so to satisfy its obligations or to meet any required asset segregation requirements. In addition, the costs that a Fund pays to engage in these practices are additional costs borne by a Fund and could reduce or eliminate any net investment profits.

Liquidity Risk

When there is little or no active trading market for a specific type of security, it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived value. During such periods, certain investments held by the Funds may be difficult to sell or other investments may be difficult to purchase at favorable times or prices. As

 

 

57


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

a result, the Funds may have to lower the price on certain securities that it is trying to sell, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance. Redemptions by a few large investors in the Funds at such times may have a significant adverse effect on the Funds’ NAV and remaining Fund shareholders. In addition, the market-making capacity of dealers in certain types of securities has been reduced in recent years, in part as a result of structural and regulatory changes, such as fewer proprietary trading desks and increased regulatory capital requirements for broker-dealers. Further, many broker-dealers have reduced their inventory of certain debt securities. This could negatively affect the Funds’ ability to buy or sell debt securities and increase the related volatility and trading costs. The Funds may lose money if it is forced to sell certain investments at unfavorable prices to meet redemption requests or other cash needs.

Market Direction Risk

Since the Funds will typically hold both long and short positions, an investment in the Funds will involve market risks associated with different types of investment decisions than those made for a typical “long only” fund. The Funds’ results could suffer both when there is a general market advance and the Funds hold significant “short” positions, and when there is a general market decline and the Funds hold significant “long” positions. In recent years, the markets have shown considerable volatility from day to day and even in intra-day trading.

Market Risk

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, risks associated with the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union, the risk of a “trade war” between the United States and China, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations, including the United States, 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 United States 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 the federal corporate income tax rates, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less

 

 

58


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 United States 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

When a Fund is non-diversified, it may invest a high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. When a Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers it may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more diversified portfolio might be. Some of those issuers also may present substantial credit or other risks. When a Fund is non-diversified, its NAV and total return may also fluctuate more or be subject to declines in weaker markets than a diversified mutual fund.

Obsolescence Risk

The Funds are unlikely to be successful in its quantitative trading strategies unless the assumptions underlying the models are realistic and either remain realistic and relevant in the future or are adjusted to account for changes in the overall market environment. If such assumptions are inaccurate or become inaccurate and are not promptly adjusted, it is likely that profitable trading signals will not be generated. If and to the extent that the models do not reflect certain factors, and the sub-advisor does not successfully address such omission through its testing and evaluation and modify the models accordingly, major losses may result – all of which will be borne by the Funds. The sub-advisor will continue to test, evaluate and add new Models, which may lead to the Models being modified from time to time. Any modification of the Models or strategies will not be subject to any requirement that shareholders receive notice of the change or that they consent to it. There can be no assurance as to the effects (positive or negative) of any modification to the Models or strategies on a Fund’s performance.

Options Risk

In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit that might have been realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the call option. For a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to

 

 

59


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

cover the premium and transaction costs. By using put options in this manner, the Funds will reduce any profit it might otherwise have realized from appreciation of the underlying security by the premium paid for the put option and by transaction costs. If the Funds sell a put option, there is a risk that the Funds may be required to buy the underlying asset at a disadvantageous price. If the Funds sell a call option, there is a risk that the Funds may be required to sell the underlying asset at a disadvantageous price. If the Funds sell a call option on an underlying asset that the Funds own and the underlying asset has increased in value when the call option is exercised, the Funds will be required to sell the underlying asset at the call price and will not be able to realize any of the underlying asset’s value above the call price.

Other Investment Companies Risk

The Funds may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and 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, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, 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, the Funds’ investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. The Funds must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of the Funds’ investment may decline, adversely affecting the Funds’ performance. ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of its benchmark index. To the extent the Funds invest in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed-income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Funds are subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. ETFs have expenses associated with their operation, typically including advisory fees.

Short Position Risk

The Funds will incur a loss as a result of a short position if the price of the instrument sold short increases in value between the date of the short sale and the date on which an offsetting position is purchased. Short positions may be considered speculative transactions and involve special risks, including greater reliance on the sub-advisor’s ability to accurately anticipate the future value of a security or instrument. The Funds’ losses are potentially unlimited in a short position transaction.

Sovereign and Quasi-Sovereign Debt Risk

An investment in sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt obligations involves special risks not present in corporate debt obligations. Sovereign and quasi-sovereign debt securities are issued or guaranteed by a sovereign government or entity affiliated with or backed by a sovereign government. The issuer of the sovereign or quasi-sovereign debt that controls the repayment of the debt may be unable or unwilling to repay principal or interest when due, and a Fund may have limited recourse in the event of a default. In addition, 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 emerging markets. A governmental entity that defaults on an obligation may request additional time in which to pay or receive further loans or may seek to restructure its obligations to reduce interest rates or outstanding principal. There is no legal process for collecting

 

 

60


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 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.

Subsidiary Risk

There can be no assurance that the investment objective of a Subsidiary will be achieved. The Subsidiaries are not registered under the Investment Company Act, and are not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. However, each Fund wholly owns and controls its respective Subsidiary, and each Fund and its respective Subsidiary are both managed by the Manager and the sub-advisor pursuant to separate agreements, making it unlikely that a Subsidiary will take action contrary to the interests of its respective Fund and its shareholders. The Board has oversight responsibility for the investment activities of the Funds, including its investment in the Subsidiaries, and each Fund’s role as sole shareholder of its respective Subsidiary. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands, under which the Funds and Subsidiaries, respectively, are organized, could result in the inability of the Funds and/or Subsidiaries to operate as described in the Prospectus and could negatively affect the Funds and their respective shareholders. For example, the Cayman Islands government has undertaken not to impose any income, corporate or capital gains tax, estate duty, inheritance tax, gift tax or withholding tax on the Subsidiaries. If Cayman Islands law changes such that the Subsidiaries must pay Cayman Islands taxes, Fund shareholders would likely suffer decreased investment returns. Rulemaking by the CFTC or other regulatory initiatives may affect the Funds’ ability to use its respective Subsidiary to pursue its investment strategies.

Swap Agreement Risk

Swaps can involve greater risks than a direct investment in an underlying asset, because swaps typically include a certain amount of embedded leverage and as such are subject to leveraging risk. If swaps are used as a hedging strategy, the Funds are subject to the risk that the hedging strategy may not eliminate the risk that is intended to offset, due to, among other reasons, the occurrence of unexpected price movements or the non-occurrence of expected price movements. Swaps also may be difficult to value. Interest rate swaps, total return swaps, currency swaps, credit default swaps and commodities swaps are subject to counterparty risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. In addition, interest rate swaps are subject to interest rate risk, total return swaps are subject to market risk, and interest rate risk if the underlying securities are bonds or other debt obligations, currency swaps are subject to currency risk, and commodities swaps are subject to commodities risk.

Tax Risk

To qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M (“RIC”), the Funds must derive at least 90 percent of its gross income for each taxable year from “qualitying income” under Subchaper M. Although qualifying income does not include income derived directly from commodities, including certain commodity-linked derivative instruments — and a Fund, therefore will restrict its gross income from direct investments therein to a maximum of 10% of its gross income for each taxable year — a Fund’s investment in a Subsidiary is expected to provide a Fund with exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the requirements of Subchapter M.

The IRS issued a large number of private letter rulings (“PLRs”) (which the Funds 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 a Subsidiary) that earns income derived from commodity-linked derivative instruments is qualifying income. Treasury regulations published on March 19, 2019, provide that income inclusions of a RIC from a CFC are qualifying income for the RIC whether or not the CFC makes distributions to the RIC out of

 

 

61


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

its associated earnings and profits for the applicable taxable year. The federal income tax treatment of a Fund’s commodity-linked investments and income from a Subsidiary may be materially adversely affected further by future legislation, 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 a Fund’s taxable income and/or net capital gains and, therefore, the distributions a Fund makes. If a 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. In that event, a Fund may not utilize all the potential additional investment strategies.

Valuation Risk

This is the risk that a Fund has valued a security at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become illiquid and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. If market conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, a Fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when a Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed-income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before a Fund determines its NAV. A Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third-party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents.

Volatility Risk

The Funds may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause a Fund’s NAV to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time. Because the Funds may use some derivatives that involve economic leverage, this economic leverage will increase the volatility of a derivative instrument, as they may increase or decrease in value more quickly than the reference asset.

7.  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 for AHL Managed Futures Fund. The period ended December 31, 2018 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for AHL TargetRisk Fund. 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.

 

 

62


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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. The Funds also utilize earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemptions of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction.

As of June 30, 2019 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)
 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

  $ 998,304,254       $ 23,821,715       $ (51,763,086     $ (27,941,371

AHL TargetRisk

    29,838,492         1,377,699         (205,253       1,172,446  

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 December 31, 2018, the Funds 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 June 30, 2019 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
 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy

   $      $      $      $                 –  

AHL TargetRisk

     15,778,270        7,987,341        1,574,258         

A summary of the Funds’ transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 are as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
          December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           June 30,
2019
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 
AHL Managed Futures Strategy     Direct       $ 20,760,352       $ 478,410,301       $ 453,790,521       $ 45,380,132       $ 234,886  
AHL TargetRisk     Direct         -         50,593,698         46,892,576         3,701,122         25,415  

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”) 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.

 

 

63


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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.

During the period ended June 30, 2019, 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
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     2,910,256       $ 30,343,044         5,973,429       $ 62,786,869  
Reinvestment of dividends                     615,079         6,482,930  
Shares redeemed     (3,478,422       (36,537,933       (6,356,582       (66,708,717
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (568,166     $ (6,194,889       231,926       $ 2,561,082  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     17,483,986       $ 180,910,979         46,402,937       $ 482,140,377  
Reinvestment of dividends                     776,199         8,142,322  
Shares redeemed     (6,735,519       (70,296,213       (9,511,262       (99,100,466
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     10,748,467       $ 110,614,766         37,667,874       $ 391,182,233  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     269,529       $ 2,815,310         1,056,484       $ 10,980,221  
Reinvestment of dividends                     24,122         250,869  
Shares redeemed     (192,431       (1,974,160       (1,370,470       (14,058,394
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     77,098       $ 841,150         (289,864     $ (2,827,304
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     272,919       $ 2,837,647         450,225       $ 4,711,443  
Reinvestment of dividends                     5,476         56,952  
Shares redeemed     (298,711       (3,100,250       (369,052       (3,812,812
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (25,792     $ (262,603       86,649       $ 955,583  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

64


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    C Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     152,772       $ 1,544,824         175,816       $ 1,792,904  
Reinvestment of dividends                     2,581         26,252  
Shares redeemed     (59,541       (599,273       (241,190       (2,420,527
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     93,231       $ 945,551         (62,793     $ (601,371
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          December 31, 2018A to
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     9,037       $ 103,938         2,480,000 B      $ 24,800,000 B 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     9,037       $ 103,938         2,480,000       $ 24,800,000  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          December 31, 2018A to
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     353,198       $ 4,149,636         10,000 B      $ 100,000 B 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     353,198       $ 4,149,636         10,000       $ 100,000  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          December 31, 2018A to
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     13,703       $ 160,024         10,001 B      $ 100,010 B 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     13,703       $ 160,024         10,001       $ 100,010  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class                          
    April 30, 2019A to
June 30, 2019
                         
    (unaudited)                          

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

                         
Shares sold     8,834       $ 100,000          
 

 

 

     

 

 

         
Net increase in shares outstanding     8,834       $ 100,000          
 

 

 

     

 

 

         
 
    C Class                          
    April 30, 2019A to
June 30, 2019
                         
    (unaudited)                          

AHL TargetRisk Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

                         
Shares sold     22,191       $ 251,575          
 

 

 

     

 

 

         
Net increase in shares outstanding     22,191       $ 251,575          
 

 

 

     

 

 

         

A Commencement of operations.

B Seed capital was received on December 31, 2018 in the amount of $24,800,000 for the Institutional Class, $100,000 for the Y Class, and $100,010 for the Investor Class. Shares were issued in the amount of 2,480,000 for the Institutional Class, 10,000 for the Y Class, and 10,001 for the Investor Class.

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.

 

 

65


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           August 19,
2014A to
December 31,
 
           
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.63       $ 10.57       $ 10.44       $ 10.46       $ 10.95       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income (loss)

    0.04         (0.02       (0.08       0.20         (0.06       0.24  

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

    0.09         0.28         0.63         (0.22       (0.07       1.10  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.13         0.26         0.55         (0.02       (0.13       1.34  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.14       -         -         (0.21       (0.31

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.06       (0.42       -         (0.15       (0.08

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )B        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.20       (0.42       -         (0.36       (0.39
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.76       $ 10.63       $ 10.57       $ 10.44       $ 10.46       $ 10.95  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    1.22 %D        2.42       5.31       (0.19 )%        (1.15 )%        13.43 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 395,043,227       $ 396,044,490       $ 391,617,624       $ 353,601,987       $ 20,932,502       $ 28,765,259  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.64 %E        1.71       1.98       1.90       2.25       4.97 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.54 %E        1.54       1.54       1.54       1.54       1.54 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.67 %E        (0.40 )%        (1.20 )%        (1.69 )%        (2.29 )%        2.73 %E 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    0.77 %E        (0.23 )%        (0.77 )%        (1.33 )%        (1.57 )%        6.17 %E 

Portfolio turnover rateF

    -       -       -       -       -       -

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are 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 is based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales divided by the average long-term fair value during the period. The Fund did not invest in any long-term securities during the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes

 

66


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           August 19,
2014A to
December 31,
 
           
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.58       $ 10.53       $ 10.41       $ 10.45       $ 10.94       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income (loss)

    0.05         0.10         (0.07       (0.08       (0.05       0.30  

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

    0.08         0.14         0.61         0.04         (0.08       1.03  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.13         0.24         0.54         (0.04       (0.13       1.33  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.13       -         -         (0.21       (0.31

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.06       (0.42       -         (0.15       (0.08

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )B        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.19       (0.42       -         (0.36       (0.39
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to beneficial interests

    -         -         -         -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.71       $ 10.58       $ 10.53       $ 10.41       $ 10.45       $ 10.94  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    1.23 %D        2.28       5.23       (0.38 )%        (1.15 )%        13.33 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 621,847,207       $ 500,530,112       $ 101,513,775       $ 52,391,912       $ 33,817,374       $ 464,644  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.70 %E        1.72       2.04       1.97       2.28       7.71 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.64 %E        1.64       1.64       1.64       1.64       1.64 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.61 %E        0.71       (1.25 )%        (1.76 )%        (1.70 )%        12.50 %E 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    0.67 %E        0.79       (0.84 )%        (1.44 )%        (1.06 )%        18.58 %E 

Portfolio turnover rateF

    -       -       -       -       -       -

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are 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 is based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales divided by the average long-term fair value during the period. The Fund did not invest in any long-term securities during the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes

 

67


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           August 19,
2014A to
December 31,
 
           
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.48       $ 10.44       $ 10.35       $ 10.41       $ 10.93       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income (loss)

    0.03         (0.12       (0.11       (0.25       (0.09       0.30  

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

    0.09         0.31         0.62         0.19         (0.08       1.02  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.12         0.19         0.51         (0.06       (0.17       1.32  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.09       -         -         (0.20       (0.31

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.06       (0.42       -         (0.15       (0.08

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )B        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.15       (0.42       -         (0.35       (0.39
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.60       $ 10.48       $ 10.44       $ 10.35       $ 10.41       $ 10.93  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    1.14 %D        1.85       4.98       (0.58 )%        (1.54 )%        13.23 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 18,300,747       $ 17,292,936       $ 20,241,387       $ 31,223,150       $ 37,185,001       $ 3,023,636  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.87 %E        1.97       2.20       2.13       2.40       5.98 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.92 %E        1.92       1.92       1.92       1.92       1.92 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.44 %E        (0.95 )%        (1.48 )%        (1.93 )%        (2.07 )%        10.41 %E 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    0.39 %E        (0.90 )%        (1.20 )%        (1.72 )%        (1.59 )%        14.47 %E 

Portfolio turnover rateF

    -       -       -       -       -       -

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are 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 is based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales divided by the average long-term fair value during the period. The Fund did not invest in any long-term securities during the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes

 

68


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           August 19,
2014A to
December 31,
 
           
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.49       $ 10.53       $ 10.36       $ 10.44       $ 10.93       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income (loss)

    0.02 B        (0.06 )B        (0.41       0.23         (0.52       0.32  

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

    0.09         0.18         1.00         (0.31       0.36         1.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.11         0.12         0.59         (0.08       (0.16       1.32  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.10       -         -         (0.18       (0.31

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.06       (0.42       -         (0.15       (0.08

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )C        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.16       (0.42       -         (0.33       (0.39
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.60       $ 10.49       $ 10.53       $ 10.36       $ 10.44       $ 10.93  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    1.05 %E        1.14       5.77       (0.77 )%        (1.45 )%        13.23 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 4,077,098       $ 4,303,787       $ 3,408,861       $ 23,330,824       $ 9,890,720       $ 9,019,308  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.97 %F        2.05       2.35       2.29       2.55       5.31 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.94 %F        1.94       1.94       1.94       1.94       1.94 %F 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.34 %F        (0.72 )%        (1.62 )%        (2.08 )%        (3.59 )%        32.48 %F 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    0.36 %F        (0.61 )%        (1.21 )%        (1.74 )%        (2.98 )%        35.85 %F 

Portfolio turnover rateG

    -       -       -       -       -       -

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

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

C 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Portfolio turnover is based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales divided by the average long-term fair value during the period. The Fund did not invest in any long-term securities during the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes

 

69


American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended December 31,           August 19,
2014A to
December 31,
 
           
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.25       $ 10.19       $ 10.20       $ 10.34       $ 10.90       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.02 )B        (0.17       (0.17       (0.08       (0.09       0.27  

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

    0.09         0.30         0.58         (0.06       (0.16       1.02  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    0.07         0.13         0.41         (0.14       (0.25       1.29  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.01       -         -         (0.16       (0.31

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.06       (0.42       -         (0.15       (0.08

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )C        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.07       (0.42       -         (0.31       (0.39
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 10.32       $ 10.25       $ 10.19       $ 10.20       $ 10.34       $ 10.90  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    0.68 %E        1.30       4.06       (1.35 )%        (2.30 )%        12.93 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 6,086,580       $ 5,088,250       $ 5,702,799       $ 4,300,637       $ 2,151,492       $ 401,475  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.68 %F        2.78       3.10       3.04       3.32       8.75 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    2.69 %F        2.69       2.69       2.69       2.69       2.68 %F 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.37 )%F        (1.61 )%        (2.31 )%        (2.84 )%        (2.88 )%        7.02 %F 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.38 )%F        (1.52 )%        (1.90 )%        (2.49 )%        (2.25 )%        13.09 %F 

Portfolio turnover rateG

    -       -       -       -       -       -

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

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

C 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Portfolio turnover is based on the lesser of long-term purchases or sales divided by the average long-term fair value during the period. The Fund did not invest in any long-term securities during the reporting period.

 

See accompanying notes

 

70


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Period Ended
December 31,
2018A
 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.00       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.02         -  

Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    1.99         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

    2.01         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.01       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    20.10 %C        -
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 29,895,658       $ 24,800,000  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.15 %D        89.10 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.04 %D        0.00 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.75 )%D        (89.10 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.36 %D        0.00

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C        -

 

A 

Commenced operations on December 31, 2018.

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 

The Manager agreed to voluntarily waive expenses as of 12/31/18, despite expense caps being in place, due to the one day of operations on the Fund.

 

See accompanying notes

 

71


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Period Ended
December 31,
2018A
 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.00       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.02         -  

Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    1.98         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

    2.00         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.00       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    20.00 %C        -
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 4,359,175       $ 100,000  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.97 %D        241.64 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.14 %D        0.00 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.70 %D        (241.64 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    2.53 %D        0.00

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C        -

 

A 

Commenced operations on December 31, 2018.

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 

The Manager agreed to voluntarily waive expenses as of 12/31/18, despite expense caps being in place, due to the one day of operations on the Fund.

 

See accompanying notes

 

72


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Period Ended
December 31,
2018A
 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 10.00       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.01         -  

Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    1.98         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

    1.99         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.99       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    19.90 %C        -
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 284,173       $ 100,010  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    5.37 %D        241.89 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.42 %D        0.00 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (3.71 )%D        (241.89 )%D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.24 %D        0.00

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C        -

 

A 

Commenced operations on December 31, 2018.

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 

The Manager agreed to voluntarily waive expenses as of 12/31/18, despite expense caps being in place, due to the one day of operations on the Fund.

E 

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

73


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Period Ended
June 30,
2019A
 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.32  
 

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

 

Net investment income

    0.05  

Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    0.61  
 

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

    0.66  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.98  
 

 

 

 

Total returnB

    5.83 %C 
 

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 105,852  

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    3.80 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.44 %D 

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    0.28 %D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    2.64 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C 

 

A 

Commenced operations on April 30, 2019.

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

 

74


American Beacon AHL TargetRisk FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Period EndedA
June 30, 2019
 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.32  
 

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

 

Net investment income

    0.03  

Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    0.62  
 

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

    0.65  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 11.97  
 

 

 

 

Total returnB

    5.74 %C 
 

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 265,589  

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    4.14 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    2.19 %D 

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    0.24 %D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    2.19 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C 

 

A 

Commenced operations on April 30, 2019.

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

 

75


American Beacon FundsSM

Affirmation of the Commodity Pool Operator

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

To the best of my knowledge and belief, the information contained in the attached financial statements for the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund for the period from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2019, is accurate and complete.

 

  

 

LOGO

 

Melinda G. Heika, Treasurer

American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

Commodity Pool Operator for the American Beacon AHL

Managed Futures Strategy Fund and American Beacon AHL

TargetRisk Fund

 

 

76


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Renewal and Approval of Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement

At in-person meetings held on May 9, 2019 and June 4-5, 2019 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 5, 2019 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund (“Fund”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Manager, AHL Partners LLP (the “subadvisor”), and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund.

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.” In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the subadvisor, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and the subadvisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund as well as information from the Manager and the subadvisor. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Board received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to the Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative expenses, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

A firm may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations. The class of shares used for comparative performance purposes was the share class with the lowest expenses available for purchase by the general public, which was the Institutional Class. The Board also considered that the use of Institutional Class performance generally facilitates a meaningful comparison for expense and performance purposes.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to renew or approve each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal and approval of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements. The memorandum explained the regulatory requirements surrounding the Board’s process for evaluating investment advisors and the terms of investment advisory contracts. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the renewal and approval of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

 

77


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement

In determining whether to renew the Agreements, the Board considered the Fund’s investment management and subadvisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Fund; (3) the costs incurred by the Manager in rendering services to the Fund and its resulting profits or losses; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or the subadvisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the subadvisor from their relationships with the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Fund; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Fund; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement subadvisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered the level of staffing and the size of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the adequacy of the resources committed to the Fund by the subadvisor, and whether those resources were commensurate with the needs of the Fund and are sufficient to sustain appropriate levels of performance and compliance needs. In this regard, the Board considered the financial stability of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the subadvisor’s representations regarding its compliance program and code of ethics. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and the subadvisor were appropriate for the Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of the Fund relative to its Broadridge performance universe, Morningstar Category, and benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding Broadridge’s independent methodology for selecting the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe. The Board also considered that the performance universes selected by Broadridge may not provide appropriate comparisons for the Fund. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at Board and Committee meetings throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by the subadvisor regarding the performance of the Fund relative to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Costs of the Services Provided to the Fund and the Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Fund. In analyzing the cost of services and profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits or losses were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager earning a profit before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager for the Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the Manager represented that, among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative

 

 

78


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Fund.

The Board also noted that the Manager proposed to continue the expense waivers and reimbursements for the Fund that were in place during the last fiscal year. The Board further considered that, with respect to the Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Fund maintain higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by the subadvisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered representations made by the subadvisor that the subadvisor does not manage any comparable client accounts, and therefore could not provide fee schedules for comparable investment accounts managed by the subadvisor. The Board did not request profitability data from the subadvisor because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the subadvisor with respect to the negotiation of subadvisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that the subadvisor may not account for its profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered the subadvisor’s representation that it believes that its fee is competitive and reflects economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund’s shareholders.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to the Fund. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and subadvisor fee rate schedules for the Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the subadvisor as a result of the advisory relationships with the Fund, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the subadvisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the subadvisor. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the subadvisor by virtue of their relationships with the Fund appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund

The performance comparisons below were made in comparison to the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge performance universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance and the 5th Quintile representing the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References below to the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe are to the universe of mutual funds with a comparable investment classification/objective included in the analysis provided by Broadridge. In reviewing the performance, the Trustees viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle as the most important consideration, because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of manager skill.

 

 

79


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The expense comparisons below were made in comparison to the Fund’s Broadridge expense universe and Broadridge expense group, with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References below to the Fund’s expense group and expense universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds included in the analysis by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense universe includes all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar operating structure as the share class of the Fund included in the Broadridge comparative information and provides a broader view of expenses across the Fund’s investment classification/objective. The Board also considered the Fund’s Morningstar fee level category. In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers where applicable and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. In addition, information regarding the subadvisor’s use of soft dollars was requested from the Manager and was considered by the Board.

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with the subadvisor for the Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expenses Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

   3rd Quintile

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

   3rd Quintile

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking – Institutional Class

   Average Expense Ratio

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (three-year period ended December 31, 2018)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

   1st Quintile

Compared to Morningstar Category

   1st Quintile

The Board also considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and the subadvisor’s continued management of the Fund.

 

 

80


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-PORT as of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT 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 Managers Solutions, Inc.

Quincy, Massachusetts

   

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Ernst & Young LLP

Dallas, Texas

   

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 AHL Managed Futures Strategy Fund and American Beacon AHL TargetRisk Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 6/19


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.

BAHL & GAYNOR SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Investing in small-capitalization stocks may involve greater volatility and lower liquidity than larger company stocks. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. Growth stocks typically are more volatile than value stocks; however, value stocks have a lower expected growth rate in earnings and sales. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. 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

June 30, 2019


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overview

    2  

Expense Examples

    4  

Schedule of Investments:

 

American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

    6  

Financial Statements

    10  

Notes to Financial Statements

    13  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

    30  

Renewal and Approval of Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement

    35  

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

At American Beacon, we take our heritage as a fiduciary very seriously — and we apply that mindset to all aspects of our business as a fund manager. As a result, for more than 30 years, we have endeavored to:

 

u   Identify, engage and oversee the best money managers. As a manager of managers, our goal is to engage the most effective money managers for each asset class, investment style and market strategy we offer. We are committed to partnering with those we judge to be “the best of the best” when it comes to choosing sub-advisors for our mutual funds. Whether our due-diligence process results in the selection of one sub-advisor or multiple sub-advisors, we select those we believe show the greatest potential to help us meet the high standards you’ve come to expect.

 

u  

Offer a variety of innovative investment solutions. Our mutual funds — which span the domestic, international, global, frontier and emerging markets — are sub-advised by experienced money managers who employ distinctive, proprietary investment processes to manage assets through a variety of economic and market conditions. From offering some of the first multi-manager funds, one of the first retirement income funds and the first open-ended mutual fund in the U.S. to focus primarily on frontier-market debt, our robust history includes applying a disciplined, solutions-based approach to our product development process in an effort to help you grow your assets while mitigating risk.

 

u  

Provide a solutions-based approach to achieving long-term investment goals. We seek to provide investment solutions that might enable you to benefit from taking a more disciplined approach to investing. Our mutual funds provide access to institutional-quality, research-intensive investment managers with diverse processes and styles. Over the long run, having such access and spending time in the market — rather than trying to time the market — may better position you to reach your long-term investment goals during market upswings and potentially insulate against market downswings.

Our management approach is more than a concept; it’s the cornerstone of American Beacon’s culture. And we strive to employ it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment solutions to help our shareholders seek long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our mutual 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 Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) returned 16.21% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019. The Fund lagged the Russell 2000 Growth Index (the “Index”) return of 20.36% for the period.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

    

1 Year

  

3 Years

  

Since Inception
(07/15/2014)

Institutional Class (1,5)

     GBSIX          16.44 %          (3.41 )%        11.38 %        9.08 %

Y Class (1,5)

     GBSYX          16.34 %          (3.49 )%        11.27 %        8.97 %

Investor Class (1,5)

     GBSPX          16.21 %          (3.81 )%        10.94 %        8.66 %

A without Sales Charge (1,2,5)

     GBSAX          16.20 %          (3.83 )%        10.94 %        8.64 %

A with Sales Charge (1,2,5)

     GBSAX          9.49 %          (9.33 )%        8.76 %        7.35 %

C without Sales Charge (1,3,5)

     GBSCX          15.78 %          (4.46 )%        10.12 %        7.84 %

C with Sales Charge (1,3,5)

     GBSCX          14.78 %          (5.46 )%        10.12 %        7.84 %
                            

Russell 2000 Growth Index (4)

              20.36 %          (0.49 )%        14.69 %        9.57 %

S&P 500 Index (4)

              18.54 %          10.42 %        14.19 %        10.63 %

 

*

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. Please note that the recent performance of the securities market has helped produce short-term returns that are not typical and may not continue in the future.

 

2.

A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.

 

3.

C Class shares have a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

4.

The Russell 2000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the Russell 2000® Index with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 2000 Growth Index and the Russell 2000 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. 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 Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth 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.

 

5.

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 1.26%, 1.34%, 1.53%, 1.61% and 2.35%, 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 to both security selection and sector allocation.

Most of the Fund’s underperformance related to security selection was attributable to holdings in the Industrials and Consumer Discretionary sectors. Within Industrials, Healthcare Services Group, Inc. was down 22.9%, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc. ended the period up 2.0% after some volatility, while Matthews International Corp, Class A and Raven Industries, Inc. were down 12.9% and 3.7%, respectively. In Consumer Discretionary, Brunswick Corp. was down 0.5% and Texas Roadhouse, Inc. was down 9.0%. The Fund did not hold Roku Inc., which was up 195.6% for the period.

 

 

2


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The aforementioned performance was somewhat offset by the Fund’s holdings in the Communication Services sector, with Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Class A up 29.0% and the Fund having avoided Index-positions World Wrestling Entertainment (down 3.1%) and Shenandoah Telecommunications Co. (down 12.9%). Selections in Consumer Staples were also additive to relative returns, with Calavo Growers, Inc. up 31.9%. In addition, the Fund did not hold WD 40 Co. (down 12.6%) and Usana Health Sciences, Inc. (down 32.5%).

From a sector allocation perspective, the Fund’s relative performance was hurt by an overweight to Consumer Staples, which was the lowest performing sector in the Index. An overweight to Financials also served as a detractor. Partially offsetting this underperformance were underweights to Consumer Discretionary and Energy.

Looking forward, the Fund’s sub-advisor will continue to maintain a disciplined, long-term approach to equity investing in high-quality, smaller capitalization, dividend-paying stocks with above-average growth potential.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
John Bean Technologies Corp.           2.8  
Chemed Corp.           2.7  
CSG Systems International, Inc.           2.7  
Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.           2.6  
Calavo Growers, Inc.           2.5  
Inter Parfums, Inc.           2.5  
Pegasystems, Inc.           2.3  
First Financial Bancorp           2.2  
US Physical Therapy, Inc.           2.2  
Federal Signal Corp.           2.1  
Total Fund Holdings      71       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)        
Industrials           20.2  
Information Technology           19.8  
Health Care           17.4  
Financials           12.6  
Consumer Discretionary           9.9  
Consumer Staples           8.4  
Materials           3.8  
Utilities           3.0  
Communication Services           2.7  
Real Estate           2.2  

 

 

3


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Expense Examples

June 30, 2019 (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 Example is 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 Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019.

Actual Expenses

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

Expense Example

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
1/1/2019
  Ending Account Value
6/30/2019
  Expenses Paid During
Period
1/1/2019-6/30/2019*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,164.40       $5.26
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.94       $4.91
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,163.40       $5.79
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.44       $5.41
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,162.10       $7.29
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.05       $6.81
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,162.00       $7.40
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,017.95       $6.90
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,157.80       $11.40
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,014.23       $10.64

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.98%, 1.08%, 1.36%, 1.38%, and 2.13% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, and C Classes, respectively, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

5


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 98.99%            
Communication Services - 2.70%            
Entertainment - 0.40%            
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.       4,865         $ 175,627
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 2.30%            
Meredith Corp.       3,720           204,823
Nexstar Media Group, Inc., Class A       7,936           801,536
           

 

 

 
              1,006,359
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              1,181,986
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 9.82%            
Auto Components - 1.32%            
LCI Industries       6,423           578,070
           

 

 

 
           
Automobiles - 0.96%            
Thor Industries, Inc.       3,215           187,917
Winnebago Industries, Inc.       6,042           233,523
           

 

 

 
              421,440
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 3.05%            
Marriott Vacations Worldwide Corp.       5,523           532,417
Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.       8,610           195,533
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.       11,291           605,988
           

 

 

 
              1,333,938
           

 

 

 
           
Household Durables - 0.26%            
Hooker Furniture Corp.       5,627           116,029
           

 

 

 
           
Leisure Products - 2.93%            
Brunswick Corp.       13,531           620,938
Johnson Outdoors, Inc., Class A       8,856           660,392
           

 

 

 
              1,281,330
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 0.70%            
Winmark Corp.       1,780           308,207
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.60%            
Superior Group of Cos., Inc.       15,396           263,733
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              4,302,747
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 8.33%            
Food Products - 5.81%            
Calavo Growers, Inc.       11,320           1,095,097
J&J Snack Foods Corp.       5,532           890,376
Lancaster Colony Corp.       3,749           557,101
           

 

 

 
              2,542,574
           

 

 

 
           
Personal Products - 2.52%            
Inter Parfums, Inc.       16,617           1,104,864
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              3,647,438
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 12.45%            
Banks - 6.21%            
Chemical Financial Corp.       5,999           246,619
First Financial Bancorp       39,763           963,060
First Interstate BancSystem, Inc., Class A       20,655           818,144
Glacier Bancorp, Inc.       7,086           287,337

 

See accompanying notes

 

6


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 98.99% (continued)            
Financials - 12.45% (continued)            
Banks - 6.21% (continued)            
S&T Bancorp, Inc.       10,854         $ 406,808
           

 

 

 
              2,721,968
           

 

 

 
           
Capital Markets - 1.80%            
Evercore, Inc., Class A       8,905           788,716
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - 4.44%            
Horace Mann Educators Corp.       19,515           786,260
Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.       12,638           1,156,124
           

 

 

 
              1,942,384
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              5,453,068
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 17.23%            
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 8.08%            
Atrion Corp.       657           560,250
Cantel Medical Corp.       7,881           635,524
CONMED Corp.       7,791           666,676
LeMaitre Vascular, Inc.       28,205           789,176
Mesa Laboratories, Inc.       3,627           886,221
           

 

 

 
              3,537,847
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 4.84%            
Chemed Corp.       3,240           1,169,122
US Physical Therapy, Inc.       7,757           950,775
           

 

 

 
              2,119,897
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Technology - 3.41%            
Omnicell, Inc.A       7,438           639,891
Simulations Plus, Inc.       29,931           854,829
           

 

 

 
              1,494,720
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 0.90%            
Phibro Animal Health Corp., Class A       12,432           394,965
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              7,547,429
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 19.95%            
Aerospace & Defense - 2.01%            
BWX Technologies, Inc.       16,914           881,219
           

 

 

 
           
Building Products - 4.17%            
AAON, Inc.       8,856           444,394
Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc.       12,622           838,858
Universal Forest Products, Inc.       14,248           542,279
           

 

 

 
              1,825,531
           

 

 

 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies - 6.35%            
Healthcare Services Group, Inc.       22,888           693,964
MSA Safety, Inc.       8,059           849,338
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers, Inc.       17,483           580,786
Tetra Tech, Inc.       8,351           655,971
           

 

 

 
              2,780,059
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

7


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 98.99% (continued)            
Industrials - 19.95% (continued)            
Machinery - 4.87%            
Federal Signal Corp.       33,680         $ 900,940
John Bean Technologies Corp.       10,169           1,231,771
           

 

 

 
              2,132,711
           

 

 

 
           
Professional Services - 1.19%            
Barrett Business Services, Inc.       6,320           522,032
           

 

 

 
           
Road & Rail - 0.96%            
Landstar System, Inc.       3,898           420,945
           

 

 

 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.40%            
MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Class A       2,359           175,179
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              8,737,676
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 19.60%            
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 2.05%            
Littelfuse, Inc.       1,913           338,429
SYNNEX Corp.       5,684           559,305
           

 

 

 
              897,734
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 5.04%            
CSG Systems International, Inc.       23,795           1,161,910
Hackett Group, Inc.       33,800           567,502
ManTech International Corp., Class A       7,279           479,322
           

 

 

 
              2,208,734
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 5.77%            
Brooks Automation, Inc.       13,955           540,756
Cabot Microelectronics Corp.       2,069           227,756
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.       4,511           612,504
Power Integrations, Inc.       6,130           491,503
Silicon Motion Technology Corp., ADR       14,700           652,386
           

 

 

 
              2,524,905
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 6.74%            
Blackbaud, Inc.       7,634           637,439
LogMeIn, Inc.       3,483           256,627
Pegasystems, Inc.       14,346           1,021,579
Progress Software Corp.       17,070           744,593
QAD, Inc., Class A       7,300           293,533
           

 

 

 
              2,953,771
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              8,585,144
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 3.79%            
Chemicals - 3.79%            
Balchem Corp.       8,000           799,760
PolyOne Corp.       9,918           311,326
Stepan Co.       6,003           551,736
           

 

 

 
              1,662,822
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              1,662,822
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

8


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 98.99% (continued)            
Real Estate - 2.13%            
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 1.63%            
CoreSite Realty Corp.       6,192         $ 713,133
           

 

 

 
           
Real Estate Management & Development - 0.50%            
RE/MAX Holdings, Inc., Class A       7,187           221,072
           

 

 

 
           

Total Real Estate

              934,205
           

 

 

 
           
Utilities - 2.99%            
Gas Utilities - 2.99%            
Chesapeake Utilities Corp.       4,516           429,110
ONE Gas, Inc.       9,748           880,245
           

 

 

 
              1,309,355
           

 

 

 
           

Total Utilities

              1,309,355
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $38,064,748)

              43,361,870
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.84% (Cost $367,907)            
Investment Companies - 0.84%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%B C       367,907           367,907
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.83% (Cost $38,432,655)

              43,729,777

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.17%

              74,183
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 43,803,960
           

 

 

 
           
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.

ADR - American Depositary Receipt.

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Equity Futures Contracts                                         
Description     

Number of

Contracts

     Expiration Date      Notional Amount        Contract Value       

Unrealized

Appreciation

(Depreciation)

 
Russell 2000 E-Mini Index Futures      4      September 2019      $ 306,656        $ 313,420        $ 6,764  
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 306,656        $ 313,420        $ 6,764  
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Common Stocks

  $ 43,361,870       $ -       $ -       $ 43,361,870  

Short-Term Investments

    367,907         -         -         367,907  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 43,729,777       $ -       $ -       $ 43,729,777  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

 

Futures Contracts

  $ 6,764       $ -       $ -       $ 6,764  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 6,764       $ -       $ -       $ 6,764  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Assets:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value

  $ 43,361,870  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    367,907  

Dividends and interest receivable

    32,755  

Deposits with broker for futures contracts

    15,440  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    17,584  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    9,603  

Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts (Note 5)

    6,803  

Prepaid expenses

    62,413  
 

 

 

 

Total assets

    43,874,375  
 

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    6,746  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    31,583  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    697  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    2,432  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    4,283  

Professional fees payable

    17,485  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    3,293  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    3,618  

Other liabilities

    278  
 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    70,415  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 43,803,960  
 

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 40,056,895  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    3,747,065  
 

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 43,803,960  
 

 

 

 

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

 

Institutional Class

    1,237,305  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

    1,600,455  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

    233,373  
 

 

 

 

A Class

    159,897  
 

 

 

 

C Class

    22,955  
 

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 16,745,351  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 21,546,751  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 3,095,206  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 2,121,975  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 294,677  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 13.53  
 

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 13.46  
 

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 13.26  
 

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 13.27  
 

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 14.08  
 

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 12.84  
 

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 38,064,748  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 367,907  

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

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Statement of Operations

For the period ended June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 332,418  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 8)

    6,027  

Interest income

    125  
 

 

 

 

Total investment income

    338,570  
 

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    191,447  

Transfer agent fees:

 

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    3,158  

Y Class (Note 2)

    10,855  

Investor Class

    722  

A Class

    109  

C Class

    24  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    16,266  

Professional fees

    16,563  

Registration fees and expenses

    32,493  

Service fees (Note 2):

 

Investor Class

    3,768  

A Class

    1,516  

C Class

    145  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

 

A Class

    3,204  

C Class

    1,571  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    8,267  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    5,085  

Other expenses

    5,186  
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

    300,379  
 

 

 

 

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

    (62,542
 

 

 

 

Net expenses

    237,837  
 

 

 

 

Net investment income

    100,733  
 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    (489,932

Futures contracts

    58,419  

Change in net unrealized appreciation of:

 

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    6,630,367  

Futures contracts

    1,704  
 

 

 

 

Net gain from investments

    6,200,558  
 

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 6,301,291  
 

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 1,168  

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

 

11


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

     

Operations:

     

Net investment income

  $ 100,733       $ 152,139  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities and futures contracts

    (431,513       960,355  

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

    6,632,071         (6,775,452
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    6,301,291         (5,662,958
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

     

Institutional Class

    -         (804,590

Y Class

    -         (1,089,668

Investor Class

    -         (170,642

A Class

    -         (233,558

C Class

    -         (18,746

Tax return of capital:

     

Institutional Class

    -         (4,403

Y Class

    -         (5,963

Investor Class

    -         (934

A Class

    -         (1,312

C Class

    -         (111
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    -         (2,329,927
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 11):

     

Proceeds from sales of shares

    7,214,049         25,901,810  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    78         2,250,379  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (8,458,672       (21,844,616
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    (1,244,545       6,307,573  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    5,056,746         (1,685,312
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Beginning of period

    38,747,214         40,432,526  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 43,803,960       $ 38,747,214  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 June 30, 2019, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, one of which is presented in this filing: American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth 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 June 30, 2019, 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.

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 or 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  
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  

 

 

13


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 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”).

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. For convertible securities, premiums attributable to the conversion feature are not amortized. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined on the basis of specific lot identification. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments on the Statement of Operations, as appropriate. Tax liabilities realized as a result of such security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain (loss) on investments on the Statement of Operations. Paydown gains (losses) on mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities, if any, are recorded as components of interest income on the Statement of Operations. Income or short-term capital gain distributions received from registered investment companies, if any, are recorded as dividend income. Long-term gain distributions received from registered investment companies, if any, are recorded as realized gains.

Debt obligations may be placed on a non-accrual status and related interest income may be reduced by ceasing current accruals and writing off interest receivable when the collection of all or a portion of interest has become doubtful based on consistently applied procedures. A debt obligation is removed for non-accrual when the issuer resumes interest payments or when collectability of interest is probable. 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 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

 

 

14


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 the 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.

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 the Bahl & Gaynor, Inc. (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 $500 million

     0.525

Over $500 million

     0.50

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.350     $ 76,579  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.525       114,868  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.875     $ 191,447  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

15


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Distribution Plans

The Fund, except for the A and C Classes of 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.

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

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, A, and C Classes of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the Fund.

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 their 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 June 30, 2019, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statement of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   $ 13,361  

As of June 30, 2019, 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
 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   $ 1,791  

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

 

 

16


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, 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
Investments in USG
Select Fund
     Total  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   $ 259      $ 27      $ 286  

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 June 30, 2019, the Fund borrowed on average $388,405 for 6 days at an average interest rate of 3.07% with interest charges of $195. 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 June 30, 2019, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                      

Fund

   Class    1/1/2019 -
6/30/2019
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
     Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   Institutional      0.98   $ 25,943      $ -        2022  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   Y      1.08     30,081        -        2022  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   Investor      1.36     2,959        -        2022  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   A      1.38     3,193        -        2022  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   C      2.13     366        -        2022  

Of these amounts, $9,603 was disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2019.

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 2022. The Fund did not

 

 

17


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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, but not recorded as a liability are as follows:

 

Fund

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

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   $ -      $ 99,554      $ -        2019  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

     -        98,429        -        2020  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

     -        117,878        -        2021  

Sales Commissions

The Fund’s Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of Class A sales charges from broker dealers and it may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no fees collected for 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 Fund’s 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 June 30, 2019, CDSC fees of $83 were 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 June 30, 2019, CDSC fees of $87 were collected for Class C Shares of the Fund.

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trusts, 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

 

 

18


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 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 Depositary 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

 

 

19


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with their futures broker, an amount of cash or U.S. Government and Agency Obligations in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked-to-market daily and an appropriate payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized, but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, risk of loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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

Common stocks, preferred securities, 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.

 

 

20


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 OTC. OTC stock may be less liquid than exchange-traded stock.

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.

Real Estate Investment Trusts

The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. The Fund re-characterizes 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.

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.

Futures Contracts

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

 

 

21


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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

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

During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund entered into futures contracts primarily for exposing cash to markets.

The Fund’s average futures contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of futures contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Futures Contracts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Period Ended June 30, 2019  

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

    6  

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 June 30, 2019:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Assets:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)     $ –           $ –           $ –           $ –           $ 6,764         $ 6,764

 

The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations as of June 30, 2019:

 

    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
Futures contracts     $ –           $ –           $ –           $ –           $ 58,419         $   58,419

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
Futures contracts     $ –           $ –           $ –           $ –           $ 1,704         $ 1,704

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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

 

 

22


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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, June 30, 2019.

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2019:

 

    Assets           Liabilities  
Futures Contracts   $ 6,764       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities   $ 6,764       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 
Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)   $     (6,764     $             -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

6.  Principal Risks

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

Dividend Risk

An issuer of stock held by the Fund may choose not to declare a dividend or the dividend rate might not remain at current levels. Dividend paying stocks might not experience the same level of earnings growth or capital appreciation as non-dividend paying stocks.

Equity Investments Risk

Equity securities are subject to market risk. The Fund’s 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 Fund 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 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 are subject to certain of the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities, including, but not limited to, currency exchange rate fluctuations, political and financial instability in the home country of a particular depositary receipt, less liquidity and more volatility, less government regulation and supervision and delays in transaction settlement.

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, (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.

 

 

23


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Futures Contracts Risk

Futures contracts are derivative instruments where one party pays a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose the Fund to additional risks that it would not be subject to if it invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes (losses) and imperfect correlation between the price of the contract and the underlying security or index, which will increase the volatility of the Fund and may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract).

Investment Risk

An investment in the Fund is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Fund, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Fund.

Market Risk

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 United States 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 the 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.

 

 

24


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 United States 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 Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses, including for example advisory and administrative fees, 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, the Fund’s investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. The Fund must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of the Fund’s investment will decline, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject.

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 indemnifies 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. In any case in which the loaned securities are not returned to the Fund before an ex-dividend date, the payment in lieu of the dividend that the Fund receives from the securities’ borrower would not be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes and thus would not qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income”.

 

 

25


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

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 June 30, 2019 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)
 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

   $ 38,835,543      $ 6,152,813      $ (1,258,579   $ 4,894,234  

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 December 31, 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 June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases  (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
           Sales (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth

  $ 11,815,784        $ 12,258,996  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           June 30,
2019
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 
Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth   Direct     $ 361,200       $ 7,247,250       $ 7,240,543       $ 367,907       $ 6,027  
Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth   Securities Lending       177,337         4,157,738         4,335,075         -         N/A  

 

 

 

26


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

9.  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 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.

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.

The Fund did not have any securities on loan or hold any securities lending collateral as of the period ended June 30, 2019.

 

 

27


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

10.  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 June 30, 2019, the Fund did not utilize this facility.

11.  Capital Share Transactions

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

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     105,939       $ 1,312,663         329,292       $ 4,592,069  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         71,089         808,993  
Shares redeemed     (62,424       (825,883       (390,684       (5,654,166
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     43,515       $ 486,780         9,697       $ (253,104
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     430,871       $ 5,358,557         984,130       $ 14,247,967  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         90,866         1,028,605  
Shares redeemed     (376,186       (4,731,516       (617,367       (8,242,731
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     54,685       $ 627,041         457,629       $ 7,033,841  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

28


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     32,511       $ 415,514         334,760       $ 4,781,116  
Reinvestment of dividends     7         78         15,351         171,479  
Shares redeemed     (38,940       (499,161       (426,169       (6,075,485
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (6,422     $ (83,569       (76,058     $ (1,122,890
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     9,080       $ 114,322         148,996       $ 2,119,325  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         19,956         223,104  
Shares redeemed     (195,732       (2,340,729       (110,139       (1,534,614
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (186,652     $ (2,226,407       58,813       $ 807,815  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    C Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     1,029       $ 12,993         11,307       $ 161,333  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         1,676         18,198  
Shares redeemed     (4,921       (61,383       (24,881       (337,620
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (3,892     $ (48,390       (11,898     $ (158,089
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

12.  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.

 

 

29


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
   

Six Months

Ended

June 30,

2019

          Year Ended December 31,          

July 15, 2014A

to

December 31,

2014

 
          2018           2017           2016           2015        
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.62       $ 13.93       $ 12.77       $ 10.17       $ 10.71       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income

    0.04         0.07         0.04         0.03         0.08         0.02  

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

    1.87         (1.66       1.71         2.60         (0.39       0.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    1.91         (1.59       1.75         2.63         (0.31       0.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.05       (0.05       (0.03       (0.06       (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.67       (0.54       -         (0.16       -  

Tax return of capital

    -         (0.00 )B        -         -         (0.01 )G        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.72       (0.59       (0.03       (0.23       (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.53       $ 11.62       $ 13.93       $ 12.77       $ 10.17       $ 10.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    16.44 %D        (11.27 )%        13.65       25.88       (2.96 )%        7.28 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 16,745,351       $ 13,875,243       $ 16,498,344       $ 7,563,970       $ 3,231,461       $ 3,102,721  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.30 %E        1.26       1.32       1.85       3.04       8.98 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.98 %E        0.98       0.98       0.98       0.98       0.98 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.25 %E        0.17       0.18       (0.30 )%        (1.33 )%        (7.51 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.57 %E        0.45       0.52       0.57       0.72       0.49 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28 %D        42       38       23       54       12 %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 July 15, 2014 through December 31, 2014 and is not annualized.

G 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.

 

See accompanying notes

 

30


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,           July 15, 2014A
to
December 31,
2014
 
          2018           2017           2016           2015        
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.57       $ 13.89       $ 12.75       $ 10.16       $ 10.71       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income

    0.03         0.05         0.05         0.04         0.06         0.01  

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

    1.86         (1.65       1.68         2.58         (0.38       0.72  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    1.89         (1.60       1.73         2.62         (0.32       0.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.05       (0.05       (0.03       (0.06       (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.67       (0.54       -         (0.16       -  

Tax return of capital

    -         (0.00 )B        -         -         (0.01 )G        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.72       (0.59       (0.03       (0.23       (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.46       $ 11.57       $ 13.89       $ 12.75       $ 10.16       $ 10.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    16.34 %D        (11.37 )%        13.52       25.80       (3.05 )%        7.28 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 21,546,751       $ 17,879,581       $ 15,114,316       $ 6,856,954       $ 2,711,465       $ 387,622  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.36 %E        1.34       1.38       1.98       2.76       11.71 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.08 %E        1.08       1.08       1.08       1.08       1.08 %E 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.19 %E        0.13       0.12       (0.43 )%        (0.98 )%        (10.06 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.47 %E        0.39       0.42       0.47       0.70       0.57 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28 %D        42       38       23       54       12 %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 July 15, 2014 through December 31, 2014 and is not annualized.

G 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.

 

See accompanying notes

 

31


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,           July 15, 2014A
to
December 31,
2014
 
          2018           2017           2016           2015        
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.41       $ 13.75       $ 12.65       $ 10.12       $ 10.69       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income (loss)

    0.01         (0.00 )B        0.02         0.03         0.05         0.01  

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

    1.84         (1.62       1.66         2.53         (0.39       0.70  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    1.85         (1.62       1.68         2.56         (0.34       0.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.05       (0.04       (0.03       (0.06       (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.67       (0.54       -         (0.16       -  

Tax return of capital

    -         (0.00 )B        -         -         (0.01 )G        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.72       (0.58       (0.03       (0.23       (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.26       $ 11.41       $ 13.75       $ 12.65       $ 10.12       $ 10.69  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    16.21 %D        (11.64 )%        13.23       25.31       (3.25 )%        7.08 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $   3,095,206       $   2,736,498       $   4,344,476       $   3,595,277       $   498,128       $   239,138  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.56 %E        1.53       1.57       2.09       3.19       12.62 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.36 %E        1.36       1.36       1.36       1.36       1.36 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.02 )%E        (0.14 )%        (0.09 )%        (0.51 )%        (1.47 )%        (11.12 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.18 %E        0.03       0.12       0.23       0.35       0.14 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28 %D        42       38       23       54       12 %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 July 15, 2014 through December 31, 2014 and is not annualized.

G 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.

 

See accompanying notes

 

32


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,           July 15, 2014A
to
December 31,
2014
 
          2018           2017           2016           2015        
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.42       $ 13.75       $ 12.64       $ 10.11       $ 10.69       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income

    0.01 B        0.02         0.03         0.04         0.03         0.00 C 

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

    1.84         (1.64       1.65         2.52         (0.38       0.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    1.85         (1.62       1.68         2.56         (0.35       0.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.04       (0.03       (0.03       (0.06       (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.67       (0.54       -         (0.16       -  

Tax return of capital

    -         (0.00 )C        -         -         (0.01 )H        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.71       (0.57       (0.03       (0.23       (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.27       $ 11.42       $ 13.75       $ 12.64       $ 10.11       $ 10.69  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    16.20 %E        (11.70 )%        13.30       25.34       (3.34 )%        7.08 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $   2,121,975       $   3,958,224       $   3,955,277       $   2,321,426       $   454,614       $   163,704  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.63 %F        1.61       1.69       2.18       2.88       13.84 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.38 %F        1.38       1.38       1.38       1.38       1.38 %F 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.13 )%F        (0.16 )%        (0.20 )%        (0.61 )%        (1.08 )%        (12.35 )%F 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.12 %F        0.07       0.11       0.18       0.41       0.10 %F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28 %E        42       38       23       54       12 %G 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

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

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from July 15, 2014 through December 31, 2014 and is not annualized.

H 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.

 

See accompanying notes

 

33


American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
   

Six Months

Ended

June 30,

2019

          Year Ended December 31,          

July 15, 2014A

to

December 31,

2014

 
          2018           2017           2016           2015        
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.09       $ 13.42       $ 12.42       $ 10.00       $ 10.65       $ 10.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment (loss)

    (0.11       (0.21       (0.06       (0.05       (0.01       (0.02

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

    1.86         (1.45       1.60         2.49         (0.41       0.69  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    1.75         (1.66       1.54         2.44         (0.42       0.67  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         (0.02       (0.06       (0.02

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (0.67       (0.54       -         (0.16       -  

Tax return of capital

    -         (0.00 )B        -         -         (0.01 )G        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (0.67       (0.54       (0.02       (0.23       (0.02
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 12.84       $ 11.09       $ 13.42       $ 12.42       $ 10.00       $ 10.65  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    15.78 %D        (12.26 )%        12.38       24.35       (4.01 )%        6.68 %D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 294,677       $ 297,668       $ 520,113       $ 412,390       $ 308,822       $ 142,469  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.36 %E        2.35       2.44       3.09       3.84       13.72 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    2.13 %E        2.13       2.13       2.13       2.13       2.13 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.83 )%E        (0.92 )%        (0.96 )%        (1.56 )%        (2.09 )%        (12.23 )%E 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.60 )%E        (0.70 )%        (0.65 )%        (0.60 )%        (0.38 )%        (0.64 )%E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    28 %D        42       38       23       54       12 %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 July 15, 2014 through December 31, 2014 and is not annualized.

G 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution.

 

See accompanying notes

 

34


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

At in-person meetings held on May 9, 2019 and June 4-5, 2019 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 5, 2019 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund (“Fund”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Manager, Bahl & Gaynor Investment Counsel, Inc. (the “subadvisor”), and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund.

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.” In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the subadvisor, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and the subadvisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund as well as information from the Manager and the subadvisor. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Board received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to the Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative expenses, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

A firm may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations. The class of shares used for comparative performance purposes was the share class with the lowest expenses available for purchase by the general public, which was the Institutional Class. The Board also considered that the use of Institutional Class performance generally facilitates a meaningful comparison for expense and performance purposes.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to renew or approve each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal and approval of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements. The memorandum explained the regulatory requirements surrounding the Board’s process for evaluating investment advisors and the terms of investment advisory contracts. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the renewal and approval of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

 

35


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement

In determining whether to renew the Agreements, the Board considered the Fund’s investment management and subadvisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Fund; (3) the costs incurred by the Manager in rendering services to the Fund and its resulting profits or losses; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or the subadvisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the subadvisor from their relationships with the Fund.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Fund; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Fund; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement subadvisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered the level of staffing and the size of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the adequacy of the resources committed to the Fund by the subadvisor, and whether those resources were commensurate with the needs of the Fund and are sufficient to sustain appropriate levels of performance and compliance needs. In this regard, the Board considered the financial stability of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the subadvisor’s representations regarding its compliance program and code of ethics. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and the subadvisor were appropriate for the Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of the Fund relative to its Broadridge performance universe, Morningstar Category, and benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding Broadridge’s independent methodology for selecting the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe. The Board also considered that the performance universes selected by Broadridge may not provide appropriate comparisons for the Fund. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at Board and Committee meetings throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by the subadvisor regarding the performance of the Fund relative to the performance of the Fund’s benchmark index and a composite of similar accounts. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Costs of the Services Provided to the Fund and the Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Fund. In analyzing the cost of services and profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits or losses were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager sustaining a loss before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager for the Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the Manager represented that,

 

 

36


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Fund.

The Board also noted that the Manager proposed to continue the expense waivers and reimbursements for the Fund that were in place during the last fiscal year. The Board further considered that, with respect to the Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. In addition, the Board considered that the Manager receives fees for overseeing the securities lending program on behalf of the Fund. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Fund maintain higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by the subadvisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered representations made by the subadvisor that the Manager has negotiated the lowest fee rate that the subadvisor charges for any comparable client accounts. The Board did not request profitability data from the subadvisor because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the subadvisor with respect to the negotiation of subadvisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that the subadvisor may not account for its profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that the Manager has negotiated breakpoints in the subadvisory fee rate for the Fund.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to the Fund. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and subadvisor fee rate schedules for the Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the subadvisor as a result of the advisory relationships with the Fund, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the subadvisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the subadvisor. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Fund’s cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Fund’s securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the Manager manages directly. In addition, the Board noted that the subadvisor benefits from soft dollar arrangements for proprietary and/or third-party research. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the subadvisor by virtue of their relationships with the Fund appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund

The performance comparisons below were made in comparison to the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge performance universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance and the 5th Quintile representing the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References below to the Fund’s Broadridge performance

 

 

37


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

universe are to the universe of mutual funds with a comparable investment classification/objective included in the analysis provided by Broadridge. In reviewing the performance, the Trustees viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle as the most important consideration, because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of manager skill.

The expense comparisons below were made in comparison to the Fund’s Broadridge expense universe and Broadridge expense group, with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References below to the Fund’s expense group and expense universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds included in the analysis by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense universe includes all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar operating structure as the share class of the Fund included in the Broadridge comparative information and provides a broader view of expenses across the Fund’s investment classification/objective. The Board also considered the Fund’s Morningstar fee level category. In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers where applicable and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. In addition, information regarding the subadvisor’s use of soft dollars was requested from the Manager and was considered by the Board.

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with the subadvisor for the Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expense Analysis Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

   2nd Quintile

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

   4th Quintile

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking – Institutional Class

   Average Expense Ratio

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (three-year period ended December 31, 2018)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

   1st Quintile

Compared to Morningstar Category

   3rd Quintile

The Board also considered: (1) information provided by the subadvisor regarding fee rates charged for managing assets in the same or a similar strategy as the subadvisor manages the Fund; and (2) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the Fund.

 

 

38


  

 

 

 

 

 

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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-PORT as of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT 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

Ernst & Young LLP

Dallas, Texas

   

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 Bahl & Gaynor Small Cap Growth Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 6/19


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.

BRIDGEWAY LARGE CAP GROWTH FUND

Growth stocks typically are more volatile than value stocks; however, value stocks have a lower expected growth rate in earnings and sales. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. While the Fund is managed pursuant to a tax management strategy, the Fund’s investments could create capital gains. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. 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.

BRIDGEWAY LARGE CAP VALUE 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 foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. While the Fund is managed pursuant to a tax management strategy, the Fund’s investments could create capital gains. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. 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

June 30, 2019


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overview

    2  

Expense Examples

    6  

Schedules of Investments:

 

American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

    8  

American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

    12  

Financial Statements

    17  

Notes to Financial Statements

    20  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

    39  

American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

    45  

Renewal and Approval of Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement

    51  

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

At American Beacon, we take our heritage as a fiduciary very seriously — and we apply that mindset to all aspects of our business as a fund manager. As a result, for more than 30 years, we have endeavored to:

 

u   Identify, engage and oversee the best money managers. As a manager of managers, our goal is to engage the most effective money managers for each asset class, investment style and market strategy we offer. We are committed to partnering with those we judge to be “the best of the best” when it comes to choosing sub-advisors for our mutual funds. Whether our due-diligence process results in the selection of one sub-advisor or multiple sub-advisors, we select those we believe show the greatest potential to help us meet the high standards you’ve come to expect.

 

u  

Offer a variety of innovative investment solutions. Our mutual funds — which span the domestic, international, global, frontier and emerging markets — are sub-advised by experienced money managers who employ distinctive, proprietary investment processes to manage assets through a variety of economic and market conditions. From offering some of the first multi-manager funds, one of the first retirement income funds and the first open-ended mutual fund in the U.S. to focus primarily on frontier-market debt, our robust history includes applying a disciplined, solutions-based approach to our product development process in an effort to help you grow your assets while mitigating risk.

 

u  

Provide a solutions-based approach to achieving long-term investment goals. We seek to provide investment solutions that might enable you to benefit from taking a more disciplined approach to investing. Our mutual funds provide access to institutional-quality, research-intensive investment managers with diverse processes and styles. Over the long run, having such access and spending time in the market — rather than trying to time the market — may better position you to reach your long-term investment goals during market upswings and potentially insulate against market downswings.

Our management approach is more than a concept; it’s the cornerstone of American Beacon’s culture. And we strive to employ it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment solutions to help our shareholders seek long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our mutual 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 Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) returned 21.04% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the “Index”) return of 21.49% for the same period.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

    

1 Year

  

3 Years

    

5 Years

    

10 Years

Institutional Class (1,8)

     BRLGX          21.24 %          5.76 %        16.18 %          11.94 %          15.24 %

Y Class (1,2,8)

     BLYYX          21.22 %          5.68 %        16.07 %          11.88 %          15.21 %

Investor Class (1,3,8)

     BLYPX          21.04 %          5.34 %        15.73 %          11.65 %          15.09 %

A without Sales Charge (1,4,8)

     BLYAX          21.06 %          5.36 %        15.75 %          11.68 %          15.11 %

A with Sales Charge (1,4,8)

     BLYAX          14.11 %          (0.70 )%        13.49 %          10.36 %          14.43 %

C without Sales Charge (1,5,8)

     BLYCX          20.57 %          4.55 %        14.86 %          11.09 %          14.80 %

C with Sales Charge (1,5,8)

     BLYCX          19.57 %          3.55 %        14.86 %          11.09 %          14.80 %

R6 Class (1,6,8)

     BLYRX          21.32 %          5.80 %        16.20 %          11.95 %          15.25 %
                                     

Russell 1000® Growth Index (7)

              21.49 %          11.56 %        18.07 %          13.39 %          16.28 %

 

*

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 fees charged to the Institutional Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception. Please note that the recent performance of the securities market has helped produce short-term returns that are not typical and may not continue in the future.

 

2.

Fund performance for the five-year and ten-year periods represent the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/5/16, the inception date of the Y Class, and the returns of the Y Class since its inception. Expenses of the Y Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the Y Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the Y Class has been waived since Class inception (February 5, 2016). Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception.

 

3.

Fund performance for the five-year and ten-year periods represent the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/5/16, the inception date of the Investor Class, and the returns of the Investor Class since its inception. Expenses of the Investor Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. Therefore, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the Investor Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the Investor Class of the Fund has been waived since Class inception (February 5, 2016). Performance prior to waiving fees was higher than actual returns shown since inception.

 

4.

Fund performance for the five-year and ten-year periods represent the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 through 2/5/16, the inception date of the A Class, and the returns of the A Class since its inception. Expenses of the A Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the A Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the A Class of the Fund has been waived since Class inception (February 5, 2016). Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception. A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.

 

5.

Fund performance for the five-year and ten-year periods represent the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 through 2/5/16, the inception date of the C Class, and the returns of the C Class since its inception. Expenses of the C Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the C Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of fees charged to the C Class of the Fund was waived from Class inception (February 5, 2016) through 2017 and was partially recovered in 2018. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown through 2017. C Class has a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

6.

Fund performance for the three-year, five-year and ten-year periods represent the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 through 4/30/18, the inception date of the R6 Class and the returns of the R6 Class since its inception. Expenses of the R6 Class are lower than the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R6 Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of fees charged to the R6 Class of the Fund has been waived since Class inception (April 30, 2018). Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown since inception.

 

7.

The Russell 1000® Growth Index measures the performance of the large-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 1000 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000 Growth Index and Russell 1000 Index are registered trademarks of Frank Russell Company. Frank Russell Company (“Russell”) is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights

 

 

2


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

  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.

 

8.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C and R6 Class shares were 0.93%, 0.97%, 1.20%, 1.25%, 1.95% and 4.15%, 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 trailed the Index due to sector allocation, whereas security selection was additive to relative returns.

From a sector allocation perspective, the Fund was overweight Health Care, the lowest performing sector in the Index. An underweight to Information Technology, the top performing sector in the Index, also negatively impacted relative performance. This was slightly offset by the Fund’s underweight to Energy, as well as an overweight to Financials.

Most of the Fund’s performance related to security selection was attributable to holdings in the Consumer Discretionary, Communication Services and Industrials sectors. In Consumer Discretionary, Lululemon Athletica, Inc. (up 48.2%) and Wayfair, Inc., Class A (up 62.1%) contributed significantly to relative performance for the period. The Fund’s absence from Index-position Tesla, Inc., which was down 32.9%, also added relative value. Within the Communication Services sector, the Fund avoided the volatility of Alphabet Inc., while positions in Netflix, Inc., The Walt Disney Co. and Charter Communications, Inc., Class A were up 37.8%, 27.4%, and 32.1%, respectively, which benefited the Fund. In Industrials, The Boeing Co. was up 14.7% and United Rentals, Inc. was up 30.1%. The Fund also avoided Index-position 3M Co., which was down 7.6%.

In contrast, security selections in the Health Care and Materials sectors detracted from performance. Within Health Care, ABIOMED, Inc. was down 20.0%, Cigna Corp. was down 19.5% and Centene Corp. was down 9.0%. In Materials, the primary detractor was Westlake Chemical Corp., which was down 5.3% for the period.

The sub-advisor continues to invest in a broadly diversified portfolio of companies that they believe have attractive valuations and above-average earnings growth potential. This approach should allow the Fund to benefit over the longer term.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

Amazon.com, Inc.           3.5  
Apple, Inc.           3.2  
Intuit, Inc.           3.2  
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.           2.7  
Netflix, Inc.           2.6  
VeriSign, Inc.           2.4  
Walt Disney Co.           2.3  
Align Technology, Inc.           2.2  
Micron Technology, Inc.           2.2  
HCA Healthcare, Inc.           2.1  
Total Fund Holdings      76       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Information Technology           31.6  
Consumer Discretionary           17.7  
Health Care           13.6  
Industrials           12.0  
Communication Services           9.0  
Financials           7.6  
Consumer Staples           4.4  
Real Estate           3.0  
Materials           1.1  

 

 

3


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) returned 15.68% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, compared to the Russell 1000® Value Index (the “Index”) return of 16.24% for the same period.

 

Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

    

1 Year

  

3 Years

    

5 Years

    

10 Years

Institutional Class (1,8)

     BRLGX          15.88 %          1.27 %        8.89 %          7.05 %          13.85 %

Y Class (1,2,8)

     BLYYX          15.84 %          1.19 %        8.80 %          6.99 %          13.80 %

Investor Class (1,3,8)

     BLYPX          15.68 %          0.95 %        8.52 %          6.71 %          13.58 %

A without Sales Charge (1,4,8)

     BLYAX          15.71 %          0.90 %        8.50 %          6.68 %          13.52 %

A with Sales Charge (1,4,8)

     BLYAX          9.04 %          (4.89 )%        6.37 %          5.43 %          12.85 %

C without Sales Charge (1,5,8)

     BLYCX          15.28 %          0.18 %        7.70 %          5.88 %          12.92 %

C with Sales Charge (1,5,8)

     BLYCX          14.28 %          (0.82 )%        7.70 %          5.88 %          12.92 %

R6 Class (1,6,8)

     BWLRX          15.94 %          1.33 %        8.90 %          7.06 %          13.86 %
                                     

Russell 1000® Value Index (7)

              16.24 %          8.46 %        10.19 %          7.46 %          13.19 %

 

*

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 returns 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 the Institutional Class was waived from 2008 through 2013, partially recovered in 2014 and fully recovered in 2015. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown through 2013. Please note that the recent performance of the securities market has helped produce short-term returns that are not typical and may not continue in the future.

 

2.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/3/12, the inception date of the Y Class, and the returns of the Y Class since its inception. Expenses of the Y Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the Y Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the Y Class was waived in 2012, partially recovered in 2013 and fully recovered in 2014. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for 2012.

 

3.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/3/12, the inception date of the Investor Class, and the returns of the Investor Class since its inception. Expenses of the Investor Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. Therefore, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the Investor Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the Investor Class was waived in 2012 and fully recovered in 2013. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for 2012.

 

4.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 through 2/3/12, the inception date of the A Class, and the returns of the A Class since its inception. Expenses of the A Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the A Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the A Class was waived in 2012 and 2013 and fully recovered in 2014. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for 2012 and 2013. A Class shares have a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.

 

5.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 through 2/3/12, the inception date of the C Class, and the returns of the C Class since its inception. Expenses of the C Class are higher than those of the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the C Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the C Class was waived in 2012 and 2013 and fully recovered in 2014. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for 2012 and 2013. C Class has a maximum contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

6.

Fund performance for the three-year, five-year and ten-year periods represent the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 through 4/28/17, the inception date of the R6 Class, and the returns of the R6 Class since its inception. Expenses of the R6 Class are lower than the Institutional Class. As a result, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R6 Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the R6 Class of the Fund was waived in 2017, fully recovered in 2018 and waived in 2019. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2017 and 2019.

 

7.

The Russell 1000® Value Index is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the Russell 1000 Index with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values. The Russell 1000 Index measures the performance of the 1,000 largest U.S. companies based on total market capitalization. Russell 1000 Value Index and Russell 1000 Index are registered trademarks of the Frank Russell Company. Frank Russell Company (“Russell”) is the source and owner

 

 

4


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

  of the trademarks, service marks and copyrights related to the Russell Indexes. RussellTM 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.

 

8.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C and R6 Class shares were 0.72%, 0.79%, 1.05%, 1.07%, 1.79% and 0.70%, 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 trailed the Index due to stock selection, as sector allocation modestly contributed to relative returns.

Most of the Fund’s performance related to security selection was attributed to holdings in the Health Care, Consumer Staples, and Consumer Discretionary sectors. The Fund’s investments in Cigna Corp. (down 17.6%), Humana, Inc. (down 14.4%), and Amgen, Inc. (down 3.8%) were the primary drivers of underperformance in the Health Care sector. Within Consumer Staples, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. was down 18.8%, while Kroger Co. was down 19.6%. In the Consumer Discretionary sector, Kohl’s Corp. was down 26.6% and Macy’s, Inc. was down 25.5% for the period.

The aforementioned performance was somewhat offset by security selection in the Financials sector. The Fund benefited from not holding Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., which ended the period up 4.4% after several months of volatility. Fund positions that performed well included Synchrony Financial and Ameriprise Financial Inc., up 49.7% and 41.6%, respectively.

The Fund’s underweight to Energy and overweight to Information Technology were additive to overall performance during the period. An underweight to Real Estate, however, detracted from relative returns. A slight overweight to Materials, one of the lowest performing sectors in the Index, also detracted from relative performance.

The sub-advisor continues to invest in a broadly diversified portfolio of companies that they believe have attractive valuations and above-average earnings growth potential. This approach should allow the Fund to benefit over the longer term.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)

 

HCA Healthcare, Inc.           1.9  
Micron Technology, Inc.           1.8  
Pfizer, Inc.           1.8  
Procter & Gamble Co.           1.8  
AT&T, Inc.           1.7  
Intel Corp.           1.7  
Merck & Co., Inc.           1.6  
Norfolk Southern Corp.           1.6  
American Electric Power Co., Inc.           1.5  
Bank of America Corp.           1.5  
Total Fund Holdings      98       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)

 

Financials           26.4  
Information Technology           12.1  
Health Care           10.9  
Consumer Discretionary           9.4  
Industrials           7.6  
Consumer Staples           7.4  
Energy           6.9  
Communication Services           6.8  
Materials           5.1  
Real Estate           4.2  
Utilities           3.2  

 

 

5


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

June 30, 2019 (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 January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019.

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 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

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
1/1/2019
  Ending Account Value
6/30/2019
  Expenses Paid During
Period
1/1/2019-6/30/2019*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,212.90       $4.44
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.78       $4.06
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,212.20       $4.99
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.28       $4.56
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,210.40       $6.52
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.89       $5.96
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,210.60       $6.63
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.79       $6.06
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,205.70       $10.72
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,015.08       $9.79
R6 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,213.20       $4.17
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.03       $3.81

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.81%, 0.91%, 1.19%, 1.21%, 1.96%, and 0.76% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C, and R6 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 (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
1/1/2019
  Ending Account Value
6/30/2019
  Expenses Paid During
Period
1/1/2019-6/30/2019*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,158.80       $3.96
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.13       $3.71
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,158.40       $4.33
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.78       $4.06
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,157.30       $5.78
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.44       $5.41
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,157.10       $5.83
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.39       $5.46
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,152.80       $9.66
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,015.82       $9.05
R6 Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,159.40       $3.80
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,021.27       $3.56

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.74%, 0.81%, 1.08%, 1.09%, 1.81%, and 0.71% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C, and R6 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 (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

 

 

7


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.33%            
Communication Services - 8.75%            
Entertainment - 4.93%            
Netflix, Inc.A       14,100         $ 5,179,212
Walt Disney Co.       32,100           4,482,444
           

 

 

 
              9,661,656
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 1.42%            
Match Group, Inc.       14,100           948,507
TripAdvisor, Inc.A       39,500           1,828,455
           

 

 

 
              2,776,962
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 2.40%            
Charter Communications, Inc., Class AA       9,500           3,754,210
Comcast Corp., Class A       22,300           942,844
           

 

 

 
              4,697,054
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              17,135,672
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 17.21%            
Auto Components - 0.54%            
Lear Corp.       7,600           1,058,452
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.54%            
Starbucks Corp.       36,000           3,017,880
           

 

 

 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 5.39%            
Amazon.com, Inc.A       3,600           6,817,068
eBay, Inc.       50,200           1,982,900
Wayfair, Inc., Class AA       12,000           1,752,000
           

 

 

 
              10,551,968
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 7.07%            
AutoZone, Inc.A       1,700           1,869,099
Best Buy Co., Inc.       35,600           2,482,388
Burlington Stores, Inc.A       10,600           1,803,590
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.A       10,100           3,730,132
TJX Cos., Inc.       36,000           1,903,680
Tractor Supply Co.       19,000           2,067,200
           

 

 

 
              13,856,089
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 2.67%            
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.A       29,000           5,226,090
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              33,710,479
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 4.30%            
Food & Staples Retailing - 1.07%            
Costco Wholesale Corp.       7,900           2,087,654
           

 

 

 
           
Food Products - 1.83%            
Hershey Co.       7,500           1,005,225
McCormick & Co., Inc.       16,700           2,588,667
           

 

 

 
              3,593,892
           

 

 

 
           
Household Products - 1.40%            
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.       37,500           2,739,750
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              8,421,296
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

8


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.33% (continued)            
Financials - 7.36%            
Capital Markets - 2.16%            
Charles Schwab Corp.       33,300         $ 1,338,327
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.       12,300           1,057,062
S&P Global, Inc.       8,100           1,845,099
           

 

 

 
              4,240,488
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Finance - 2.75%            
Capital One Financial Corp.       19,100           1,733,134
Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc.       79,000           1,892,840
Synchrony Financial       50,600           1,754,302
           

 

 

 
              5,380,276
           

 

 

 
           
Diversified Financial Services - 1.04%            
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class BA       9,600           2,046,432
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - 1.41%            
Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.       17,500           1,745,625
Progressive Corp.       12,600           1,007,118
           

 

 

 
              2,752,743
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              14,419,939
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 13.26%            
Biotechnology - 2.00%            
Amgen, Inc.       9,100           1,676,948
Incyte Corp.A       26,500           2,251,440
           

 

 

 
              3,928,388
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 3.17%            
ABIOMED, Inc.A       7,000           1,823,430
Align Technology, Inc.A       16,000           4,379,200
           

 

 

 
              6,202,630
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 5.11%            
Centene Corp.A       38,600           2,024,184
HCA Healthcare, Inc.       30,500           4,122,685
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.       15,800           3,855,358
           

 

 

 
              10,002,227
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 2.98%            
Eli Lilly & Co.       22,200           2,459,538
Merck & Co., Inc.       40,300           3,379,155
           

 

 

 
              5,838,693
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              25,971,938
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 11.69%            
Aerospace & Defense - 1.20%            
HEICO Corp., Class A       22,800           2,356,836
           

 

 

 
           
Airlines - 3.81%            
Delta Air Lines, Inc.       50,000           2,837,500
Southwest Airlines Co.       35,000           1,777,300
United Continental Holdings, Inc.A       32,500           2,845,375
           

 

 

 
              7,460,175
           

 

 

 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies - 1.86%            
Waste Management, Inc.       31,600           3,645,692
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.33% (continued)            
Industrials - 11.69% (continued)            
Road & Rail - 3.07%            
CSX Corp.       40,500         $ 3,133,485
Union Pacific Corp.       17,000           2,874,870
           

 

 

 
              6,008,355
           

 

 

 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors - 1.75%            
United Rentals, Inc.A       13,400           1,777,242
WW Grainger, Inc.       6,200           1,663,026
           

 

 

 
              3,440,268
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              22,911,326
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 30.75%            
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 0.86%            
Zebra Technologies Corp., Class AA       8,000           1,675,920
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 6.45%            
DXC Technology Co.       26,500           1,461,475
EPAM Systems, Inc.A       8,400           1,454,040
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.       17,600           2,159,168
Fiserv, Inc.A       31,700           2,889,772
VeriSign, Inc.A       22,300           4,664,268
           

 

 

 
              12,628,723
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 6.67%            
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.A       90,500           2,748,485
Micron Technology, Inc.A       110,900           4,279,631
NVIDIA Corp.       21,600           3,547,368
Xilinx, Inc.       21,200           2,499,904
           

 

 

 
              13,075,388
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 12.35%            
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.A       48,400           3,427,204
Fortinet, Inc.A       21,300           1,636,479
Intuit, Inc.       23,700           6,193,521
Microsoft Corp.       14,200           1,902,232
Paycom Software, Inc.A       8,700           1,972,464
RingCentral, Inc., Class AA       7,700           884,884
ServiceNow, Inc.A       8,000           2,196,560
Tableau Software, Inc., Class AA       14,900           2,473,698
VMware, Inc., Class A       9,500           1,588,495
Zendesk, Inc.A       21,600           1,923,048
           

 

 

 
              24,198,585
           

 

 

 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 4.42%            
Apple, Inc.       31,600           6,254,272
Dell Technologies, Inc., Class CA       47,253           2,400,453
           

 

 

 
              8,654,725
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              60,233,341
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 1.06%            
Chemicals - 0.56%            
Westlake Chemical Corp.       15,800           1,097,468
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.33% (continued)            
Materials - 1.06% (continued)            
Containers & Packaging - 0.50%            
Packaging Corp. of America       10,200         $ 972,264
           

 

 

 

Total Materials

              2,069,732
           

 

 

 
           
Real Estate - 2.95%            
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 2.95%            
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.       14,300           2,017,587
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.       15,100           1,832,234
Lamar Advertising Co., Class A       24,000           1,937,040
           

 

 

 
              5,786,861
           

 

 

 
           

Total Real Estate

              5,786,861
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $153,119,376)

              190,660,584
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.25% (Cost $2,445,492)            
Investment Companies - 1.25%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%B C       2,445,492           2,445,492
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 98.58% (Cost $155,564,868)

              193,106,076

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 1.42%

              2,780,849
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 195,886,925
           

 

 

 
           
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.

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

    
Equity Futures Contracts  
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount        Contract Value        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
S&P 500 E-Mini Index Futures      16      September 2019      $ 2,316,861        $ 2,355,360        $ 38,499  
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
     $ 2,316,861        $ 2,355,360        $ 38,499  
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

 

Common Stocks

  $ 190,660,584       $ -       $ -       $ 190,660,584  

Short-Term Investments

    2,445,492         -         -         2,445,492  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 193,106,076       $ -       $ -       $ 193,106,076  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

 

Futures Contracts

  $ 38,499       $ -       $ -       $ 38,499  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Assets

  $ 38,499       $ -       $ -       $ 38,499  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.11%            
Communication Services - 6.74%            
Diversified Telecommunication Services - 2.54%            
AT&T, Inc.       2,154,000         $ 72,180,540
CenturyLink, Inc.       2,979,300           35,036,568
           

 

 

 
              107,217,108
           

 

 

 
           
Entertainment - 1.32%            
Walt Disney Co.       400,000           55,856,000
           

 

 

 
           
Media - 2.88%            
Charter Communications, Inc., Class AA       51,800           20,470,324
Comcast Corp., Class A       1,098,900           46,461,492
DISH Network Corp., Class AA       1,121,300           43,069,133
Liberty Broadband Corp., Class CA       115,122           11,998,015
           

 

 

 
              121,998,964
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              285,072,072
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 9.25%            
Auto Components - 1.00%            
Lear Corp.       304,700           42,435,569
           

 

 

 
           
Automobiles - 1.61%            
Ford Motor Co.       2,102,840           21,512,053
General Motors Co.       1,204,980           46,427,880
           

 

 

 
              67,939,933
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.46%            
McDonald’s Corp.       207,900           43,172,514
Yum! Brands, Inc.       168,600           18,658,962
           

 

 

 
              61,831,476
           

 

 

 
           
Household Durables - 0.76%            
PulteGroup, Inc.       1,019,300           32,230,266
           

 

 

 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 0.56%            
eBay, Inc.       597,200           23,589,400
           

 

 

 
           
Multiline Retail - 1.49%            
Kohl’s Corp.       695,200           33,056,760
Macy’s, Inc.       1,400,400           30,052,584
           

 

 

 
              63,109,344
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 1.91%            
AutoZone, Inc.A       37,000           40,680,390
Best Buy Co., Inc.       578,000           40,303,940
           

 

 

 
              80,984,330
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.46%            
Capri Holdings Ltd.A       555,600           19,268,208
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              391,388,526
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 7.34%            
Food & Staples Retailing - 1.62%            
Kroger Co.       1,148,000           24,923,080
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.       796,100           43,522,787
           

 

 

 
              68,445,867
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.11% (continued)            
Consumer Staples - 7.34% (continued)            
Food Products - 2.82%            
Hershey Co.       275,100         $ 36,871,653
McCormick & Co., Inc.       337,200           52,269,372
Tyson Foods, Inc., Class A       375,400           30,309,796
           

 

 

 
              119,450,821
           

 

 

 
           
Household Products - 2.90%            
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.       628,500           45,918,210
Procter & Gamble Co.       698,900           76,634,385
           

 

 

 
              122,552,595
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              310,449,283
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 6.86%            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 6.86%            
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.       773,700           54,592,272
ConocoPhillips       988,700           60,310,700
Devon Energy Corp.       962,400           27,447,648
HollyFrontier Corp.       729,700           33,770,516
Marathon Petroleum Corp.       1,100,800           61,512,704
Phillips 66       560,000           52,382,400
           

 

 

 
              290,016,240
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              290,016,240
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 26.19%            
Banks - 5.82%            
Bank of America Corp.       2,235,800           64,838,200
Citigroup, Inc.       841,500           58,930,245
Fifth Third Bancorp       1,852,100           51,673,590
Regions Financial Corp.       3,100,900           46,327,446
SunTrust Banks, Inc.       389,800           24,498,930
           

 

 

 
              246,268,411
           

 

 

 
           
Capital Markets - 3.99%            
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.       314,600           45,667,336
Franklin Resources, Inc.       1,340,800           46,659,840
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.       300,000           25,782,000
Morgan Stanley       1,156,400           50,661,884
           

 

 

 
              168,771,060
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Finance - 5.93%            
Ally Financial, Inc.       1,144,100           35,455,659
American Express Co.       370,600           45,746,864
Capital One Financial Corp.       618,600           56,131,764
Discover Financial Services       715,836           55,541,715
Synchrony Financial       1,671,700           57,957,839
           

 

 

 
              250,833,841
           

 

 

 
           
Diversified Financial Services - 1.13%            
Voya Financial, Inc.       864,500           47,806,850
           

 

 

 
           
Insurance - 9.32%            
Aflac, Inc.       754,300           41,343,183
Allstate Corp.       476,800           48,485,792
American Financial Group, Inc.       258,800           26,519,236

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.11% (continued)            
Financials - 26.19% (continued)            
Insurance - 9.32% (continued)            
Loews Corp.       706,200         $ 38,607,954
MetLife, Inc.       545,300           27,085,051
Principal Financial Group, Inc.       848,000           49,116,160
Prudential Financial, Inc.       476,900           48,166,900
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.       211,200           32,953,536
Travelers Cos., Inc.       385,100           57,580,152
Unum Group       729,900           24,488,145
           

 

 

 
              394,346,109
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              1,108,026,271
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 10.82%            
Biotechnology - 2.19%            
Amgen, Inc.       272,400           50,197,872
Biogen, Inc.A       181,400           42,424,018
           

 

 

 
              92,621,890
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 0.80%            
Boston Scientific Corp.A       783,500           33,674,830
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 1.94%            
HCA Healthcare, Inc.       608,300           82,223,911
           

 

 

 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 0.44%            
Waters Corp.A       87,300           18,790,452
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 5.45%            
Eli Lilly & Co.       400,000           44,316,000
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLCA       321,000           45,761,760
Merck & Co., Inc.       787,000           65,989,950
Pfizer, Inc.       1,722,200           74,605,704
           

 

 

 
              230,673,414
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              457,984,497
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 7.56%            
Airlines - 2.15%            
American Airlines Group, Inc.       811,852           26,474,494
Delta Air Lines, Inc.       369,100           20,946,425
United Continental Holdings, Inc.A       497,800           43,582,390
           

 

 

 
              91,003,309
           

 

 

 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies - 2.47%            
Republic Services, Inc.       723,100           62,649,384
Waste Management, Inc.       362,300           41,798,551
           

 

 

 
              104,447,935
           

 

 

 
           
Road & Rail - 2.94%            
Norfolk Southern Corp.       344,700           68,709,051
Union Pacific Corp.       329,900           55,789,389
           

 

 

 
              124,498,440
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              319,949,684
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.11% (continued)            
Information Technology - 11.96%            
Communications Equipment - 1.31%            
Cisco Systems, Inc.       602,400         $ 32,969,352
Juniper Networks, Inc.       838,800           22,337,244
           

 

 

 
              55,306,596
           

 

 

 
           
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 1.46%            
Corning, Inc.       1,857,800           61,734,694
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 1.99%            
Amdocs Ltd.       712,600           44,245,334
DXC Technology Co.       349,300           19,263,895
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.       167,900           20,597,972
           

 

 

 
              84,107,201
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 4.75%            
Intel Corp.       1,516,200           72,580,494
Micron Technology, Inc.A       1,991,500           76,851,985
QUALCOMM, Inc.       681,300           51,826,491
           

 

 

 
              201,258,970
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 0.86%            
Oracle Corp.       637,900           36,341,163
           

 

 

 
           
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals - 1.59%            
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.       1,924,900           28,777,255
Western Digital Corp.       807,000           38,372,850
           

 

 

 
              67,150,105
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              505,898,729
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 5.08%            
Chemicals - 3.43%            
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.       267,500           60,553,975
LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Class A       689,300           59,369,409
Westlake Chemical Corp.       363,600           25,255,656
           

 

 

 
              145,179,040
           

 

 

 
           
Containers & Packaging - 0.63%            
Ball Corp.       381,600           26,708,184
           

 

 

 
           
Metals & Mining - 1.02%            
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.       3,721,200           43,203,132
           

 

 

 
           

Total Materials

              215,090,356
           

 

 

 
           
Real Estate - 4.12%            
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) - 4.12%            
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.       400,500           56,506,545
Prologis, Inc.       594,800           47,643,480
Realty Income Corp.       586,700           40,464,699
Sun Communities, Inc.       232,500           29,804,175
           

 

 

 
              174,418,899
           

 

 

 
           

Total Real Estate

              174,418,899
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 99.11% (continued)            
Utilities - 3.19%            
Electric Utilities - 1.53%            
American Electric Power Co., Inc.       732,800         $ 64,493,728
           

 

 

 
           
Independent Power & Renewable Electricity Producers - 0.25%            
AES Corp.       641,400           10,749,864
           

 

 

 
           
Multi-Utilities - 1.41%            
Ameren Corp.       244,000           18,326,840
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.       1,442,200           41,290,186
           

 

 

 
              59,617,026
           

 

 

 

Total Utilities

              134,860,618
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $3,751,735,886)

              4,193,155,175
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 0.82% (Cost $34,813,449)            
Investment Companies - 0.82%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%B C       34,813,449           34,813,449
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 99.93% (Cost $3,786,549,335)

              4,227,968,624

OTHER ASSETS, NET OF LIABILITIES - 0.07%

              3,060,474
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 4,231,029,098
           

 

 

 
           
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.

 

Long Futures Contracts Open on June 30, 2019:

 

Equity Futures Contracts  
Description      Number of
Contracts
     Expiration Date      Notional Amount        Contract Value        Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
S&P 500 E-Mini Index Futures      211      September 2019      $ 31,117,664        $ 31,061,310        $ (56,354
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 
               $ 31,117,664        $ 31,061,310        $ (56,354
              

 

 

      

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

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

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Common Stocks

  $ 4,193,155,175       $ -       $ -       $ 4,193,155,175  

Short-Term Investments

    34,813,449         -         -         34,813,449  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 4,227,968,624       $ -       $ -       $ 4,227,968,624  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

 

Futures Contracts

  $ (56,354     $ -       $ -       $ (56,354
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Financial Derivative Instruments - Liabilities

  $ (56,354     $ -       $ -       $ (56,354
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Bridgeway Large
Cap Growth Fund
          Bridgeway Large Cap
Value Fund
 

Assets:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value

  $ 190,660,584       $ 4,193,155,175  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    2,445,492         34,813,449  

Dividends and interest receivable

    84,024         5,098,117  

Deposits with broker for futures contracts

    72,905         1,577,952  

Receivable for investments sold

    5,063,209         19,542,329  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    105,254         4,570,680  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    147,931         6,542  

Receivable for variation margin on open futures contracts (Note 5)

    38,555          

Prepaid expenses

    51,302         168,979  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

    198,669,256         4,258,933,223  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    2,418,453         20,337,025  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    163,367         4,319,224  

Cash due to broker

            32  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    69,503         2,167,223  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    1,229         308,768  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    15,614         186,530  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    7,711         94,713  

Professional fees payable

    46,730         17,417  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    18,975         356,006  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    2,428         42,037  

Payable for variation margin from open futures contracts (Note 5)

            55,866  

Other liabilities

    38,321         19,284  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    2,782,331         27,904,125  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 195,886,925       $ 4,231,029,098  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

     

Paid-in-capital

  $ 144,466,356       $ 3,791,806,379  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    51,420,569         439,222,719  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 195,886,925       $ 4,231,029,098  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

     

Institutional Class

    3,840,779         57,818,867  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

    91,504         56,229,814  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

    2,383,905         34,787,334  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

    62,385         2,785,726  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

    36,253         2,765,890  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 Class

    3,597         7,638,776  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

     

Institutional Class

  $ 117,731,193       $ 1,514,895,472  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 2,796,263       $ 1,468,435,275  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 72,278,891       $ 905,740,992  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 1,897,019       $ 72,227,502  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 1,073,234       $ 69,702,791  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 110,325       $ 200,027,066  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

     

Institutional Class

  $ 30.65       $ 26.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 30.56       $ 26.11  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 30.32       $ 26.04  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 30.41       $ 25.93  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 32.27       $ 27.51  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 29.60       $ 25.20  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 Class

  $ 30.67       $ 26.19  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 153,119,376       $ 3,751,735,886  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 2,445,492       $ 34,813,449  

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

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Operations

For the period ended June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Bridgeway Large Cap
Growth Fund
          Bridgeway Large Cap
Value Fund
 

Investment income:

     

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities

  $ 1,089,443       $ 53,129,019  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 8)

    42,963         537,297  

Interest income

    454         12,255  

Income derived from securities lending (Note 9)

    12,198         214,279  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

    1,145,058         53,892,850  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Expenses:

     

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    749,223         14,064,310  

Transfer agent fees:

     

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    37,107         207,679  

Y Class (Note 2)

    1,303         737,028  

Investor Class

    3,711         17,683  

A Class

    54         4,200  

C Class

    10         4,533  

R6 Class

    548         2,010  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    23,272         225,898  

Professional fees

    19,962         115,656  

Registration fees and expenses

    55,535         99,479  

Service fees (Note 2):

     

Investor Class

    125,409         1,653,743  

A Class

    1,228         48,564  

C Class

    415         32,627  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

     

A Class

    2,340         99,541  

C Class

    4,907         374,965  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    9,469         126,017  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    27,536         531,727  

Other expenses

    18,362         133,868  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,080,391         18,479,528  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

    (104,744       (4,871
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses

    975,647         18,474,657  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment income

    169,411         35,418,193  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

     

Net realized gain (loss) from:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA

    13,723,098         (9,673,695

Futures contracts

    721,944         9,330,130  

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB

    28,420,177         600,646,852  

Futures contracts

    (11,142       (1,056,124
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net gain from investments

    42,854,077         599,247,163  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 43,023,488       $ 634,665,356  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

 

18


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund           Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
          Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)                       (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

             

Operations:

             

Net investment income

  $ 169,411       $ 705,556       $ 35,418,193       $ 74,081,875  

Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities and futures contracts

    14,445,042         15,861,210         (343,565       169,733,284  

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

    28,409,035         (29,789,870       599,590,728         (926,602,905
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    43,023,488         (13,223,104       634,665,356         (682,787,746
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

             

Institutional Class

            (15,182,919               (126,509,744

Y Class

            (222,964               (134,207,073

Investor Class

            (6,341,212               (75,566,771

A Class

            (162,842               (6,632,802

C Class

            (64,536               (6,082,752

R6 ClassA

            (8,892               (12,669,411
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

            (21,983,365               (361,668,553
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 11):

             

Proceeds from sales of shares

    7,395,655         51,470,483         571,978,872         1,693,099,714  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

            21,667,625                 346,742,403  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (76,461,094       (72,750,374       (1,109,445,946       (1,634,032,413
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    (69,065,439       387,734         (537,467,074       405,809,704  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    (26,041,951       (34,818,735       97,198,282         (638,646,595
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

             

Beginning of period

    221,928,876         256,747,611         4,133,830,816         4,772,477,411  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 195,886,925       $ 221,928,876       $ 4,231,029,098       $ 4,133,830,816  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class commenced operations April 30, 2018 in the Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (Note 1).

 

       

 

See accompanying notes

 

19


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 June 30, 2019, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, two of which are presented in this filing: American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value 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 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 June 30, 2019, 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.

Class Disclosure

Each Fund has multiple classes of shares designed to meet the needs of different groups of investors; however, not all of the Funds offer all classes. The following table sets forth the differences amongst the classes:

 

Class

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
Institutional    Large institutional investors - sold directly or 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  
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  

 

 

20


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Class

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
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  
R6 Class    Large institutional retirement plan investors - sold through retirement plan sponsors.      None  

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 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.

 

 

21


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 the 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 the 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 Agreements with Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc. (the “Sub-Advisor”) 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 $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 June 30, 2019 were as follows:

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 359,922  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.40       389,301  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.75     $ 749,223  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

22


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 7,537,839  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.30       6,526,471  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.65     $ 14,064,310  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the Manager received securities lending fees of $1,338 and $23,807 for the securities lending activities of the Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund and Bridgeway Large Cap Value 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.

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

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into Service Plans that obligate the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, A, and C Classes of the Funds. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plans, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the 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 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

 

 

23


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 June 30, 2019, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statements of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   $ 28,821  

Bridgeway Large Cap Value

     861,616  

As of June 30, 2019, 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
 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   $ 3,971  

Bridgeway Large Cap Value

     142,623  

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 June 30, 2019, 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 Investments
in USG Select Fund
     Total  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   $ 1,849      $ 101      $ 1,950  

Bridgeway Large Cap Value

     23,132        1,087        24,219  

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 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 June 30, 2019, the Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund borrowed on average $22,641,543 for 4 days at an average interest rate of 3.02% with interest charges of $7,493 and the Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund borrowed on average $11,462,268 for 1 day at an average interest rate of 3.06% with interest charges of $961. These amounts are recorded as “Other expenses” in the Statements of Operations.

 

 

24


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                   Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class    1/1/2019 -
6/30/2019
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   Institutional      0.81   $ 82,501      $        2022  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   Y      0.91     915               2022  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   Investor      1.19     20,142               2022  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   A      1.21     538               2022  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   C      1.96     37               2022  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   R6      0.76     611               2022  

Bridgeway Large Cap Value

   R6      0.70     4,871               2022  

Of these amounts, $147,931 and $6,542 were disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2019 for the Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund and Bridgeway Large Cap 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 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 2022. The Funds did not record a liability for potential reimbursements due to the current assessment that reimbursements are unlikely. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager, but not recorded as a liability are as follows:

 

Fund

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

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   $      $ 238,079      $        2019  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

            375,714               2020  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

            241,324               2021  

Sales Commissions

The Funds’ Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of Class A sales charges from broker dealers and it may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the period ended June 30, 2019, RID collected $74 and $3,760 for Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund and Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund, respectively, from the sale of Class A Shares.

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 June 30, 2019, CDSC fees of $1,354 were collected for Class A Shares of the Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no CDSC fees collected for Class A Shares of the Bridgeway Large Cap Growth 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 Funds’ 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 June 30, 2019, CDSC fees of $123 and $5,970 were collected for the Class C Shares of Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund and Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund, respectively.

 

 

25


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trusts, 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 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

 

 

26


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 Depositary 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, preferred securities, 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.

 

 

27


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 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 money market funds. The Funds may invest in investment company securities advised by the Manager or a sub-advisor. To the extent that a Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, a Fund will indirectly bear fees and expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, charged by those investment companies in addition to a Fund’s direct fees and expenses and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, a Fund’s investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. A Fund must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of a Fund’s investment may decline, adversely affecting a Fund’s performance. To the extent a Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Fund would be subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject.

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.

5.  Financial Derivative Instruments

The Funds may utilize derivative instruments to enhance return, hedge risk, gain efficient exposure to an asset class or to manage liquidity. When considering the Funds’ use of derivatives, it is important to note that the Funds do not use derivatives for the purpose of creating financial leverage.

Futures Contracts

Futures contracts are contracts to buy or sell a standard quantity of securities at a specified price on a future date. The Funds may enter into financial futures contracts as a method for keeping assets readily

 

 

28


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

convertible to cash if needed to meet shareholder redemptions or for other needs while maintaining exposure to the stock or bond market, as applicable. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the possibility of illiquid markets or imperfect correlation between the values of the contracts and the underlying securities or that the counterparty will fail to perform its obligations.

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

During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Funds entered into futures contracts primarily for exposing cash to markets.

The Funds’ average futures contracts outstanding fluctuate throughout the operating year as required to meet strategic requirements. The following table illustrates the average quarterly volume of futures contracts. For the purpose of this disclosure, volume is measured by contracts outstanding at each quarter end.

 

Average Futures Contracts Outstanding

 

Fund

  Period Ended June 30, 2019  

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

    33  

Bridgeway Large Cap Value

    299  

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

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2019:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Assets:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Receivable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)     $         $         $         $         $ 38,499         $ 38,499
                                           
The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations as of June 30, 2019:

 

    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
Futures contracts     $         $         $         $         $ 721,944         $ 721,944
                                           

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
Futures contracts     $         $         $         $         $ (11,142 )         $ (11,142 )

 

 

29


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

Fair values of financial instruments on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2019:

 

    Derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments

Liabilities:

  Credit contracts       Foreign exchange
contracts
      Commodity
contracts
      Interest rate
contracts
      Equity contracts       Total
Payable for variation margin from open futures contracts(2)     $         $         $         $         $ (56,354 )         $ (56,354 )
                                           
The effect of financial derivative instruments on the Statements of Operations as of June 30, 2019:

 

    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
Futures contracts     $         $         $         $         $ 9,330,130         $ 9,330,130

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
Futures contracts     $         $         $         $         $ (1,056,124 )         $ (1,056,124 )

(1) See Note 3 in the Notes to Financial Statements for additional information.

(2) Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments footnotes. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

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, June 30, 2019.

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2019:

 

    Assets           Liabilities  

Futures Contracts

  $ 38,499       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

  $ 38,499       $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

  $ (38,499     $ -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets as of June 30, 2019:

 

    Assets           Liabilities  

Futures Contracts

  $ -       $ 56,354  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

  $ -       $ 56,354  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Derivatives not subject to a Master Netting Agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”)

  $ -       $ (56,354
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

30


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

6.  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.

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, (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.

Futures Contracts Risk

Futures contracts are derivative instruments where one party pays a fixed price for an agreed amount of securities or other underlying assets at an agreed date. The use of such derivative instruments may expose the Funds to additional risks that they would not be subject to if they invested directly in the securities underlying those derivatives. Futures contracts may experience potentially dramatic price changes (losses) and imperfect correlation between the price of the contract and the underlying security or index, which will increase the volatility of the Funds and may involve a small investment of cash (the amount of initial and variation margin) relative to the magnitude of the risk assumed (the potential increase or decrease in the price of the futures contract).

Market Risk

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

 

 

31


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 United States 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 the 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 United States 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 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, including for example advisory and administrative fees, charged by those investment companies in addition to the Funds’ direct fees and expenses and will be subject

 

 

32


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, the Funds’ investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. The Funds must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of the Funds’ investment will decline, adversely affecting the Funds’ performance. To the extent the Funds invest in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or track an index, the Funds are subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject.

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 indemnifies 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. In any case in which the loaned securities are not returned to the Fund before an ex-dividend date, the payment in lieu of the dividend that the Fund receives from the securities’ borrower would not be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes and thus would not qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income”.

7.  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.

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 June 30, 2019 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)
 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth

   $ 155,563,376      $ 41,156,069      $ (3,613,369   $ 37,542,700  

Bridgeway Large Cap Value

     3,786,549,335        646,066,241        (204,646,952     441,419,289  

 

 

33


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 December 31, 2018, the Funds 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 June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases (non-U.S.
Government Securities)
          Sales (non-U.S.
Government Securities)
 
Bridgeway Large Cap Growth   $ 66,371,374       $ 133,615,869  
Bridgeway Large Cap Value     860,968,851         1,319,445,828  

A summary of the Funds’ transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 are as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           June 30,
2019
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 
Bridgeway Large Cap Growth   Direct     $ 4,647,290       $ 52,786,366       $ 54,988,164       $ 2,445,492       $ 42,963  
Bridgeway Large Cap Growth   Securities Lending       -         7,383,082         7,383,082         -         N/A  
Bridgeway Large Cap Value   Direct       41,766,144         900,181,369         907,134,064         34,813,449         537,297  
Bridgeway Large Cap Value   Securities Lending       -         49,208,750         49,208,750         -         N/A  

9.  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 Statements 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,

 

 

34


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

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.

The Funds did not have any securities on loan or hold any securities lending collateral as of the period ended June 30, 2019.

10.  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”) 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.

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 June 30, 2019, the Funds did not utilize this facility.

 

 

35


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

11.  Capital Share Transactions

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

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     196,915       $ 5,579,640         1,040,789       $ 33,050,110  
Reinvestment of dividends                     601,438         14,867,540  
Shares redeemed     (2,336,883       (67,638,289       (1,621,619       (51,081,982
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (2,139,968     $ (62,058,649       20,608       $ (3,164,332
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     29,272       $ 850,107         148,641       $ 4,689,413  
Reinvestment of dividends                     9,042         222,964  
Shares redeemed     (29,282       (845,814       (133,776       (4,247,166
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (10     $ 4,293         23,907       $ 665,211  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     26,920       $ 782,941         325,619       $ 10,564,180  
Reinvestment of dividends                     258,809         6,340,851  
Shares redeemed     (272,883       (7,741,360       (358,159       (11,243,187
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (245,963     $ (6,958,419       226,269       $ 5,661,844  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     849       $ 24,070         79,808       $ 2,553,888  
Reinvestment of dividends                     6,628         162,842  
Shares redeemed     (6,141       (177,174       (174,526       (5,758,888
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (5,292     $ (153,104       (88,090     $ (3,042,158
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    C Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     5,741       $ 158,897         17,572       $ 512,892  
Reinvestment of dividends                     2,686         64,536  
Shares redeemed     (2,008       (58,457       (14,005       (419,151
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     3,733       $ 100,440         6,253       $ 158,277  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    R6 Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          April 30, 2018A to
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold           $         3,237 B      $ 100,000 B 
Reinvestment of dividends                     360         8,892  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding           $         3,597       $ 108,892  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

36


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     7,844,708       $ 194,551,614         20,154,772       $ 566,575,933  
Reinvestment of dividends                     5,392,771         119,827,368  
Shares redeemed     (13,840,997       (346,915,265       (15,913,378       (436,185,153
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (5,996,289     $ (152,363,651       9,634,165       $ 250,218,148  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     8,544,534       $ 211,886,728         26,074,553       $ 741,021,782  
Reinvestment of dividends                     5,731,412         126,950,769  
Shares redeemed     (18,967,401       (474,208,571       (19,465,093       (524,126,128
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (10,422,867     $ (262,321,843       12,340,872       $ 343,846,423  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     4,258,401       $ 105,501,906         7,915,359       $ 225,754,431  
Reinvestment of dividends                     3,409,029         75,407,714  
Shares redeemed     (8,865,955       (218,761,716       (20,764,261       (577,282,060
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (4,607,554     $ (113,259,810       (9,439,873     $ (276,119,915
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     392,972       $ 9,558,092         1,278,825       $ 36,372,119  
Reinvestment of dividends                     294,620         6,490,474  
Shares redeemed     (1,159,319       (28,729,077       (1,419,507       (39,139,055
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (766,347     $ (19,170,985       153,938       $ 3,723,538  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    C Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     81,780       $ 1,954,196         549,320       $ 14,941,345  
Reinvestment of dividends                     251,124         5,396,667  
Shares redeemed     (757,124       (18,443,682       (1,071,380       (27,748,192
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (675,344     $ (16,489,486       (270,936     $ (7,410,180
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    R6 Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     2,014,328       $ 48,526,336         3,785,688       $ 108,434,104  
Reinvestment of dividends                     570,694         12,669,411  
Shares redeemed     (887,131       (22,387,635       (1,050,587       (29,551,825
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     1,127,197       $ 26,138,701         3,305,795       $ 91,551,690  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

A 

Commencement of operations.

B 

Seed capital was received on April 30, 2018 in the amount of $100,000 for the R6 Class. As a result, shares were issued in the amount of 3,237 for R6 Class.

 

 

37


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

12.  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.

 

 

38


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional ClassA  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
          Year Ended
December 31,
          Year EndedB
December 31,
          Six Months
Ended
December 31,
          Year Ended June 30,  
                                                       
    2019           2018           2017           2016           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.27       $ 29.88       $ 24.47       $ 22.77       $ 23.71       $ 20.51       $ 16.18  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                         

Net investment income

    0.07 C        0.13         0.10         0.04         0.07         0.17 D        0.13 D 

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

    5.31         (1.99       6.56         1.82         (0.90       3.14         4.29  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    5.38         (1.86       6.66         1.86         (0.83       3.31         4.42  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                         

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.11       (0.08       (0.16       (0.11       (0.11       (0.09

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (2.64       (1.17       -         -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.75       (1.25       (0.16       (0.11       (0.11       (0.09
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 30.65       $ 25.27       $ 29.88       $ 24.47       $ 22.77       $ 23.71       $ 20.51  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnE

    21.29 %F        (6.03 )%        27.21       8.15 %F        (3.52 )%        16.19       27.41 %G 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 117,731,193       $ 151,163,119       $ 178,062,388       $ 133,638,400       $ 136,460,611       $ 156,493,513       $ 56,343,594  

Ratios to average net assets:

                         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    0.94 %H        0.93       1.06       1.02 %H        0.89       0.81       0.87

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.81 %H        0.81       0.81       0.81 %H        0.83       0.81       0.84

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    0.18 %H        0.26       0.15       0.12 %H        0.30       0.75       0.70

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.31 %H        0.38       0.40       0.33 %H        0.35       0.75       0.70

Portfolio turnover rate

    33 %F        60       78       40 %F        100       48       74

 

A

Prior to the reorganization on February 5, 2016, the Institutional Class was known as Class N.

B

On December 15, 2017, pursuant to a plan of Reorganization on termination, the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth II Fund (“Target Fund”) transferred all of its property and assets to the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (“Acquiring Fund”) in exchange solely for voting shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption of the Target Fund’s liabilities.

C

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Progressive Corp. amounting to $0.0207.

D

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

E

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.

F

Not annualized.

G

Total return would have been lower had various fees not been waived during the period.

H

Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

39


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year EndedA
December 31,
2017
          Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2016
          February 5, 2016B
to
June 30,
2016
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.21       $ 29.82       $ 24.45       $ 22.77       $ 20.46  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income

    0.03 C        0.12         0.05         0.03         0.03  

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

    5.32         (1.98       6.57         1.81         2.28  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    5.35         (1.86       6.62         1.84         2.31  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.11       (0.08       (0.16       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (2.64       (1.17       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.75       (1.25       (0.16       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 30.56       $ 25.21       $ 29.82       $ 24.45       $ 22.77  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    21.22 %E        (6.04 )%        27.06       8.06 %E        11.29 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 2,796,263       $ 2,306,982       $ 2,016,161       $ 669,530       $ 401,220  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    0.98 %F        0.97       1.13       1.09 %F        4.00 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.91 %F        0.91       0.91       0.91 %F        0.91 %F 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.13 %F        0.27       0.08       0.11 %F        (2.69 )%F 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.20 %F        0.33       0.30       0.28 %F        0.40 %F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    33 %E        60       78       40 %E        100 %G 

 

A

On December 15, 2017, pursuant to a plan of Reorganization on termination, the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth II Fund (“Target Fund”) transferred all of its property and assets to the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (“Acquiring Fund”) in exchange solely for voting shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption of the Target Fund’s liabilities.

B

Commencement of operations.

C

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Progressive Corp. amounting to $0.0126.

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

Not annualized.

F

Annualized.

G

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from February 5, 2016 through June 30, 2016 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

40


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year EndedA
December 31,
2017
          Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2016
          February 5, 2016B
to
June 30,
2016
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.05       $ 29.65       $ 24.38       $ 22.74       $ 20.46  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.02 )C        0.01         (0.01       (0.01       0.01  

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

    5.29         (1.94       6.53         1.81         2.27  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    5.27         (1.93       6.52         1.80         2.28  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.03       (0.08       (0.16       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (2.64       (1.17       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.67       (1.25       (0.16       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 30.32       $ 25.05       $ 29.65       $ 24.38       $ 22.74  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    21.04 %E        (6.33 )%        26.72       7.90 %E        11.14 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 72,278,891       $ 65,869,325       $ 71,273,896       $ 399,798       $ 133,696  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.25 %F        1.20       1.40       1.55 %F        8.43 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.19 %F        1.19       1.19       1.19 %F        1.18 %F 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.13 )%F        (0.01 )%        (0.66 )%        (0.35 )%F        (7.08 )%F 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.07 )%F        0.00 %G        (0.45 )%        0.02 %F        0.17 %F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    33 %E        60       78       40 %E        100 %H 

 

A

On December 15, 2017, pursuant to a plan of Reorganization on termination, the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth II Fund (“Target Fund”) transferred all of its property and assets to the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (“Acquiring Fund”) in exchange solely for voting shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption of the Target Fund’s liabilities.

B

Commencement of operations.

C

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Progressive Corp. amounting to $0.0144.

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

Not annualized.

F

Annualized.

G

Amount represents less than 0.005% of average net assets.

H

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from February 5, 2016 through June 30, 2016 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

41


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year EndedA
December 31,
2017
          Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2016
          February 5, 2016B
to
June 30,
2016
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.12       $ 29.70       $ 24.39       $ 22.74       $ 20.46  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.03 )C        (0.11       0.00 D        0.00 D        0.00 D 

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

    5.32         (1.83       6.54         1.81         2.28  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    5.29         (1.94       6.54         1.81         2.28  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         (0.06       (0.16       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (2.64       (1.17       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.64       (1.23       (0.16       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 30.41       $ 25.12       $ 29.70       $ 24.39       $ 22.74  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnE

    21.06 %F        (6.35 )%        26.79       7.94 %F        11.14 %F 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,897,019       $ 1,700,188       $ 4,625,607       $ 135,710       $ 159,744  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.27 %G        1.25       1.44       1.43 %G        5.25 %G 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.21 %G        1.21       1.21       1.21 %G        1.21 %G 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.15 )%G        (0.09 )%        (0.23 )%        (0.26 )%G        (4.01 )%G 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.09 )%G        (0.05 )%        0.00 %H        (0.05 )%G        0.02 %G 

Portfolio turnover rate

    33 %F        60       78       40 %F        100 %I 

 

A

On December 15, 2017, pursuant to a plan of Reorganization on termination, the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth II Fund (“Target Fund”) transferred all of its property and assets to the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (“Acquiring Fund”) in exchange solely for voting shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption of the Target Fund’s liabilities.

B

Commencement of operations.

C

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Progressive Corp. amounting to $0.0143.

D

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

E

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.

F

Not annualized.

G

Annualized.

H

Amount rounds to less than 0.005%.

I

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from February 5, 2016 through June 30, 2016 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

42


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended
December 31,
2018
          Year EndedA
December 31,
2017
          Six Months
Ended
December 31,
2016
          February 5, 2016B
to
June 30,
2016
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 24.55       $ 29.30       $ 24.22       $ 22.67       $ 20.46  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment (loss)

    (0.09 )C        (0.17       (0.10       (0.13       (0.04

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

    5.14         (1.94       6.35         1.84         2.25  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    5.05         (2.11       6.25         1.71         2.21  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         (0.16       -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (2.64       (1.17       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.64       (1.17       (0.16       -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 29.60       $ 24.55       $ 29.30       $ 24.22       $ 22.67  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    20.57 %E        (7.02 )%        25.78       7.52 %E        10.80 %E 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,073,234       $ 798,319       $ 769,559       $ 175,907       $ 244,146  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.97 %F        1.95       2.09       2.18 %F        7.33 %F 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.96 %F        1.96       1.96       1.96 %F        1.96 %F 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.84 )%F        (0.76 )%        (0.90 )%        (1.04 )%F        (5.98 )%F 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (0.83 )%F        (0.77 )%        (0.77 )%        (0.81 )%F        (0.62 )%F 

Portfolio turnover rate

    33 %E        60       78       40 %E        100 %G 

 

A

On December 15, 2017, pursuant to a plan of Reorganization on termination, the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth II Fund (“Target Fund”) transferred all of its property and assets to the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (“Acquiring Fund”) in exchange solely for voting shares of the Acquiring Fund and the assumption of the Target Fund’s liabilities.

B

Commencement of operations.

C

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Progressive Corp. amounting to $0.0125.

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

Not annualized.

F

Annualized.

G

Portfolio turnover rate is for the period from February 5, 2016 through June 30, 2016 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

43


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          April 30, 2018A
to
December 31,
2018
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 25.28       $ 30.89  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    0.05 B        0.12  

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

    5.34         (2.98
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    5.39         (2.86
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.11

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (2.64
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.75
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 30.67       $ 25.28  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnC

    21.32 %D        (9.07 )%D 
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 110,325       $ 90,943  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.94 %E        4.15 %E 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.76 %E        0.76 %E 

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.82 )%E        (2.85 )%E 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    0.36 %E        0.54 %E 

Portfolio turnover rate

    33 %D        60 %F 

 

A

Commencement of operations.

B

Net investment income includes a significant dividend payment from Progressive Corp. amounting to $0.0133.

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 April 30, 2018 through December 31, 2018 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

44


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
                                                             
    2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 22.61       $ 28.57       $ 26.08       $ 22.75       $ 23.89       $ 21.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income

    0.23         0.45         0.37         0.38         0.28         0.10  

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

    3.36         (4.28       3.78         3.32         (0.58       2.94  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    3.59         (3.83       4.15         3.70         (0.30       3.04  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.47       (0.39       (0.35       (0.29       (0.17

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.66       (1.27       (0.02       (0.55       (0.37

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )A        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.13       (1.66       (0.37       (0.84       (0.54
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.20       $ 22.61       $ 28.57       $ 26.08       $ 22.75       $ 23.89  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    15.88 %C        (13.28 )%        15.88       16.24       (1.23 )%        14.18
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,514,895,472       $ 1,442,789,043       $ 1,547,760,278       $ 1,185,013,905       $ 682,849,171       $ 313,660,568  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    0.74 %D        0.72       0.72       0.73       0.75       0.79

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.74 %D        0.72       0.72       0.73       0.79       0.84

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    1.77 %D        1.63       1.41       1.69       1.61       1.08

Net investment income, net of reimbursements or recoupments

    1.77 %D        1.63       1.41       1.69       1.57       1.04

Portfolio turnover rate

    20 %C        49       48       56       43       31

 

A

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

B

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

 

45


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
                                                             
    2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 22.54       $ 28.49       $ 26.01       $ 22.69       $ 23.84       $ 21.35  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income

    0.22         0.44         0.33         0.32         0.27         0.13  

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

    3.35         (4.28       3.79         3.35         (0.57       2.90  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    3.57         (3.84       4.12         3.67         (0.30       3.03  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.45       (0.37       (0.33       (0.30       (0.17

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.66       (1.27       (0.02       (0.55       (0.37

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )A        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.11       (1.64       (0.35       (0.85       (0.54
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.11       $ 22.54       $ 28.49       $ 26.01       $ 22.69       $ 23.84  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    15.84 %C        (13.35 )%        15.82       16.17       (1.26 )%        14.15
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 1,468,435,275       $ 1,502,519,807       $ 1,547,228,114       $ 879,852,983       $ 414,585,125       $ 119,162,044  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    0.81 %D        0.79       0.79       0.80       0.81       0.84

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.81 %D        0.79       0.79       0.80       0.81       0.85

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    1.70 %D        1.57       1.35       1.63       1.55       1.03

Net investment income, net of reimbursements or recoupments

    1.70 %D        1.57       1.35       1.63       1.55       1.03

Portfolio turnover rate

    20 %C        49       48       56       43       31

 

A

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

B

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

 

46


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
                                                             
    2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 22.50       $ 28.41       $ 25.93       $ 22.64       $ 23.77       $ 21.28  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income

    0.20         0.43         0.32         0.27         0.25         0.14  

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

    3.34         (4.33       3.71         3.31         (0.61       2.82  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    3.54         (3.90       4.03         3.58         (0.36       2.96  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.35       (0.28       (0.27       (0.22       (0.10

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.66       (1.27       (0.02       (0.55       (0.37

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )A        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.01       (1.55       (0.29       (0.77       (0.47
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.04       $ 22.50       $ 28.41       $ 25.93       $ 22.64       $ 23.77  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    15.73 %C        (13.60 )%        15.52       15.81       (1.51 )%        13.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 905,740,992       $ 886,572,501       $ 1,387,184,369       $ 1,583,853,257       $ 977,719,149       $ 668,659,150  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.08 %D        1.05       1.06       1.08       1.09       1.11

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.08 %D        1.05       1.06       1.08       1.09       1.11

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    1.43 %D        1.26       1.04       1.35       1.28       0.76

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.43 %D        1.26       1.04       1.35       1.28       0.76

Portfolio turnover rate

    20 %C        49       48       56       43       31

 

A

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

B

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

 

47


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
                                                             
    2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 22.41       $ 28.32       $ 25.82       $ 22.53       $ 23.66       $ 21.22  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income

    0.26         0.36         0.42         0.32         0.27         0.09  

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

    3.26         (4.25       3.58         3.24         (0.64       2.84  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    3.52         (3.89       4.00         3.56         (0.37       2.93  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.36       (0.23       (0.25       (0.21       (0.12

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.66       (1.27       (0.02       (0.55       (0.37

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )A        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.02       (1.50       (0.27       (0.76       (0.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 25.93       $ 22.41       $ 28.32       $ 25.82       $ 22.53       $ 23.66  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    15.71 %C        (13.60 )%        15.46       15.79       (1.56 )%        13.76
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 72,227,502       $ 79,610,028       $ 96,229,248       $ 152,520,884       $ 147,394,607       $ 103,716,652  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.09 %D        1.07       1.08       1.12       1.12       1.19

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.09 %D        1.07       1.08       1.12       1.12       1.21

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    1.42 %D        1.28       1.01       1.31       1.25       0.69

Net investment income, net of reimbursements or recoupments

    1.42 %D        1.28       1.01       1.31       1.25       0.67

Portfolio turnover rate

    20 %C        49       48       56       43       31

 

A

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

B

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

 

48


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
                                                             
    2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 21.86       $ 27.63       $ 25.27       $ 22.08       $ 23.27       $ 21.00  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income

    0.10         0.16         0.08         0.13         0.13         0.02  

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

    3.24         (4.12       3.62         3.16         (0.66       2.69  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    3.34         (3.96       3.70         3.29         (0.53       2.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.15       (0.07       (0.08       (0.11       (0.07

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.66       (1.27       (0.02       (0.55       (0.37

Tax return of capital

    -         -         -         -         (0.00 )A        -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (1.81       (1.34       (0.10       (0.66       (0.44
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 25.20       $ 21.86       $ 27.63       $ 25.27       $ 22.08       $ 23.27  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    15.28 %C        (14.23 )%        14.62       14.91       (2.27 )%        12.88
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 69,702,791       $ 75,231,917       $ 102,553,616       $ 100,447,531       $ 84,411,378       $ 33,536,254  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.81 %D        1.79       1.83       1.86       1.87       1.92

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    1.81 %D        1.79       1.83       1.86       1.87       1.94

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    0.69 %D        0.54       0.28       0.57       0.48       (0.05 )% 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    0.69 %D        0.54       0.28       0.57       0.48       (0.08 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    20 %C        49       48       56       43       31

 

A

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

B

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

 

49


American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended
December 31,
2018
          April 28, 2017A
to
December 31,
2017
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                          

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 22.59       $ 28.55       $ 26.73  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

         

Net investment income

    0.26         0.54         0.11  

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

    3.34         (4.37       3.37  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    3.60         (3.83       3.48  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

         

Dividends from net investment income

    -         (0.47       (0.39

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.66       (1.27
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (2.13       (1.66
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.19       $ 22.59       $ 28.55  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    15.94 %C        (13.27 )%        13.01 %C 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

         

Net assets, end of period

  $ 200,027,066       $ 147,107,520       $ 91,521,786  

Ratios to average net assets:

         

Expenses, before reimbursements

    0.71 %D        0.70       0.75 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursements

    0.71 %D        0.70       0.71 %D 

Net investment income, before expense reimbursements

    1.81 %D        1.69       1.44 %D 

Net investment income, net of reimbursements

    1.82 %D        1.69       1.48 %D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    20 %C        49       48 %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 April 28, 2017 through December 31, 2017 and is not annualized.

 

See accompanying notes

 

50


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

At in-person meetings held on May 9, 2019 and June 4-5, 2019 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 5, 2019 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (“LCG Fund”) and the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund (“LCV Fund”) (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Manager, Bridgeway Capital Management, Inc. (the “subadvisor”), and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds.

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.” In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the subadvisor, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and the subadvisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Funds as well as information from the Manager and the subadvisor. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Board received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to each Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Funds pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative expenses, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

A firm may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations. For each Fund, the class of shares used for comparative performance purposes was the share class with the lowest expenses available for purchase by the general public, which was the Institutional Class. The Board also considered that the use of Institutional Class performance generally facilitates a meaningful comparison for expense and performance purposes.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to renew or approve each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal and approval of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements. The memorandum explained the regulatory requirements surrounding the Board’s process for evaluating investment advisors and the terms of investment advisory contracts. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the renewal and approval of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders.

 

 

51


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement

In determining whether to renew the Agreements, the Board considered each Fund’s investment management and subadvisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Funds; (3) the costs incurred by the Manager in rendering services to the Funds and its resulting profits or losses; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or the subadvisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the subadvisor from their relationships with the Funds.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: each Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Funds; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Funds; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement subadvisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered the level of staffing and the size of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the adequacy of the resources committed to the Funds by the subadvisor, and whether those resources were commensurate with the needs of the Funds and are sufficient to sustain appropriate levels of performance and compliance needs. In this regard, the Board considered the financial stability of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the subadvisor’s representations regarding its compliance program and code of ethics. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and the subadvisor were appropriate for each Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of each Fund relative to its Broadridge performance universe, Morningstar Category, and benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding Broadridge’s independent methodology for selecting each Fund’s Broadridge performance universe. The Board also considered that the performance universes selected by Broadridge may not provide appropriate comparisons for a Fund. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at Board and Committee meetings throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by the subadvisor regarding the performance of each Fund relative to the performance of other comparable investment accounts managed by the subadvisor, the Fund’s benchmark index and an appropriate peer group for the Fund. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to each Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund.”

Costs of the Services Provided to the Funds and the Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Funds. In analyzing the cost of services and profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits or losses were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager earning a profit before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager for each Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Funds, the Manager represented that,

 

 

52


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Funds.

The Board also noted that the Manager proposed to continue the expense waivers and reimbursements for the LCG Fund that were in place during the last fiscal year. The Board further considered that, with respect to each Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. In addition, the Board considered that the Manager receives fees for overseeing the securities lending program on behalf of the Funds. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Funds maintain higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by the subadvisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Funds, the Board considered representations made by the subadvisor that, with respect to the LCG Fund, the subadvisor does not manage any comparable client accounts and therefore could not provide fee schedules for comparable investment accounts managed by the subadvisor, and, with respect to the LCV Fund, the subadvisory fee rate schedule was generally favorable compared to other comparable client accounts. The Board did not request profitability data from the subadvisor because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the subadvisor with respect to the negotiation of subadvisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that the subadvisor may not account for its profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to each Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as each Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that the Manager has negotiated breakpoints in the subadvisory fee rate for the Funds.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to each Fund. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and subadvisor fee rate schedules for each Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with each Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Funds. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the subadvisor as a result of the advisory relationships with the Funds, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the subadvisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the subadvisor. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Funds’ cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Funds’ securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the Manager manages directly. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the subadvisor by virtue of their relationships with the Funds appear to be fair and reasonable.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund

The performance comparisons below were made in comparison to each Fund’s Broadridge performance universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge performance universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance and the 5th Quintile representing the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References below to each Fund’s Broadridge performance

 

 

53


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

universe are to the universe of mutual funds with a comparable investment classification/objective included in the analysis provided by Broadridge. In reviewing the performance, the Board viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle, typically five years or longer, as the most important consideration because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of manager skill.

The expense comparisons below were made in comparison to each Fund’s Broadridge expense universe and Broadridge expense group, with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References below to each Fund’s expense group and expense universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds included in the analysis by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense universe includes all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar operating structure as the share class of the Fund included in the Broadridge comparative information and provides a broader view of expenses across the Fund’s investment classification/objective. The Board also considered each Fund’s Morningstar fee level category. In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers where applicable and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. In addition, information regarding the subadvisor’s use of soft dollars was requested from the Manager and was considered by the Board.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with the subadvisor for the LCG Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expense Analysis Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

   2nd Quintile

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

   3rd Quintile

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking – Institutional Class

   Above Average Expense Ratio

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2018)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

   2nd Quintile

Compared to Morningstar Category

   2nd Quintile

The Board also considered: (1) that the LCG Fund acquired all of the assets of the Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund (“Acquired Fund”), a series of Bridgeway Funds, Inc., on February 5, 2016, and the LCG Fund’s performance prior to that date is the performance of the Acquired Fund; (2) the Bridgeway Large Cap Growth II Fund assets were merged with the LCG Fund on December 15, 2017; (3) the subadvisor’s representation that it has no other comparable accounts in the same strategy as the subadvisor manages the LCG Fund; and (4) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the LCG Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the LCG Fund.

 

 

54


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with the subadvisor for the LCV Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expense Analysis Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

   3rd Quintile

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

   3rd Quintile

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking – Institutional Class

   Average Expense Ratio

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2018)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

   2nd Quintile

Compared to Morningstar Category

   2nd Quintile

The Board also considered: (1) information provided by the subadvisor regarding fee rates charged for managing assets in the same or a similar strategy as the subadvisor manages the LCV Fund; and (2) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the LCV Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the LCV Fund.

 

 

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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-PORT as of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT 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

Ernst & Young LLP

Dallas, Texas

   

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 Bridgeway Large Cap Growth Fund, and American Beacon Bridgeway Large Cap Value Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 6/19


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.

STEPHENS MID-CAP GROWTH FUND

Growth stocks typically are more volatile than value stocks; however, value stocks have a lower expected growth rate in earnings and sales. Investing in medium-capitalization stocks may involve greater volatility and lower liquidity than larger company stocks. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. 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.

STEPHENS SMALL CAP GROWTH FUND

Growth stocks typically are more volatile than value stocks; however, value stocks have a lower expected growth rate in earnings and sales. Investing in small-capitalization stocks may involve greater volatility and lower liquidity than larger company stocks. Investing in foreign securities may involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. The use of futures contracts for cash management may subject the Fund to losing more money than invested. The Fund participates in a securities lending program. 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

June 30, 2019


Contents

 

 

President’s Message

    1  

Performance Overview

    2  

Expense Examples

    6  

Schedules of Investments:

 

American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

    8  

American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

    12  

Financial Statements

    17  

Notes to Financial Statements

    20  

Financial Highlights:

 

American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

    37  

American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

    43  

Renewal and Approval of Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement

    49  

Additional Fund Information

    Back Cover  


President’s Message

 

 

LOGO  

Dear Shareholders,

 

At American Beacon, we take our heritage as a fiduciary very seriously — and we apply that mindset to all aspects of our business as a fund manager. As a result, for more than 30 years, we have endeavored to:

 

u   Identify, engage and oversee the best money managers. As a manager of managers, our goal is to engage the most effective money managers for each asset class, investment style and market strategy we offer. We are committed to partnering with those we judge to be “the best of the best” when it comes to choosing sub-advisors for our mutual funds. Whether our due-diligence process results in the selection of one sub-advisor or multiple sub-advisors, we select those we believe show the greatest potential to help us meet the high standards you’ve come to expect.

 

u  

Offer a variety of innovative investment solutions. Our mutual funds — which span the domestic, international, global, frontier and emerging markets — are sub-advised by experienced money managers who employ distinctive, proprietary investment processes to manage assets through a variety of economic and market conditions. From offering some of the first multi-manager funds, one of the first retirement income funds and the first open-ended mutual fund in the U.S. to focus primarily on frontier-market debt, our robust history includes applying a disciplined, solutions-based approach to our product development process in an effort to help you grow your assets while mitigating risk.

 

u  

Provide a solutions-based approach to achieving long-term investment goals. We seek to provide investment solutions that might enable you to benefit from taking a more disciplined approach to investing. Our mutual funds provide access to institutional-quality, research-intensive investment managers with diverse processes and styles. Over the long run, having such access and spending time in the market — rather than trying to time the market — may better position you to reach your long-term investment goals during market upswings and potentially insulate against market downswings.

Our management approach is more than a concept; it’s the cornerstone of American Beacon’s culture. And we strive to employ it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment solutions to help our shareholders seek long-term rewards.

Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our mutual 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 Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) returned 26.12% for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The Fund outperformed the Russell Midcap® Growth Index (the “Index”) return of 26.08% for the same period.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

    

1 Year

    

3 Years

    

5 Years

    

10 Years

Institutional Class (1,2,8)

     SFMIX          26.38 %          14.30 %          21.28 %          12.03 %          16.29 %

Y Class (1,3,8)

     SMFYX          26.32 %          14.17 %          21.17 %          11.91 %          16.14 %

Investor Class (1,8)

     STMGX          26.12 %          13.90 %          20.90 %          11.63 %          15.90 %

A Class without Sales Charge (1,4,8)

     SMFAX          26.14 %          13.86 %          20.84 %          11.59 %          15.86 %

A Class with Sales Charge (1,4,8)

     SMFAX          18.89 %          7.33 %          18.48 %          10.28 %          15.17 %

C Class without Sales Charge (1,5,8)

     SMFCX          25.68 %          13.04 %          19.93 %          10.76 %          15.23 %

C Class with Sales Charge (1,5,8)

     SMFCX          24.68 %          12.04 %          19.93 %          10.76 %          15.23 %

R6 Class (1,6,8)

     SFMRX          26.42 %          14.34 %          21.30 %          12.03 %          16.29 %
                                       

Russell Midcap® Growth Index (7)

              26.08 %          13.94 %          16.49 %          11.10 %          16.02 %

S&P 500 Index (7)

              18.54 %          10.42 %          14.19 %          10.71 %          14.70 %

 

*

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. Please note that the recent performance of the securities market has helped produce short-term returns that are not typical and may not continue in the future. A portion of the fees charged to the Investor Class was waived from 2007 through 2013, partially recovered in 2014, fully recovered in 2015, and waived in 2018 and 2019. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown for 2007 through 2013 and for 2018 through 2019.

 

2.

A portion of the fees charged to the Institutional Class has been waived since 2009. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since 2009.

 

3.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Investor Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/24/12, the inception date of the Y Class, and the returns of the Y Class since its inception. Expenses of the Y Class are lower than those of the Investor Class. Therefore, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the Y Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the Y Class was waived in 2012 and 2013, partially recovered in 2014, fully recovered in 2015, and waived in 2017 through 2019. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown in 2012, 2013, and 2017 through 2019.

 

4.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Investor Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/24/12, the inception date of the A Class, and the returns of the A Class since its inception. Expenses of the A Class are higher than those of the Investor Class. Therefore, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the A Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the A Class was waived in 2012 and 2013, fully recovered in 2015, and waived in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown in 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019. A Class has a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.

 

5.

Fund performance for the one-year, three-year, five-year and ten-year periods represents the returns achieved by the Investor Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/24/12, the inception date of the C Class, and the returns of the C Class since its inception. Expenses of the C Class are higher than those of the Investor Class. Therefore, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the C Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the C Class was waived from 2012 through 2014, fully recovered in 2015, and waived in 2016 through 2019. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2012 through 2014 and for 2016 through 2019. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for C Class is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

6.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 up to 12/31/18, the inception date of the R6 Class, and the returns of the R6 Class since its inception. Expenses of the R6 Class are lower than those of the Institutional Class. Therefore, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R6 Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the R6 Class has been waived since Class inception.

 

7.

The Russell Midcap® Growth Index is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the Russell Midcap Index with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Russell Midcap Index measures the performance of the 800 smallest companies in the Russell 1000 Index. Russell Midcap Index,

 

 

2


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

  Russell Midcap Growth Index and Russell 1000 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. 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 Stephens Mid-Cap Growth 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.

 

8.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C and R6 Class shares were 1.03%, 1.07%, 1.27%, 1.32%, 2.06% and 0.98%, 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 stock selection, as sector allocation detracted from relative performance.

Most of the Fund’s outperformance related to security selection was attributable to holdings in the Industrials and Information Technology sectors. Within Industrials, CoStar Group, Inc. was up 63.5%, HEICO Corp., Class A was up 66.9% and Copart, Inc. was up 56.4%. In the Information Technology sector, Shopify, Inc., Class A was up 116.3%, Euronet Worldwide, Inc. was up 63.0%, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. was up 62.9% and Aspen Technology, Inc. was up 49.3%.

Detracting from relative performance, however, were holdings in the Health Care sector, in which ABIOMED, Inc. was down 20.2% and Covetrus, Inc. was down 42.1%. Selection within Energy also lagged during the period, with Range Resources Corp. down 26.7% and Core Laboratories N.V. down 11.5%.

From a sector allocation perspective, the Fund’s overweights to Energy and Health Care detracted from relative performance. Conversely, the Fund held underweights to both Consumer Staples and Materials during the period which was helpful.

Looking forward, the Fund’s sub-advisor will continue to maintain a disciplined, long-term approach to equity investing in medium capitalization stocks with above-average growth potential.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.           2.2  
CoStar Group, Inc.           2.0  
Aspen Technology, Inc.           1.9  
Illumina, Inc.           1.9  
Verisk Analytics, Inc.           1.9  
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.           1.8  
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.           1.8  
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.           1.8  
Copart, Inc.           1.7  
Global Payments, Inc.           1.7  
Total Fund Holdings      95       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)        
Information Technology           32.6  
Health Care           22.0  
Consumer Discretionary           15.1  
Industrials           14.7  
Communication Services           5.7  
Financials           5.2  
Energy           2.4  
Consumer Staples           2.3  

 

 

3


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Investor Class of the American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”) returned 22.98% for the six months ended June 30, 2019, outperforming the Russell 2000® Growth Index (the “Index”) return of 20.36% for the same period.

 

Average Annual Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019

 

      

Ticker

    

6 Months*

    

1 Year

  

3 Years

    

5 Years

    

10 Years

Institutional Class (1,2,8)

     STSIX          23.14 %          7.62 %        18.26 %          9.67 %          14.70 %

Y Class (1,3,8)

     SPWYX          23.12 %          7.53 %        18.18 %          9.58 %          14.57 %

Investor Class (1,8)

     STSGX          22.98 %          7.32 %        17.96 %          9.36 %          14.41 %

A Class without Sales Charge (1,4,8)

     SPWAX          22.89 %          7.28 %        17.89 %          9.29 %          14.31 %

A Class with Sales Charge (1,4,8)

     SPWAX          15.84 %          1.10 %        15.58 %          8.01 %          13.63 %

C Class without Sales Charge (1,5,8)

     SPWCX          22.55 %          6.52 %        17.01 %          8.47 %          13.68 %

C Class with Sales Charge (1,5,8)

     SPWCX          21.55 %          5.52 %        17.01 %          8.47 %          13.68 %

R6 Class (1,6,8)

     STSRX          23.21 %          7.68 %        18.28 %          9.68 %          14.71 %
                                     

Russell 2000® Growth Index (7)

              20.36 %          (0.49 )%        14.69 %          8.63 %          14.41 %

S&P 500 Index (7)

              18.54 %          10.42 %        14.19 %          10.71 %          14.70 %

 

*

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. Please note that the recent performance of the securities market has helped produce short-term returns that are not typical and may not continue in the future. A portion of the fees charged to the Investor Class was waived from 2005 through 2013, fully recovered in 2014, waived in 2015, partially recovered in 2017 and fully recovered in 2018. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2005 through 2013 and for 2015.

 

2.

A portion of the fees charged to the Institutional Class was waived from 2009 through 2013 and fully recovered in 2014. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2009 through 2013.

 

3.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Investor Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/24/12, the inception date of the Y Class, and the returns of the Y Class since its inception. Expenses of the Y Class are lower than those of the Investor Class. Therefore, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the Y Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the Y Class was waived in 2012 and 2013 and fully recovered in 2014. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2012 and 2013.

 

4.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Investor Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/24/12, the inception date of the A Class, and the returns of the A Class since its inception. Expenses of the A Class are higher than those of the Investor Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the A Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the A Class was waived in 2012, partially recovered in 2013 and 2014, and fully recovered in 2015. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2012. A Class has a maximum sales charge of 5.75%.

 

5.

Fund performance for the ten-year period represents the returns achieved by the Investor Class from 6/30/09 up to 2/24/12, the inception date of the C Class, and the returns of the C Class since its inception. Expenses of the C Class are higher than those of the Investor Class. As a result, total returns shown may be higher than they would have been had the C Class been in existence since 6/30/09. A portion of the fees charged to the C Class was waived in 2012, partially recovered in 2013 and 2014, and fully recovered in 2015. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than actual returns shown for 2012. The maximum contingent deferred sales charge for C Class is 1.00% for shares redeemed within one year of the date of purchase.

 

6.

Fund performance represents the returns achieved by the Institutional Class from 6/30/09 up to 4/30/19, the inception date of the R6 Class, and the returns of the R6 Class since its inception. Expenses of the R6 Class are lower than those of the Institutional Class. Therefore, total returns shown may be lower than they would have been had the R6 Class been in existence since 6/30/09.

 

7.

The Russell 2000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index of those stocks in the Russell 2000 Index with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values. Russell 2000 Index is an unmanaged index of approximately 2000 smaller-capitalization stocks from various industrial sectors. Russell 2000 Index and Russell 2000 Growth 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

 

 

4


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Performance Overview

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

  Russell’s express written consent. Russell does not promote, sponsor or endorse the content of this communication. 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 Stephens Small Cap Growth 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.

 

8.

The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratios set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C and R6 Class shares were 1.09%, 1.15%, 1.38%, 1.38%, 2.15% and 1.10%, 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.

As it relates to security selection, the drivers of performance were holdings in the Information Technology, Industrials, and Consumer Discretionary sectors. Companies within Information Technology contributing to performance included PROS Holdings, Inc. (up 101.3%), Euronet Worldwide, Inc. (up 64.3%), Globant S.A. (up 79.1%) and Israel Cyberark Software Ltd. (up 71.4%). Within Industrials, the Fund’s position in HEICO Corp., Class A was up 63.9%, CoStar Group, Inc. was up 65.8%, Kornit Digital Ltd. was up 69.1%, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. was up 62.9% for the period. Further boosts to relative performance included Boot Barn Holdings, Inc. (up 121.9%), Aaron’s, Inc. (up 46.2%) and Wingstop, Inc. (up 52.2%) in the Consumer Discretionary sector.

This positive performance was somewhat offset by security selection in the Communication Services and Energy sectors. Within Communication Services, ANGI Homeservices, Inc., Class A and Boingo Wireless, Inc. were down 19.1% and 12.5%, respectively. The Fund did not hold Sinclair Broadcast Group, which was up 105.5% in the Index. In the Energy sector, Range Resources Corp. was down 26.7% and RigNet, Inc. was down 20.3%.

From a sector allocation perspective, a sizeable overweight to Information Technology, which was the top performing sector in the Index, was a driver of outperformance. An underweight to Health Care also added value for the period. In contrast, the Fund’s cash position served as a drag on relative performance, as did an overweight to Financials.

Looking forward, the Fund’s sub-advisor will continue to maintain a disciplined, long-term approach to equity investing in smaller capitalization stocks with above-average growth potential.

 

Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets)        
ICON PLC           2.0  
Aaron’s, Inc.           1.9  
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.           1.9  
PROS Holdings, Inc.           1.9  
Aspen Technology, Inc.           1.8  
HEICO Corp., Class A           1.8  
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.           1.6  
Omnicell, Inc.           1.6  
Q2 Holdings, Inc.           1.6  
FirstCash, Inc.           1.5  
Total Fund Holdings      103       
       
Sector Allocation (% Equities)        
Information Technology           32.2  
Health Care           20.6  
Industrials           16.3  
Consumer Discretionary           13.7  
Financials           9.1  
Consumer Staples           3.1  
Communication Services           2.4  
Energy           1.6  
Materials           1.0  

 

 

5


American Beacon FundsSM

Expense Examples

June 30, 2019 (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 January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019.

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

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
1/1/2019
  Ending Account Value
6/30/2019
  Expenses Paid During
Period
1/1/2019-6/30/2019*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,263.80       $5.00
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.38       $4.46
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,263.20       $5.56
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.89       $4.96
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,261.20       $7.06
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.55       $6.31
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,261.40       $7.29
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.35       $6.51
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,256.80       $11.42
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,014.68       $10.19
R6 Class***            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,264.20       $4.72
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,020.63       $4.21

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 0.89%, 0.99%, 1.25%, 1.29%, 2.04%, and 0.84% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C, and R6 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 (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

***

American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund’s R6 Class commenced operations on December 31, 2018. Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio for the period, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days since inception (181), then divided by the number of days in the year (365) to reflect the period. The Ending Account Value is derived from the fund’s share class actual return since inception. The Hypothetical 5% Annual Return information reflects the (181) day period for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to allow for comparability.

American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

    Beginning Account Value
1/1/2019
  Ending Account Value
6/30/2019
  Expenses Paid During
Period
1/1/2019-6/30/2019*
Institutional Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,231.40       $6.14
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.29       $5.56
Y Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,231.20       $6.53
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,018.94       $5.91
Investor Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,229.80       $7.91
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,017.70       $7.15
A Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,228.90       $7.74
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,017.85       $7.00
C Class            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,225.50       $12.03
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,013.98       $10.89
R6 Class***            
Actual       $1,000.00       $1,007.70       $1.76
Hypothetical**       $1,000.00       $1,019.59       $5.26

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratios for the six-month period of 1.11%, 1.18%, 1.43%, 1.40%, 2.18%, and 1.05% for the Institutional, Y, Investor, A, C, and R6 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 (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period.

**

5% return before expenses.

***

American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund’s R6 Class commenced operations on April 30, 2019. Expenses are equal to the fund’s annualized expense ratio for the period, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days since inception (61), then divided by the number of days in the year (365) to reflect the period. The Ending Account Value is derived from the fund’s share class actual return since inception. The Hypothetical 5% Annual Return information reflects the (181) day period for the six months ended June 30, 2019 to allow for comparability.

 

 

7


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.36%            
Communication Services - 5.50%            
Entertainment - 4.33%            
Electronic Arts, Inc.A       18,748         $ 1,898,423
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.A       63,061           4,177,791
Spotify Technology S.A.A       14,194           2,075,447
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.A       16,795           1,906,736
           

 

 

 
              10,058,397
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 1.17%            
IAC/InterActiveCorp.A       12,530           2,725,651
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              12,784,048
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 14.71%            
Diversified Consumer Services - 1.43%            
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.A       21,973           3,315,066
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 2.12%            
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.       11,111           3,091,969
MGM Resorts International       64,266           1,836,080
           

 

 

 
              4,928,049
           

 

 

 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 2.51%            
GrubHub, Inc.A       30,729           2,396,555
MercadoLibre, Inc.A       5,612           3,433,253
           

 

 

 
              5,829,808
           

 

 

 
           
Multiline Retail - 0.79%            
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.A       21,147           1,842,115
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 5.77%            
Aaron’s, Inc.       36,059           2,214,383
Burlington Stores, Inc.A       21,550           3,666,732
Five Below, Inc.A       9,833           1,180,157
Ross Stores, Inc.       25,473           2,524,884
Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.A       11,021           3,823,075
           

 

 

 
              13,409,231
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 2.09%            
Canada Goose Holdings, Inc.A B       37,054           1,435,101
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.A       18,886           3,403,446
           

 

 

 
              4,838,547
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              34,162,816
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 2.26%            
Beverages - 2.26%            
Brown-Forman Corp., Class B       37,620           2,085,277
Monster Beverage Corp.A       49,564           3,163,670
           

 

 

 
              5,248,947
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              5,248,947
           

 

 

 
           
Energy - 2.33%            
Energy Equipment & Services - 0.34%            
Core Laboratories N.V.       14,923           780,175
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

8


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.36% (continued)            
Energy - 2.33% (continued)            
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.99%            
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.       85,314         $ 1,958,809
Parsley Energy, Inc., Class AA       29,677           564,160
Pioneer Natural Resources Co.       9,843           1,514,444
Range Resources Corp.B       84,088           586,934
           

 

 

 
              4,624,347
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              5,404,522
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 5.04%            
Banks - 1.49%            
East West Bancorp, Inc.       16,907           790,741
SVB Financial GroupA       11,902           2,673,070
           

 

 

 
              3,463,811
           

 

 

 
           
Capital Markets - 2.69%            
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.       13,116           4,215,745
Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A       46,298           2,028,315
           

 

 

 
              6,244,060
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Finance - 0.86%            
FirstCash, Inc.       20,067           2,007,101
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              11,714,972
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 21.47%            
Biotechnology - 1.14%            
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A       11,090           1,452,568
Exelixis, Inc.A       55,540           1,186,890
           

 

 

 
              2,639,458
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 9.58%            
ABIOMED, Inc.A       9,167           2,387,912
Align Technology, Inc.A       6,364           1,741,827
DexCom, Inc.A       20,379           3,053,589
Hologic, Inc.A       45,935           2,205,799
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.A       18,507           5,095,532
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.A       5,752           3,017,212
ResMed, Inc.       28,584           3,488,105
Varian Medical Systems, Inc.A       9,356           1,273,632
           

 

 

 
              22,263,608
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 1.90%            
Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.A       45,631           1,594,804
Covetrus, Inc.A       35,065           857,690
Henry Schein, Inc.A       28,206           1,971,599
           

 

 

 
              4,424,093
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Technology - 3.33%            
Cerner Corp.       39,759           2,914,335
Medidata Solutions, Inc.A       28,045           2,538,353
Veeva Systems, Inc., Class AA       14,037           2,275,538
           

 

 

 
              7,728,226
           

 

 

 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 5.05%            
ICON PLCA       20,451           3,148,841
Illumina, Inc.A       11,973           4,407,860
PRA Health Sciences, Inc.A       21,008           2,082,943
QIAGEN N.V.A       51,511           2,088,771
           

 

 

 
              11,728,415
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

9


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.36% (continued)            
Health Care - 21.47% (continued)            
Pharmaceuticals - 0.47%            
Pacira BioSciences, Inc.A       25,039         $ 1,088,946
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              49,872,746
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 14.34%            
Aerospace & Defense - 2.74%            
HEICO Corp., Class A       30,038           3,105,028
L3 Harris Technologies, Inc.       17,231           3,258,899
           

 

 

 
              6,363,927
           

 

 

 
           
Air Freight & Logistics - 0.43%            
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.       11,971           1,009,754
           

 

 

 
           
Commercial Services & Supplies - 1.74%            
Copart, Inc.A       53,960           4,032,970
           

 

 

 
           
Electrical Equipment - 1.38%            
Rockwell Automation, Inc.       11,208           1,836,207
Sensata Technologies Holding PLCA       27,799           1,362,151
           

 

 

 
              3,198,358
           

 

 

 
           
Industrial Conglomerates - 1.05%            
Roper Technologies, Inc.       6,660           2,439,291
           

 

 

 
           
Machinery - 0.65%            
Middleby Corp.A       11,063           1,501,249
           

 

 

 
           
Professional Services - 4.84%            
CoStar Group, Inc.A       8,281           4,588,171
IHS Markit Ltd.A       36,702           2,338,651
Verisk Analytics, Inc.       29,414           4,307,975
           

 

 

 
              11,234,797
           

 

 

 
           
Road & Rail - 0.74%            
JB Hunt Transport Services, Inc.       18,883           1,726,095
           

 

 

 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors - 0.77%            
Fastenal Co.       55,268           1,801,184
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              33,307,625
           

 

 

 
           
Information Technology - 31.71%            
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 5.02%            
Cognex Corp.       48,346           2,319,641
FLIR Systems, Inc.       65,470           3,541,927
IPG Photonics Corp.A       13,208           2,037,334
Keysight Technologies, Inc.A       24,850           2,231,779
National Instruments Corp.       36,609           1,537,212
           

 

 

 
              11,667,893
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 8.22%            
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.A       22,700           3,819,048
Fiserv, Inc.A       27,289           2,487,665
Global Payments, Inc.       24,533           3,928,469
Shopify, Inc., Class AA       8,953           2,687,243
Square, Inc., Class AA       40,708           2,952,551
WEX, Inc.A       15,514           3,228,464
           

 

 

 
              19,103,440
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

10


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 97.36% (continued)            
Information Technology - 31.71% (continued)            
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 3.73%            
Microchip Technology, Inc.       34,586         $ 2,998,606
NXP Semiconductors N.V.       9,407           918,217
ON Semiconductor Corp.A       49,916           1,008,803
Xilinx, Inc.       31,652           3,732,404
           

 

 

 
              8,658,030
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 14.74%            
2U, Inc.A       17,811           670,406
ANSYS, Inc.A       9,204           1,885,163
Aspen Technology, Inc.A       35,154           4,368,939
Autodesk, Inc.A       20,679           3,368,609
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.A       59,749           4,230,827
DocuSign, Inc.A       34,019           1,691,084
Dropbox, Inc., Class AA       59,305           1,485,590
Fortinet, Inc.A       22,431           1,723,374
Guidewire Software, Inc.A       8,370           848,551
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.A       10,270           2,092,615
Proofpoint, Inc.A       14,912           1,793,168
PTC, Inc.A       22,069           1,980,913
RingCentral, Inc., Class AA       13,565           1,558,890
Splunk, Inc.A       19,489           2,450,742
Tableau Software, Inc., Class AA       16,528           2,743,979
Tyler Technologies, Inc.A       6,220           1,343,644
           

 

 

 
              34,236,494
           

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

              73,665,857
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $174,209,417)

              226,161,533
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 4.49% (Cost $10,432,899)            
Investment Companies - 4.49%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%C D       10,432,899           10,432,899
           

 

 

 
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 0.57% (Cost $1,315,416)            
Investment Companies - 0.57%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%C D       1,315,416           1,315,416
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 102.42% (Cost $185,957,732)

              237,909,848

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (2.42%)

              (5,618,465 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 232,291,383
           

 

 

 
           
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 June 30, 2019.

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

D 7-day yield.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Common Stocks

  $ 226,161,533       $ -       $ -       $ 226,161,533  

Short-Term Investments

    10,432,899         -         -         10,432,899  

Securities Lending Collateral

    1,315,416         -         -         1,315,416  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 237,909,848       $ -       $ -       $ 237,909,848  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

11


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 98.37%            
Communication Services - 2.36%            
Entertainment - 0.94%            
Rosetta Stone, Inc.A       79,411         $ 1,816,924
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.A       19,588           2,223,825
           

 

 

 
              4,040,749
           

 

 

 
           
Interactive Media & Services - 0.74%            
ANGI Homeservices, Inc., Class AA       247,108           3,214,875
           

 

 

 
           
Wireless Telecommunication Services - 0.68%            
Boingo Wireless, Inc.A       162,285           2,916,262
           

 

 

 
           

Total Communication Services

              10,171,886
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Discretionary - 13.43%            
Diversified Consumer Services - 3.59%            
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.A       41,263           6,225,349
Chegg, Inc.A       148,630           5,735,631
Grand Canyon Education, Inc.A       30,290           3,544,536
           

 

 

 
              15,505,516
           

 

 

 
           
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure - 1.13%            
Wingstop, Inc.       51,470           4,876,783
           

 

 

 
           
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail - 0.67%            
GrubHub, Inc.A       37,035           2,888,360
           

 

 

 
           
Leisure Products - 0.53%            
Sturm Ruger & Co., Inc.       41,844           2,279,661
           

 

 

 
           
Multiline Retail - 1.64%            
Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings, Inc.A       81,241           7,076,904
           

 

 

 
           
Specialty Retail - 5.11%            
Aaron’s, Inc.       134,039           8,231,335
Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.A       84,805           3,022,450
Five Below, Inc.A       22,733           2,728,415
Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.A       57,107           2,392,783
Monro, Inc.       49,822           4,249,817
Sportsman’s Warehouse Holdings, Inc.A       375,925           1,420,996
           

 

 

 
              22,045,796
           

 

 

 
           
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods - 0.76%            
Canada Goose Holdings, Inc.A B       85,395           3,307,348
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Discretionary

              57,980,368
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Staples - 3.06%            
Beverages - 0.92%            
MGP Ingredients, Inc.B       59,555           3,949,092
           

 

 

 
           
Food Products - 2.14%            
Calavo Growers, Inc.       66,129           6,397,319
Limoneira Co.       142,308           2,837,622
           

 

 

 
              9,234,941
           

 

 

 
           

Total Consumer Staples

              13,184,033
           

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

12


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 98.37% (continued)            
Energy - 1.54%            
Energy Equipment & Services - 0.45%            
Core Laboratories N.V.       18,142         $ 948,464
RigNet, Inc.A       98,805           995,954
           

 

 

 
              1,944,418
           

 

 

 
           
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels - 1.09%            
Callon Petroleum Co.A       265,167           1,747,451
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.A       80,870           810,317
PDC Energy, Inc.A       34,665           1,250,020
Range Resources Corp.       129,972           907,205
           

 

 

 
              4,714,993
           

 

 

 
           

Total Energy

              6,659,411
           

 

 

 
           
Financials - 8.98%            
Banks - 1.46%            
Ameris Bancorp       89,327           3,500,725
Veritex Holdings, Inc.       108,493           2,815,393
           

 

 

 
              6,316,118
           

 

 

 
           
Capital Markets - 1.34%            
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.       17,990           5,782,346
           

 

 

 
           
Consumer Finance - 6.18%            
Encore Capital Group, Inc.A       162,816           5,514,578
EZCORP, Inc., Class AA       474,323           4,491,839
FirstCash, Inc.       66,397           6,641,028
Green Dot Corp., Class AA       103,311           5,051,908
PRA Group, Inc.A       176,783           4,974,673
           

 

 

 
              26,674,026
           

 

 

 
           

Total Financials

              38,772,490
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care - 20.26%            
Biotechnology - 2.65%            
Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A       42,600           4,862,790
Repligen Corp.A       76,712           6,593,396
           

 

 

 
              11,456,186
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Equipment & Supplies - 4.79%            
ABIOMED, Inc.A       8,857           2,307,160
Insulet Corp.A       34,651           4,136,637
Neogen Corp.A       55,916           3,472,943
NuVasive, Inc.A       66,758           3,908,013
Penumbra, Inc.A       30,593           4,894,880
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.A       30,139           1,944,568
           

 

 

 
              20,664,201
           

 

 

 
           
Health Care Providers & Services - 2.52%            
Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.A       104,488           3,651,856
BioTelemetry, Inc.A       59,667           2,872,966
Covetrus, Inc.A       64,998           1,589,851
HealthEquity, Inc.A       42,151           2,756,675
           

 

 

 
              10,871,348
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

13


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 98.37% (continued)            
Health Care - 20.26% (continued)            
Health Care Technology - 4.74%            
HealthStream, Inc.A       100,197         $ 2,591,094
HMS Holdings Corp.A       162,420           5,260,784
Medidata Solutions, Inc.A       64,392           5,828,120
Omnicell, Inc.A       78,637           6,765,141
           

 

 

 
              20,445,139
           

 

 

 
           
Life Sciences Tools & Services - 3.93%            
Bio-Techne Corp.       21,034           4,385,379
ICON PLCA       55,646           8,567,815
PRA Health Sciences, Inc.A       40,677           4,033,124
           

 

 

 
              16,986,318
           

 

 

 
           
Pharmaceuticals - 1.63%            
Pacira BioSciences, Inc.A       107,990           4,696,485
Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.A       70,737           2,340,688
           

 

 

 
              7,037,173
           

 

 

 
           

Total Health Care

              87,460,365
           

 

 

 
           
Industrials - 16.02%            
Aerospace & Defense - 6.31%            
Aerovironment, Inc.A       64,046           3,635,891
Axon Enterprise, Inc.A       81,782           5,251,222
HEICO Corp., Class A       73,356           7,582,810
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.A       240,784           5,511,546
Mercury Systems, Inc.A       74,673           5,253,246
           

 

 

 
              27,234,715
           

 

 

 
           
Air Freight & Logistics - 1.15%            
Echo Global Logistics, Inc.A       108,564           2,265,731
Hub Group, Inc., Class AA       64,107           2,691,212
           

 

 

 
              4,956,943
           

 

 

 
           
Building Products - 1.34%            
Trex Co., Inc.A       80,749           5,789,703
           

 

 

 
           
Machinery - 4.39%            
Kornit Digital Ltd.A B       173,955           5,507,415
Lindsay Corp.B       22,357           1,837,969
Proto Labs, Inc.A       50,167           5,820,375
RBC Bearings, Inc.A       34,648           5,779,633
           

 

 

 
              18,945,392
           

 

 

 
           
Professional Services - 0.97%            
CoStar Group, Inc.A       7,565           4,191,464
           

 

 

 
           
Trading Companies & Distributors - 1.86%            
Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.A       94,908           3,485,022
SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.A       65,574           4,544,278
           

 

 

 
              8,029,300
           

 

 

 
           

Total Industrials

              69,147,517
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

14


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
COMMON STOCKS - 98.37% (continued)            
Information Technology - 31.73%            
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components - 3.24%            
Cognex Corp.       68,938         $ 3,307,645
FLIR Systems, Inc.       105,527           5,709,011
National Instruments Corp.       61,321           2,574,869
nLight, Inc.A       123,446           2,370,163
           

 

 

 
              13,961,688
           

 

 

 
           
IT Services - 3.50%            
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.A       47,552           8,000,149
MAXIMUS, Inc.       31,933           2,316,420
WEX, Inc.A       23,103           4,807,734
           

 

 

 
              15,124,303
           

 

 

 
           
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment - 3.65%            
CyberOptics Corp.A       52,047           844,723
Inphi Corp.A       58,901           2,950,940
Power Integrations, Inc.       30,614           2,454,631
Semtech Corp.A       108,690           5,222,554
Silicon Laboratories, Inc.A       41,515           4,292,651
           

 

 

 
              15,765,499
           

 

 

 
           
Software - 21.34%            
2U, Inc.A       54,066           2,035,044
8x8, Inc.A       188,250           4,536,825
Aspen Technology, Inc.A       62,050           7,711,574
Cornerstone OnDemand, Inc.A       65,363           3,786,479
CyberArk Software Ltd.A       32,001           4,091,008
Envestnet, Inc.A       82,967           5,672,454
FireEye, Inc.A       211,304           3,129,412
Five9, Inc.A       126,447           6,485,467
Globant S.A.A       59,719           6,034,605
Guidewire Software, Inc.A       32,458           3,290,592
Manhattan Associates, Inc.A       80,434           5,576,489
Mimecast Ltd.A       82,362           3,847,129
Proofpoint, Inc.A       54,496           6,553,144
PROS Holdings, Inc.A       130,298           8,242,651
Q2 Holdings, Inc.A       87,821           6,706,012
Qualys, Inc.A       55,128           4,800,546
Rapid7, Inc.A       42,349           2,449,466
SPS Commerce, Inc.A       32,955           3,368,330
Tyler Technologies, Inc.A       17,402           3,759,180
           

 

 

 
              92,076,407
           

 

 

 
           

Total Information Technology

              136,927,897
           

 

 

 
           
Materials - 0.99%            
Chemicals - 0.99%            
Balchem Corp.       42,588           4,257,522
           

 

 

 
           

Total Common Stocks (Cost $251,109,093)

              424,561,489
           

 

 

 
           
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 1.52% (Cost $6,571,474)            
Investment Companies - 1.52%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%C D       6,571,474           6,571,474
           

 

 

 
           

 

See accompanying notes

 

15


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Schedule of Investments

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Shares       Fair Value
           
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL - 1.46% (Cost $6,294,174)            
Investment Companies - 1.46%            
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%C D       6,294,174         $ 6,294,174
           

 

 

 
           

TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 101.35% (Cost $263,974,741)

              437,427,137

LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (1.35%)

              (5,837,865 )
           

 

 

 

TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00%

            $ 431,589,272
           

 

 

 
           
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 June 30, 2019.

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

D 7-day yield.

PLC - Public Limited Company.

The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:

 

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

  Level 1           Level 2           Level 3           Total  

Assets

             

Common Stocks

  $ 424,561,489       $ -       $ -       $ 424,561,489  

Short-Term Investments

    6,571,474         -         -         6,571,474  

Securities Lending Collateral

    6,294,174         -         -         6,294,174  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Investments in Securities - Assets

  $ 437,427,137       $ -       $ -       $ 437,427,137  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

 

See accompanying notes

 

16


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Stephens Mid-Cap
Growth Fund
          Stephens Small Cap
Growth Fund
 

Assets:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value§

  $ 226,161,533       $ 424,561,489  

Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value

    11,748,315         12,865,648  

Dividends and interest receivable

    35,608         34,557  

Receivable for investments sold

    236,484         1,075,949  

Receivable for fund shares sold

    1,340,606         501,955  

Receivable for expense reimbursement (Note 2)

    10,572         30  

Prepaid expenses

    55,010         64,869  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total assets

    239,588,128         439,104,497  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Liabilities:

 

Payable for investments purchased

    5,756,537         247,321  

Payable for fund shares redeemed

    37,426         541,814  

Management and sub-advisory fees payable (Note 2)

    138,865         332,048  

Service fees payable (Note 2)

    4,963         14,024  

Transfer agent fees payable (Note 2)

    12,473         17,731  

Payable upon return of securities loaned (Note 8)§

    1,315,416         6,294,174  

Custody and fund accounting fees payable

    3,819         13,791  

Professional fees payable

    15,763         4,458  

Trustee fees payable (Note 2)

    9,469         34,160  

Payable for prospectus and shareholder reports

    -         15,250  

Other liabilities

    2,014         454  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    7,296,745         7,515,225  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 232,291,383       $ 431,589,272  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Analysis of net assets:

 

Paid-in-capital

  $ 169,836,223       $ 231,419,833  

Total distributable earnings (deficits)A

    62,455,160         200,169,439  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets

  $ 232,291,383       $ 431,589,272  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

 

Institutional Class

    6,189,516         18,019,876  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

    1,012,190         3,895,309  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

    668,548         3,411,365  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

    274,559         361,272  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

    158,458         69,907  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 ClassB C

    550,882         5,914  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 166,092,624       $ 306,904,396  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 26,967,990       $ 65,761,073  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 15,010,412       $ 52,384,159  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 6,133,161       $ 5,470,279  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 3,303,563       $ 968,620  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 ClassB C

  $ 14,783,633       $ 100,745  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share:

 

Institutional Class

  $ 26.83       $ 17.03  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Y Class

  $ 26.64       $ 16.88  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Investor Class

  $ 22.45       $ 15.36  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class

  $ 22.34       $ 15.14  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

A Class (offering price)

  $ 23.70       $ 16.06  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

C Class

  $ 20.85       $ 13.86  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

R6 ClassB C

  $ 26.84       $ 17.04  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities

  $ 174,209,417       $ 251,109,093  

Cost of investments in affiliated securities

  $ 11,748,315       $ 12,865,648  

§ Fair value of securities on loan

  $ 1,298,872       $ 6,335,120  

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

 

B Class launched on December 31, 2018 and commenced operations on January 2, 2019 in the Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund (Note 1).

 

C Class launched on May 1, 2019 and commenced operations on April 30, 2019 in the Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (Note 1).

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

17


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Operations

For the period ended June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    Stephens Mid-Cap
Growth Fund
          Stephens Small Cap
Growth Fund
 

Investment income:

 

Dividend income from unaffiliated securities (net of foreign taxes)

  $ 317,441       $ 404,128  

Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 7)

    73,328         111,984  

Income derived from securities lending (Note 8)

    2,443         13,110  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total investment income

    393,212         529,222  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Expenses:

 

Management and sub-advisory fees (Note 2)

    674,367         2,008,972  

Transfer agent fees:

     

Institutional Class (Note 2)

    37,680         57,506  

Y Class (Note 2)

    7,146         30,773  

Investor Class

    1,111         1,658  

A Class

    204         184  

C Class

    100         39  

R6 ClassA B

    1,887         61  

Custody and fund accounting fees

    17,857         31,054  

Professional fees

    28,203         39,608  

Registration fees and expenses

    60,265         42,774  

Service fees (Note 2):

     

Investor Class

    24,926         95,120  

A Class

    5,083         2,131  

C Class

    1,149         552  

Distribution fees (Note 2):

     

A Class

    14,411         7,063  

C Class

    14,813         5,564  

Prospectus and shareholder report expenses

    6,683         19,223  

Trustee fees (Note 2)

    16,003         50,824  

Other expenses

    5,727         16,822  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total expenses

    917,615         2,409,928  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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

    (87,405       (67
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net expenses

    830,210         2,409,861  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net investment (loss)

    (436,998       (1,880,639
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments:

 

Net realized gain from:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesC

    2,969,273         22,356,010  

Change in net unrealized appreciation of:

     

Investments in unaffiliated securitiesD

    34,259,588         62,504,431  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net gain from investments

    37,228,861         84,860,441  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 36,791,863       $ 82,979,802  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Foreign taxes

  $ 2,303       $ 2,993  

A Class launched on December 31, 2018 and commenced operations on January 2, 2019 in the Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund (Note 1).

 

B Class launched on April 30, 2019 and commenced operations on May 1, 2019 in the Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (Note 1).

 

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

 

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

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

18


American Beacon FundsSM

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

    Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund           Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
          Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)                       (unaudited)              

Increase (decrease) in net assets:

             

Operations:

             

Net investment (loss)

  $ (436,998     $ (803,062     $ (1,880,639     $ (4,305,985

Net realized gain from investments in unaffiliated securities

    2,969,273         15,570,916         22,356,010         111,127,480  

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

    34,259,588         (16,821,873       62,504,431         (66,227,807
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    36,791,863         (2,054,019       82,979,802         40,593,688  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Distributions to shareholders:

 

Total retained earnings:

             

Institutional Class

    -         (5,425,780       -         (76,595,283

Y Class

    -         (757,041       -         (18,278,992

Investor Class

    -         (1,251,731       -         (16,618,636

A Class

    (79       (1,124,545       -         (1,689,188

C Class

    -         (144,407       -         (366,743

R6 Class*

    -         -         -          
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net distributions to shareholders

    (79       (8,703,504       -         (113,548,842
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Capital share transactions (Note 10):

 

Proceeds from sales of shares

    124,440,163         78,079,866         58,196,907         138,657,979  

Reinvestment of dividends and distributions

    79         8,387,775         -         100,058,452  

Cost of shares redeemed

    (42,935,909       (58,755,155       (62,160,549       (387,151,403
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions

    81,504,333         27,712,486         (3,963,642       (148,434,972
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

    118,296,117         16,954,963         79,016,160         (221,390,126
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net assets:

 

Beginning of period

    113,995,266         97,040,303         352,573,112         573,963,238  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

End of period

  $ 232,291,383       $ 113,995,266       $ 431,589,272       $ 352,573,112  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

* Class launched on December 31, 2018 and commenced operations on January 2, 2019 in the Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund (Note 1).

 

Class launched on May 1, 2019 and commenced operations on April 30, 2019 in the Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (Note 1).

 

 

See accompanying notes

 

19


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (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 June 30, 2019, the Trust consists of thirty-three active series, two of which are presented in this filing: American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth 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 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 June 30, 2019, 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.

Class Disclosure

On April 30, 2019, the Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund created the R6 Class, a new class made available for sale to provide third party intermediaries an investment option for the large 401(K) plans that does not charge 12b-1 or sub-transfer agency fees pursuant to the Fund’s registration statement filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Refer to the Funds Prospectus for more details.

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 or 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  

 

 

20


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Class

  

Eligible Investors

   Minimum Initial
Investments
 
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  
R6 Class    All investors participating in retirement plan directly or through intermediary organizations.      None  

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 based on 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 based on 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.

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 the 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.

 

 

21


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 the 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 Stephens Investment Management Group LLC (the “Sub-Advisor”) 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:

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

First $100 million

     0.50

Over $100 million

     0.45

Stephens Small Cap Growth

 

First $200 million

     0.65

Over $200 million

     0.60

The Management and Sub-Advisory Fees paid by the Funds for the period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 295,189  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.45       379,178  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.80     $ 674,367  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

22


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

    Effective Fee Rate           Amount of Fees Paid  

Management Fees

    0.35     $ 722,798  

Sub-Advisor Fees

    0.62       1,286,174  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total

    0.97     $ 2,008,972  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the Manager received securities lending fees of $312 and $1,451 for the securities lending activities of the Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and Stephens Small Cap Growth 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.

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

Service Plans

The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plans that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Investor, A, and C Classes of the Funds. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plans, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the A and C Classes, and up to 0.375% of the average daily net assets of the Investor Class of the 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 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

 

 

23


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Classes on an annual basis. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the sub-transfer agent fees, as reflected in “Transfer agent fees” on the Statements of Operations, were as follows:

 

Fund

   Sub-Transfer Agent Fees  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   $ 42,909  

Stephens Small Cap Growth

     81,958  

As of June 30, 2019, 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
 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   $ 11,073  

Stephens Small Cap Growth

     14,044  

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 June 30, 2019, 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
Investments in USG
Select Fund
     Total  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   $ 3,156      $ 771      $ 3,927  

Stephens Small Cap Growth

     4,818        4,009        8,827  

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 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 June 30, 2019, the Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund borrowed on average $6,619,657 for 2 days at an average interest rate of 3.29% with interest charges of $1,200. These amounts are recorded as “Other expenses” in the Statements of Operations. For the period ended June 30, 2019, the Stephens Mid-Cap Value Fund did not utilize the credit facility.

 

 

24


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 June 30, 2019, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:

 

          Expense Cap                   Expiration of
Reimbursed
Expenses
 

Fund

   Class    1/1/2019 -
6/30/2019
    Reimbursed
Expenses
     (Recouped)
Expenses
 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   Institutional      0.89   $ 82,520      $ -        2022  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   Y      0.99     4,972        -        2022  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   Investor      1.25     4,028        -        2022  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   A      1.29     1,154        -        2022  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   C      2.04     123        -        2022  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   R6      0.84     2,436        -        2022  

Stephens Small Cap Growth

   R6      1.05     67        -        2022  

Of these amounts, $10,572 and $30 were disclosed as a receivable from the Manager on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2019 for the Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and Stephens Small Cap Growth 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 2022. The Funds did not record a liability for potential reimbursements due to the current assessment that reimbursements are unlikely. The carryover of excess expenses potentially reimbursable to the Manager, but not recorded as a liability are as follows:

 

Fund

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

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

   $ -      $ 54,783      $ -        2019  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

     -        47,661        -        2020  

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

     -        103,756        -        2021  

Sales Commissions

The Funds’ Distributor, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (“RID” or “Distributor”), may receive a portion of Class A sales charges from broker dealers and it may be used to offset distribution related expenses. During the period ended June 30, 2019, CDSC fees of $2,492 and $43 were collected for the Class A Shares of Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund, respectively.

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 June 30, 2019, there were no CDSC fees collected for Class A Shares of the Funds.

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 Funds’ 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 June 30, 2019, CDSC fees of $220 and $100 were collected for the Class C Shares of Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund, respectively.

 

 

25


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Trustee Fees and Expenses

As compensation for their service to the Trusts, 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 of the Fund or class.

Investments are valued at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”), normally at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, each day that the Exchange is open for business. Equity securities, including exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) for which market quotations are available are valued at the last sale price or official closing price (closing bid price or last evaluated quote if no sale has occurred) on the primary market or exchange on which they trade.

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, including restricted securities and those financial instruments for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value, are stated at fair value, as determined in good faith by the 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 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, preferred securities, 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

 

 

26


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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 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.

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

 

 

27


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

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.

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, (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.

Investment Risk

An investment in the Funds is not a deposit with a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. When you sell your shares of the Funds, they could be worth less than what you paid for them. Therefore, you may lose money by investing in the Funds.

Market Risk

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 United States 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

 

 

28


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced the 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 United States 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, exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”). To the extent that the Funds invest in shares of other registered investment companies, the Funds will indirectly bear the fees and expenses, including for example, advisory and administrative fees, 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, the Funds’ investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. The Funds must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of the Funds’ investment may decline, adversely affecting the Funds’ performance. ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETF’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to its NAV; (2) an active trading market for an ETF’s shares may not develop or be maintained; or (3) trading of an ETF’s shares may be halted if the listing exchange’s officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market-wide “circuit breakers” (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally. An ETF that tracks an index may not precisely replicate the returns of its benchmark index. To the extent the Funds invest in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed-income securities and/or foreign securities, or that track an index, the Funds are subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject. ETFs have expenses associated with their operation, typically including advisory fees.

Sector Risk

Sector risk is the risk associated with a Fund holding a significant amount of investments in similar businesses, which would be similarly affected by particular economic or market events, which may, in certain

 

 

29


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

circumstances, cause the value of the equity and debt securities of companies in a particular sector of the market to change. To the extent a Fund has substantial holdings within a particular sector, the risks to a Fund associated with that sector increase.

To the extent a Fund invests substantially in the information technology sector, the value of the Fund’s shares may be particularly vulnerable to factors affecting that sector, such as a greater degree of market risk and sharp price fluctuations than other types of securities. The value of a Fund’s shares could experience significantly greater volatility than investment companies investing more broadly.

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 indemnifies 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. In any case in which the loaned securities are not returned to the Fund before an ex-dividend date, the payment in lieu of the dividend that the Fund receives from the securities’ borrower would not be treated as a dividend for federal income tax purposes and thus would not qualify for treatment as “qualified dividend income”.    

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, June 30, 2019.

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of June 30, 2019
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

                 

Common Stocks

  $ 1,315,416       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 1,315,416  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 1,315,416       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 1,315,416  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 1,315,416  
                 

 

 

 

 

 

30


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

    Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements
As of June 30, 2019
 
    Overnight and
Continuous
          <30 days           Between
30 & 90 days
          >90 days           Total  

Securities Lending Transactions

                 

Common Stocks

  $ 6,294,174       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 6,294,174  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Borrowings

  $ 6,294,174       $ -       $ -       $ -       $ 6,294,174  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Gross amount of recognized liabilities for securities lending transactions

 

  $ 6,294,174  
                 

 

 

 

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.

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 June 30, 2019 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)
 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

  $ 187,141,923       $ 54,413,481       $ (3,645,556     $ 50,767,925  

Stephens Small Cap Growth

    267,936,910         184,340,418         (14,850,191       169,490,227  

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.

During the year ended December 31, 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 June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

Fund

  Purchases (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
          Sales (non-U.S.
Government
Securities)
 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

  $ 91,359,362       $ 14,450,931  

Stephens Small Cap Growth

    34,448,416         53,107,419  

 

 

31


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

A summary of the Funds’ transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 are as follows:

 

Fund

  Type of
Transaction
        December 31,
2018
Shares/Fair
Value
          Purchases           Sales           June 30,
2019
Shares/Fair
Value
          Dividend
Income
 
Stephens Mid-Cap Growth   Direct     $ 1,239,434       $ 71,216,923       $ 62,023,458       $ 10,432,899       $ 73,328  
Stephens Mid-Cap Growth   Securities Lending       1,055,421         12,701,597         12,441,602         1,315,416         N/A  
Stephens Small Cap Growth   Direct       -         43,287,990         36,716,516         6,571,474         111,984  
Stephens Small Cap Growth   Securities Lending       11,354,466         38,101,074         43,161,366         6,294,174         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.

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 Statements 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.

 

 

32


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

As of June 30, 2019, 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
 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth

  $ 1,298,872       $ 1,315,416       $ -       $ 1,315,416  

Stephens Small Cap Growth

    6,335,120         6,294,174         -         6,294,174  

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”) 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.

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 June 30, 2019, the Funds did not utilize this facility.

 

 

33


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

10.  Capital Share Transactions

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

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     3,717,644       $ 92,302,260         2,358,949       $ 58,811,049  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         250,100         5,174,568  
Shares redeemed     (1,041,713       (26,816,350       (1,809,263       (42,838,051
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     2,675,931       $ 65,485,910         799,786       $ 21,147,566  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     553,686       $ 14,286,833         299,355       $ 7,427,070  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         36,061         741,056  
Shares redeemed     (27,578       (687,195       (101,782       (2,476,639
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     526,108       $ 13,599,638         233,634       $ 5,691,487  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     122,275       $ 2,552,213         438,488       $ 9,927,938  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         69,860         1,211,364  
Shares redeemed     (258,899       (5,521,734       (473,243       (10,248,837
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (136,624     $ (2,969,521       35,105       $ 890,465  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     16,089       $ 327,316         33,452       $ 726,471  
Reinvestment of dividends     5         79         64,851         1,119,326  
Shares redeemed     (435,774       (9,554,839       (130,372       (2,604,564
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     (419,680     $ (9,227,444       (32,069     $ (758,767
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    C Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     30,622       $ 606,911         63,297       $ 1,087,338  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         8,748         141,461  
Shares redeemed     (17,686       (354,729       (29,360       (587,064
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase in shares outstanding     12,936       $ 252,182         42,685       $ 641,735  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

34


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Period Ended
December 31, 2018A
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     546,212       $ 14,364,630         4,710       $ 100,000  
Shares redeemed     (40       (1,062       -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     546,172       $ 14,363,568         4,710       $ 100,000  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Institutional Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     2,461,026       $ 38,104,354         3,867,303       $ 82,471,413  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         4,704,001         63,362,893  
Shares redeemed     (2,286,884       (36,690,595       (13,532,203       (291,145,177
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     174,142       $ 1,413,759         (4,960,899     $ (145,310,871
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Y Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     1,016,975       $ 15,997,163         882,266       $ 18,176,645  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         1,361,228         18,172,394  
Shares redeemed     (548,415       (8,788,615       (3,157,113       (57,685,578
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     468,560       $ 7,208,548         (913,619     $ (21,336,539
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    Investor Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     273,986       $ 3,952,933         1,652,665       $ 34,553,602  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         1,355,706         16,485,380  
Shares redeemed     (1,054,267       (15,313,445       (1,734,700       (34,493,228
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (780,281     $ (11,360,512       1,273,671       $ 16,545,754  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    A Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     632       $ 8,957         140,666       $ 2,978,897  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         140,687         1,686,836  
Shares redeemed     (69,206       (1,000,150       (167,136       (3,468,914
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (68,574     $ (991,193       114,217       $ 1,196,819  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 
    C Class  
    Six Months Ended
June 30, 2019
          Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 
    (unaudited)          

 

 

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

         

Shares

         

Amount

 
Shares sold     2,514       $ 33,500         26,426       $ 477,422  
Reinvestment of dividends     -         -         31,847         350,949  
Shares redeemed     (27,723       (367,744       (21,527       (358,506
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (25,209     $ (334,244       36,746       $ 469,865  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 
 

 

 

35


American Beacon FundsSM

Notes to Financial Statements

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

    R6 Class                           
    Period Ended
June 30, 2019B
                          
    (unaudited)                           

Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

 

Shares

         

Amount

                          
Shares sold     5,914       $ 100,000           
 

 

 

     

 

 

          
Net (decrease) in shares outstanding     5,914       $ 100,000           
 

 

 

     

 

 

          

A Class launched on December 31, 2018 and commenced operations on January 2, 2019 (Note 1).

B Class launched on April 30, 2019 and commenced operations on May 1, 2019 (Note 1).

11.  Subsequent Events

On August 20, 2019, The Board approved: (i) an amendment to the existing investment advisory agreement among the Manager, Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC (“Stephens”) and the Trust, on behalf of the American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (the “Fund”), whereby the fee rate payable to Stephens by the Fund with respect to the first $200 million in assets under management will be 0.60% and thereafter the fee rate payable to Stephens by the Fund will be 0.55%, effective on or about September 1, 2019; (ii) the addition of contractual expense ratio caps for the Fund’s A Class, C Class, Y Class, Institutional Class and Investor Class shares amounting to 1.28%, 2.06%, 1.06%, 0.99, and 1.31%, respectively, effective on or about September 1, 2019; and (iii) the lowering of the contractual expense ratio cap for the Fund’s R6 Class shares to 0.95%, effective on or about September 1, 2019.

 

 

36


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 21.23       $ 22.45       $ 18.29       $ 18.11       $ 19.24       $ 19.76  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment (loss)

    (0.05 )A        (0.12 )A        (0.07       (0.26       (0.13       (0.04

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

    5.65         0.57         5.26         1.49         (0.11       0.72  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    5.60         0.45         5.19         1.23         (0.24       0.68  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89       (1.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89       (1.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.83       $ 21.23       $ 22.45       $ 18.29       $ 18.11       $ 19.24  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    26.38 %C        2.20       28.38       6.76       (1.23 )%        3.41
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 166,092,624       $ 74,603,963       $ 60,933,913       $ 50,451,447       $ 76,666,136       $ 87,620,400  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.02 %D        1.04       1.07       1.09       1.01       1.05

Expenses, net of reimbursementsE

    0.89 %D        0.94 %F        0.99       1.00       0.99       1.00

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.55 )%D        (0.60 )%        (0.36 )%        (0.60 )%        (0.54 )%        (0.53 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.42 )%D        (0.50 )%        (0.28 )%        (0.51 )%        (0.53 )%        (0.48 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C        38       24       22       19       37

 

A 

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

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, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

F 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on July 1, 2018.

 

See accompanying notes

 

37


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 21.09       $ 22.34       $ 18.22       $ 18.06       $ 19.22  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.06 )A        (0.15       0.12         (0.10       (0.15

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

    5.61         0.57         5.03         1.31         (0.12
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    5.55         0.42         5.15         1.21         (0.27
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to beneficial interests

    -         -         -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.64       $ 21.09       $ 22.34       $ 18.22       $ 18.06  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    26.32 %C        2.08       28.27       6.67       (1.39 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 26,967,990       $ 10,252,661       $ 5,639,207       $ 2,510,649       $ 2,479,918  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.05 %D        1.08       1.11       1.12       1.06

Expenses, net of reimbursementsE

    0.99 %D        1.03 %F        1.09       1.12       1.09

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.57 )%D        (0.64 )%        (0.42 )%        (0.63 )%        (0.60 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (0.52 )%D        (0.59 )%        (0.40 )%        (0.63 )%        (0.63 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C        38       24       22       19

 

A 

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

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, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

F 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on July 1, 2018.

 

See accompanying notes

 

38


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 17.80       $ 19.15       $ 15.77       $ 15.80       $ 16.97       $ 17.64  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment (loss)

    (0.42       (0.12       (0.21       (0.27       (0.32       (0.36

Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    5.07         0.44         4.62         1.29         0.04         0.89  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    4.65         0.32         4.41         1.02         (0.28       0.53  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89       (1.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89       (1.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.45       $ 17.80       $ 19.15       $ 15.77       $ 15.80       $ 16.97  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnA

    26.12 %B        1.91       27.97       6.42       (1.63 )%        2.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 15,010,412       $ 14,330,547       $ 14,749,984       $ 13,078,292       $ 14,814,940       $ 19,551,562  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.29 %C        1.28       1.29       1.38       1.32       1.27

Expenses, net of reimbursementsD

    1.25 %C        1.25 %E        1.29       1.38       1.35       1.38

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.84 )%C        (0.86 )%        (0.58 )%        (0.89 )%        (0.85 )%        (0.77 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (0.80 )%C        (0.83 )%        (0.58 )%        (0.89 )%        (0.89 )%        (0.88 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %B        38       24       22       19       37

 

A 

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.

B 

Not annualized.

C 

Annualized.

D 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

E 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on July 1, 2018.

 

See accompanying notes

 

39


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 17.71       $ 19.08       $ 15.72       $ 15.77       $ 16.94       $ 17.61  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment (loss)

    (2.00       (0.24       (0.28       (0.14       (0.20       (0.19

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

    6.63         0.54         4.67         1.14         (0.08       0.72  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    4.63         0.30         4.39         1.00         (0.28       0.53  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    (0.00 )E        -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89       (1.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89       (1.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 22.34       $ 17.71       $ 19.08       $ 15.72       $ 15.77       $ 16.94  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnA

    26.14 %B        1.81       27.93       6.30       (1.63 )%        2.97
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 6,133,161       $ 12,293,695       $ 13,854,727       $ 13,886,296       $ 13,907,563       $ 16,505,844  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.30 %C        1.33       1.39       1.42       1.36       1.45

Expenses, net of reimbursementsD

    1.30 %C        1.31 %F        1.39       1.41       1.39       1.45

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.86 )%C        (0.91 )%        (0.67 )%        (0.92 )%        (0.90 )%        (0.94 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (0.86 )%C        (0.89 )%        (0.67 )%        (0.92 )%        (0.93 )%        (0.94 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %B        38       24       22       19       37

 

A 

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.

B 

Not annualized.

C 

Annualized.

D 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

E 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

F 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on July 1, 2018.

 

See accompanying notes

 

40


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.59       $ 18.11       $ 15.08       $ 15.28       $ 16.57       $ 17.38  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment (loss)

    (0.05       (0.33 )A        (0.11       (0.60       (0.17       (0.27

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

    4.31         0.48         4.17         1.45         (0.23       0.66  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    4.26         0.15         4.06         0.85         (0.40       0.39  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89       (1.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (1.67       (1.03       (1.05       (0.89       (1.20
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 20.85       $ 16.59       $ 18.11       $ 15.08       $ 15.28       $ 16.57  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnB

    25.68 %C        1.07       26.93       5.52       (2.39 )%        2.21
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 3,303,563       $ 2,414,400       $ 1,862,472       $ 1,389,526       $ 2,123,334       $ 1,901,906  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    2.04 %D        2.07       2.11       2.19       2.11       2.22

Expenses, net of reimbursementsE

    2.04 %D        2.06 %F        2.11       2.18       2.14       2.20

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.58 )%D        (1.64 )%        (1.40 )%        (1.70 )%        (1.65 )%        (1.69 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (1.58 )%D        (1.63 )%        (1.39 )%        (1.69 )%        (1.68 )%        (1.68 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C        38       24       22       19       37

 

A 

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

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, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

F 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to the change in the contractual expense caps on July 1, 2018.

 

See accompanying notes

 

41


American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    December 31,
2018 to
June 30,
2019
          Period EndedA
December 31,
2018
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 21.23       $ 21.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

     

Net investment income

    (0.00 )B        -  

Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    5.61         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

    5.61         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 26.84       $ 21.23  
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total return

    26.42 %C        0.00
 

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 14,783,633       $ 100,000  

Ratios to average net assets:

     

Expenses, before reimbursements

    2.16 %D        0.00

Expenses, net of reimbursementsE

    0.84 %D        0.00

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.85 )%D        0.00

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.53 )%D        0.00

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C        38 %C 

 

A 

Class launched on December 31, 2018 and commenced operations on January 2, 2019 (Note 1).

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

Not annualized.

D 

Annualized.

E 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

 

See accompanying notes

 

42


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Institutional Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 13.83       $ 19.01       $ 16.45       $ 15.08       $ 16.57       $ 17.83  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.06       (0.33 )A        (0.23       0.00 B        (0.13       (0.07

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

    3.26         0.80         3.44         1.51         (0.65       (0.49
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    3.20         0.47         3.21         1.51         (0.78       (0.56
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71       (0.70

Tax return of capitalC

    -         -         (0.00 )C        -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71       (0.70
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 17.03       $ 13.83       $ 19.01       $ 16.45       $ 15.08       $ 16.57  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    23.14 %E        3.26       19.52       9.98       (4.69 )%        (3.14 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 306,904,396       $ 246,845,478       $ 433,520,624       $ 450,286,537       $ 300,919,215       $ 359,958,471  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.11 %F        1.09       1.08       1.09       1.08       1.08

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    1.11 %F        1.09       1.08       1.09       1.08       1.10

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.85 )%F        (0.76 )%        (0.79 )%        (0.78 )%        (0.67 )%        (0.59 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (0.85 )%F        (0.76 )%        (0.79 )%        (0.78 )%        (0.67 )%        (0.61 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %F        16       22       40       25       46

 

A 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment loss per share would have been $(0.36).

B 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

C 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

 

See accompanying notes

 

43


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Y Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 13.72       $ 18.91       $ 16.38       $ 15.02       $ 16.54  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                 

Net investment (loss)

    (0.07 )A        (0.49 )B        (0.28       (0.52       (0.14

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

    3.23         0.95         3.46         2.02         (0.67
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    3.16         0.46         3.18         1.50         (0.81
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                 

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71

Tax return of capitalC

    -         -         (0.00 )C        -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Redemption fees added to beneficial interests

    -         -         -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 16.88       $ 13.72       $ 18.91       $ 16.38       $ 15.02  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    23.03 %E        3.25       19.42       9.96       (4.88 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 65,761,073       $ 46,998,050       $ 82,072,563       $ 81,069,652       $ 142,980,166  

Ratios to average net assets:

                 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.18 %F        1.15       1.14       1.15       1.14

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    1.18 %F        1.15       1.14       1.15       1.14

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (0.92 )%F        (0.83 )%        (0.85 )%        (0.81 )%        (0.74 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.92 )%F        (0.83 )%        (0.85 )%        (0.81 )%        (0.74 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %E        16       22       40       25

 

A 

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

B 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment loss per share would have been $(0.52).

C 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

 

See accompanying notes

 

44


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    Investor Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.49       $ 17.77       $ 15.45       $ 14.20       $ 15.71       $ 16.98  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment (loss)

    (0.44       (0.21 )A B        (0.37       (0.41       (0.82       (0.16

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

    3.31         0.58         3.34         1.80         0.02         (0.41
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    2.87         0.37         2.97         1.39         (0.80       (0.57
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71       (0.70

Tax return of capitalC

    -         -         (0.00 )C        -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71       (0.70
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 15.36       $ 12.49       $ 17.77       $ 15.45       $ 14.20       $ 15.71  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    22.98 %E        2.93       19.23       9.76       (5.08 )%        (3.35 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 52,384,159       $ 52,359,859       $ 51,839,469       $ 50,544,287       $ 55,921,959       $ 147,227,308  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.43 %F        1.38       1.29       1.35       1.40       1.31

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    1.43 %F        1.38       1.31       1.35       1.39       1.37

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.17 )%F        (1.05 )%        (1.01 )%        (1.02 )%        (1.01 )%        (0.81 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (1.17 )%F        (1.05 )%        (1.03 )%        (1.02 )%        (1.00 )%        (0.88 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %E        16       22       40       25       46

 

A 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment loss per share would have been $(0.24).

B 

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

C 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

 

See accompanying notes

 

45


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    A Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 12.32       $ 17.59       $ 15.32       $ 14.10       $ 15.61       $ 16.91  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment (loss)

    (0.32       (0.22 )A B        (0.62       (0.31       (0.19       (0.18

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

    3.14         0.60         3.54         1.67         (0.61       (0.42
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    2.82         0.38         2.92         1.36         (0.80       (0.60
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         (0.00 )C        -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71       (0.70

Tax return of capitalD

    -         -        
(0.00
)C 
      -         -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71       (0.70
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 15.14       $ 12.32       $ 17.59       $ 15.32       $ 14.10       $ 15.61  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnE

    22.89 %F        3.03       19.06       9.61       (5.11 )%        (3.54 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 5,470,279       $ 5,293,719       $ 5,553,261       $ 7,029,682       $ 8,197,136       $ 9,701,510  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    1.40 %G        1.38       1.40       1.46       1.44       1.51

Expenses, net of reimbursementsH

    1.40 %G        1.38       1.40       1.46       1.48       1.52

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.14 )%G        (1.09 )%        (1.11 )%        (1.14 )%        (1.03 )%        (1.02 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (1.14 )%G        (1.09 )%        (1.11 )%        (1.14 )%        (1.08 )%        (1.03 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %F        16       22       40       25       46

 

A 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment loss per share would have been $(0.25).

B 

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

C 

Amount represents less than $0.01 per share.

D 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

E 

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.

F 

Not annualized.

G 

Annualized.

H 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

 

See accompanying notes

 

46


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    C Class  
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2019
          Year Ended December 31,  
          2018           2017           2016           2015           2014  
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)                                                              

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 11.31       $ 16.74       $ 14.71       $ 13.65       $ 15.26       $ 16.66  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

                     

Net investment (loss)

    (0.91       (0.35 )A B        (1.25       (1.08       (0.31       (0.24

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

    3.46         0.57         3.93         2.28         (0.59       (0.46
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total income (loss) from investment operations

    2.55         0.22         2.68         1.20         (0.90       (0.70
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Less distributions:

                     

Dividends from net investment income

    -         -         -         -         -         -  

Distributions from net realized gains

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71       (0.70

Tax return of capitalC

    -         -         -        
(0.00
)C 
      -         -  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total distributions

    -         (5.65       (0.65       (0.14       (0.71       (0.70
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 13.86       $ 11.31       $ 16.74       $ 14.71       $ 13.65       $ 15.26  
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total returnD

    22.55 %E        2.19       18.22       8.76       (5.89 )%        (4.20 )% 
 

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

     

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

                     

Net assets, end of period

  $ 968,620       $ 1,076,006       $ 977,321       $ 1,280,971       $ 2,348,424       $ 2,771,316  

Ratios to average net assets:

                     

Expenses, before reimbursements or recoupments

    2.18 %F        2.15       2.14       2.23       2.19       2.26

Expenses, net of reimbursementsG

    2.18 %F        2.15       2.14       2.23       2.26       2.27

Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.92 )%F        (1.84 )%        (1.86 )%        (1.91 )%        (1.79 )%        (1.76 )% 

Net investment (loss), net of reimbursements or recoupments

    (1.92 )%F        (1.84 )%        (1.86 )%        (1.91 )%        (1.85 )%        (1.77 )% 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %E        16       22       40       25       46

 

A 

Includes non-recurring dividends. Without these dividends, net investment loss per share would have been $(0.38).

B 

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

C 

Tax return of capital is based on outstanding shares at the time of distribution. Amounts are less than $0.01 per share.

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 

Not annualized.

F 

Annualized.

G 

Expense ratios may exceed stated expense caps in Note 2 due to security lending expenses, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

 

See accompanying notes

 

47


American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth FundSM

Financial Highlights

(For a share outstanding throughout the period)

 

 

    R6 Class  
    Six Months
EndedA
June 30,
2019
 
 

 

 

 
    (unaudited)  

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 16.91  
 

 

 

 

Income from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

    (0.02

Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized)

    0.15  
 

 

 

 

Total income from investment operations

    0.13  
 

 

 

 

Less distributions:

 

Dividends from net investment income

    -  
 

 

 

 

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 17.04  
 

 

 

 

Total returnB

    0.77 %C 
 

 

 

 

Ratios and supplemental data:

 

Net assets, end of period

  $ 100,745  

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Expenses, before reimbursements

    1.47 %D 

Expenses, net of reimbursementsE

    1.05 %D 

Net investment income (loss), before expense reimbursements

    (1.19 )%D 

Net investment income (loss), net of reimbursements

    (0.77 )%D 

Portfolio turnover rate

    9 %C 

 

A 

Class launched on May 1, 2019 and commenced operations on April 30, 2019 (Note 1).

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, which are not reimbursable under the agreement with the Manager.

 

See accompanying notes

 

48


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

At in-person meetings held on May 9, 2019 and June 4-5, 2019 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 5, 2019 meeting, approved the renewal of:

(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Funds (“Trust”), on behalf of the American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund (“MCG Fund”) and the American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund (“SCG Fund”) (each, a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”); and

(2) the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Manager, Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC (the “subadvisor”), and the Trust, on behalf of the Funds.

The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.” In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the subadvisor, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and the subadvisor.

In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Funds as well as information from the Manager and the subadvisor. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Board received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to each Fund.

The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Funds pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative expenses, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.

A firm may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations. For each Fund, the class of shares used for comparative performance purposes was the share class with the lowest expenses available for purchase by the general public, which was the Institutional Class. The Board also considered that the use of Institutional Class performance generally facilitates a meaningful comparison for expense and performance purposes.

Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to renew or approve each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal and approval of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements. The memorandum explained the regulatory requirements surrounding the Board’s process for evaluating investment advisors and the terms of investment advisory contracts. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the renewal and approval of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders.

 

 

49


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement

In determining whether to renew the Agreements, the Board considered each Fund’s investment management and subadvisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Funds; (3) the costs incurred by the Manager in rendering services to the Funds and its resulting profits or losses; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or the subadvisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the subadvisor from their relationships with the Funds.

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: each Fund’s long-term performance; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Funds; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Funds; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement subadvisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.

With respect to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered the level of staffing and the size of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the adequacy of the resources committed to the Funds by the subadvisor, and whether those resources were commensurate with the needs of the Funds and are sufficient to sustain appropriate levels of performance and compliance needs. In this regard, the Board considered the financial stability of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the subadvisor’s representations regarding its compliance program and code of ethics. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and the subadvisor were appropriate for each Fund.

Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of each Fund relative to its Broadridge performance universe, Morningstar Category, and benchmark index, as well as the Fund’s Morningstar rating. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding Broadridge’s independent methodology for selecting each Fund’s Broadridge performance universe. The Board also considered that the performance universes selected by Broadridge may not provide appropriate comparisons for a Fund. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at Board and Committee meetings throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by the subadvisor regarding the performance of each Fund relative to the performance of other comparable investment accounts managed by the subadvisor and the Fund’s benchmark index. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to each Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund.”

Costs of the Services Provided to the Funds and the Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Funds. In analyzing the cost of services and profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits or losses were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager earning a profit before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager for the SCG Fund, and earning a profit before the payment of distribution-related and sustaining a loss after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager for the MCG Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly

 

 

50


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Funds, the Manager represented that, among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Funds.

The Board also noted that the Manager proposed to continue the expense waivers and reimbursements for the SCG Fund’s R6 Class shares and for the MCG Fund that were in place during the last fiscal year. The Board further considered that, with respect to each Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager. In addition, the Board considered that the Manager receives fees for overseeing the securities lending program on behalf of the Funds. The Board also noted that certain share classes of the Funds maintain higher expense ratios in order to compensate third-party financial intermediaries.

In analyzing the fee rates charged by the subadvisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Funds, the Board considered representations made by the subadvisor that the Manager has negotiated the lowest fee rate that the subadvisor charges for any comparable client accounts. The Board did not request profitability data from the subadvisor because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the subadvisor with respect to the negotiation of subadvisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that the subadvisor may not account for its profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.

Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to each Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund.”

Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as each Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that the Manager has negotiated breakpoints in the subadvisory fee rate for the SCG Fund. The Board also considered the subadvisor’s representation that it believes that its fee reflects economies of scale for the benefit of the MCG Fund’s shareholders.

In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to each Fund. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and subadvisor fee rate schedules for each Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with each Fund.

Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Funds. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the subadvisor as a result of the advisory relationships with the Funds, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the subadvisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the subadvisor. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Funds’ cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Funds’ securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the Manager manages directly. In addition, the Board noted that the subadvisor benefits from soft dollar arrangements for proprietary and/or third-party research. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the subadvisor by virtue of their relationships with the Funds appear to be fair and reasonable.

 

 

51


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to Each Fund

The performance comparisons below were made in comparison to each Fund’s Broadridge performance universe and Morningstar Category. With respect to the Broadridge performance universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance and the 5th Quintile representing the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References below to each Fund’s Broadridge performance universe are to the universe of mutual funds with a comparable investment classification/objective included in the analysis provided by Broadridge. In reviewing the performance, the Board viewed longer-term performance over a full market cycle, typically five years or longer, as the most important consideration because relative performance over shorter periods may be significantly impacted by market or economic events and not necessarily reflective of manager skill.

The expense comparisons below were made in comparison to each Fund’s Broadridge expense universe and Broadridge expense group, with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References below to each Fund’s expense group and expense universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds included in the analysis by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense universe includes all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar operating structure as the share class of the Fund included in the Broadridge comparative information and provides a broader view of expenses across the Fund’s investment classification/objective. The Board also considered each Fund’s Morningstar fee level category. In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers where applicable and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. In addition, information regarding the subadvisor’s use of soft dollars was requested from the Manager and was considered by the Board.

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the American Beacon Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with the subadvisor for the MCG Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expense Analysis Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

   2nd Quintile

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

   4th Quintile

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking – Institutional Class

   Average Expense Ratio

Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2018)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

   2nd Quintile

Compared to Morningstar Category

   2nd Quintile

The Board also considered: (1) that the MCG Fund’s expenses are above the median of its Broadridge expense universe and below the median of its Broadridge expense group; (2) that the MCG Fund’s investment advisory fee rate and contractual expense limitation were reduced, effective July 1, 2018; (3) information provided by the subadvisor regarding fee rates charged for managing assets in the same or a similar strategy as the subadvisor manages the MCG Fund; and (4) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the MCG Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the MCG Fund.

 

 

52


Disclosure Regarding Renewal and Approval of Management and Investment Advisory Agreement

June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)

 

 

Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund

In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with the subadvisor for the SCG Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:

Broadridge Total Expense Analysis Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking

 

Compared to Broadridge Expense Group

   5th Quintile

Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe

   5th Quintile

Morningstar Fee Level Ranking – Institutional Class

   Above Average Expense Ratio

Broadridge Fund Performance Analysis (five-year period ended December 31, 2018)

 

Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe

   4th Quintile

Compared to Morningstar Category

   4th Quintile

The Board also considered: (1) that the subadvisor’s investment process focuses on higher-quality, lower-valuation companies, which may cause the SCG Fund to underperform its benchmark index, Broadridge performance universe and Morningstar category in markets that favor lower-quality, higher-valuation issuers; (2) the subadvisor’s improved recent short-term performance; (3) the subadvisor’s longer-term performance, consistent process and consistent team; (4) information provided by the subadvisor regarding fee rates charged for managing assets in the same or a similar strategy as the subadvisor manages the SCG Fund; (5) that the SCG Fund employs a limited-capacity strategy as the subadvisor invests primarily in small-capitalization equities; and (6) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor.

Based on these and other considerations the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the SCG Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the SCG Fund.

 

 

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LOGO

 

 

 

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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:

 

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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-PORT as of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT 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

Ernst & Young LLP

Dallas, Texas

   

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 Stephens Mid-Cap Growth Fund and American Beacon Stephens Small Cap Growth Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.

SAR 6/19


ITEM 2.

CODE OF ETHICS.

The Trust adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive and financial officers (the “Code”). The Trust amended its code August 19, 2019 to disclose the addition of the American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Sound Point Alternative Lending Fund and to disclose a change to limit the value of gifts received by the principal officer or financial officer to $100. The Trust did not grant any waivers to the provisions of the Code during the period covered by the shareholder reports presented in Item 1. The Code is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.

 

ITEM 3.

AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

The Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined that Ms. Brenda A. Cline and Gilbert G. Alvarado, members of the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee, are “audit committee financial experts” as defined in Form N-CSR. Ms. Brenda Cline and Mr. Gilbert Alvarado are “independent” as defined in Form N-CSR.

 

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: September 5, 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: September 5, 2019

 

By /s/ Melinda G. Heika

Melinda G. Heika
Treasurer
American Beacon Funds

Date: September 5, 2019