N-CSRS 1 sr63015vs2.htm DEUTSCHE VARIABLE SERIES II sr63015vs2.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM N-CSRS

Investment Company Act file number:  811-05002

 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

345 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10154-0004
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 250-3220

Paul Schubert
60 Wall Street
New York, NY 10005
 (Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Date of fiscal year end:
12/31
   
Date of reporting period:
6/30/2015

ITEM 1.
REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
   
 

June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Alternative Asset Allocation VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
4 Portfolio Management Team
5 Investment Portfolio
6 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
7 Statement of Operations
7 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
9 Financial Highlights
11 Notes to Financial Statements
15 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
16 Proxy Voting
17 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Although allocation among different asset categories generally limits risk, portfolio management may favor an asset category that underperforms other assets or markets as a whole. The Fund expects to invest in underlying funds that emphasize alternatives or non-traditional asset categories or investment strategies, and as a result, it is subject to the risk factors of those underlying funds. Some of those risks include: stock market risk; the political, general economic, liquidity and currency risks of foreign investments, which may be particularly significant for emerging markets; credit and interest rate risk; floating rate loan risk; volatility in commodity prices, infrastructure and high-yield debt securities; market direction risk (market advances when short, market declines when long); and short sales risk. Because Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) trade on a securities exchange, their shares may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. ETFs also incur fees and expenses so they may not fully match the performance of the indexes they are designed to track. The Fund may use derivatives, including as part of its currency and interest-rate strategies. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The success of the Fund’s currency and interest-rate strategies are dependent, in part, on the effectiveness and implementation of portfolio management’s proprietary models. As part of these strategies, the Fund’s exposure to foreign currencies could cause lower returns or even losses because foreign currency rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time for a number of reasons. The risk of loss is heightened during periods of rapid rises in interest rates. In addition, the notional amount of the Fund’s aggregate currency and interest-rate exposure resulting from these strategies may significantly exceed the net assets of the Fund. See the prospectus for additional risks and specific details regarding the Fund's risk profile.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns. While all share classes have the same underlying portfolio, their performance will differ.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 are 1.73% and 2.03% for Class A and Class B shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report. These expense ratios include net expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Alternative Asset Allocation VIP from 2/2/09 to 6/30/15
The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets. The index consists of 23 developed market country indices. The index is calculated using closing local market prices and translates into U.S. dollars using the London close foreign exchange rates.
The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index representing domestic taxable investment-grade bonds, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities with an average maturity of one year or more.
The Blended Index is calculated using the performance of two unmanaged indices, representative of stocks (the MSCI World Index (70%)) and bonds (the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (30%)). These results are summed to produce the aggregate benchmark.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
Yearly periods ended June 30
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Alternative Asset Allocation VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
Life of Fund*
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,854     $ 9,625     $ 10,865     $ 12,384     $ 15,584  
Average annual total return
    –1.46 %     –3.75 %     2.80 %     4.37 %     7.16 %
MSCI World Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,263     $ 10,143     $ 14,920     $ 18,502     $ 23,767  
Average annual total return
    2.63 %     1.43 %     14.27 %     13.10 %     14.44 %
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,990     $ 10,186     $ 10,558     $ 11,790     $ 13,272  
Average annual total return
    –0.10 %     1.86 %     1.83 %     3.35 %     4.51 %
Blended Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,188     $ 10,165     $ 13,496     $ 16,357     $ 20,353  
Average annual total return
    1.88 %     1.65 %     10.51 %     10.34 %     11.71 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
* The Fund commenced offering Class A shares on February 2, 2009. The performance shown for each index is for the time period of January 31, 2009 through June 30, 2015, which is based on the performance period of the life of the Fund.
 
Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Alternative Asset Allocation VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
Life of Class**
 
Class B
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,843     $ 9,601     $ 10,782     $ 12,226     $ 14,413  
Average annual total return
    –1.57 %     –3.99 %     2.54 %     4.10 %     5.79 %
MSCI World Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,263     $ 10,143     $ 14,920     $ 18,502     $ 20,298  
Average annual total return
    2.63 %     1.43 %     14.27 %     13.10 %     12.34 %
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,990     $ 10,186     $ 10,558     $ 11,790     $ 12,983  
Average annual total return
    –0.10 %     1.86 %     1.83 %     3.35 %     4.38 %
Blended Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,188     $ 10,165     $ 13,496     $ 16,357     $ 18,043  
Average annual total return
    1.88 %     1.65 %     10.51 %     10.34 %     10.19 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
** The Fund commenced offering Class B shares on May 18, 2009. The performance shown for each index is for the time period of May 31, 2009 through June 30, 2015, which is based on the performance period of the life of Class B.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation* (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Cash Equivalents)
6/30/15
12/31/14
 
Commodity
13%
10%
Deutsche Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund
13%
10%
Real Return
37%
35%
Deutsche Global Infrastructure Fund
17%
19%
Deutsche Global Inflation Fund
9%
7%
Deutsche Real Estate Securities Fund
6%
5%
Deutsche Global Real Estate Securities Fund
5%
3%
Deutsche Real Estate Securities Income Fund
0%
1%
Hedge Strategy
12%
11%
Deutsche Diversified Market Neutral Fund
11%
10%
Deutsche Strategic Equity Long/Short Fund
1%
1%
Currency
16%
15%
Deutsche Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund
16%
15%
Opportunistic
22%
29%
Deutsche Floating Rate Fund
12%
13%
SPDR Barclays Convertible Securities ETF
10%
13%
SPDR Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond Fund ETF
3%
 
100%
100%
 
* Investment strategies will fall into the following categories: Commodities, Real-Return, Hedge Strategy, Currency and Opportunistic. Commodities investments seek to provide exposure to hard assets. Real-Return investments seek to provide a measure of inflation protection. Hedge Strategy investments seek to generate returns independent of the broader markets. Currency investments seek to offer exposure to foreign investments, many of which are not denominated in U.S. dollars. Opportunistic investments seek to offer exposure to categories generally not included in investors' allocations.
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 5.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Management Team
 
Pankaj Bhatnagar, PhD
 
Darwei Kung
 
Portfolio Managers
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Mutual Funds 88.5%
 
Deutsche Diversified Market Neutral Fund "Institutional"* (a)
    1,428,349       12,169,533  
Deutsche Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund "Institutional" (a)
    1,070,099       14,585,443  
Deutsche Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
    1,840,127       17,591,613  
Deutsche Floating Rate Fund "Institutional" (a)
    1,518,785       13,881,699  
Deutsche Global Inflation Fund "Institutional" (a)
    998,112       9,821,425  
Deutsche Global Infrastructure Fund "Institutional" (a)
    1,350,265       18,782,184  
Deutsche Global Real Estate Securities Fund "Institutional" (a)
    652,220       5,635,179  
Deutsche Real Estate Securities Fund "Institutional" (a)
    332,052       6,959,815  
Deutsche Real Estate Securities Income Fund "Institutional" (a)
    57,281       539,010  
Deutsche Strategic Equity Long/Short Fund "Institutional" (a)
    146,205       1,424,037  
Total Mutual Funds (Cost $103,759,223)
      101,389,938  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Exchange-Traded Fund 9.4%
 
SPDR Barclays Convertible Securities (Cost $9,769,384)
    226,694       10,783,834  
   
Cash Equivalents 2.2%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (a) (b) (Cost $2,495,906)
    2,495,906       2,495,906  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $116,024,513)
    100.1       114,669,678  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (0.1 )     (72,543 )
Net Assets
    100.0       114,597,135  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $117,792,382. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized depreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $3,122,704. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $4,343,076 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $7,465,780.
 
(a) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc.
 
(b) The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
SPDR: Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipt
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Mutual Funds
  $ 101,389,938     $     $     $ 101,389,938  
Exchange-Traded Fund
    10,783,834                   10,783,834  
Short-Term Investment
    2,495,906                   2,495,906  
Total
  $ 114,669,678     $     $     $ 114,669,678  
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $106,255,129)
  $ 103,885,844  
Investments in non-affiliated Underlying Funds, at value (cost $9,769,384)
    10,783,834  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $116,024,513)
    114,669,678  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    50,699  
Interest receivable
    265  
Other assets
    1,577  
Total assets
    114,722,219  
Liabilities
 
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    29,116  
Accrued management fee
    14,865  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    376  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    80,727  
Total liabilities
    125,084  
Net assets, at value
  $ 114,597,135  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    860,155  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    (1,354,835 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    (1,866,087 )
Paid-in capital
    116,957,902  
Net assets, at value
  $ 114,597,135  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($20,407,892 ÷ 1,540,116 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 13.25  
Class B
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($94,189,243 ÷ 7,104,776 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 13.26  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Income distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds
  $ 1,031,311  
Dividends
    184,744  
Total income
    1,216,055  
Expenses:
Management fee
    189,044  
Administration fee
    57,057  
Services to shareholders
    1,262  
Record keeping fees (Class B)
    24,946  
Distribution service fee (Class B)
    117,403  
Custodian fee
    5,049  
Professional fees
    32,040  
Reports to shareholders
    19,140  
Registration fees
    40  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    3,404  
Other
    1,037  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    450,422  
Expense reductions
    (131,296 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    319,126  
Net investment income (loss)
    896,929  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Sale of affiliated Underlying Funds
    (113,576 )
Sale of non-affiliated Underlying Funds
    (184,053 )
Capital gain distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds
    262,745  
      (34,884 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    (2,696,785 )
Net gain (loss)
    (2,731,669 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ (1,834,740 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 896,929     $ 2,410,031  
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 896,929     $ 2,410,031  
Net realized gain (loss)
    (34,884 )     367,010  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (2,696,785 )     335,372  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    (1,834,740 )     3,112,413  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
    (610,326 )     (310,914 )
Class B
    (2,547,011 )     (1,375,733 )
Net realized gains:
Class A
    (44,846 )     (99,727 )
Class B
    (205,010 )     (510,421 )
Total distributions
    (3,407,193 )     (2,296,795 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    2,127,360       5,912,399  
Reinvestment of distributions
    655,172       410,641  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (1,074,916 )     (1,499,503 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    1,707,616       4,823,537  
Class B
Proceeds from shares sold
    7,489,983       15,772,435  
Reinvestment of distributions
    2,752,021       1,886,154  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (5,328,418 )     (8,841,659 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class B share transactions
    4,913,586       8,816,930  
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    1,379,269       14,456,085  
Net assets at beginning of period
    113,217,866       98,761,781  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $860,155 and $3,120,563, respectively)
  $ 114,597,135     $ 113,217,866  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    1,416,911       1,072,115  
Shares sold
    154,303       422,091  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    47,892       29,692  
Shares redeemed
    (78,990 )     (106,987 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    123,205       344,796  
Shares outstanding at end of period
    1,540,116       1,416,911  
Class B
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    6,744,084       6,114,865  
Shares sold
    545,691       1,125,357  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    201,024       136,283  
Shares redeemed
    (386,023 )     (632,421 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class B shares
    360,692       629,219  
Shares outstanding at end of period
    7,104,776       6,744,084  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 13.88     $ 13.75     $ 13.90     $ 13.24     $ 13.85     $ 12.63  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .12       .36       .26       .33       .64       .46  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (.31 )     .13       (.13 )     .93       (1.02 )     1.09  
Total from investment operations
    (.19 )     .49       .13       1.26       (.38 )     1.55  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.41 )     (.27 )     (.28 )     (.49 )     (.19 )     (.18 )
Net realized gains
    (.03 )     (.09 )           (.11 )     (.04 )     (.15 )
Total distributions
    (.44 )     (.36 )     (.28 )     (.60 )     (.23 )     (.33 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 13.25     $ 13.88     $ 13.75     $ 13.90     $ 13.24     $ 13.85  
Total Return (%)b,c
    (1.46 )**     3.50       .93       9.72       (2.87 )     12.46  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    20       20       15       10       7       5  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)d
    .54 *     .56       .64       .63       .61       .94  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)d
    .34 *     .32       .27       .30       .30       .21  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    1.81 *     2.54       1.86       2.46       4.72       3.51  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    14 **     28       40       22       39       6  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
c Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Deutsche Funds' expenses.
d The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 

         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class B
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 13.87     $ 13.74     $ 13.88     $ 13.23     $ 13.84     $ 12.61  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .10       .31       .22       .30       .61       .42  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (.30 )     .14       (.11 )     .91       (1.03 )     1.09  
Total from investment operations
    (.20 )     .45       .11       1.21       (.42 )     1.51  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.38 )     (.23 )     (.25 )     (.45 )     (.15 )     (.13 )
Net realized gains
    (.03 )     (.09 )           (.11 )     (.04 )     (.15 )
Total distributions
    (.41 )     (.32 )     (.25 )     (.56 )     (.19 )     (.28 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 13.26     $ 13.87     $ 13.74     $ 13.88     $ 13.23     $ 13.84  
Total Return (%)b,c
    (1.57 )**     3.24       .75       9.36       (3.12 )     12.15  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    94       94       84       62       41       23  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)d
    .84 *     .86       .93       .88       .86       1.19  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)d
    .61 *     .57       .52       .55       .55       .46  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    1.52 *     2.22       1.57       2.25       4.47       3.26  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    14 **     28       40       22       39       6  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
c Total return would have been lower if the Advisor had not reduced some Underlying Deutsche Funds' expenses.
d The Fund invests in other Funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. This ratio does not include these indirect fees and expenses.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Alternative Asset Allocation VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The Fund mainly invests in other affiliated Deutsche funds (i.e., mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and other pooled investment vehicles managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. or one of its affiliates, together the "Underlying Deutsche Funds"), non-affiliated exchange-traded funds ("Non-affiliated ETFs") and derivative investments. Non-affiliated ETFs and Underlying Deutsche Funds are collectively referred to as "Underlying Funds." During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund primarily invested in underlying Deutsche Funds and non-affiliated ETFs. Each Underlying Deutsche Fund's accounting policies and investment holdings are outlined in the Underlying Deutsche Funds' financial statements and are available upon request.
 
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Class B shares). Sales of Class B shares are subject to recordkeeping fees up to 0.15% and Rule 12b-1 fees under the 1940 Act equal to an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares of the Fund. Class A shares are not subject to such fees.
 
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class (including the applicable Rule 12b-1 fee). Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the net asset value per share of each class of the Underlying Deutsche Funds and are categorized as Level 1.
 
ETFs are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. ETFs for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. ETF securities are generally categorized as Level 1.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to certain securities sold at a loss and capital gain distributions from Underlying Funds. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend Income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions of income and capital gains from the Underlying Funds are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis.
 
B. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of affiliated Underlying Funds (excluding money market funds) aggregated $17,376,764 and $4,807,000, respectively. Purchases and sales of Non-affiliated ETFs aggregated $3,834,688 and $10,416,087, respectively.
 
C. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments in Underlying Funds to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund or delegates such responsibility to the Fund's subadvisors.
 
RREEF America L.L.C. ("RREEF"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, acts as an investment subadvisor to the Fund. As an investment subadvisor to the Fund, RREEF provides investment management services to the portions of the Fund's portfolio allocated to direct investments in global real estate and global infrastructure securities. RREEF is paid by the Advisor for the services RREEF provides to the Fund. As of the date of this report, the Fund obtained its exposure to global real estate and global infrastructure securities indirectly through investments in other Underlying Deutsche Funds.
 
The Fund does not invest in the Underlying Deutsche Funds for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, investments within the set limits may represent 5% or more of an Underlying Deutsche Fund's outstanding shares. At June 30, 2015, the Fund held 5% or greater of the following Underlying Deutsche Fund's outstanding shares: approximately 10% of Deutsche Diversified Market Neutral Fund, 9% of Deutsche Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund and 6% of Deutsche Global Inflation Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
On assets invested in other Deutsche Funds
.20%
On assets invested in all other assets not considered Deutsche Funds
1.20%
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.33% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
In addition, the Advisor will receive management fees from managing the Underlying Deutsche Funds in which the Fund invests.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through April 30, 2015, the Advisor had contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and Underlying Funds) of each class as follows:
Class A
.32%
Class B
.57%
 
Effective May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage, interest expense and Underlying Funds) of each class as follows:
Class A
.42%
Class B
.71%
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Advisor agreed to waive 0.15% of the monthly management fee based on average daily net assets for the Fund.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
Class A
  $ 20,478  
Class B
    110,818  
    $ 131,296  
 
The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which it is invested.
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $57,057, of which $9,487 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
Services to Shareholders
 
Total Aggregated
   
Unpaid at June 30, 2015
 
Class A
  $ 49     $ 24  
Class B
    75       31  
    $ 124     $ 55  
 
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Fund's Class B 12b-1 plans, DeAWM Distributors, Inc. ("DDI") received a fee ("Distribution Service Fee") of 0.25% of average daily net assets of Class B shares. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Distribution Service Fee aggregated $117,403, of which $19,445 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $8,002, all of which is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
D. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, one participating insurance company was the owner of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, owning 97%. Two participating insurance companies were the owner of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class B shares of the Fund, owning 62% and 30%, respectively.
 
E. Transactions with Affiliates
 
The Fund mainly invests in Underlying Deutsche Funds and Non-affiliated ETFs. The Underlying Deutsche Funds in which the Fund invests are considered to be affiliated investments. A summary of the Fund's transactions with affiliated Underlying Deutsche Funds during the six months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:
Affiliate
 
Value ($) at 12/31/2014
   
Purchases Cost ($)
   
Sales
Cost ($)
   
Realized Gain/
(Loss) ($)
   
Income Distributions ($)
   
Capital Gain Distributions ($)
   
Value ($) at 6/30/2015
 
Deutsche Diversified Market Neutral Fund
    11,773,693       465,000                               12,169,533  
Deutsche Enhanced Commodity Strategy Fund
    11,309,510       3,477,033       33,000       (9,553 )     16,036             14,585,443  
Deutsche Enhanced Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund
    16,310,878       2,368,220       611,000       (71,723 )     405,220             17,591,613  
Deutsche Floating Rate Fund
    14,486,144       713,620       1,433,000       (31,966 )     304,620             13,881,699  
Deutsche Global Inflation Fund
    7,965,785       2,219,540       264,000       (6,494 )     62,540             9,821,425  
Deutsche Global Infrastructure Fund
    20,612,292       1,144,430       1,644,000       2,596       127,854       30,576       18,782,184  
Deutsche Global Real Estate Securities Fund
    3,383,883       2,594,842       19,000       99       52,842             5,635,179  
Deutsche Real Estate Securities Fund
    4,870,451       3,632,441       758,000       3,628       51,261       224,180       6,959,815  
Deutsche Real Estate Securities Income Fund
    465,079       131,638       2,000       (161 )     9,649       7,989       539,010  
Deutsche Strategic Equity Long/Short Fund
    836,561       630,000       43,000       (2 )                 1,424,037  
Central Cash Management Fund
    3,316,670       13,788,026       14,608,790             1,289             2,495,906  
      95,330,946       31,164,790       19,415,790       (113,576 )     1,031,311       262,745       103,885,844  
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In addition to the ongoing expenses which the Fund bears directly, the Fund's shareholders indirectly bear the expense of the Underlying Funds in which the Fund invests. These expenses are not included in the Fund's annualized expense ratios used to calculate the expense estimate in the tables. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited the ongoing expenses the Fund bears directly; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The examples in the table are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 985.40     $ 984.30  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 1.67     $ 3.00  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,023.11     $ 1,021.77  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 1.71     $ 3.06  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratios**
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Alternative Asset Allocation VIP
 
.34%
 
.61%
 
 
** The Fund invests in other funds and indirectly bears its proportionate share of fees and expenses incurred by the Underlying Funds in which the Fund is invested. These ratios do not include these indirect fees and expenses.
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Alternative Asset Allocation VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") and sub-advisory agreement (the "Sub-Advisory Agreement" and together with the Agreement, the "Agreements") between DIMA and RREEF America L.L.C. ("RREEF"), an affiliate of DIMA, in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreements, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreements, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA has managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA and RREEF are part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s and RREEF’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreements, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreements. The Board noted that, under the Agreements, DIMA and RREEF provide portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board also requested and received information regarding DIMA’s oversight of Fund sub-advisors, including RREEF. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 4th quartile and 1st quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2013. The Board noted the disappointing investment performance of the Fund in recent periods and continued to discuss with senior management of DIMA the factors contributing to such underperformance and actions being taken to improve performance. The Board observed that the Fund had experienced improved relative performance during the first seven months of 2014. The Board recognized the efforts by DIMA in recent years to enhance its investment platform and improve long-term performance across the Deutsche fund complex.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, sub-advisory fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were higher than the median (4th quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). With respect to the sub-advisory fee paid to RREEF, the Board noted that the fee is paid by DIMA out of its fee and not directly by the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also reviewed data comparing each share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses. The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable funds and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA and RREEF.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA from advising the Deutsche Funds along with the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"). The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality. The Board did not receive profitability information with respect to the Fund, but did receive such information with respect to the funds in which the Fund invests.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. In this regard, the Board noted that while the Fund’s current investment management fee schedule does not include breakpoints, the Board intends to consider implementation of one or more breakpoints once the Fund reaches an efficient operating size. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreements is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreements.
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2AAA-3 (R-028379-4 8/15)
 
 

 

 
June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Global Equity VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
6 Portfolio Management Team
7 Investment Portfolio
10 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
11 Statement of Operations
12 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
13 Financial Highlights
14 Notes to Financial Statements
18 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
19 Proxy Voting
20 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Stocks may decline in value. Investing in foreign securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns.
 
The gross expense ratio of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 is 0.95% for Class A shares and may differ from the expense ratio disclosed in the Financial Highlights table in this report.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Global Equity VIP
The MSCI All Country World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed and emerging markets. The index consists of 45 country indices comprising 24 developed and 21 emerging market country indices.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Global Equity VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,425     $ 10,118     $ 14,347     $ 16,160     $ 16,155  
Average annual total return
    4.25 %     1.18 %     12.79 %     10.08 %     4.91 %
MSCI All Country World Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,266     $ 10,071     $ 14,434     $ 17,565     $ 18,608  
Average annual total return
    2.66 %     0.71 %     13.01 %     11.93 %     6.41 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Common Stocks
98%
96%
Cash Equivalents
2%
3%
Participatory Notes
1%
 
100%
100%
 

Sector Diversification (As a % of Common Stocks and Participatory Notes)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Health Care
23%
19%
Financials
14%
11%
Consumer Staples
14%
14%
Information Technology
13%
10%
Industrials
12%
19%
Consumer Discretionary
9%
8%
Materials
8%
11%
Energy
5%
7%
Telecommunication Services
2%
1%
 
100%
100%
 

Geographical Diversification(As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Cash Equivalents and Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
United States
43%
46%
Continental Europe
34%
32%
Canada
7%
7%
United Kingdom
6%
7%
Pacific Basin
5%
3%
Latin America
2%
3%
Other
3%
2%
 
100%
100%
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 7.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Management Team
 
Nils E. Ernst, PhD
 
Martin Berberich, CFA
 
Sebastian P. Werner, PhD
 
Portfolio Managers
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Common Stocks 96.9%
 
Belgium 1.1%
 
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (Cost $326,770)
    6,000       715,857  
Brazil 1.4%
 
Estacio Participacoes SA
    88,000       509,472  
Itau Unibanco Holding SA (ADR) (Preferred)
    40,000       438,000  
(Cost $1,243,468)
      947,472  
Canada 6.7%
 
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
    24,000       680,880  
Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc. "B"
    31,000       1,326,125  
Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. "A"
    44,000       1,537,358  
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
    5,000       800,720  
(Cost $3,366,665)
      4,345,083  
Denmark 1.2%
 
Jyske Bank AS (Registered)* (Cost $772,801)
    16,000       801,311  
France 2.9%
 
JC Decaux SA (a)
    27,000       1,126,758  
Pernod Ricard SA (a)
    6,500       750,221  
(Cost $1,838,781)
      1,876,979  
Germany 4.7%
 
BASF SE
    7,000       614,653  
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
    16,000       1,319,435  
Lanxess AG
    18,641       1,100,327  
(Cost $2,538,836)
      3,034,415  
Hong Kong 0.5%
 
AIA Group Ltd. (Cost $299,420)
    46,000       301,651  
Indonesia 1.1%
 
PT Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk (Cost $906,268)
    1,835,000       730,367  
Ireland 7.0%
 
Allergan PLC* (b)
    5,600       1,699,376  
Glanbia PLC
    62,000       1,218,597  
Kerry Group PLC "A"
    11,000       815,390  
Shire PLC
    10,000       798,942  
(Cost $3,326,508)
      4,532,305  
Israel 0.8%
 
Mobileye NV* (b) (Cost $410,247)
    10,000       531,700  
Luxembourg 1.4%
 
Eurofins Scientific (a) (Cost $712,011)
    3,000       912,774  
Malaysia 0.7%
 
IHH Healthcare Bhd. (Cost $390,629)
    300,000       449,969  
Mexico 1.0%
 
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (ADR) (Cost $634,131)
    7,000       623,630  
Netherlands 1.2%
 
Sensata Technologies Holding NV* (b) (Cost $706,618)
    15,000       791,100  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Norway 4.0%
 
DNO ASA* (a)
    291,000       382,588  
Gjensidige Forsikring ASA
    62,000       999,456  
Marine Harvest ASA
    105,000       1,207,634  
(Cost $2,797,542)
      2,589,678  
Philippines 2.7%
 
GT Capital Holdings, Inc.
    35,115       1,065,511  
Universal Robina Corp.
    160,000       689,187  
(Cost $1,623,254)
      1,754,698  
South Africa 2.5%
 
Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd.*
    25,000       741,902  
MTN Group Ltd.
    48,000       904,170  
(Cost $1,680,402)
      1,646,072  
Sweden 3.8%
 
Assa Abloy AB "B"
    37,500       706,134  
Atlas Copco AB "A"
    23,000       643,679  
Hennes & Mauritz AB "B"
    11,000       423,349  
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson "B"
    70,000       724,370  
(Cost $2,525,870)
      2,497,532  
Switzerland 4.9%
 
Galenica AG (Registered)
    1,400       1,459,526  
Lonza Group AG (Registered)*
    6,000       800,635  
Nestle SA (Registered)
    12,515       902,874  
(Cost $2,557,890)
      3,163,035  
United Kingdom 6.0%
 
Anglo American PLC
    46,000       663,942  
Aon PLC (b)
    7,000       697,760  
Aveva Group PLC
    16,000       454,502  
Compass Group PLC
    59,000       976,785  
Halma PLC
    40,000       478,756  
Smith & Nephew PLC
    14,000       235,937  
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC
    7,714       411,268  
(Cost $4,217,013)
      3,918,950  
United States 41.3%
 
Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*
    4,000       313,320  
Alliance Data Systems Corp.*
    4,800       1,401,312  
Amphenol Corp. "A"
    33,000       1,913,010  
Applied Materials, Inc.
    35,000       672,700  
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    14,000       931,560  
CBRE Group, Inc. "A"*
    18,000       666,000  
Cerner Corp.*
    12,000       828,720  
Danaher Corp. (a)
    13,000       1,112,670  
eBay, Inc.*
    14,000       843,360  
Ecolab, Inc.
    11,000       1,243,770  
Envision Healthcare Holdings, Inc.*
    13,000       513,240  
Evolent Health, Inc. "A"*
    14,280       278,460  
Express Scripts Holding Co.* (a)
    9,000       800,460  
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    6,500       540,800  
Harman International Industries, Inc.
    8,000       951,520  
HealthStream, Inc.*
    19,000       577,980  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (a)
    26,000       1,761,760  
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
    16,000       841,120  
LKQ Corp.*
    23,000       695,635  
MasterCard, Inc. "A"
    14,000       1,308,720  
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co.
    6,500       586,430  
Nielsen NV
    16,000       716,320  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Noble Energy, Inc.
    30,000       1,280,400  
Omnicare, Inc.
    5,000       471,250  
Pall Corp.
    11,000       1,368,950  
Praxair, Inc.
    7,500       896,625  
Press Ganey Holdings, Inc.*
    20,000       573,400  
Schlumberger Ltd.
    11,000       948,090  
United Technologies Corp.
    11,000       1,220,230  
Zoetis, Inc.
    12,000       578,640  
(Cost $23,213,327)
      26,836,452  
Total Common Stocks (Cost $56,088,451)
      63,001,030  
   
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Securities Lending Collateral 10.5%
 
Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 0.16% (c) (d) (Cost $6,799,243)
    6,799,243       6,799,243  
   
Cash Equivalents 2.4%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (c) (Cost $1,550,183)
    1,550,183       1,550,183  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $64,437,877)
    109.8       71,350,456  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (9.8 )     (6,362,195 )
Net Assets
    100.0       64,988,261  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $64,435,729. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $6,914,727. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $9,318,661 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $2,403,934.
 
(a) All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, "Other Assets and Liabilities, Net" may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at June 30, 2015 amounted to $6,566,704, which is 10.1% of net assets.
 
(b) Listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
(c) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
(d) Represents collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
 
ADR: American Depositary Receipt
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Common Stocks
 
Belgium
  $     $ 715,857     $     $ 715,857  
Brazil
    947,472                   947,472  
Canada
    4,345,083                   4,345,083  
Denmark
          801,311             801,311  
France
          1,876,979             1,876,979  
Germany
          3,034,415             3,034,415  
Hong Kong
          301,651             301,651  
Indonesia
          730,367             730,367  
Ireland
    1,699,376       2,832,929             4,532,305  
Israel
    531,700                   531,700  
Luxembourg
          912,774             912,774  
Malaysia
          449,969             449,969  
Mexico
    623,630                   623,630  
Netherlands
    791,100                   791,100  
Norway
          2,589,678             2,589,678  
Philippines
          1,754,698             1,754,698  
South Africa
          1,646,072             1,646,072  
Sweden
          2,497,532             2,497,532  
Switzerland
          3,163,035             3,163,035  
United Kingdom
    697,760       3,221,190             3,918,950  
United States
    26,836,452                   26,836,452  
Short-Term Investments (e)
    8,349,426                   8,349,426  
Total
  $ 44,821,999     $ 26,528,457     $     $ 71,350,456  
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
(e) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $56,088,451) — including $6,566,704 of securities loaned
  $ 63,001,030  
Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $6,799,243)*
    6,799,243  
Investment in Central Cash Management Fund (cost $1,550,183)
    1,550,183  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $64,437,877)
    71,350,456  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $381,709)
    380,281  
Receivable for investments sold
    90,111  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    270  
Dividends receivable
    46,875  
Interest receivable
    825  
Foreign taxes recoverable
    58,949  
Other assets
    659  
Total assets
    71,928,426  
Liabilities
 
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    6,799,243  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    49,954  
Accrued management fee
    22,802  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    305  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    67,861  
Total liabilities
    6,940,165  
Net assets, at value
  $ 64,988,261  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    319,818  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    6,912,579  
Foreign currency
    (2,895 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    (42,482,717 )
Paid-in capital
    100,241,476  
Net assets, at value
  $ 64,988,261  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($64,988,261 ÷ 6,806,785 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 9.55  
 
* Represents collateral on securities loaned.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $61,235)
  $ 627,954  
Interest
    761  
Income distributions — Central Cash Management Fund
    670  
Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates
    12,227  
Total income
    641,612  
Expenses:
Management fee
    216,067  
Administration fee
    33,241  
Services to shareholders
    418  
Custodian fee
    25,675  
Professional fees
    34,784  
Reports to shareholders
    11,559  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    2,443  
Other
    10,288  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    334,475  
Expense reductions
    (31,981 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    302,494  
Net investment income
    339,118  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
    1,648,774  
Foreign currency
    26,211  
      1,674,985  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    758,730  
Foreign currency
    2,856  
      761,586  
Net gain (loss)
    2,436,571  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 2,775,689  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 339,118     $ 421,556  
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 339,118     $ 421,556  
Net realized gain (loss)
    1,674,985       3,328,692  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    761,586       (2,963,485 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    2,775,689       786,763  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
    (365,100 )     (1,256,998 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    1,026,406       2,233,568  
Reinvestment of distributions
    365,100       1,256,998  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (6,731,345 )     (8,090,295 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    (5,339,839 )     (4,599,729 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (2,929,250 )     (5,069,964 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    67,917,511       72,987,475  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $319,818 and $345,800, respectively)
  $ 64,988,261     $ 67,917,511  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    7,372,593       7,869,570  
Shares sold
    107,207       240,333  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    37,523       138,132  
Shares redeemed
    (710,538 )     (875,442 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    (565,808 )     (496,977 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    6,806,785       7,372,593  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 9.21     $ 9.27     $ 7.96     $ 6.98     $ 8.08     $ 7.45  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .05       .06       .14       .18       .19       .14  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    .34       .04       1.37       1.01       (1.14 )     .66  
Total from investment operations
    .39       .10       1.51       1.19       (.95 )     .80  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.05 )     (.16 )     (.20 )     (.21 )     (.15 )     (.17 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 9.55     $ 9.21     $ 9.27     $ 7.96     $ 6.98     $ 8.08  
Total Return (%)
    4.25 b**     1.14       19.31 b     17.34       (12.07 )     10.93  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    65       68       73       67       65       83  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    1.01 *     .95       1.06       1.02       1.03       .99  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    .91 *     .95       .99       1.02       1.03       .99  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    1.02 *     .59       1.69       2.46       2.44       1.90  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    42 **     78       139       18       26       14  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reimbursed.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Global Equity VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Equity securities are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities are generally categorized as Level 1. For certain international equity securities, in order to adjust for events which may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the close of the New York Stock Exchange, a fair valuation model may be used. This fair valuation model takes into account comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), futures contracts and certain indices and these securities are categorized as Level 2.
 
Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices established each day on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had securities on loan. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.
 
Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.
 
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.
 
Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
Additionally, the Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by the governments of countries in which it invests and are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized gain/loss on investments. Tax liabilities realized as a result of security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain/loss on investments.
 
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, net capital losses incurred post-enactment may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
At December 31, 2014, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $44,062,000 of pre-enactment losses, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until December 31, 2016 ($4,898,000) and December 31, 2017 ($39,164,000), the respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first.
 
In addition, from November 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014, the Fund elected to defer qualified late year losses of approximately $98,000 of net short-term capital losses and treat them as arising in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to investments in foreign denominated investments, income received from passive foreign investment companies and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Certain dividends from foreign securities may be recorded subsequent to the ex-dividend date as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.
 
B. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment transactions (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $27,310,896 and $32,209,707, respectively.
 
C. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $1.5 billion
    .650 %
Next $1.75 billion
    .635 %
Next $1.75 billion
    .620 %
Over $5 billion
    .605 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.65% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) of Class A shares at 0.91%.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed were $31,981.
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $33,241, of which $5,475 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC aggregated $56, of which $28 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $5,098, of which $4,792 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
Securities Lending Fees. Deutsche Bank AG serves as lending agent for the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund incurred lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG in the amount of $1,063.
 
D. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, two participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 77% and 23%.
 
E. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,042.50  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 4.61  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,020.28  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 4.56  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratio
Class A
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Global Equity VIP
.91%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Global Equity VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Equity Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitation agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable funds and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2GE-3 (R-028380-4 8/15)
 
 

 

 
June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Global Growth VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
6 Portfolio Management Team
7 Investment Portfolio
11 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
12 Statement of Operations
13 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
14 Financial Highlights
16 Notes to Financial Statements
21 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
22 Proxy Voting
23 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Stocks may decline in value. Smaller company stocks tend to be more volatile than medium-sized or large company stocks. Investing in foreign securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns. While all share classes have the same underlying portfolio, their performance will differ.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 are 1.41% and 1.76% for Class A and Class B shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Global Growth VIP
The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index is an unmanaged index that tracks the performance of stocks in select developed markets around the world, including the U.S.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Global Growth VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,407     $ 9,956     $ 14,350     $ 16,087     $ 18,254  
Average annual total return
    4.07 %     –0.44 %     12.79 %     9.97 %     6.20 %
MSCI World Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,263     $ 10,143     $ 14,920     $ 18,502     $ 18,557  
Average annual total return
    2.63 %     1.43 %     14.27 %     13.10 %     6.38 %
Deutsche Global Growth VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class B
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,390     $ 9,914     $ 14,204     $ 15,808     $ 17,603  
Average annual total return
    3.90 %     –0.86 %     12.41 %     9.59 %     5.82 %
MSCI World Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,263     $ 10,143     $ 14,920     $ 18,502     $ 18,557  
Average annual total return
    2.63 %     1.43 %     14.27 %     13.10 %     6.38 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Common Stocks
96%
95%
Cash Equivalents
4%
4%
Preferred Stock
0%
Participatory Notes
1%
 
100%
100%
 

Sector Diversification(As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Cash Equivalents and Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Health Care
21%
18%
Industrials
15%
20%
Consumer Staples
13%
13%
Financials
13%
11%
Consumer Discretionary
12%
12%
Information Technology
12%
10%
Materials
8%
9%
Energy
4%
6%
Telecommunication Services
2%
1%
 
100%
100%
 

Geographical Diversification(As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Cash Equivalents and Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
United States
40%
47%
Europe
34%
29%
United Kingdom
8%
7%
Canada
7%
7%
Asia (excluding Japan)
6%
5%
Latin America
2%
2%
Japan
2%
2%
Africa
1%
1%
 
100%
100%
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 7.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Management Team
 
Joseph Axtell, CFA
 
Lead Portfolio Manager
 
Rafaelina M. Lee
 
Nils E. Ernst, PhD
 
Martin Berberich, CFA
 
Sebastian P. Werner, PhD
 
Portfolio Managers
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Common Stocks 95.4%
 
Australia 0.2%
 
G8 Education Ltd. (Cost $84,929)
    28,757       72,578  
Belgium 1.0%
 
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV (Cost $370,873)
    4,000       477,238  
Bermuda 0.3%
 
Lazard Ltd. "A" (Cost $47,986)
    2,059       115,798  
Brazil 0.7%
 
Estacio Participacoes SA (Cost $520,471)
    57,000       329,999  
Canada 6.2%
 
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd.
    12,000       340,440  
Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc. "B"
    18,300       782,841  
Brookfield Asset Management, Inc. "A"
    25,500       890,969  
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
    3,000       480,432  
Goldcorp, Inc.
    8,000       129,600  
Quebecor, Inc. "B"
    4,507       112,657  
SunOpta, Inc.*
    11,038       118,438  
(Cost $2,433,735)
      2,855,377  
China 0.2%
 
Minth Group Ltd. (Cost $85,577)
    48,870       109,367  
Denmark 1.7%
 
Jyske Bank AS (Registered)*
    10,600       530,869  
TDC AS
    36,000       263,522  
(Cost $799,205)
      794,391  
Finland 0.2%
 
Cramo Oyj (Cost $102,721)
    4,752       91,762  
France 2.4%
 
Flamel Technologies SA (ADR)*
    10,778       228,386  
Parrot SA*
    664       29,791  
Pernod Ricard SA (a)
    5,500       634,802  
Vivendi SA
    9,000       226,901  
(Cost $1,128,743)
      1,119,880  
Germany 5.0%
 
BASF SE
    4,700       412,695  
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
    10,500       865,879  
LANXESS AG
    11,000       649,300  
Patrizia Immobilien AG*
    4,441       108,586  
United Internet AG (Registered)
    4,055       180,104  
VIB Vermoegen AG
    4,543       81,112  
(Cost $1,953,170)
      2,297,676  
Hong Kong 1.1%
 
AIA Group Ltd.
    25,000       163,941  
K Wah International Holdings Ltd.
    179,323       95,434  
Playmates Toys Ltd.
    230,951       44,691  
REXLot Holdings Ltd.
    1,009,635       57,327  
Sun Hung Kai & Co., Ltd.
    56,380       50,981  
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.
    31,974       105,511  
(Cost $562,784)
      517,885  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Indonesia 1.0%
 
PT Arwana Citramulia Tbk
    1,118,618       44,451  
PT Bank Negara Indonesia Persero Tbk
    800,000       318,416  
PT Multipolar Tbk
    1,697,639       79,918  
(Cost $596,518)
      442,785  
Ireland 5.8%
 
Allergan PLC* (c)
    3,900       1,183,494  
Greencore Group PLC
    20,487       100,970  
Kerry Group PLC "A"
    7,500       555,948  
Paddy Power PLC
    1,102       94,440  
Ryanair Holdings PLC (ADR) (b)
    2,097       149,621  
Shire PLC
    7,500       599,206  
(Cost $2,024,151)
      2,683,679  
Italy 0.8%
 
Prysmian SpA
    4,340       93,529  
Unipol Gruppo Finanziario SpA (a)
    50,000       254,430  
(Cost $263,449)
      347,959  
Japan 1.8%
 
Ai Holdings Corp.
    5,340       94,673  
Avex Group Holdings, Inc.
    5,267       92,634  
Kusuri No Aoki Co., Ltd.
    4,158       184,771  
MISUMI Group, Inc.
    5,811       82,690  
Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    7,783       154,909  
United Arrows Ltd.
    2,070       64,982  
Universal Entertainment Corp.
    5,003       113,171  
UT Holdings Co., Ltd.*
    10,269       51,016  
(Cost $684,545)
      838,846  
Korea 0.1%
 
Suprema, Inc.* (Cost $28,356)
    1,395       28,764  
Luxembourg 1.4%
 
Eurofins Scientific (a) (Cost $494,226)
    2,100       638,942  
Malaysia 0.9%
 
Hartalega Holdings Bhd.
    34,597       78,124  
IHH Healthcare Bhd.
    150,000       224,984  
Nirvana Asia Ltd. 144A
    215,599       58,687  
Tune Ins Holdings Bhd.
    168,551       73,425  
(Cost $437,612)
      435,220  
Mexico 0.9%
 
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV (ADR) (Cost $439,160)
    4,700       418,723  
Netherlands 2.8%
 
Brunel International NV
    3,676       73,103  
Constellium NV "A"* (c)
    7,061       83,531  
ING Groep NV (CVA)
    36,000       590,691  
SBM Offshore NV*
    6,282       74,350  
Sensata Technologies Holding NV* (c)
    8,632       455,252  
(Cost $1,199,971)
      1,276,927  
Norway 1.8%
 
DNO ASA* (a)
    120,000       157,768  
Marine Harvest ASA
    60,000       690,077  
(Cost $937,473)
      847,845  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Panama 0.2%
 
Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio Exterior SA "E" (Cost $76,369)
    3,417       109,959  
Philippines 2.1%
 
Alliance Global Group, Inc.
    167,256       80,628  
GT Capital Holdings, Inc.
    16,600       503,701  
Universal Robina Corp.
    88,000       379,053  
(Cost $954,593)
      963,382  
Singapore 0.1%
 
Lian Beng Group Ltd. (Cost $65,155)
    156,264       63,218  
South Africa 1.1%
 
MTN Group Ltd. (Cost $527,752)
    27,500       518,014  
Spain 0.6%
 
Mediaset Espana Comunicacion SA
    18,000       235,757  
Talgo SA 144A*
    7,098       56,817  
(Cost $281,108)
      292,574  
Sweden 4.2%
 
Assa Abloy AB "B"
    19,500       367,190  
Atlas Copco AB "A"
    14,600       408,596  
BillerudKorsnas AB
    20,000       314,307  
Hennes & Mauritz AB "B"
    8,500       327,133  
Nobina AB 144A*
    18,007       68,206  
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson "B"
    43,000       444,970  
(Cost $1,962,274)
      1,930,402  
Switzerland 5.2%
 
Dufry AG (Registered)*
    645       89,961  
Galenica AG (Registered) (a)
    810       844,440  
Lonza Group AG (Registered)*
    3,200       427,006  
Nestle SA (Registered)
    11,000       793,576  
Novartis AG (Registered)
    2,700       265,949  
(Cost $2,267,945)
      2,420,932  
Thailand 0.1%
 
Malee Sampran PCL (Foreign Registered) (Cost $76,643)
    44,799       42,444  
United Kingdom 7.7%
 
Anglo American PLC
    25,000       360,838  
Arrow Global Group PLC
    25,631       106,521  
Aveva Group PLC
    9,000       255,657  
Babcock International Group PLC
    11,458       194,306  
Clinigen Healthcare Ltd.
    9,936       97,340  
Compass Group PLC
    30,000       496,671  
Crest Nicholson Holdings PLC
    13,017       114,692  
Domino's Pizza Group PLC
    6,860       83,710  
Halma PLC
    22,000       263,316  
Hargreaves Lansdown PLC
    5,179       93,888  
HellermannTyton Group PLC
    17,731       96,064  
Howden Joinery Group PLC
    15,644       126,914  
IMI PLC
    9,000       159,502  
Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group PLC
    4,314       70,906  
Polypipe Group PLC
    24,423       104,187  
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
    5,000       431,260  
Rotork PLC
    22,540       82,378  
Smith & Nephew PLC
    19,500       328,627  
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC
    2,103       112,122  
(Cost $3,665,717)
      3,578,899  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
United States 37.8%
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
    646       102,901  
Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.*
    538       117,607  
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    5,000       192,900  
Alliance Data Systems Corp.*
    2,800       817,432  
Altra Industrial Motion Corp. (a)
    1,428       38,813  
Amphenol Corp. "A"
    18,500       1,072,445  
AZZ, Inc.
    590       30,562  
BE Aerospace, Inc.
    1,296       71,150  
Berry Plastics Group, Inc.*
    2,097       67,943  
BorgWarner, Inc.
    1,526       86,738  
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    7,500       499,050  
Cardtronics, Inc.* (a)
    2,587       95,848  
Casey's General Stores, Inc. (a)
    1,299       124,366  
Cerner Corp.* (a)
    6,300       435,078  
Danaher Corp.
    8,000       684,720  
DigitalGlobe, Inc.*
    2,120       58,915  
eBay, Inc.*
    7,500       451,800  
Ecolab, Inc.
    6,000       678,420  
Encore Capital Group, Inc.* (a)
    1,457       62,272  
Envision Healthcare Holdings, Inc.*
    7,500       296,100  
Express Scripts Holding Co.*
    4,700       418,018  
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    4,500       374,400  
Fogo De Chao, Inc.* (a)
    2,139       49,539  
Fox Factory Holding Corp.*
    5,680       91,334  
Gentherm, Inc.* (a)
    2,392       131,345  
Hain Celestial Group, Inc.*
    1,629       107,286  
Harman International Industries, Inc.
    4,500       535,230  
HeartWare International, Inc.*
    608       44,196  
Jack in the Box, Inc.
    1,208       106,497  
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    14,000       948,640  
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
    4,071       82,601  
Las Vegas Sands Corp. (a)
    8,800       462,616  
MasterCard, Inc. "A"
    10,300       962,844  
Middleby Corp.*
    1,315       147,582  
Molina Healthcare, Inc.* (a)
    1,947       136,874  
Nielsen NV
    13,000       582,010  
Noble Energy, Inc.
    15,600       665,808  
NxStage Medical, Inc.*
    2,848       40,684  
Oaktree Capital Group LLC
    2,392       127,207  
Oil States International, Inc.*
    1,255       46,724  
Omnicare, Inc.
    7,000       659,750  
Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
    1,189       84,086  
Pall Corp.
    6,500       808,925  
PAREXEL International Corp.*
    1,050       67,526  
Polaris Industries, Inc. (a)
    831       123,079  
Praxair, Inc.
    5,000       597,750  
Primoris Services Corp. (a)
    4,351       86,150  
Providence Service Corp.*
    3,304       146,301  
Retrophin, Inc.*
    4,519       149,805  
Roadrunner Transportation Systems, Inc.*
    3,101       80,006  
Schlumberger Ltd.
    6,000       517,140  
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. "A"
    3,377       94,252  
Tenneco, Inc.*
    1,736       99,716  
Thoratec Corp.*
    2,982       132,908  
TiVo, Inc.* (a)
    6,631       67,238  
TriNet Group, Inc.*
    2,703       68,521  
Tristate Capital Holdings, Inc.*
    6,324       81,769  
United Rentals, Inc.*
    336       29,440  
United Technologies Corp.
    7,000       776,510  
Urban Outfitters, Inc.* (a)
    2,628       91,980  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
VeriFone Systems, Inc.*
    3,473       117,943  
WABCO Holdings, Inc.*
    1,138       140,793  
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. "A" (a)
    2,060       97,459  
Western Digital Corp.
    1,604       125,786  
WEX, Inc.*
    421       47,981  
Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.*
    3,900       114,933  
Zoe's Kitchen, Inc.*
    1,665       68,165  
(Cost $14,430,802)
      17,522,407  
Total Common Stocks (Cost $39,504,013)
      44,183,872  
   
Preferred Stock 0.0%
 
United States
 
Providence Service Corp.* (Cost $13,600)
    136       13,590  
   
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Securities Lending Collateral 9.4%
 
Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 0.16% (d) (e) (Cost $4,345,349)
    4,345,349       4,345,349  
   
Cash Equivalents 3.7%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (d) (Cost $1,735,007)
    1,735,007       1,735,007  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $45,597,969)
    108.5       50,277,818  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net (a)
    (8.5 )     (3,931,822 )
Net Assets
    100.0       46,345,996  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $45,765,775. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $4,512,043. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $6,863,037 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $2,350,994.
 
(a) All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, "Other Assets and Liabilities, Net" may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at June 30, 2015 amounted to $4,222,774, which is 9.1% of net assets.
 
(b) Listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc.
 
(c) Listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
 
(d) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
(e) Represents collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
 
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
 
ADR: American Depositary Receipt
 
CVA: Certificaten Van Aandelen (Certificate of Stock)
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Common Stocks
 
Australia
  $     $ 72,578     $     $ 72,578  
Belgium
          477,238             477,238  
Bermuda
    115,798                   115,798  
Brazil
    329,999                   329,999  
Canada
    2,855,377                   2,855,377  
China
          109,367             109,367  
China
          794,391             794,391  
Finland
          91,762             91,762  
France
    228,386       891,494             1,119,880  
Germany
          2,297,676             2,297,676  
Hong Kong
          460,558       57,327       517,885  
Indonesia
          442,785             442,785  
Ireland
    1,333,115       1,350,564             2,683,679  
Italy
          347,959             347,959  
Japan
          838,846             838,846  
Korea
          28,764             28,764  
Luxembourg
          638,942             638,942  
Malaysia
          435,220             435,220  
Mexico
    418,723                   418,723  
Netherlands
    538,783       738,144             1,276,927  
Norway
          847,845             847,845  
Panama
    109,959                   109,959  
Philippines
          963,382             963,382  
Singapore
          63,218             63,218  
South Africa
          518,014             518,014  
Spain
          292,574             292,574  
Sweden
          1,930,402             1,930,402  
Switzerland
          2,420,932             2,420,932  
Thailand
          42,444             42,444  
United Kingdom
          3,578,899             3,578,899  
United States
    17,522,407                   17,522,407  
Preferred Stock
                13,590       13,590  
Short-Term Investments (f)
    6,080,356                   6,080,356  
Total
  $ 29,532,903     $ 20,673,998     $ 70,917     $ 50,277,818  
 
During the period ended June 30, 2015, the amount of transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 was $94,941. The investment was
 
transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 because the security was halted on the exchange and is valued at the last traded price. A significant
 
change between the last traded price and the price of the security once it resumes trading on the securities exchange could have a material
 
change in the fair value measurement.
 
Transfers between price levels are recognized at the beginning of the reporting period.
 
(f) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $39,517,613) — including $4,222,774 of securities loaned
  $ 44,197,462  
Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $4,345,349)*
    4,345,349  
Investment in Central Cash Management Fund (cost $1,735,007)
    1,735,007  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $45,597,969)
    50,277,818  
Cash
    15,945  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $356,742)
    355,772  
Receivable for investments sold
    130,901  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    3,085  
Dividends receivable
    35,069  
Interest receivable
    1,253  
Foreign taxes recoverable
    34,711  
Other assets
    1,095  
Total assets
    50,855,649  
Liabilities
 
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    4,345,349  
Payable for investments purchased
    41,011  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    35,182  
Accrued management fees
    15,538  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    1,165  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    71,408  
Total liabilities
    4,509,653  
Net assets, at value
    46,345,996  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    141,103  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    4,679,849  
Foreign currency
    (2,640 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    (41,245,620 )
Paid-in capital
    82,773,304  
Net assets, at value
    46,345,996  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($46,240,685 ÷ 4,060,281 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 11.39  
Class B
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($105,311 ÷ 9,219 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 11.42  
 
* Represents collateral on securities loaned.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $37,565)
  $ 460,331  
Interest
    12  
Income distributions — Central Cash Management Fund
    516  
Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates
    5,188  
Total income
    466,047  
Expenses:
Management fee
    214,980  
Administration fee
    23,495  
Services to shareholders
    521  
Record keeping fees (Class B)
    6  
Distribution service fee (Class B)
    142  
Custodian fee
    25,441  
Professional fees
    37,798  
Reports to shareholders
    13,803  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    2,083  
Other
    14,290  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    332,559  
Expense reductions
    (120,928 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    211,631  
Net investment income (loss)
    254,416  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
    584,549  
Futures
    (44,599 )
Foreign currency
    8,094  
      548,044  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    1,025,069  
Futures
    17,264  
Foreign currency
    4,898  
      1,047,231  
Net gain (loss)
    1,595,275  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 1,849,691  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Years Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)
  $ 254,416     $ 355,555  
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)
  $ 254,416     $ 355,555  
Net realized gain (loss)
    548,044       2,372,458  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    1,047,231       (2,579,995 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    1,849,691       148,018  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
    (371,824 )     (509,707 )
Class B
    (513 )     (15,999 )
Total distributions
    (372,337 )     (525,706 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    846,963       2,921,038  
Reinvestment of distributions
    371,824       509,707  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (3,531,544 )     (7,205,720 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    (2,312,757 )     (3,774,975 )
Class B
Proceeds from shares sold
    3,701       24,993  
Reinvestment of distributions
    513       15,999  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (13,612 )     (2,651,803 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class B share transactions
    (9,398 )     (2,610,811 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (844,801 )     (6,763,474 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    47,190,797       53,954,271  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $141,103 and $259,024, respectively)
  $ 46,345,996     $ 47,190,797  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    4,265,093       4,601,327  
Shares sold
    73,507       261,234  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    31,944       46,464  
Shares redeemed
    (310,263 )     (643,932 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    (204,812 )     (336,234 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    4,060,281       4,265,093  
Class B
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    10,038       246,555  
Shares sold
    324       2,774  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    44       1,453  
Shares redeemed
    (1,187 )     (240,744 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class B shares
    (819 )     (236,517 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    9,219       10,038  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 11.04     $ 11.13     $ 9.24     $ 7.90     $ 9.28     $ 8.24  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .06       .08       .10       .12       .11       .06  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    .38       (.06 )     1.92       1.34       (1.43 )     1.06  
Total from investment operations
    .44       .02       2.02       1.46       (1.32 )     1.12  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.09 )     (.11 )     (.13 )     (.12 )     (.06 )     (.08 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 11.39     $ 11.04     $ 11.13     $ 9.24     $ 7.90     $ 9.28  
Total Return (%)b
    4.07 **     .21       22.08       18.60       (14.39 )     13.65  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    46       47       51       54       49       68  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    1.41 *     1.41       1.45       1.42       1.37       1.41  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    .90 *     .82       .88       .99       1.03       1.05  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    1.08 *     .71       1.00       1.40       1.24       .77  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    31 **     63       171       107       127       165  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 

         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class B
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 11.05     $ 11.14     $ 9.25     $ 7.91     $ 9.29     $ 8.25  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .04       .02       .07       .09       .08       .04  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    .38       (.04 )     1.92       1.34       (1.44 )     1.05  
Total from investment operations
    .42       (.02 )     1.99       1.43       (1.36 )     1.09  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.05 )     (.07 )     (.10 )     (.09 )     (.02 )     (.05 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 11.42     $ 11.05     $ 11.14     $ 9.25     $ 7.91     $ 9.29  
Total Return (%)b
    3.90 **     (.15 )     21.62       18.16       (14.67 )     13.24  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    .1       .1       3       3       3       5  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    1.72 *     1.76       1.81       1.76       1.72       1.76  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    1.21 *     1.15       1.23       1.34       1.38       1.40  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    .78 *     .14       .66       1.04       .88       .42  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    31 **     63       171       107       127       165  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Global Growth VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Class B shares). Sales of Class B shares are subject to recordkeeping fees up to 0.15% and Rule 12b-1 fees under the 1940 Act equal to an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets for Class B shares of the Fund. Class A shares are not subject to such fees.
 
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class (including the applicable Rule 12b-1 fee and recordkeeping fees). Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Equity securities are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities are generally categorized as Level 1. For certain international equity securities, in order to adjust for events which may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the close of the New York Stock Exchange, a fair valuation model may be used. This fair valuation model takes into account comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), exchange-traded funds, futures contracts and certain indices and these securities are categorized as Level 2.
 
Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices established each day on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.
 
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.
 
Securities Lending. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had securities on loan. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.
 
Participatory Notes. The Fund may invest in Participatory Notes (P-Notes). P-Notes are promissory notes designed to offer a return linked to the performance of a particular underlying equity security or market. P-Notes are issued by banks or broker-dealers and allow the Fund to gain exposure to local shares in foreign markets. Investments in P-Notes involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying foreign companies or foreign markets that they seek to replicate. Although each participation note is structured with a defined maturity date, early redemption may be possible. Risks associated with participation notes include the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the agreement and potential delays or an inability to redeem before maturity under certain market conditions.
 
Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
Additionally, the Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by the governments of countries in which it invests and are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized gain/loss on investments. Tax liabilities realized as a result of security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain/loss on investments.
 
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, net capital losses incurred post-enactment may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
At December 31, 2014, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $41,532,000 of pre-enactment losses, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until December 31, 2016 ($23,743,000) and December 31, 2017 ($17,789,000), the respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to investments in foreign denominated investments, investments in futures contracts, income received from Passive Foreign Investment Companies and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.
 
B. Derivative Instruments
 
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between a buyer or seller and an established futures exchange or its clearinghouse in which the buyer or seller agrees to take or make a delivery of a specific amount of a financial instrument at a specified price on a specific date (settlement date). For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund invested in futures as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class or to keep cash on hand to meet shareholder redemptions or other needs while maintaining exposure to the market.
 
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities ("initial margin") in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the face value indicated in the futures contract. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value and are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Gains or losses are realized when the contract expires or is closed. Since all futures contracts are exchange-traded, counterparty risk is minimized as the exchange's clearinghouse acts as the counterparty, and guarantees the futures against default.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into futures contracts, including the risk that an illiquid market will limit the Fund's ability to close out a futures contract prior to the settlement date and the risk that the futures contract is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates. Risk of loss may exceed amounts recognized in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
There were no open futures contracts at June 30, 2015. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in futures contracts purchased had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from $0 to $870,000.
 
The amount of unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in Fund earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following tables by primary underlying risk exposure:
Realized Gain (Loss)
 
Futures Contracts
 
Equity Contracts (a)
  $ (44,599 )
The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Operations account:
(a) Net realized gain (loss) from futures
 
 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
 
Futures Contracts
 
Equity Contracts (a)
  $ 17,264  
The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Operations account:
(a) Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures
 
 
C. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment transactions (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $14,231,450 and $16,661,032, respectively.
 
D. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $250 million
    .915 %
Next $500 million
    .865 %
Next $750 million
    .815 %
Next $1.5 billion
    .765 %
Over $3 billion
    .715 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.915% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) of each class as follows:
Class A
.90%
Class B
1.25%
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
Class A
  $ 120,637  
Class B
    291  
    $ 120,928  
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $23,495, of which $3,909 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
Services to Shareholders
 
Total Aggregated
   
Unpaid at June 30, 2015
 
Class A
  $ 146     $ 74  
Class B
    28       13  
    $ 174     $ 87  
 
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Fund's Class B 12b-1 plan, DeAWM Distributors, Inc. ("DDI") received a fee ("Distribution Service Fee") of 0.25% of average daily net assets of Class B shares. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Distribution Service Fee aggregated $142, of which $24 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $7,514, of which $7,139 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
E. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, two participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 72% and 22%. Two participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class B shares of the Fund, owning 56% and 44%.
 
F. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,040.70     $ 1,039.00  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 4.55     $ 6.12  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,020.33     $ 1,018.79  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 4.51     $ 6.06  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratios
Class A
 
Class B
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Global Growth VIP
.90%
 
1.21%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Global Growth VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Equity Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile, 4th quartile and 3rd quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the five-year period and has underperformed its benchmark in the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2013. The Board noted the disappointing investment performance of the Fund in recent periods and continued to discuss with senior management of DIMA the factors contributing to such underperformance and actions being taken to improve performance. The Board recognized the efforts by DIMA in recent years to enhance its investment platform and improve long-term performance across the Deutsche fund complex.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were higher than the median (4th quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also reviewed data comparing each share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses. The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable funds and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2GG-3 (R-028383-4 8/15)
 
 

 

 
June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Global Income Builder VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
6 Portfolio Management Team
7 Investment Portfolio
32 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
33 Statement of Operations
34 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
35 Financial Highlights
36 Notes to Financial Statements
44 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
45 Proxy Voting
46 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Although allocation among different asset categories generally limits risk, fund management may favor an asset category that underperforms other assets or markets as a whole. Stocks may decline in value. Smaller company stocks tend to be more volatile than medium-sized or large company stocks. Dividends are not guaranteed. If the dividend-paying stocks held by the Fund reduce or stop paying dividends, the Fund’s ability to generate income may be adversely affected. Preferred stocks, a type of dividend-paying stock, present certain additional risks. Investing in foreign securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Because Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) trade on a securities exchange, their shares may trade at a premium or discount to their net asset value. ETFs also incur fees and expenses so they may not fully match the performance of the indexes they are designed to track. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. Any fund that focuses in a particular segment of the market or region of the world will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns.
 
The gross expense ratio of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 is 0.62% for Class A shares and may differ from the expense ratio disclosed in the Financial Highlights table in this report.
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Global Income Builder VIP
 
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 
The S&P® Target Risk Moderate Index is designed to measure the performance of S&P's proprietary moderate target risk allocation model. The S&P® Target Risk Moderate Index seeks to provide significant exposure to fixed income, while also allocating a smaller portion of exposure to equities in order to seek current income, some capital preservation, and an opportunity for moderate to low capital appreciation.
 
The Blended Index consists of an equally weighted blend (50%/50%) of the MSCI World High Dividend Yield Index and Barclays U.S. Universal Index.
 
MSCI World High Dividend Yield Index includes securities that offer a meaningfully higher-than-average dividend yield relative to the MSCI World Index and pass dividend sustainability and persistence screens. The index offers broad market coverage, and is free-float market capitalization-weighted to ensure that its performance can be replicated in institutional and retail portfolios. The index is calculated using closing local market prices and translates into US dollars using the London close foreign exchange rates.
 
Barclays U.S. Universal Index represents the union of the U.S. Aggregate Index, the U.S. High-Yield Corporate Index, the 144A Index, the Eurodollar Index, the Emerging Markets Index, and the non-ERISA portion of the CMBS Index.
 
The Russell 1000® Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the 1,000 largest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which represents approximately 92% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000® Index.
 
The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index representing domestic taxable investment-grade bonds, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities with an average maturity of one year or more.
 
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
On May 1, 2015, the S&P Target Risk Moderate Index replaced the Russell 1000 Index as the comparative broad based securities market index because the Advisor believes that the S&P Target Risk Moderate Index more closely reflects the fund’s investment strategies. On May 1, 2015, the Blended Index replaced the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the S&P Target Risk Moderate Index as the sole additional comparative index. The Advisor believes the Blended Index provides additional comparative performance information and represents the fund’s overall strategic asset allocations.
Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Global Income Builder VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,260     $ 10,108     $ 13,256     $ 15,857     $ 16,513  
Average annual total return
    2.60 %     1.08 %     9.85 %     9.66 %     5.14 %
S&P® Target Risk Moderate Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,070     $ 10,077     $ 12,156     $ 14,206     $ 15,943  
Average annual total return
    0.70 %     0.77 %     6.72 %     7.27 %     4.78 %
Blended Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,991     $ 9,797     $ 12,058     $ 14,704     $ 16,877  
Average annual total return
    –0.09 %     –2.03 %     6.44 %     8.02 %     5.37 %
Russell 1000® Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,171     $ 10,733     $ 16,317     $ 22,470     $ 21,853  
Average annual total return
    1.71 %     7.37 %     17.73 %     17.58 %     8.13 %
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,990     $ 10,186     $ 10,558     $ 11,790     $ 15,438  
Average annual total return
    –0.10 %     1.86 %     1.83 %     3.35 %     4.44 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Equity
53%
53%
Common Stocks
53%
53%
     
Fixed Income
45%
36%
Corporate Bonds
21%
25%
Government & Agency Obligations
9%
8%
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs
5%
1%
Deutsche Floating Rate Fund
5%
Municipal Bonds and Notes
2%
0%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
2%
1%
Asset-Backed
1%
1%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
0%
0%
     
Cash Equivalents
2%
11%
 
100%
100%
 

Sector Diversification(As a % of Equities, Corporate Bonds, Preferred Securities, Convertible Bonds and Other Investments)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Financials
22%
22%
Consumer Discretionary
12%
12%
Telecommunication Services
10%
10%
Health Care
10%
8%
Information Technology
9%
9%
Industrials
9%
10%
Energy
9%
10%
Consumer Staples
7%
8%
Materials
6%
6%
Utilities
6%
5%
 
100%
100%
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 7.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Management Team
Di Kumble, CFA
William Chepolis, CFA

Philip G. Condon
Gary Russell, CFA
John D. Ryan
Darwei Kung
Portfolio Managers
 
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Common Stocks 55.3%
 
Consumer Discretionary 6.1%
 
Auto Components 0.8%
 
Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd.
    2,664       113,703  
Bridgestone Corp.
    7,805       289,498  
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin
    243       25,429  
Delphi Automotive PLC
    3,154       268,374  
Denso Corp.
    79       3,948  
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
    4,300       129,645  
Johnson Controls, Inc.
    1,959       97,029  
Lear Corp.
    1,300       145,938  
Magna International, Inc.
    2,352       132,006  
Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd.
    16,605       256,993  
Sumitomo Rubber Industries Ltd.
    12,693       197,318  
Toyota Industries Corp.
    79       4,521  
Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    11,543       232,384  
              1,896,786  
Automobiles 1.7%
 
Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) AG
    1,177       128,745  
Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    7,600       108,310  
Daimler AG (Registered)
    1,727       157,419  
Ford Motor Co.
    29,568       443,816  
Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.
    5,600       207,138  
General Motors Co.
    14,040       467,953  
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    10,350       335,975  
Isuzu Motors Ltd.
    15,700       206,845  
Mazda Motor Corp.
    3,700       72,661  
Mitsubishi Motors Corp.
    23,638       201,569  
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    46,585       486,583  
Renault SA
    3,333       345,760  
Toyota Motor Corp.
    6,190       415,673  
Volkswagen AG
    2,482       577,178  
              4,155,625  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.5%
 
Carnival Corp.
    4,858       239,937  
Compass Group PLC
    710       11,754  
Dawn Holdings, Inc.* (a)
    1       940  
McDonald's Corp.
    3,056       290,534  
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
    799       62,873  
Starbucks Corp.
    5,642       302,496  
Yum! Brands, Inc.
    1,959       176,467  
              1,085,001  
Household Durables 0.3%
 
Mohawk Industries, Inc.*
    784       149,666  
Persimmon PLC
    6,152       190,373  
Sekisui House Ltd.
    13,454       214,214  
Toll Brothers, Inc.*
    500       19,095  
Whirlpool Corp.
    446       77,180  
              650,528  
Leisure Products 0.0%
 
Hasbro, Inc. (b)
    921       68,881  
Media 1.5%
 
CBS Corp. "B"
    1,176       65,268  
Comcast Corp. "A" (b)
    7,914       474,365  
Comcast Corp. "A"
    6,974       419,416  
DIRECTV*
    1,545       143,361  
Discovery Communications, Inc. "A"* (b)
    4,200       139,692  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Discovery Communications, Inc. "C"*
    6,500       202,020  
News Corp. "A"*
    5,485       80,026  
Omnicom Group, Inc.
    627       43,570  
Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. "A"
    2,273       148,586  
SES SA
    5       168  
Shaw Communications, Inc. "B"
    7,444       162,111  
Sky PLC
    10,533       171,358  
Thomson Reuters Corp.
    4,231       161,110  
Time Warner Cable, Inc.
    1,254       223,425  
Time Warner, Inc.
    4,047       353,748  
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. "A"
    3,056       99,458  
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. "B"
    4,701       151,466  
Viacom, Inc. "B"
    1,881       121,588  
Walt Disney Co.
    3,683       420,378  
WPP PLC
    4,538       101,714  
              3,682,828  
Multiline Retail 0.4%
 
Canadian Tire Corp., Ltd. "A"
    157       16,791  
Dollar General Corp.
    1,959       152,293  
Kohl's Corp. (b)
    3,291       206,050  
Macy's, Inc.
    2,194       148,029  
Target Corp.
    3,683       300,643  
              823,806  
Specialty Retail 0.7%
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
    1,200       191,148  
AutoZone, Inc.*
    314       209,407  
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.* (b)
    941       64,910  
Best Buy Co., Inc.
    4,800       156,528  
GameStop Corp. "A" (b)
    6,792       291,784  
Hikari Tsushin, Inc.
    1,900       128,508  
Home Depot, Inc.
    2,038       226,483  
Lowe's Companies, Inc.
    1,332       89,204  
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.*
    314       70,958  
The Gap, Inc.
    862       32,903  
TJX Companies, Inc.
    1,567       103,688  
              1,565,521  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 0.2%
 
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.*
    706       29,716  
NIKE, Inc. "B"
    564       60,923  
Swatch Group AG (Bearer)
    205       79,777  
Swatch Group AG (Registered)
    1,724       129,667  
VF Corp.
    2,642       184,253  
Yue Yuen Industrial (Holdings) Ltd.
    18,804       62,932  
              547,268  
Consumer Staples 4.5%
 
Beverages 0.7%
 
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV
    450       53,689  
Carlsberg AS "B"
    1,729       156,638  
Coca-Cola Co.
    6,268       245,894  
Constellation Brands, Inc. "A"
    2,100       243,642  
Diageo PLC
    2,821       81,594  
Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.
    2,586       188,519  
Heineken Holding NV
    1,747       122,774  
Heineken NV
    355       26,984  
Molson Coors Brewing Co. "B"
    2,899       202,379  
PepsiCo, Inc.
    3,567       332,944  
              1,655,057  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Food & Staples Retailing 1.4%
 
Aeon Co., Ltd.
    2,415       34,335  
Alimentation Couche-Tard, Inc. "B"
    3,152       134,837  
Casino Guichard-Perrachon SA
    524       39,680  
Costco Wholesale Corp.
    1,332       179,900  
CVS Health Corp.
    4,342       455,389  
Empire Co., Ltd. "A"
    3,134       220,735  
George Weston Ltd.
    1,848       145,162  
ICA Gruppen AB
    4,973       176,502  
J Sainsbury PLC
    52,473       218,495  
Koninklijke Ahold NV
    4,417       82,592  
Kroger Co.
    3,977       288,372  
Lawson, Inc.
    862       59,117  
Loblaw Companies Ltd.
    1,756       88,686  
Metro, Inc.
    3,996       107,242  
Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.
    1,567       67,487  
Sysco Corp.
    3,761       135,772  
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
    6,112       433,524  
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
    2,245       189,568  
Wesfarmers Ltd.
    3,813       114,959  
WM Morrison Supermarkets PLC
    60,530       171,670  
Woolworths Ltd.
    4,247       88,298  
              3,432,322  
Food Products 1.3%
 
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.
    5,328       256,916  
Aryzta AG
    1,318       65,031  
Bunge Ltd.
    3,296       289,389  
Chocoladefabriken Lindt & Sprungli AG
    23       121,605  
ConAgra Foods, Inc.
    4,466       195,254  
General Mills, Inc.
    4,780       266,342  
Golden Agri-Resources Ltd.
    312,000       94,937  
Hormel Foods Corp.
    2,038       114,882  
Kellogg Co.
    2,899       181,767  
McCormick & Co., Inc.
    941       76,174  
Mondelez International, Inc. "A"
    7,679       315,914  
Nestle SA (Registered)
    4,850       349,895  
Tate & Lyle PLC
    6,434       52,505  
The Hershey Co.
    706       62,714  
The JM Smucker Co.
    1,567       169,878  
Tyson Foods, Inc. "A"
    7,052       300,627  
Wilmar International Ltd.
    61,112       149,038  
              3,062,868  
Household Products 0.5%
 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
    1,803       146,277  
Clorox Co.
    784       81,551  
Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    2,429       158,881  
Kimberly-Clark Corp.
    2,038       215,967  
Procter & Gamble Co.
    4,566       357,244  
Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC
    1,733       149,475  
              1,109,395  
Tobacco 0.6%
 
Altria Group, Inc.
    5,410       264,603  
British American Tobacco PLC
    4,589       246,475  
Imperial Tobacco Group PLC
    4,735       228,075  
Japan Tobacco, Inc.
    5,877       210,109  
Philip Morris International, Inc.
    3,918       314,106  
Reynolds American, Inc.
    2,634       196,655  
              1,460,023  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Energy 3.2%
 
Energy Equipment & Services 0.3%
 
Amec Foster Wheeler PLC
    14,420       184,902  
Baker Hughes, Inc.
    154       9,502  
Ensco PLC "A"
    5,500       122,485  
Halliburton Co.
    1,254       54,010  
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.
    1,754       84,683  
Petrofac Ltd.
    4,379       63,789  
Schlumberger Ltd.
    2,273       195,910  
              715,281  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 2.9%
 
BP PLC
    58,111       384,268  
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.
    3,996       126,034  
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.
    1,646       44,675  
Chevron Corp.
    3,480       335,715  
ConocoPhillips
    3,536       217,146  
Devon Energy Corp.
    1,700       101,133  
Enbridge, Inc.
    392       18,332  
Eni SpA
    9,313       164,950  
Exxon Mobil Corp.
    4,701       391,123  
HollyFrontier Corp.
    7,389       315,436  
Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.
    13,827       272,384  
Imperial Oil Ltd.
    6,974       269,412  
JX Holdings, Inc.
    73,385       317,887  
Kinder Morgan, Inc.
    2,935       112,675  
Marathon Petroleum Corp.
    7,242       378,829  
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
    3,469       269,784  
OMV AG
    1,852       51,047  
Origin Energy Ltd.
    23,178       218,720  
Phillips 66
    4,075       328,282  
Repsol SA
    5,901       103,512  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC "A"
    17,458       491,072  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC "B"
    14,953       424,950  
Spectra Energy Corp.
    3,448       112,405  
Statoil ASA
    6,006       107,898  
Suncor Energy, Inc.
    4,780       131,651  
Tesoro Corp.
    3,415       288,260  
TonenGeneral Sekiyu KK
    6,000       55,905  
Total SA
    5,089       246,235  
TransCanada Corp.
    2,273       92,376  
Valero Energy Corp.
    9,863       617,424  
              6,989,520  
Financials 14.5%
 
Banks 6.8%
 
Aozora Bank Ltd.
    90,174       340,860  
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
    8,236       204,887  
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA
    9,682       94,727  
Bank Hapoalim BM
    89,396       481,342  
Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM*
    140,917       596,203  
Bank of America Corp.
    18,553       315,772  
Bank of East Asia Ltd.
    21,938       96,171  
Bank of Montreal (b)
    5,328       315,713  
Bank of Nova Scotia
    5,646       291,431  
Barclays PLC
    73,958       302,170  
BB&T Corp.
    6,190       249,519  
Bendigo & Adelaide Bank Ltd.
    5,567       52,688  
BNP Paribas SA
    4,637       279,833  
BOC Hong Kong (Holdings) Ltd.
    93,627       391,926  
CaixaBank SA
    27,919       129,178  
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (b)
    4,075       300,388  
CIT Group, Inc.
    2,682       124,686  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Citigroup, Inc.
    10,048       555,051  
Citizens Financial Group, Inc. (b)
    12,900       352,299  
Comerica, Inc.
    1,097       56,298  
Commerzbank AG*
    10,207       130,571  
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
    2,037       133,943  
Credit Agricole SA
    14,547       216,118  
Danske Bank AS
    11,160       327,067  
DBS Group Holdings Ltd.
    20,371       313,790  
Fifth Third Bancorp.
    9,903       206,180  
Hang Seng Bank Ltd.
    2,224       43,544  
HSBC Holdings PLC
    57,583       515,337  
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.
    17,000       192,270  
ING Groep NV (CVA)
    3,416       56,050  
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (RSP)
    55,959       178,899  
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    6,967       472,084  
KBC Groep NV
    3,263       217,956  
KeyCorp
    12,301       184,761  
Lloyds Banking Group PLC
    166,742       223,329  
M&T Bank Corp. (b)
    1,959       244,738  
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
    36,354       262,279  
Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd.
    17,095       212,023  
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
    132,273       286,995  
National Australia Bank Ltd.
    6,869       176,738  
National Bank of Canada
    5,205       195,531  
Natixis SA
    12,868       92,478  
Nordea Bank AB
    21,868       272,815  
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp., Ltd.
    25,855       195,553  
People's United Financial, Inc.
    14,025       227,345  
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
    4,780       457,207  
Regions Financial Corp.
    31,810       329,552  
Resona Holdings, Inc.
    47,156       258,324  
Royal Bank of Canada
    4,858       297,081  
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC*
    3,425       18,842  
Shinsei Bank Ltd.
    74,000       149,828  
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB "A"
    13,319       170,093  
Societe Generale
    6,354       295,759  
Standard Chartered PLC
    9,224       147,565  
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.
    9,207       412,302  
SunTrust Banks, Inc.
    9,077       390,493  
Svenska Handelsbanken AB "A"
    4,464       65,157  
Swedbank AB "A"
    8,410       196,065  
The Chugoku Bank Ltd.
    7,600       120,159  
The Toronto-Dominion Bank (b)
    8,229       349,452  
U.S. Bancorp.
    8,070       350,238  
United Overseas Bank Ltd.
    9,402       161,311  
Wells Fargo & Co.
    10,969       616,897  
Westpac Banking Corp.
    6,452       160,301  
Yamaguchi Financial Group, Inc.
    5,021       62,691  
              16,118,853  
Capital Markets 0.7%
 
3i Group PLC
    33,208       268,574  
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
    627       78,331  
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
    3,369       141,397  
BlackRock, Inc.
    314       108,638  
Credit Suisse Group AG (Registered)
    13,132       361,028  
Morgan Stanley
    8,070       313,035  
State Street Corp.
    1,724       132,748  
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
    1,097       229,042  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
UBS Group AG (Registered)
    6,904       146,432  
              1,779,225  
Consumer Finance 0.4%
 
Ally Financial, Inc.*
    11,200       251,216  
American Express Co.
    549       42,668  
Capital One Financial Corp.
    3,526       310,182  
Discover Financial Services
    1,959       112,878  
Navient Corp.
    6,999       127,452  
              844,396  
Diversified Financial Services 0.7%
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. "B"*
    1,534       208,793  
CME Group, Inc.
    2,038       189,656  
EXOR SpA
    778       37,042  
Industrivarden AB "C"
    21,624       407,341  
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
    314       70,213  
Investor AB "B"
    6,167       229,661  
Leucadia National Corp.
    627       15,224  
Pargesa Holding SA (Bearer)
    2,284       153,111  
The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.
    1,176       57,401  
Voya Financial, Inc.
    4,800       223,056  
              1,591,498  
Insurance 5.2%
 
ACE Ltd.
    3,526       358,524  
Aegon NV
    37,007       271,588  
Aflac, Inc.
    4,578       284,752  
Ageas
    7,367       283,937  
Alleghany Corp.*
    471       220,786  
Allianz SE (Registered)
    1,307       203,567  
Allstate Corp.
    2,282       148,033  
American International Group, Inc.
    7,444       460,188  
Aon PLC
    471       46,949  
Arch Capital Group Ltd.*
    2,586       173,158  
Assicurazioni Generali SpA
    11,479       206,332  
Assurant, Inc.
    3,134       209,978  
Aviva PLC
    16,269       125,576  
AXA SA
    10,958       276,242  
Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.
    5,314       283,608  
Baloise Holding AG (Registered)
    3,275       398,947  
Chubb Corp.
    3,213       305,685  
CNP Assurances
    6,858       114,517  
Delta Lloyd NV
    10,049       165,123  
Direct Line Insurance Group PLC
    28,200       148,792  
Everest Re Group Ltd.
    2,269       412,981  
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd.
    400       197,239  
FNF Group
    4,700       173,853  
Great-West Lifeco, Inc.
    4,466       130,011  
Hannover Rueck SE
    2,286       221,615  
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
    6,626       275,443  
Insurance Australia Group Ltd.
    2,518       10,864  
Intact Financial Corp.
    3,134       217,774  
Legal & General Group PLC
    1,991       7,778  
Lincoln National Corp.
    4,351       257,666  
Loews Corp.
    5,877       226,323  
Manulife Financial Corp.
    4,100       76,190  
Mapfre SA
    24,168       83,096  
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
    1,097       62,200  
MetLife, Inc.
    6,836       382,748  
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs-
Gesellschaft AG (Registered)
    1,302       230,838  
NN Group NV
    12,080       339,634  
Old Mutual PLC
    11,627       36,848  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
PartnerRe Ltd.
    2,506       322,021  
Power Corp. of Canada
    7,229       184,863  
Power Financial Corp.
    4,075       117,030  
Principal Financial Group, Inc.
    1,097       56,265  
Progressive Corp.
    4,936       137,369  
Prudential Financial, Inc.
    4,051       354,543  
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.
    2,026       205,659  
Sampo Oyj "A"
    3,489       164,267  
SCOR SE
    8,888       313,444  
Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Holdings, Inc.
    3,800       140,023  
Suncorp Group Ltd.
    9,529       98,879  
Swiss Life Holding AG (Registered)
    1,932       442,097  
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
    3,918       378,714  
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.
    4,300       179,461  
Torchmark Corp.
    2,821       164,239  
Unum Group
    7,757       277,313  
W.R. Berkley Corp.
    5,015       260,429  
XL Group PLC
    6,504       241,949  
Zurich Insurance Group AG
    1,371       417,371  
              12,485,319  
Real Estate Investment Trusts 0.3%
 
AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (REIT)
    800       127,896  
Crown Castle International Corp. (REIT)
    1,600       128,480  
Dexus Property Group (REIT)
    12,966       73,184  
Federation Centres (REIT)
    44,060       99,502  
GPT Group (REIT)
    19,958       65,941  
H&R Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) (Units)
    5,686       102,157  
HCP, Inc. (REIT)
    3,600       131,292  
Prologis, Inc. (REIT)
    3,100       115,010  
              843,462  
Real Estate Management & Development 0.4%
 
First Capital Realty, Inc.
    6,425       91,977  
Henderson Land Development Co., Ltd.
    16,251       111,695  
New World Development Co., Ltd.
    47,793       62,869  
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.
    12,536       203,945  
Swire Pacific Ltd. "A"
    13,320       168,008  
Swiss Prime Site AG (Registered)
    1,681       127,526  
Wharf Holdings Ltd.
    7,835       52,351  
Wheelock & Co., Ltd.
    41,103       211,262  
              1,029,633  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 0.0%
 
New York Community Bancorp., Inc.
    1,399       25,714  
Health Care 5.4%
 
Biotechnology 1.3%
 
Actelion Ltd. (Registered)
    584       85,307  
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
    941       170,105  
Amgen, Inc.
    2,283       350,486  
Biogen, Inc.*
    1,127       455,240  
Celgene Corp.*
    4,142       479,374  
CSL Ltd.
    4,391       293,304  
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
    4,914       575,331  
Medivation, Inc.*
    1,800       205,560  
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
    500       255,065  
United Therapeutics Corp.*
    1,200       208,740  
              3,078,512  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 0.4%
 
Abbott Laboratories
    5,642       276,910  
Baxter International, Inc.
    2,664       186,294  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Becton, Dickinson & Co.
    1,165       165,022  
Medtronic PLC
    3,683       272,910  
Stryker Corp.
    1,190       113,728  
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
    549       59,967  
              1,074,831  
Health Care Providers & Services 1.3%
 
Aetna, Inc.
    2,718       346,436  
AmerisourceBergen Corp.
    1,411       150,046  
Anthem, Inc.
    2,553       419,050  
Cardinal Health, Inc.
    1,959       163,870  
CIGNA Corp.
    2,508       406,296  
Express Scripts Holding Co.*
    3,134       278,738  
HCA Holdings, Inc.*
    1,213       110,043  
Humana, Inc.
    894       171,004  
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*
    862       104,492  
McKesson Corp.
    1,019       229,081  
Omnicare, Inc.
    941       88,689  
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
    2,331       169,044  
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
    3,201       390,522  
              3,027,311  
Life Sciences Tools & Services 0.1%
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
    2,038       264,451  
Pharmaceuticals 2.3%
 
AbbVie, Inc.
    2,741       184,168  
Allergan PLC*
    1,387       420,899  
AstraZeneca PLC
    1,718       108,552  
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    3,369       224,173  
Eli Lilly & Co.
    3,213       268,254  
GlaxoSmithKline PLC
    11,399       237,209  
Hospira, Inc.*
    3,900       345,969  
Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC*
    1,100       193,677  
Johnson & Johnson
    3,605       351,343  
Mallinckrodt PLC* (b)
    2,800       329,616  
Merck & Co., Inc.
    5,563       316,702  
Mylan NV* (b)
    1,176       79,804  
Novartis AG (Registered)
    3,719       366,320  
Novo Nordisk AS ''B"
    3,854       210,334  
Perrigo Co. PLC
    392       72,453  
Pfizer, Inc.
    13,555       454,499  
Roche Holding AG (Genusschein)
    1,112       311,783  
Sanofi
    1,531       149,987  
Shire PLC
    2,965       236,886  
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
    5,337       314,340  
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.*
    1,200       266,200  
              5,443,168  
Industrials 5.3%
 
Aerospace & Defense 0.7%
 
BAE Systems PLC
    11,961       84,711  
Boeing Co.
    1,489       206,554  
General Dynamics Corp.
    67       9,493  
Honeywell International, Inc.
    2,821       287,657  
L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
    281       31,860  
Lockheed Martin Corp.
    767       142,585  
Northrop Grumman Corp.
    938       148,795  
Precision Castparts Corp.
    627       125,319  
Raytheon Co.
    2,664       254,892  
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    941       86,901  
Thales SA
    506       30,520  
United Technologies Corp.
    2,586       286,865  
              1,696,152  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Air Freight & Logistics 0.2%
 
FedEx Corp.
    784       133,594  
Royal Mail PLC
    23,937       193,041  
United Parcel Service, Inc. "B"
    1,176       113,966  
              440,601  
Airlines 1.0%
 
American Airlines Group, Inc.
    7,700       307,500  
ANA Holdings, Inc.
    59,000       160,303  
Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.
    127,791       314,622  
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
    6,644       272,936  
Deutsche Lufthansa AG (Registered)*
    22,684       293,408  
easyJet PLC
    3,918       95,361  
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
    9,500       332,430  
Singapore Airlines Ltd.
    6,474       51,633  
Southwest Airlines Co.
    6,653       220,148  
United Continental Holdings, Inc.*
    6,808       360,892  
              2,409,233  
Building Products 0.0%
 
Congoleum Corp.*
    3,800       0  
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.2%
 
G4S PLC
    30       126  
Quad Graphics, Inc.
    13       241  
Republic Services, Inc.
    5,171       202,548  
Tyco International PLC
    2,351       90,467  
Waste Management, Inc.
    2,194       101,692  
              395,074  
Electrical Equipment 0.2%
 
ABB Ltd. (Registered)
    8,638       180,596  
AMETEK, Inc.
    1,332       72,967  
Eaton Corp. PLC
    421       28,413  
Emerson Electric Co.
    2,273       125,992  
              407,968  
Industrial Conglomerates 0.5%
 
3M Co.
    824       127,143  
CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd.
    16,996       250,833  
Danaher Corp.
    2,664       228,012  
General Electric Co.
    9,038       240,140  
Keppel Corp., Ltd.
    21,000       128,232  
Roper Technologies, Inc.
    862       148,661  
Sembcorp Industries Ltd.
    21,938       63,393  
Siemens AG (Registered)
    1,248       125,671  
              1,312,085  
Machinery 0.5%
 
AGCO Corp. (b)
    3,761       213,549  
Caterpillar, Inc.
    862       73,115  
Deere & Co.
    2,096       203,417  
Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    549       50,393  
PACCAR, Inc.
    1,254       80,018  
Schindler Holding AG (Registered)
    503       82,094  
SKF AB "B"
    29       660  
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    1,332       140,180  
Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd.
    286,107       300,958  
              1,144,384  
Marine 0.5%
 
A P Moller-Maersk AS "A"
    219       384,371  
A P Moller-Maersk AS "B"
    186       337,129  
Mitsui O.S.K Lines Ltd.
    80,000       256,846  
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha
    83,050       231,822  
              1,210,168  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Professional Services 0.1%
 
Adecco SA (Registered)
    393       31,842  
Nielsen NV
    4,145       185,572  
              217,414  
Road & Rail 0.4%
 
Canadian National Railway Co.
    236       13,616  
CSX Corp.
    3,840       125,376  
East Japan Railway Co.
    1,097       98,846  
MTR Corp., Ltd.
    27,814       129,315  
Norfolk Southern Corp.
    862       75,304  
Union Pacific Corp.
    2,194       209,242  
West Japan Railway Co.
    3,761       241,343  
              893,042  
Trading Companies & Distributors 1.0%
 
ITOCHU Corp.
    41,839       553,748  
Marubeni Corp.
    100,549       578,314  
Mitsubishi Corp.
    14,728       324,677  
Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
    28,151       383,212  
Noble Group Ltd.
    193,000       109,029  
Sumitomo Corp.
    29,466       343,600  
W.W. Grainger, Inc. (b)
    627       148,379  
              2,440,959  
Information Technology 6.6%
 
Communications Equipment 0.7%
 
Cisco Systems, Inc.
    17,899       491,506  
Harris Corp.
    1,569       120,672  
Juniper Networks, Inc.
    7,764       201,631  
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    790       45,299  
Nokia Oyj
    19,776       134,356  
QUALCOMM, Inc.
    8,070       505,424  
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson "B"
    19,294       199,657  
              1,698,545  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 0.7%
 
Amphenol Corp. "A"
    1,568       90,897  
Arrow Electronics, Inc.*
    2,528       141,062  
Avnet, Inc.
    6,660       273,793  
Corning, Inc.
    9,440       186,251  
Flextronics International Ltd.*
    14,608       165,217  
Hitachi Ltd.
    40,485       267,466  
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    706       123,771  
TE Connectivity Ltd.
    4,388       282,148  
              1,530,605  
Internet Software & Services 0.6%
 
eBay, Inc.*
    2,942       177,226  
Facebook, Inc. "A"*
    5,469       469,049  
Google, Inc. "A"*
    792       427,712  
Google, Inc. "C"*
    485       252,447  
LinkedIn Corp. "A"*
    127       26,242  
VeriSign, Inc.* (b)
    521       32,156  
Yahoo!, Inc.*
    3,400       133,586  
              1,518,418  
IT Services 1.9%
 
Accenture PLC "A"
    4,075       394,378  
Alliance Data Systems Corp.*
    549       160,275  
Atos SE
    1,677       125,281  
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
    3,232       259,303  
CGI Group, Inc. "A"*
    4,701       183,862  
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. "A"*
    3,291       201,047  
Computer Sciences Corp.
    3,840       252,058  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.
    5,798       358,316  
Fiserv, Inc.*
    3,761       311,524  
Fujitsu Ltd.
    26,000       145,907  
International Business Machines Corp.
    3,056       497,089  
Itochu Techno-Solutions Corp.
    1,200       29,954  
MasterCard, Inc. "A" (b)
    3,134       292,966  
Nomura Research Institute Ltd.
    1,803       70,691  
Paychex, Inc.
    3,056       143,265  
Total System Services, Inc.
    5,250       219,293  
Vantiv, Inc. "A"*
    3,369       128,662  
Visa, Inc. "A"
    4,184       280,956  
Western Union Co. (b)
    12,458       253,271  
Xerox Corp.
    22,704       241,571  
              4,549,669  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 0.7%
 
Analog Devices, Inc.
    2,586       165,983  
ASML Holding NV
    15       1,558  
Avago Technologies Ltd.
    1,646       218,803  
Broadcom Corp. "A"
    1,409       72,549  
Intel Corp.
    10,673       324,619  
KLA-Tencor Corp.
    456       25,632  
Lam Research Corp.
    64       5,206  
Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
    4,623       60,954  
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    4,388       151,715  
Microchip Technology, Inc. (b)
    3,291       156,076  
Micron Technology, Inc.*
    16,693       314,496  
Qorvo, Inc.*
    1,800       144,486  
Texas Instruments, Inc.
    1,646       84,786  
              1,726,863  
Software 1.1%
 
Activision Blizzard, Inc.
    10,127       245,175  
ANSYS, Inc.*
    784       71,532  
CA, Inc.
    7,236       211,942  
Electronic Arts, Inc.*
    3,600       239,400  
Intuit, Inc.
    1,034       104,196  
Microsoft Corp.
    10,949       483,398  
Nexon Co., Ltd.
    3,794       52,379  
NICE Systems Ltd.
    2,086       133,042  
Nuance Communications, Inc.*
    11,800       206,618  
Oracle Corp.
    6,713       270,534  
SAP SE
    751       52,374  
Symantec Corp.
    8,041       186,953  
Synopsys, Inc.*
    5,407       273,865  
The Sage Group PLC
    1,325       10,658  
VMware, Inc. "A"*
    784       67,220  
              2,609,286  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.9%
 
Apple, Inc.
    5,178       649,451  
Canon, Inc.
    6,974       227,435  
EMC Corp.
    8,058       212,651  
Hewlett-Packard Co.
    9,206       276,272  
NetApp, Inc.
    2,586       81,614  
Ricoh Co., Ltd.
    26,547       275,989  
Seagate Technology PLC
    3,683       174,942  
Seiko Epson Corp.
    8,500       151,368  
Western Digital Corp.
    1,959       153,625  
              2,203,347  
Materials 2.4%
 
Chemicals 0.9%
 
Ashland, Inc.
    862       105,078  
BASF SE
    8       703  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Celanese Corp. "A"
    2,200       158,136  
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
    1,180       75,850  
Dow Chemical Co.
    3,784       193,627  
E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
    1,489       95,222  
Ecolab, Inc.
    392       44,323  
GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc.*
    19,324       13,558  
Israel Chemicals Ltd.
    17,163       119,994  
Kuraray Co., Ltd.
    16,800       206,101  
LyondellBasell Industries NV "A"
    2,873       297,413  
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Co., Inc.
    16,000       89,951  
Monsanto Co.
    1,019       108,615  
Praxair, Inc.
    549       65,633  
Solvay SA
    986       135,723  
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
    41,000       247,103  
The Mosaic Co.
    5,000       234,250  
              2,191,280  
Construction Materials 0.1%
 
Fletcher Building Ltd.
    8,805       48,412  
Holcim Ltd. (Registered)
    1,198       88,416  
Taiheiyo Cement Corp.
    76,000       222,464  
              359,292  
Containers & Packaging 0.1%
 
Rock-Tenn Co. "A"
    2,356       141,831  
Metals & Mining 1.1%
 
Alcoa, Inc.
    11,400       127,110  
Anglo American PLC
    21,190       305,846  
Barrick Gold Corp.
    15,984       170,846  
BHP Billiton Ltd.
    1,942       39,799  
BHP Billiton PLC
    3,311       64,837  
Boliden AB
    5,903       107,504  
Glencore PLC
    32,398       129,571  
Goldcorp, Inc.
    5,485       89,016  
JFE Holdings, Inc.
    9,500       211,609  
Mitsubishi Materials Corp.
    18,804       72,390  
Newcrest Mining Ltd.*
    20,735       207,229  
Newmont Mining Corp.
    7,983       186,483  
Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corp.
    53,000       137,740  
Nucor Corp.
    4,075       179,585  
Rio Tinto PLC
    3,449       141,197  
Silver Wheaton Corp.
    9,011       156,195  
South32 Ltd.*
    1,942       2,682  
Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd.
    15,000       229,062  
              2,558,701  
Paper & Forest Products 0.2%
 
International Paper Co.
    2,874       136,774  
UPM-Kymmene Oyj
    12,803       226,182  
              362,956  
Telecommunication Services 3.3%
 
Diversified Telecommunication Services 2.7%
 
AT&T, Inc.
    18,726       665,147  
BCE, Inc.
    7,365       312,880  
BT Group PLC
    57,981       409,493  
CenturyLink, Inc.
    5,691       167,202  
Deutsche Telekom AG (Registered)
    10,731       184,569  
Elisa Oyj
    800       25,329  
HKT Trust & HKT Ltd. (Units)
    147,000       173,198  
Inmarsat PLC
    11,052       158,868  
Level 3 Communications, Inc.*
    3,600       189,612  
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.
    12,566       456,891  
Orange SA
    11,104       170,277  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
PCCW Ltd.
    457,633       273,317  
Proximus
    1,992       70,167  
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.
    76,045       240,299  
Spark New Zealand Ltd.
    56,978       107,937  
Swisscom AG (Registered)
    606       339,375  
TDC AS
    33,026       241,753  
Telecom Italia SpA*
    168,638       213,564  
Telecom Italia SpA (RSP)
    248,767       253,092  
Telefonica SA
    14,181       201,283  
Telenor ASA
    8,848       193,790  
TeliaSonera AB
    52,444       308,615  
Telstra Corp., Ltd.
    66,244       314,437  
TELUS Corp.
    7,287       251,049  
Verizon Communications, Inc.
    10,902       508,142  
              6,430,286  
Wireless Telecommunication Services 0.6%
 
KDDI Corp.
    14,300       346,463  
Millicom International Cellular SA (SDR)
    1,478       109,006  
NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    16,169       310,330  
Rogers Communications, Inc. "B" (b)
    6,503       230,651  
SoftBank Corp.
    471       27,834  
T-Mobile U.S., Inc.*
    4,600       178,342  
Vodafone Group PLC
    77,763       280,302  
              1,482,928  
Utilities 4.0%
 
Electric Utilities 2.0%
 
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
    4,388       232,432  
Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd.
    28,556       221,666  
CLP Holdings Ltd.
    36,469       310,150  
Duke Energy Corp.
    5,407       381,842  
E.ON SE
    3,110       41,467  
Edison International
    3,056       169,852  
EDP — Energias de Portugal SA
    53,479       202,705  
Electricite de France SA
    10,019       223,504  
Enel SpA
    13,335       60,327  
Entergy Corp.
    2,971       209,456  
Eversource Energy
    3,369       152,986  
Exelon Corp.
    10,603       333,146  
FirstEnergy Corp.
    4,936       160,667  
Fortum Oyj
    7,154       127,026  
Iberdrola SA
    14,717       99,046  
NextEra Energy, Inc.
    2,743       268,896  
OGE Energy Corp.
    6,660       190,276  
Pepco Holdings, Inc.
    5,200       140,088  
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
    2,555       145,354  
Power Assets Holdings Ltd.
    6,747       61,557  
PPL Corp.
    6,112       180,121  
Southern Co.
    6,245       261,666  
SSE PLC
    7,389       178,138  
Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.*
    32,800       179,548  
Xcel Energy, Inc.
    6,738       216,829  
              4,748,745  
Gas Utilities 0.1%
 
Enagas SA
    22       599  
Osaka Gas Co., Ltd.
    31,000       122,686  
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    22,000       117,028  
              240,313  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Independent Power & Renewable Eletricity Producers 0.3%
 
AES Corp.
    19,014       252,126  
Calpine Corp.*
    15,500       278,845  
Electric Power Development Co., Ltd.
    2,602       92,193  
Meridian Energy Ltd.
    37,409       54,756  
NRG Energy, Inc.
    8,000       183,040  
              860,960  
Multi-Utilities 1.5%
 
AGL Energy Ltd.
    20,375       244,438  
Alliant Energy Corp.
    2,508       144,762  
Ameren Corp.
    5,955       224,384  
Atco Ltd. "I"
    3,000       94,852  
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
    8,900       169,367  
Centrica PLC
    42,247       175,472  
CMS Energy Corp.
    2,664       84,822  
Consolidated Edison, Inc.
    4,310       249,463  
Dominion Resources, Inc.
    3,291       220,069  
DTE Energy Co.
    2,194       163,760  
GDF Suez
    5,853       108,583  
National Grid PLC
    19,631       252,218  
NiSource, Inc.
    2,150       98,019  
PG&E Corp.
    6,738       330,836  
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. (b)
    5,720       224,682  
SCANA Corp. (b)
    3,605       182,593  
Sempra Energy
    1,567       155,039  
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
    8,567       385,247  
              3,508,606  
Water Utilities 0.1%
 
American Water Works Co., Inc.
    2,803       136,310  
Total Common Stocks (Cost $117,728,599)
      131,933,104  
   
Preferred Stocks 0.6%
 
Consumer Discretionary
 
Ally Financial, Inc. Series G, 144A, 7.0%
    38       38,588  
Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) AG
    4,148       351,522  
Porsche Automobil Holding SE
    7,216       611,064  
Volkswagen AG
    1,914       444,640  
Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $1,434,243)
      1,445,814  
   
Rights 0.0%
 
Consumer Staples 0.0%
 
Safeway Casa Ley, Expiration Date 1/30/2018*
    7,499       7,611  
Safeway PDC LLC, Expiration Date 1/30/2017*
    7,499       366  
              7,977  
Energy 0.0%
 
Repsol SA, Expiration Date 7/3/2015*
    5,901       3,059  
Total Rights (Cost $11,216)
      11,036  
   
Warrants 0.0%
 
Materials
 
Hercules Trust II, Expiration Date 3/31/2029* (Cost $30,283)
    170       1,001  
 

   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
       
Corporate Bonds 22.4%
 
Consumer Discretionary 3.1%
 
1011778 BC ULC, 144A, 4.625%, 1/15/2022
      35,000       34,475  
Ally Financial, Inc.:
 
3.25%, 2/13/2018
      105,000       104,344  
4.125%, 3/30/2020 (b)
      85,000       84,840  
AmeriGas Finance LLC:
 
6.75%, 5/20/2020
      110,000       115,775  
7.0%, 5/20/2022
      195,000       206,700  
Apex Tool Group LLC, 144A, 7.0%, 2/1/2021
      50,000       44,500  
APX Group, Inc., 6.375%, 12/1/2019
    50,000       48,500  
Ashtead Capital, Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 7/15/2022
      80,000       84,800  
Ashton Woods U.S.A. LLC, 144A, 6.875%, 2/15/2021
      80,000       74,400  
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC:
 
144A, 5.25%, 3/15/2025
      135,000       126,731  
5.5%, 4/1/2023
      50,000       49,375  
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.:
 
4.915%, 8/1/2034
      80,000       78,078  
5.165%, 8/1/2044
      100,000       99,276  
Block Communications, Inc., 144A, 7.25%, 2/1/2020
    20,000       20,400  
Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.875%, 5/15/2023
      40,000       41,000  
CCO Holdings LLC:
 
144A, 5.125%, 5/1/2023
      115,000       111,838  
144A, 5.375%, 5/1/2025
      85,000       82,769  
144A, 5.875%, 5/1/2027
      140,000       136,675  
Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC:
               
144A, 5.125%, 12/15/2021
      385,000       349,628  
144A, 6.375%, 9/15/2020
      200,000       198,650  
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:
               
Series A, 6.5%, 11/15/2022
    65,000       66,625  
Series B, 6.5%, 11/15/2022
    370,000       385,262  
Series A, 7.625%, 3/15/2020
    10,000       10,325  
Series B, 7.625%, 3/15/2020
    255,000       265,837  
Cogeco Cable, Inc., 144A, 4.875%, 5/1/2020
      5,000       5,075  
Columbus International, Inc., 144A, 7.375%, 3/30/2021
    250,000       268,750  
D.R. Horton, Inc., 4.0%, 2/15/2020
    35,000       34,815  
Dana Holding Corp., 5.5%, 12/15/2024
    80,000       78,600  
Delphi Corp., 5.0%, 2/15/2023
    70,000       74,550  
DISH DBS Corp.:
 
4.25%, 4/1/2018
      70,000       71,225  
5.0%, 3/15/2023
      715,000       661,375  
7.875%, 9/1/2019
      270,000       299,430  
Family Tree Escrow LLC:
 
144A, 5.25%, 3/1/2020
      145,000       151,706  
144A, 5.75%, 3/1/2023
      122,500       128,012  
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, 144A, 4.5%, 4/15/2020
    100,000       99,500  
Global Partners LP, 144A, 7.0%, 6/15/2023
      70,000       68,775  
Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 5.0%, 6/1/2022 (b)
      95,000       94,525  
HD Supply, Inc., 11.5%, 7/15/2020
    130,000       150,150  
Hot Topic, Inc., 144A, 9.25%, 6/15/2021
      40,000       42,000  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
iHeartCommunications, Inc.:
 
9.0%, 12/15/2019 (b)
      250,000       238,250  
11.25%, 3/1/2021
      70,000       67,988  
Jo-Ann Stores Holdings, Inc., 144A, 9.75%, 10/15/2019 (PIK)
    40,000       35,800  
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 144A, 7.0%, 9/1/2020
    90,000       95,625  
MDC Partners, Inc., 144A, 6.75%, 4/1/2020
      40,000       39,850  
Mediacom Broadband LLC, 6.375%, 4/1/2023
      35,000       35,000  
MGM Resorts International:
 
6.625%, 12/15/2021
      250,000       261,250  
6.75%, 10/1/2020 (b)
      130,000       137,800  
8.625%, 2/1/2019
      240,000       271,200  
Numericable-SFR, 144A, 6.0%, 5/15/2022
      200,000       197,125  
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 6.375%, 8/1/2021
      45,000       47,756  
Quebecor Media, Inc., 5.75%, 1/15/2023
      50,000       49,875  
Sabre GLBL, Inc., 144A, 5.375%, 4/15/2023
      5,000       4,925  
Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc., 144A, 5.875%, 5/15/2021
    35,000       35,350  
Serta Simmons Holdings LLC, 144A, 8.125%, 10/1/2020
    55,000       58,025  
Sirius XM Radio, Inc., 144A, 5.875%, 10/1/2020
      60,000       61,500  
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 144A, 5.75%, 7/15/2025
      35,000       35,525  
Springs Industries, Inc., 6.25%, 6/1/2021
      85,000       83,088  
Starz LLC, 5.0%, 9/15/2019
      40,000       40,500  
Suburban Propane Partners LP, 5.75%, 3/1/2025
      50,000       49,875  
Time Warner Cable, Inc., 7.3%, 7/1/2038
      45,000       50,702  
Time Warner, Inc.:
 
3.6%, 7/15/2025
      40,000       38,907  
4.85%, 7/15/2045
      20,000       19,402  
TRI Pointe Holdings, Inc., 4.375%, 6/15/2019
      50,000       49,000  
Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co., KG, 144A, 5.5%, 1/15/2023
    200,000       203,875  
Viking Cruises Ltd.:
 
144A, 6.25%, 5/15/2025
      70,000       69,475  
144A, 8.5%, 10/15/2022
      50,000       55,500  
        7,382,459  
Consumer Staples 1.0%
 
Cencosud SA, 144A, 5.5%, 1/20/2021
      250,000       262,673  
Chiquita Brands International, Inc., 7.875%, 2/1/2021
    20,000       21,550  
Cott Beverages, Inc.:
 
5.375%, 7/1/2022
      160,000       155,200  
144A, 6.75%, 1/1/2020
      80,000       83,000  
HJ Heinz Co.:
 
144A, 3.95%, 7/15/2025 (d)
    20,000       20,111  
144A, 5.2%, 7/15/2045 (d)
      10,000       10,248  
JBS Investments GmbH, 144A, 7.75%, 10/28/2020
    250,000       271,875  
JBS U.S.A. LLC:
 
144A, 5.75%, 6/15/2025
      55,000       54,365  
144A, 7.25%, 6/1/2021
      145,000       152,794  
144A, 8.25%, 2/1/2020
      370,000       392,200  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Marfrig Overseas Ltd., 144A, 9.5%, 5/4/2020
      100,000       102,170  
Minerva Luxembourg SA:
 
144A, 7.75%, 1/31/2023
      250,000       251,875  
144A, 12.25%, 2/10/2022
      250,000       275,125  
Pilgrim's Pride Corp., 144A, 5.75%, 3/15/2025
      55,000       55,550  
Reynolds American, Inc.:
 
4.45%, 6/12/2025
      10,000       10,188  
5.85%, 8/15/2045
      10,000       10,489  
Smithfield Foods, Inc., 6.625%, 8/15/2022
      5,000       5,337  
The WhiteWave Foods Co., 5.375%, 10/1/2022
      80,000       84,400  
Tonon Bioenergia SA, 144A, 9.25%, 1/24/2020 (b)
      200,000       68,000  
        2,287,150  
Energy 3.7%
 
Afren PLC, 144A, 10.25%, 4/8/2019*
    340,000       149,600  
Antero Resources Corp.:
 
5.125%, 12/1/2022
      140,000       132,300  
5.375%, 11/1/2021
      60,000       57,600  
144A, 5.625%, 6/1/2023
      55,000       53,144  
Baytex Energy Corp.:
 
144A, 5.125%, 6/1/2021
      30,000       28,125  
144A, 5.625%, 6/1/2024
      35,000       32,463  
Berry Petroleum Co., LLC:
 
6.375%, 9/15/2022
      50,000       39,000  
6.75%, 11/1/2020
      50,000       39,500  
California Resources Corp.:
 
5.0%, 1/15/2020
      60,000       52,800  
5.5%, 9/15/2021 (b)
      143,000       124,439  
6.0%, 11/15/2024 (b)
      50,000       43,000  
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.25%, 4/15/2023
      75,000       75,188  
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 7.625%, 11/15/2022
      85,000       61,200  
Chesapeake Energy Corp.:
 
5.75%, 3/15/2023 (b)
      200,000       181,000  
6.125%, 2/15/2021
      20,000       18,800  
6.625%, 8/15/2020
      70,000       68,250  
Concho Resources, Inc., 5.5%, 4/1/2023
      175,000       175,000  
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP, 144A, 6.25%, 4/1/2023
    25,000       26,000  
DCP Midstream LLC, 144A, 9.75%, 3/15/2019
      200,000       232,084  
Delek & Avner Tamar Bond Ltd., 144A, 5.082%, 12/30/2023
    350,000       351,750  
Ecopetrol SA, 5.875%, 5/28/2045
    500,000       441,250  
Endeavor Energy Resources LP:
 
144A, 7.0%, 8/15/2021
      85,000       84,575  
144A, 8.125%, 9/15/2023
      90,000       92,812  
EP Energy LLC, 144A, 6.375%, 6/15/2023 (b)
      65,000       65,163  
EV Energy Partners LP, 8.0%, 4/15/2019
      385,000       358,050  
GeoPark Latin America Ltd. Agencia en Chile, 144A, 7.5%, 2/11/2020
    200,000       173,000  
Gulfport Energy Corp., 144A, 6.625%, 5/1/2023
      30,000       30,375  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Halcon Resources Corp.:
 
144A, 8.625%, 2/1/2020
      125,000       123,437  
8.875%, 5/15/2021
      225,000       147,937  
9.75%, 7/15/2020
      40,000       26,900  
Hilcorp Energy I LP:
 
144A, 5.0%, 12/1/2024
      65,000       60,951  
144A, 5.75%, 10/1/2025
      100,000       96,000  
Holly Energy Partners LP, 6.5%, 3/1/2020
      10,000       9,975  
Kinder Morgan, Inc.:
 
3.05%, 12/1/2019
      145,000       144,839  
5.55%, 6/1/2045
      90,000       83,186  
Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 6.25%, 3/15/2023
      85,000       86,487  
Linn Energy LLC, 6.25%, 11/1/2019
    145,000       113,462  
MEG Energy Corp., 144A, 7.0%, 3/31/2024
      435,000       417,056  
Memorial Resource Development Corp., 5.875%, 7/1/2022
    65,000       62,771  
Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc., 6.0%, 8/15/2023
      85,000       88,187  
Newfield Exploration Co., 5.375%, 1/1/2026
      40,000       39,600  
Noble Holding International Ltd., 4.0%, 3/16/2018
    10,000       10,238  
Northern Oil & Gas, Inc., 8.0%, 6/1/2020
      140,000       127,400  
Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance BV, 144A, 6.375%, 2/14/2019
    200,000       187,500  
Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:
 
6.875%, 3/15/2022
      190,000       192,850  
6.875%, 1/15/2023
      70,000       69,125  
Offshore Drilling Holding SA, 144A, 8.625%, 9/20/2020
    600,000       537,000  
ONEOK Partners LP, 4.9%, 3/15/2025 (b)
      40,000       39,568  
Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp., 144A, 5.375%, 1/26/2019
    200,000       164,300  
Parsley Energy LLC, 144A, 7.5%, 2/15/2022
      10,000       10,147  
QGOG Constellation SA, 144A, 6.25%, 11/9/2019
    200,000       146,000  
Range Resources Corp., 144A, 4.875%, 5/15/2025
    60,000       58,284  
Regency Energy Partners LP, 5.0%, 10/1/2022
      45,000       45,711  
Reliance Industries Ltd., 144A, 4.125%, 1/28/2025
    250,000       243,885  
Rice Energy, Inc., 144A, 7.25%, 5/1/2023
      15,000       15,375  
RSP Permian, Inc., 144A, 6.625%, 10/1/2022
      165,000       168,712  
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC:
 
5.625%, 2/1/2021
      175,000       178,500  
144A, 5.625%, 3/1/2025
      90,000       89,100  
5.75%, 5/15/2024
      200,000       199,250  
SESI LLC, 7.125%, 12/15/2021
    205,000       217,300  
Seven Generations Energy Ltd., 144A, 6.75%, 5/1/2023
    20,000       19,950  
Sunoco LP, 144A, 6.375%, 4/1/2023
    40,000       41,600  
Talisman Energy, Inc., 3.75%, 2/1/2021
      120,000       118,797  
Talos Production LLC, 144A, 9.75%, 2/15/2018
      95,000       82,650  
Targa Resources Partners LP, 144A, 4.125%, 11/15/2019
      30,000       29,700  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
TerraForm Power Operating LLC, 144A, 5.875%, 2/1/2023
    125,000       126,875  
Transocean, Inc., 4.3%, 10/15/2022 (b)
    370,000       278,425  
Transportadora de Gas Internacional SA ESP, 144A, 5.7%, 3/20/2022
    200,000       209,750  
Triangle U.S.A. Petroleum Corp., 144A, 6.75%, 7/15/2022
    55,000       42,625  
Whiting Petroleum Corp.:
 
5.75%, 3/15/2021
      120,000       118,080  
144A, 6.25%, 4/1/2023
      270,000       267,975  
Williams Partners LP:
 
4.0%, 9/15/2025
      40,000       37,468  
6.125%, 7/15/2022
      15,000       15,938  
        8,777,334  
Financials 2.7%
 
AerCap Ireland Capital Ltd., 144A, 3.75%, 5/15/2019
    80,000       79,100  
Assured Guaranty U.S. Holdings, Inc., 5.0%, 7/1/2024
    3,000       2,942  
Banco Continental SAECA, 144A, 8.875%, 10/15/2017
    200,000       210,400  
Banco de Credito del Peru, 144A, 4.25%, 4/1/2023
    250,000       249,300  
Banco do Brasil SA, 144A, 9.0%, 6/29/2049
      450,000       405,990  
Barclays Bank PLC, 7.625%, 11/21/2022
      250,000       284,700  
BBVA Bancomer SA:
 
144A, 6.008%, 5/17/2022
      500,000       514,250  
144A, 6.75%, 9/30/2022
      150,000       165,187  
CBL & Associates LP, (REIT), 4.6%, 10/15/2024
      255,000       251,080  
China Overseas Finance Cayman II Ltd., REG S, 5.5%, 11/10/2020
      250,000       270,159  
CIT Group, Inc.:
 
5.0%, 5/15/2017
      935,000       964,172  
5.25%, 3/15/2018
      10,000       10,338  
CNO Financial Group, Inc.:
 
4.5%, 5/30/2020
      20,000       20,300  
5.25%, 5/30/2025
      40,000       40,648  
Corpbanca SA, 144A, 3.875%, 9/22/2019
      250,000       253,646  
Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, Series 3, REG S, 6.5%, 6/3/2020
    500,000       520,000  
E*TRADE Financial Corp., 4.625%, 9/15/2023
      55,000       54,037  
Equinix, Inc., (REIT), 5.375%, 4/1/2023
    175,000       175,000  
Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc., 4.868%, 6/1/2044
    100,000       94,867  
Hospitality Properties Trust, (REIT), 5.0%, 8/15/2022
      230,000       239,415  
HSBC Holdings PLC:
 
5.625%, 12/29/2049
      255,000       255,319  
6.375%, 12/29/2049
      30,000       30,075  
International Lease Finance Corp.:
 
3.875%, 4/15/2018
      100,000       100,500  
6.25%, 5/15/2019
      410,000       443,312  
8.75%, 3/15/2017
      40,000       43,764  
Legg Mason, Inc., 5.625%, 1/15/2044
      75,000       80,021  
Macquarie Group Ltd., 144A, 6.0%, 1/14/2020
      235,000       264,059  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., 144A, 4.5%, 4/15/2065
    10,000       8,881  
MPT Operating Partnership LP, (REIT), 6.375%, 2/15/2022
    40,000       42,650  
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., 144A, 5.3%, 11/18/2044
    135,000       132,557  
Navient Corp., 5.5%, 1/25/2023 (b)
    125,000       118,750  
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc., (REIT), 4.95%, 4/1/2024
    130,000       132,967  
Popular, Inc., 7.0%, 7/1/2019
      50,000       50,000  
        6,508,386  
Health Care 2.1%
 
AbbVie, Inc., 3.6%, 5/14/2025
    35,000       34,594  
Actavis Funding SCS, 4.75%, 3/15/2045
      2,000       1,904  
Alere, Inc., 144A, 6.375%, 7/1/2023
      60,000       61,050  
Community Health Systems, Inc.:
 
5.125%, 8/15/2018
      290,000       297,250  
6.875%, 2/1/2022 (b)
      620,000       654,100  
7.125%, 7/15/2020
      170,000       180,115  
Concordia Healthcare Corp., 144A, 7.0%, 4/15/2023
    30,000       30,000  
Endo Finance LLC:
 
144A, 5.375%, 1/15/2023
      80,000       79,000  
144A, 6.0%, 2/1/2025
      55,000       55,894  
Fresenius Medical Care U.S. Finance II, Inc., 144A, 5.625%, 7/31/2019
      10,000       10,825  
Fresenius Medical Care U.S. Finance, Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 9/15/2018
    10,000       11,000  
HCA, Inc.:
 
6.5%, 2/15/2020
      880,000       983,400  
7.5%, 2/15/2022
      725,000       832,844  
Hologic, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 7/15/2022 (d)
      30,000       30,638  
IMS Health, Inc., 144A, 6.0%, 11/1/2020
      60,000       61,800  
Mallinckrodt International Finance SA:
 
4.75%, 4/15/2023
      110,000       102,644  
144A, 4.875%, 4/15/2020
      45,000       45,790  
Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., 7.375%, 10/15/2020
    90,000       96,075  
Tenet Healthcare Corp.:
 
144A, 3.786%**, 6/15/2020
    55,000       55,481  
6.25%, 11/1/2018
      230,000       249,837  
144A, 6.75%, 6/15/2023
      115,000       117,300  
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, 144A, 6.375%, 10/15/2020
    90,000       94,781  
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:
               
144A, 5.375%, 3/15/2020
      105,000       108,412  
144A, 5.875%, 5/15/2023
      95,000       97,375  
144A, 6.125%, 4/15/2025
      285,000       293,194  
144A, 7.5%, 7/15/2021
      450,000       484,312  
        5,069,615  
Industrials 2.0%
 
ADT Corp.:
 
3.5%, 7/15/2022 (b)
      50,000       45,250  
5.25%, 3/15/2020
      130,000       136,175  
6.25%, 10/15/2021
      45,000       47,250  
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., 7.125%, 3/15/2021
      120,000       127,800  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc., 144A, 9.75%, 10/15/2020
    70,000       69,475  
Belden, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 9/1/2022
    85,000       84,362  
Bombardier, Inc.:
 
144A, 5.5%, 9/15/2018
      25,000       24,750  
144A, 5.75%, 3/15/2022
      328,000       291,920  
144A, 7.5%, 3/15/2025
      30,000       27,225  
DigitalGlobe, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 2/1/2021
      35,000       34,256  
DP World Ltd., 144A, 6.85%, 7/2/2037
      250,000       273,000  
Empresas ICA SAB de CV, 144A, 8.875%, 5/29/2024
    200,000       149,500  
EnerSys, 144A, 5.0%, 4/30/2023
    15,000       14,836  
FTI Consulting, Inc., 6.0%, 11/15/2022
    50,000       52,125  
Gates Global LLC, 144A, 6.0%, 7/15/2022
      65,000       58,825  
Kenan Advantage Group, Inc., 144A, 8.375%, 12/15/2018
    100,000       104,125  
Masonite International Corp., 144A, 5.625%, 3/15/2023
    60,000       60,975  
Meritor, Inc., 6.75%, 6/15/2021
    55,000       56,238  
Mersin Uluslararasi Liman Isletmeciligi AS, 144A, 5.875%, 8/12/2020
    500,000       524,710  
Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 144A, 7.375%, 1/15/2022
    450,000       389,812  
Noble Group Ltd., 144A, 6.625%, 8/5/2020
      250,000       248,625  
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 4/15/2021
      155,000       165,462  
Oshkosh Corp., 5.375%, 3/1/2025
    10,000       10,000  
Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 6.5%, 2/1/2022
      60,000       58,050  
SBA Communications Corp., 5.625%, 10/1/2019
      50,000       52,000  
Titan International, Inc., 6.875%, 10/1/2020 (b)
      100,000       91,875  
TransDigm, Inc.:
 
6.0%, 7/15/2022
      210,000       207,375  
7.5%, 7/15/2021
      275,000       295,625  
United Rentals North America, Inc.:
 
4.625%, 7/15/2023
      45,000       44,127  
6.125%, 6/15/2023
      10,000       10,213  
7.375%, 5/15/2020
      25,000       26,675  
7.625%, 4/15/2022
      620,000       671,150  
Wise Metals Group LLC, 144A, 8.75%, 12/15/2018
    95,000       100,344  
XPO Logistics, Inc.:
 
144A, 6.5%, 6/15/2022
      70,000       68,513  
144A, 7.875%, 9/1/2019
      95,000       101,517  
        4,724,160  
Information Technology 0.9%
 
ACI Worldwide, Inc., 144A, 6.375%, 8/15/2020
      30,000       31,575  
Activision Blizzard, Inc., 144A, 5.625%, 9/15/2021
    330,000       345,675  
Alliance Data Systems Corp., 144A, 5.25%, 12/1/2017
    60,000       61,950  
Audatex North America, Inc., 144A, 6.0%, 6/15/2021
    15,000       15,413  
BMC Software Finance, Inc., 144A, 8.125%, 7/15/2021
    30,000       24,300  
Cardtronics, Inc., 144A, 5.125%, 8/1/2022
      55,000       53,762  
CDW LLC, 6.0%, 8/15/2022
      130,000       134,225  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
EarthLink Holdings Corp., 7.375%, 6/1/2020
      70,000       72,800  
First Data Corp.:
 
144A, 6.75%, 11/1/2020 (b)
    237,000       250,481  
144A, 7.375%, 6/15/2019
      276,000       286,902  
Infor U.S., Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 5/15/2022
      60,000       61,050  
Italics Merger Sub, Inc., 144A, 7.125%, 7/15/2023
    30,000       29,625  
KLA-Tencor Corp., 4.65%, 11/1/2024
    150,000       149,918  
Micron Technology, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 8/1/2023
    90,000       86,287  
NXP BV, 144A, 3.75%, 6/1/2018
    90,000       90,675  
Open Text Corp., 144A, 5.625%, 1/15/2023
      75,000       74,250  
Project Homestake Merger Corp., 144A, 8.875%, 3/1/2023
    40,000       38,800  
Seagate HDD Cayman, 144A, 5.75%, 12/1/2034
      220,000       216,617  
        2,024,305  
Materials 2.1%
 
Anglo American Capital PLC:
 
144A, 4.125%, 4/15/2021
      200,000       200,092  
144A, 4.125%, 9/27/2022 (b)
    165,000       160,303  
ArcelorMittal, 5.125%, 6/1/2020
    20,000       20,275  
AVINTIV Specialty Materials, Inc., 7.75%, 2/1/2019
    138,000       142,140  
Ball Corp., 5.25%, 7/1/2025
      70,000       69,213  
Berry Plastics Corp., 5.5%, 5/15/2022
    320,000       321,200  
Cascades, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 7/15/2022
      50,000       48,375  
Cemex SAB de CV, 144A, 6.5%, 12/10/2019
      200,000       209,940  
Chemours Co.:
 
144A, 6.625%, 5/15/2023
      130,000       125,937  
144A, 7.0%, 5/15/2025 (b)
      25,000       24,250  
Clearwater Paper Corp., 144A, 5.375%, 2/1/2025
    70,000       68,600  
Evolution Escrow Issuer LLC, 144A, 7.5%, 3/15/2022
    70,000       66,325  
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.:
 
144A, 6.75%, 2/15/2020
      61,000       59,018  
144A, 7.0%, 2/15/2021
      111,000       106,144  
Glencore Funding LLC, 144A, 4.125%, 5/30/2023
      50,000       48,371  
Gold Fields Orogen Holdings BVI Ltd., 144A, 4.875%, 10/7/2020
    250,000       228,750  
Hexion, Inc.:
 
6.625%, 4/15/2020
      425,000       389,937  
8.875%, 2/1/2018
      90,000       81,225  
Kaiser Aluminum Corp., 8.25%, 6/1/2020
      40,000       43,300  
Novelis, Inc., 8.75%, 12/15/2020
    955,000       1,009,912  
Plastipak Holdings, Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 10/1/2021
    70,000       71,225  
Platform Specialty Products Corp., 144A, 6.5%, 2/1/2022
    80,000       82,600  
Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc., 5.75%, 10/15/2020
      1,145,000       1,173,625  
Tronox Finance LLC, 6.375%, 8/15/2020
      55,000       51,013  
WR Grace & Co-Conn:
 
144A, 5.125%, 10/1/2021
      40,000       40,300  
144A, 5.625%, 10/1/2024
      20,000       20,250  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Yamana Gold, Inc., 4.95%, 7/15/2024
    250,000       240,808  
        5,103,128  
Telecommunication Services 4.2%
 
America Movil SAB de CV, 7.125%, 12/9/2024
MXN
    2,000,000       123,404  
AT&T, Inc.:
 
2.45%, 6/30/2020
      40,000       39,211  
3.4%, 5/15/2025
      70,000       66,760  
Bharti Airtel International Netherlands BV, 144A, 5.35%, 5/20/2024
      1,000,000       1,058,880  
CenturyLink, Inc., Series V, 5.625%, 4/1/2020
      25,000       25,031  
CommScope, Inc., 144A, 4.375%, 6/15/2020
      35,000       35,350  
CyrusOne LP:
144A, 6.375%, 11/15/2022 (d)
    65,000       67,275  
6.375%, 11/15/2022
      25,000       25,875  
Digicel Group Ltd.:
 
144A, 7.125%, 4/1/2022
      250,000       237,425  
144A, 8.25%, 9/30/2020
      400,000       401,000  
Frontier Communications Corp.:
 
6.25%, 9/15/2021
      60,000       54,600  
6.875%, 1/15/2025
      240,000       200,700  
7.125%, 1/15/2023
      390,000       346,125  
8.5%, 4/15/2020
      290,000       303,195  
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.:
 
6.5%, 6/15/2019
      54,000       58,590  
7.625%, 6/15/2021
      190,000       209,038  
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:
 
5.5%, 8/1/2023
      265,000       234,657  
7.25%, 10/15/2020
      540,000       533,925  
7.5%, 4/1/2021
      340,000       336,175  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.:
 
5.375%, 8/15/2022
      265,000       267,650  
144A, 5.375%, 5/1/2025 (b)
    55,000       53,006  
6.125%, 1/15/2021
      100,000       104,870  
7.0%, 6/1/2020
      185,000       196,331  
8.625%, 7/15/2020
      450,000       480,915  
Millicom International Cellular SA, 144A, 6.0%, 3/15/2025
      200,000       193,000  
MTN Mauritius Investments Ltd., 144A, 4.755%, 11/11/2024
    500,000       496,250  
Plantronics, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 5/31/2023
      30,000       30,375  
Sprint Communications, Inc.:
 
6.0%, 11/15/2022 (b)
      85,000       77,669  
144A, 7.0%, 3/1/2020 (b)
      85,000       92,455  
144A, 9.0%, 11/15/2018
      420,000       474,289  
Sprint Corp., 7.125%, 6/15/2024
    285,000       264,366  
T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.:
 
6.375%, 3/1/2025
      215,000       219,838  
6.625%, 11/15/2020
      655,000       681,200  
UPCB Finance IV Ltd., 144A, 5.375%, 1/15/2025
      285,000       272,032  
UPCB Finance V Ltd., 144A, 7.25%, 11/15/2021
      252,000       272,160  
Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 144A, 6.5%, 4/30/2020
      50,000       52,250  
Windstream Services LLC:
 
6.375%, 8/1/2023
      60,000       48,825  
7.75%, 10/15/2020 (b)
      1,075,000       1,052,156  
7.75%, 10/1/2021
      185,000       169,275  
7.875%, 11/1/2017
      130,000       138,125  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Zayo Group LLC:
 
144A, 6.0%, 4/1/2023 (b)
      80,000       79,016  
144A, 6.375%, 5/15/2025
      70,000       67,900  
        10,141,169  
Utilities 0.6%
 
AES Corp., 8.0%, 6/1/2020
      30,000       34,650  
Calpine Corp.:
 
5.375%, 1/15/2023
      85,000       83,512  
5.75%, 1/15/2025
      85,000       82,663  
Dynegy, Inc.:
 
144A, 7.375%, 11/1/2022
      70,000       73,325  
144A, 7.625%, 11/1/2024
      135,000       142,762  
Hrvatska Elektroprivreda, 144A, 6.0%, 11/9/2017
    250,000       260,937  
Lamar Funding Ltd., 144A, 3.958%, 5/7/2025
      250,000       243,125  
NGL Energy Partners LP, 5.125%, 7/15/2019
      65,000       64,838  
NRG Energy, Inc., 6.25%, 5/1/2024
      360,000       357,300  
Talen Energy Supply LLC, 144A, 5.125%, 7/15/2019
    70,000       68,600  
        1,411,712  
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $54,902,313)
      53,429,418  
   
Asset-Backed 0.5%
 
Miscellaneous
 
ARES CLO Ltd., "D", Series 2012-3A, 144A, 4.907%**, 1/17/2024
    250,000       250,029  
Hilton Grand Vacations Trust, "B", Series 2014-AA, 144A, 2.07%, 11/25/2026
    386,272       380,608  
PennyMac LLC, "A1", Series 2015-NPL1, 144A, 4.0%, 3/25/2055
    565,215       564,695  
Total Asset-Backed (Cost $1,191,410)
      1,195,332  
   
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs 5.3%
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:
 
3.5%, 12/1/2042 (d)
      5,000,000       5,142,187  
6.0%, 3/1/2038
      7,204       8,191  
Federal National Mortgage Association:
 
4.0%, 4/1/2042 (d)
      2,200,000       2,330,625  
4.5%, 9/1/2035
      20,389       22,207  
6.0%, 1/1/2024
      24,561       27,879  
6.5%, with various maturities from 5/1/2017 until 1/1/2038
    4,314       4,546  
Government National Mortgage Association 3.5%, 5/1/2043 (d)
    5,000,000       5,189,453  
Total Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs (Cost $12,782,775)
      12,725,088  
   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 0.4%
 
Del Coronado Trust, "M", Series 2013-HDMZ, 144A, 5.186%**, 3/15/2018
    120,000       120,036  
FHLMC Multifamily Structured Pass-Through Certificates, "X1", Series K043, 0.678%**, 12/25/2024
    4,996,682       217,616  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, "A3", Series 2014-C19, 3.669%, 4/15/2047
    125,000       130,650  
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., "A4", Series 2007-C1, 5.716%, 2/15/2051
    222,767       237,699  
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, "A4", Series 2007-C6, 5.858%, 7/15/2040
    238,274       250,967  
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $966,303)
      956,968  
   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 1.7%
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:
 
"HI", Series 3979, Interest Only, 3.0%, 12/15/2026
    523,474       52,575  
"IK", Series 4048, Interest Only, 3.0%, 5/15/2027
    629,373       74,613  
"ZG", Series 4213, 3.5%, 6/15/2043
    56,707       55,021  
"LI", Series 3720, Interest Only, 4.5%, 9/15/2025
    1,017,364       145,517  
"PI", Series 3843, Interest Only, 4.5%, 5/15/2038
    546,373       64,604  
"SP", Series 4047, Interest Only, 6.465%***, 12/15/2037
    566,608       92,702  
"H", Series 2278, 6.5%, 1/15/2031
    136       151  
Federal National Mortgage Association:
               
"WO", Series 2013-27, Principal Only, Zero Coupon, 12/25/2042
    220,000       117,920  
"4", Series 406, Interest Only, 4.0%, 9/25/2040
    179,886       37,057  
"KZ", Series 2010-134, 4.5%, 12/25/2040
      437,503       472,161  
"I", Series 2003-84, Interest Only, 6.0%, 9/25/2033
    187,963       45,107  
"PI", Series 2006-20, Interest Only, 6.493%***, 11/25/2030
    345,266       55,865  
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, "M3", Series 2014-DN4, 4.735%**, 10/25/2024
    240,000       243,026  
Government National Mortgage Association:
               
"QI", Series 2011-112, Interest Only, 4.0%, 5/16/2026
    534,251       55,247  
"GC", Series 2010-101, 4.0%, 8/20/2040
      500,000       525,502  
"PI", Series 2015-40, Interest Only, 4.0%, 4/20/2044
    592,269       104,753  
"NI", Series 2011-80, Interest Only, 4.5%, 5/16/2038
    663,491       37,988  
"BI", Series 2010-30, Interest Only, 4.5%, 7/20/2039
    96,953       14,478  
"ND", Series 2010-130, 4.5%, 8/16/2039
      600,000       658,169  
"PI", Series 2014-108, Interest Only, 4.5%, 12/20/2039
    144,341       28,922  
"IP", Series 2014-11, Interest Only, 4.5%, 1/20/2043
    413,059       70,293  
"PZ", Series 2010-106, 4.75%, 8/20/2040
      444,935       493,703  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
"IQ", Series 2011-18, Interest Only, 5.5%, 1/16/2039
    221,285       27,148  
"IV", Series 2009-69, Interest Only, 5.5%, 8/20/2039
    418,011       82,606  
"IN", Series 2009-69, Interest Only, 5.5%, 8/20/2039
    425,155       88,365  
"IJ", Series 2009-75, Interest Only, 6.0%, 8/16/2039
    314,330       64,107  
"AI", Series 2007-38, Interest Only, 6.275%***, 6/16/2037
    73,133       12,901  
Residential Funding Mortgage Securities I, Inc., "M1", Series 2003-S17, 5.5%, 9/25/2033
    344,442       244,061  
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $3,586,168)
      3,964,562  
   
Government & Agency Obligations 9.0%
 
Other Government Related (e) 0.1%
 
Perusahaan Penerbit SBSN, 144A, 4.325%, 5/28/2025
      200,000       194,760  
Sovereign Bonds 3.7%
 
Dominican Republic, 144A, 5.5%, 1/27/2025
      100,000       100,250  
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Government AID Bond, 3.0%, 6/30/2025
      1,200,000       1,203,000  
Indonesia Treasury Bond, Series FR56, 8.375%, 9/15/2026
IDR
    1,340,000,000       100,562  
Kingdom of Spain-Inflation Linked Bond, REG S, 144A, 1.0%, 11/30/2030
EUR
    1,153,761       1,193,401  
Portugal Obrigacoes do Tesouro OT, REG S, 144A, 4.1%, 2/15/2045
EUR
    1,400,000       1,618,351  
Republic of El Salvador:
 
144A, 6.375%, 1/18/2027
      100,000       96,750  
144A, 7.65%, 6/15/2035
      100,000       100,500  
Republic of Hungary, Series 19/A, 6.5%, 6/24/2019
HUF
    16,900,000       68,367  
Republic of Ireland, REG S, 2.0%, 2/18/2045
EUR
    600,000       584,274  
Republic of New Zealand, Series 0427, REG S, 4.5%, 4/15/2027
NZD
    2,300,000       1,686,811  
Republic of Poland, Series 0725, 3.25%, 7/25/2025
PLN
    720,000       190,987  
Republic of Singapore, 2.75%, 4/1/2042
SGD
    600,000       420,760  
Republic of Slovenia, 144A, 5.5%, 10/26/2022
      200,000       221,790  
Republic of South Africa:
 
Series R204, 8.0%, 12/21/2018
ZAR
    2,200,000       183,391  
Series R186, 10.5%, 12/21/2026
ZAR
    2,700,000       258,326  
Republic of Sri Lanka, 144A, 5.125%, 4/11/2019
      200,000       199,000  
Republic of Turkey, 8.5%, 7/10/2019
TRY
    500,000       181,337  
Republic of Uruguay, 5.1%, 6/18/2050
      40,000       38,100  
United Mexican States, 4.6%, 1/23/2046
      500,000       462,500  
        8,908,457  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
U.S. Government Sponsored Agency 0.4%
 
Federal National Mortgage Association, 3.0%, 11/15/2027
    1,000,000       973,309  
U.S. Treasury Obligations 4.8%
 
U.S. Treasury Bills:
 
0.06%****, 8/13/2015 (f)
      1,327,000       1,327,000  
0.07%****, 12/3/2015 (f)
      604,000       603,889  
U.S. Treasury Bonds:
 
2.5%, 2/15/2045
      25,000       22,002  
3.125%, 8/15/2044
      142,000       142,233  
3.625%, 2/15/2044
      176,000       193,504  
5.375%, 2/15/2031
      1,071,000       1,439,742  
U.S. Treasury Notes:
 
1.0%, 8/31/2016 (g) (h)
      5,349,000       5,387,449  
1.0%, 9/30/2016
      1,200,000       1,209,094  
1.25%, 1/31/2020
      180,000       177,581  
2.125%, 5/15/2025
      10,000       9,819  
2.25%, 11/15/2024
      770,000       765,308  
2.5%, 5/15/2024
      170,000       172,908  
        11,450,529  
Total Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $22,212,110)
      21,527,055  
   
Municipal Bonds and Notes 2.3%
 
Arizona, State Transportation Board, Highway Revenue, 5.0%, 7/1/2033
    1,000,000       1,149,960  
Atlanta, GA, Water & Wastewater Revenue, 5.0%, 11/1/2034
    1,000,000       1,134,560  
California, State General Obligation:
 
5.0%, 3/1/2033
    285,000       327,106  
5.0%, 3/1/2032
    715,000       823,208  
Honolulu City & County, HI, General Obligation, Series A, 5.0%, 10/1/2035
    365,000       420,644  
Kentucky, Asset/Liability Commission, General Fund Revenue, 3.165%, 4/1/2018
    231,439       238,664  
New York City, NY, Transitional Finance Authority Revenue, Future Tax Secured, Series A-1, 5.0%, 8/1/2032
    500,000       570,675  
   
Principal Amount ($)(c)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
New York, NY, General Obligation, Series C, 5.0%, 8/1/2033
    290,000       330,737  
Ventura County, CA, Community College District, 5.0%, 8/1/2030
    330,000       388,323  
Total Municipal Bonds and Notes (Cost $5,446,873)
      5,383,877  
   
Convertible Bond 0.2%
 
Materials
 
GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 144A, 7.5%, 10/30/2018 (Cost $205,860)
    209,283       382,465  
   
Preferred Security 0.0%
 
Materials
 
Hercules, Inc., 6.5%, 6/30/2029 (Cost $20,821)
      40,000       36,400  
 

   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Mutual Fund 4.7%
 
Deutsche Floating Rate Fund "Institutional" (i) (Cost $11,234,874)
    1,237,106       11,307,152  
   
Securities Lending Collateral 3.3%
 
Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 0.16% (i) (j) (Cost $7,991,825)
    7,991,825       7,991,825  
   
Cash Equivalents 2.5%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (i) (Cost $5,923,511)
    5,923,511       5,923,511  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $245,669,184)
    108.2       258,214,608  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (8.2 )     (19,578,903 )
Net Assets
    100.0       238,635,705  
 
The following table represents bonds that are in default:
Security
 
Coupon
 
Maturity Date
Principal Amount
   
Cost ($)
   
Value ($)
 
Afren PLC*
    10.25 %
4/8/2019
USD
    340,000       370,821       149,600  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
** Floating rate securities' yields vary with a designated market index or market rate, such as the coupon-equivalent of the U.S. Treasury Bill rate. These securities are shown at their current rate as of June 30, 2015.
 
*** These securities are shown at their current rate as of June 30, 2015.
 
**** Annualized yield at time of purchase; not a coupon rate.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $246,123,749. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $12,090,859. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $20,315,859 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $8,225,000.
 
(a) The Fund may purchase securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale ("restricted securities"). Restricted securities are securities which have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund may be unable to sell a restricted security and it may be more difficult to determine a market value for a restricted security. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the Fund's decision to sell a restricted security and the point at which the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell. This investment practice, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity of the Fund. The future value of these securities is uncertain and there may be changes in the estimated value of these securities.
Schedule of Restricted Securities
Acquisition Date
 
Cost ($)
   
Value ($)
   
Value as % of Net Assets
 
Dawn Holdings, Inc.*
August 2013
    2,342       940       .00  
 
(b) All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, "Other Assets and Liabilities, Net" may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at June 30, 2015 amounted to $7,511,730, which is 3.1% of net assets.
 
(c) Principal amount stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
 
(d) When-issued or delayed delivery security included.
 
(e) Government-backed debt issued by financial companies or government sponsored enterprises.
 
(f) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, to cover initial margin requirements for open futures contracts.
 
(g) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, as collateral for open over-the-counter derivatives.
 
(h) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, to cover initial margin requirements for open centrally cleared swap contracts.
 
(i) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
(j) Represents collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
 
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
 
CLO: Collateralized Loan Obligation
 
CVA: Certificaten Van Aandelen (Certificate of Stock)
 
Interest Only: Interest Only (IO) bonds represent the "interest only" portion of payments on a pool of underlying mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. IO securities are subject to prepayment risk of the pool of underlying mortgages.
 
PIK: Denotes that all or a portion of the income is paid in-kind in the form of additional principal.
 
Principal Only: Principal Only (PO) bonds represent the "principal only" portion of payments on a pool of underlying mortgages or mortgage-backed securities.
 
REG S: Securities sold under Regulation S may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust
 
RSP: Risparmio (Convertible Savings Shares)
 
SBSN: Surat Berharga Syariah Negara
 
SDR: Swedish Depositary Receipt
 
Included in the portfolio are investments in mortgage- or asset-backed securities which are interests in separate pools of mortgages or assets. Effective maturities of these investments may be shorter than stated maturities due to prepayments. Some separate investments in the Federal National Mortgage Association issues which have similar coupon rates have been aggregated for presentation purposes in this investment portfolio.
 
At June 30, 2015, open futures contracts purchased were as follows:
Futures
Currency
Expiration Date
 
Contracts
   
Notional Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) ($)
 
10 Year Australian Bond
AUD
9/15/2015
    26       2,512,783       12,695  
Euro-BUXL 30 Year German Government Bond
EUR
9/8/2015
    12       1,988,535       (22,852 )
Total net unrealized depreciation
      (10,157 )
 
At June 30, 2015, open futures contracts sold were as follows:
Futures
Currency
Expiration Date
 
Contracts
   
Notional Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) ($)
 
10 Year Canadian Government Bond
CAD
9/21/2015
    22       2,465,973       (24,584 )
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note
USD
9/21/2015
    148       18,673,438       151,971  
Euro-Bund Federal Republic of Germany
EUR
9/8/2015
    15       2,541,857       (30,123 )
Ultra Long U.S. Treasury Bond
USD
9/21/2015
    55       8,473,438       227,597  
Total net unrealized appreciation
      324,861  
 
At June 30, 2015, open written options contracts were as follows:
Options on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
Swap Effective/
Expiration Date
 
Contract
Amount
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Premiums Received ($)
   
Value ($) (k)
 
Call Options
Receive Fixed — 4.48% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
5/9/2016
5/11/2026
    2,100,000 1
5/5/2016
    23,573       (1,396 )
Receive Fixed — 5.132% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
3/17/2016
3/17/2026
    2,100,000 1
3/15/2016
    15,172       (90 )
Receive Fixed — 5.132% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
3/17/2016
3/17/2026
    2,100,000 2
3/15/2016
    24,780       (90 )
Total Call Options
    63,525       (1,576 )
Put Options
Pay Fixed — 1.132% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
3/17/2016
3/17/2026
    2,100,000 1
3/15/2016
    15,173       (1,078 )
Pay Fixed — 1.132% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
3/17/2016
3/17/2026
    2,100,000 2
3/15/2016
    5,355       (1,078 )
Pay Fixed — 2.48% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
5/9/2016
5/11/2026
    2,100,000 1
5/5/2016
    23,572       (40,585 )
Pay Fixed — 2.615% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
12/4/2015
12/4/2045
    4,900,000 3
12/2/2015
    106,330       (87,984 )
Pay Fixed — 2.64% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
8/10/2015
8/10/2045
    1,900,000 1
8/6/2015
    17,765       (10,164 )
Pay Fixed — 2.675% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
11/12/2015
11/12/2045
    4,900,000 3
11/9/2015
    98,245       (99,258 )
Pay Fixed — 2.88% –
Receive Floating — LIBOR
9/30/2015
9/30/2045
    4,900,000 4
9/28/2015
    102,524       (143,286 )
Total Put Options
    368,964       (383,433 )
Total
    432,489       (385,009 )
 
(k) Unrealized appreciation on written options on interest rate swap contracts at June 30, 2015 was $47,480.
 
At June 30, 2015, open credit default swap contracts sold were as follows:
Bilateral Swaps
 
Effective/
Expiration Dates
 
Notional Amount ($) (l)
   
Fixed Cash Flows Received
 
Underlying Debt Obligation/
Quality Rating (m)
 
Value ($)
   
Upfront Payments Paid ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation ($)
 
4/15/2015
6/20/2020
    70,000 5     5.0 %
CCO Holdings LLC,
7.25%, 10/30/2017, BB–
    6,861       6,691       170  
12/22/2014
3/20/2020
    135,000 6     5.0 %
General Motors Corp.,
6.25%, 10/2/2043, BBB–
    22,511       20,287       2,224  
Total unrealized appreciation
      2,394  
 
(l) The maximum potential amount of future undiscounted payments that the Fund could be required to make under a credit default swap contract would be the notional amount of the contract. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the referenced debt obligation or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap contracts entered into by the Fund for the same referenced debt obligation, if any.
 
(m) The quality ratings represent the higher of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") credit ratings and are unaudited.
 
At June 30, 2015, open interest rate swap contracts were as follows:
Centrally Cleared Swaps
 
Effective/
Expiration Dates
 
Notional Amount ($)
 
Cash Flows Paid
by the Fund
Cash Flows Received
by the Fund
 
Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation/
(Depreciation) ($)
 
9/16/2015
9/16/2045
    1,900,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 3.0%
    19,401       (17,549 )
9/16/2015
9/16/2045
    1,900,000  
Fixed — 3.0%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (19,401 )     26,268  
9/16/2015
9/16/2020
    8,037,000  
Fixed — 2.25%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (143,871 )     (2,581 )
12/16/2015
9/16/2020
    17,900,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 2.214%
    207,030       215,734  
12/16/2015
9/18/2017
    700,000  
Fixed — 1.557%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (5,022 )     (5,722 )
2/3/2015
2/3/2045
    1,900,000  
Fixed — 3.035%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (67,399 )     (44,249 )
1/28/2015
1/28/2045
    2,100,000  
Fixed — 3.088%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (98,824 )     (77,640 )
12/16/2015
9/18/2045
    4,300,000  
Fixed — 2.998%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (13,966 )     121,970  
12/16/2015
9/17/2035
    400,000  
Fixed — 2.938%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (1,754 )     6,433  
12/16/2015
9/16/2025
    800,000  
Fixed — 2.64%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (4,742 )     (234 )
Total net unrealized appreciation
      222,430  
 
Counterparties:
 
1 Nomura International PLC
 
2 BNP Paribas
 
3 Citigroup, Inc.
 
4 Morgan Stanley
 
5 Barclays Bank PLC
 
6 Credit Suisse
 
LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate; 3-Month LIBOR rate at June 30, 2015 is 0.28%.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency exchange contracts:
Contracts to Deliver
 
In Exchange For
 
Settlement Date
 
Unrealized Appreciation ($)
 
Counterparty
KRW
    1,169,662,000  
JPY
    130,000,000  
7/9/2015
    13,874  
Nomura International PLC
KRW
    1,169,675,000  
JPY
    130,000,000  
7/9/2015
    13,863  
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
AUD
    994,150  
GBP
    500,000  
7/9/2015
    18,857  
Morgan Stanley
AUD
    994,130  
GBP
    500,000  
7/9/2015
    18,872  
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
USD
    2,550,268  
JPY
    320,000,000  
7/9/2015
    64,640  
Barclays Bank PLC
SEK
    8,749,491  
EUR
    950,000  
7/9/2015
    3,634  
Societe Generale
SEK
    8,747,771  
EUR
    950,000  
7/9/2015
    3,842  
Morgan Stanley
SEK
    8,359,200  
NOK
    8,000,000  
7/9/2015
    11,699  
Crédit Agricole CIB
SEK
    8,385,752  
NOK
    8,000,000  
7/9/2015
    8,495  
Morgan Stanley
JPY
    130,000,000  
KRW
    1,187,160,000  
7/9/2015
    1,810  
Nomura International PLC
JPY
    130,000,000  
KRW
    1,187,095,000  
7/9/2015
    1,752  
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
EUR
    1,400,000  
USD
    1,581,878  
7/9/2015
    20,935  
BNP Paribas
NZD
    1,100,000  
USD
    769,890  
7/9/2015
    24,937  
Macquarie Bank Ltd.
NZD
    500,000  
USD
    346,958  
7/9/2015
    8,342  
National Australia Bank Ltd.
EUR
    4,800,000  
USD
    5,370,235  
7/13/2015
    18,161  
UBS AG
EUR
    2,400,000  
USD
    2,678,299  
7/13/2015
    2,262  
Barclays Bank PLC
USD
    5,204,702  
EUR
    4,800,000  
7/13/2015
    147,372  
Bank of America
USD
    2,781,766  
EUR
    2,581,400  
7/13/2015
    96,535  
Societe Generale
EUR
    1,677,000  
USD
    1,878,502  
7/13/2015
    8,621  
Societe Generale
EUR
    302,000  
USD
    337,191  
7/13/2015
    457  
UBS AG
SGD
    1,177,000  
USD
    878,931  
7/13/2015
    5,184  
Societe Generale
SEK
    10,210,000  
USD
    1,235,505  
7/13/2015
    3,625  
Societe Generale
USD
    2,610,834  
SEK
    22,077,800  
7/13/2015
    52,946  
Societe Generale
USD
    695,293  
EUR
    625,000  
7/13/2015
    1,592  
UBS AG
NZD
    2,491,000  
USD
    1,752,970  
7/13/2015
    66,581  
Societe Generale
PLN
    820,000  
USD
    219,006  
8/10/2015
    1,145  
Citigroup, Inc.
USD
    1,204,168  
ZAR
    14,800,000  
8/14/2015
    3,336  
BNP Paribas
MXN
    8,300,000  
USD
    536,585  
8/14/2015
    10,114  
BNP Paribas
MXN
    2,066,000  
USD
    132,335  
8/14/2015
    1,288  
JPMorgan Chase Securities, Inc.
COP
    1,957,500,000  
USD
    767,207  
8/18/2015
    19,589  
BNP Paribas
Total unrealized appreciation
        654,360  
 

Contracts to Deliver
 
In Exchange For
 
Settlement Date
 
Unrealized Depreciation ($)
 
Counterparty
CAD
    1,300,000  
USD
    1,039,850  
7/9/2015
    (882 )
Morgan Stanley
CAD
    1,300,000  
USD
    1,040,000  
7/9/2015
    (733 )
Macquarie Bank Ltd.
GBP
    1,000,000  
USD
    1,561,270  
7/9/2015
    (9,900 )
Morgan Stanley
JPY
    320,000,000  
USD
    2,605,359  
7/9/2015
    (9,549 )
Nomura International PLC
USD
    622,102  
CAD
    755,549  
7/13/2015
    (17,268 )
Societe Generale
NOK
    11,904,000  
USD
    1,469,117  
7/13/2015
    (48,785 )
BNP Paribas
SGD
    825,000  
USD
    607,214  
7/13/2015
    (5,225 )
UBS AG
EUR
    2,400,000  
USD
    2,577,566  
7/13/2015
    (98,471 )
Citigroup, Inc.
EUR
    4,942,400  
USD
    5,308,068  
7/13/2015
    (202,784 )
Citigroup, Inc.
CAD
    755,549  
USD
    600,610  
7/13/2015
    (4,224 )
Citigroup, Inc.
SEK
    22,115,000  
USD
    2,536,015  
7/13/2015
    (132,254 )
Barclays Bank PLC
EUR
    2,400,000  
USD
    2,577,034  
7/13/2015
    (99,004 )
Bank of America
USD
    1,572,969  
NOK
    11,904,000  
7/13/2015
    (55,068 )
Barclays Bank PLC
USD
    674,019  
EUR
    604,000  
7/13/2015
    (549 )
Citigroup, Inc.
USD
    2,737,898  
EUR
    2,400,000  
7/13/2015
    (61,861 )
Societe Generale
USD
    1,259,819  
SEK
    10,247,200  
7/13/2015
    (23,450 )
Barclays Bank PLC
USD
    2,682,439  
EUR
    2,400,000  
7/13/2015
    (6,402 )
UBS AG
USD
    420,202  
SGD
    566,000  
7/13/2015
    (32 )
Barclays Bank PLC
TRY
    510,000  
USD
    183,484  
7/20/2015
    (5,765 )
BNP Paribas
ZAR
    18,020,000  
USD
    1,429,682  
8/14/2015
    (40,536 )
BNP Paribas
USD
    400,814  
TRY
    1,087,500  
8/14/2015
    (124 )
Nomura International PLC
USD
    530,512  
MXN
    8,300,000  
8/14/2015
    (4,041 )
BNP Paribas
TRY
    1,087,500  
USD
    387,024  
8/14/2015
    (13,665 )
Nomura International PLC
ILS
    1,950,000  
USD
    508,886  
8/14/2015
    (7,882 )
Nomura International PLC
Total unrealized depreciation
        (848,454 )
 

Currency Abbreviations
AUD Australian Dollar
CAD Canadian Dollar
COP Colombian Peso
EUR Euro
GBP British Pound
HUF Hungarian Forint
IDR Indonesian Rupiah
ILS Israeli Shekel
JPY Japanese Yen
KRW South Korean Won
MXN Mexican Peso
NOK Norwegian Krone
NZD New Zealand Dollar
PLN Polish Zloty
SEK Swedish Krona
SGD Singapore Dollar
TRY Turkish Lira
USD United States Dollar
ZAR South African Rand
 
For information on the Fund's policy and additional disclosures regarding futures contracts, credit default swaps, interest rate swap contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and written options contracts, please refer to Note B in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Common Stocks (n)
                       
Consumer Discretionary
  $ 9,017,189     $ 5,458,115     $ 940     $ 14,476,244  
Consumer Staples
    7,557,706       3,161,959             10,719,665  
Energy
    4,617,282       3,087,519             7,704,801  
Financials
    18,013,925       16,704,175             34,718,100  
Health Care
    10,574,251       2,314,022       0       12,888,273  
Industrials
    5,874,394       6,692,686             12,567,080  
Information Technology
    13,834,847       2,001,886             15,836,733  
Materials
    2,565,987       3,034,515       13,558       5,614,060  
Telecommunication Services
    2,503,025       5,410,189             7,913,214  
Utilities
    6,621,827       2,873,107             9,494,934  
Preferred Stocks
          1,445,814             1,445,814  
Rights (n)
          3,059       7,977       11,036  
Warrants
                1,001       1,001  
Fixed Income Investments (n)
                               
Corporate Bonds
          53,429,418             53,429,418  
Asset-Backed
          1,195,332             1,195,332  
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs
          12,725,088             12,725,088  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
          956,968             956,968  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
          3,964,562             3,964,562  
Government & Agency Obligations
          21,527,055             21,527,055  
Municipal Bonds and Notes
          5,383,877             5,383,877  
Convertible Bond
                382,465       382,465  
Preferred Security
          36,400             36,400  
Mutual Fund
    11,307,152                   11,307,152  
Short-Term Investments (n)
    13,915,336                   13,915,336  
Derivatives (o)
 
Futures Contracts
    392,263                   392,263  
Credit Default Swap Contracts
          2,394             2,394  
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
          370,405             370,405  
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
          654,360             654,360  
Total
  $ 106,795,184     $ 152,432,905     $ 405,941     $ 259,634,030  
Liabilities
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Derivatives (o)
 
Futures Contracts
  $ (77,559 )   $     $     $ (77,559 )
Written Options
          (385,009 )           (385,009 )
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
          (147,975 )           (147,975 )
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
          (848,454 )           (848,454 )
Total
  $ (77,559 )   $ (1,381,438 )   $     $ (1,458,997 )
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
(n) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
(o) Derivatives include unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open futures contracts, credit default swap contracts, interest rate swap contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and written options, at value.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $220,518,974) — including $7,511,730 of securities loaned
  $ 232,992,120  
Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $7,991,825)*
    7,991,825  
Investments in affiliated Underlying Funds (cost $17,158,385)
    17,230,663  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $245,669,184)
    258,214,608  
Cash
    111,237  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $534,510)
    536,170  
Receivable for investments sold
    664,645  
Receivable for investments sold — when-issued/delayed delivery security
    2,273,827  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    7,285  
Dividends receivable
    223,651  
Interest receivable
    1,152,581  
Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps
    30,477  
Unrealized appreciation on bilateral swap contracts
    2,394  
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
    654,360  
Upfront payments paid on bilateral swap contracts
    26,978  
Foreign taxes recoverable
    63,764  
Other assets
    2,344  
Total assets
    263,964,321  
Liabilities
 
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    7,991,825  
Payable for investments purchased
    537,189  
Payable for investments purchased — when-issued/delayed delivery securities
    15,146,091  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    167,856  
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts
    3,341  
Options written, at value (premium received $432,489)
    385,009  
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
    848,454  
Accrued management fee
    68,230  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    3,889  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    176,732  
Total liabilities
    25,328,616  
Net assets, at value
  $ 238,635,705  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    3,697,961  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    12,545,424  
Swap contracts
    224,824  
Futures
    314,704  
Foreign currency
    (197,683 )
Written options
    47,480  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    (464,415 )
Paid-in capital
    222,467,410  
Net assets, at value
  $ 238,635,705  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($238,635,705 ÷ 9,996,405 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 23.87  
 
* Represents collateral on securities loaned.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $134,832)
  $ 2,124,801  
Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $615)
    2,160,359  
Income distributions from affiliated Underlying Funds
    239,075  
Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates
    40,386  
Total income
    4,564,621  
Expenses:
Management fee
    448,747  
Administration fee
    121,283  
Services to shareholders
    756  
Custodian fee
    42,573  
Professional fees
    48,026  
Reports to shareholders
    33,785  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    6,505  
Other
    39,453  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    741,128  
Expense reductions
    (31,838 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    709,290  
Net investment income
    3,855,331  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
    (333,140 )
Swap contracts
    (260,407 )
Futures
    (539,975 )
Written options
    40,280  
Foreign currency
    1,007,429  
      (85,813 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    1,379,855  
Swap contracts
    233,231  
Futures
    360,623  
Written options
    835,806  
Foreign currency
    (220,905 )
      2,588,610  
Net gain (loss)
    2,502,797  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 6,358,128  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 3,855,331     $ 7,379,735  
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 3,855,331     $ 7,379,735  
Net realized gain (loss)
    (85,813 )     7,258,440  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    2,588,610       (4,653,232 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    6,358,128       9,984,943  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income: Class A
    (7,355,308 )     (8,047,271 )
Net realized gains: Class A
    (6,214,133 )     (26,528,998 )
Total distributions
    (13,569,441 )     (34,576,269 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    3,112,973       5,731,970  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    13,569,441       34,576,269  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (18,005,625 )     (37,629,458 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    (1,323,211 )     2,678,781  
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (8,534,524 )     (21,912,545 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    247,170,229       269,082,774  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3,697,961 and $7,197,938, respectively)
  $ 238,635,705     $ 247,170,229  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    10,040,081       9,857,478  
Shares sold
    127,024       223,936  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    562,580       1,433,510  
Shares redeemed
    (733,280 )     (1,474,843 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    (43,676 )     182,603  
Shares outstanding at end of period
    9,996,405       10,040,081  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 24.62     $ 27.30     $ 23.90     $ 21.49     $ 22.13     $ 20.52  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .39       .72       .78       .57       .46       .39  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    .26       .25       3.14       2.20       (.75 )     1.88  
Total from investment operations
    .65       .97       3.92       2.77       (.29 )     2.27  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.76 )     (.85 )     (.52 )     (.36 )     (.35 )     (.66 )
Net realized gains
    (.64 )     (2.80 )                        
Total distributions
    (1.40 )     (3.65 )     (.52 )     (.36 )     (.35 )     (.66 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 23.87     $ 24.62     $ 27.30     $ 23.90     $ 21.49     $ 22.13  
Total Return (%)
    2.60 b**     3.83       16.63       12.98       (1.42 )     11.22  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    239       247       269       260       264       308  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    .61 *     .62       .60       .59       .58       .65  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    .58 *     .62       .60       .59       .58       .65  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)
    3.18 *     2.83       3.07       2.48       2.09       1.89  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    40 **     88       182       188       109       203  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Global Income Builder VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Equity securities are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities are generally categorized as Level 1. For certain international equity securities, in order to adjust for events which may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the close of the New York Stock Exchange, a fair valuation model may be used. This fair valuation model takes into account comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), exchange-traded funds, futures contracts and certain indices and these securities are categorized as Level 2.
 
Debt securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Fund's Board. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, prepayment speeds and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, debt securities are valued at the average of the most recent reliable bid quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices established each day on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and are categorized as Level 2.
 
Swap contracts are valued daily based upon prices supplied by a Board approved pricing vendor, if available, and otherwise are valued at the price provided by the broker-dealer. Swap contracts are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Exchange-traded options are valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked prices or at the most recent asked price (bid for purchased options) if no bid or asked price are available. Exchange-traded options are categorized as Level 1. Over-the-counter written or purchased options are valued at prices supplied by a Board approved pricing vendor, if available, and otherwise are valued at the price provided by the broker-dealer with which the option was traded. Over-the-counter written or purchased options are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.
 
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.
 
Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had securities on loan. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.
 
When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase or sell securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the transaction is reflected in the net asset value. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. At the time the Fund enters into a purchase transaction it is required to segregate cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Additionally, the Fund may be required to post securities and/or cash collateral in accordance with the terms of the commitment.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.
 
Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
Additionally, the Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by the governments of countries in which it invests and are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized gain/loss on investments. Tax liabilities realized as a result of security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain/loss on investments.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to investments in foreign denominated investments, forward currency contracts, futures contracts, swap contracts and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Certain dividends from foreign securities may be recorded subsequent to the ex-dividend date as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments. All discounts and premiums are accreted/amortized for both tax and financial reporting purposes, with the exception of securities in default of principal.
 
B. Derivative Instruments
 
Swaps. A swap is a contract between two parties to exchange future cash flows at periodic intervals based on the notional amount of the swap. A bilateral swap is a transaction between the fund and a counterparty where cash flows are exchanged between the two parties. A centrally cleared swap is a transaction executed between the fund and a counterparty, then cleared by a clearing member through a central clearinghouse. The central clearinghouse serves as the counterparty, with whom the fund exchanges cash flows.
 
The value of a swap is adjusted daily, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized when the swap expires or is closed. Certain risks may arise when entering into swap transactions including counterparty default; liquidity; or unfavorable changes in interest rates or the value of the underlying reference security, commodity or index. In connection with bilateral swaps, securities and/or cash may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default. The maximum counterparty credit risk is the net present value of the cash flows to be received from or paid to the counterparty over the term of the swap, to the extent that this amount is beneficial to the Fund, in addition to any related collateral posted to the counterparty by the Fund. This risk may be partially reduced by a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities ("initial margin") in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount of the swap. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value of the swap. In a cleared swap transaction, counterparty risk is minimized as the central clearinghouse acts as the counterparty.
 
An upfront payment, if any, made by the Fund is recorded as an asset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. An upfront payment, if any, received by the Fund is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.
 
Interest Rate Swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements in which the Fund agrees to pay to the counterparty a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund a variable rate payment, or the Fund agrees to receive from the counterparty a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to receive from the Fund a variable rate payment. The payment obligations are based on the notional amount of the swap. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into interest rate swap agreements to gain exposure to different parts of the yield curve while managing overall duration.
 
A summary of the open interest rate swap contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in interest rate swap contracts had a total notional amount generally indicative of a range from $26,200,000 to $39,937,000.
 
Credit Default Swaps. Credit default swaps are agreements between a buyer and a seller of protection against predefined credit events for the reference entity. The Fund may enter into credit default swaps to gain exposure to an underlying issuer's credit quality characteristics without directly investing in that issuer or to hedge against the risk of a credit event on debt securities. As a seller of a credit default swap, the Fund is required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the referenced entity to the counterparty with the occurrence of a credit event by a third party, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, on the reference entity, which would likely result in a loss to the Fund. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap provided that no credit event has occurred. If no credit event occurs, the Fund keeps the stream of payments with no payment obligations. The Fund may also buy credit default swaps, in which case the Fund functions as the counterparty referenced above. This involves the risk that the swap may expire worthless. It also involves counterparty risk that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund with the occurrence of a credit event. When the Fund sells a credit default swap, it will cover its commitment. This may be achieved by, among other methods, maintaining cash or liquid assets equal to the aggregate notional value of the reference entities for all outstanding credit default swaps sold by the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into credit default swap agreements to gain exposure to the underlying issuer's credit quality characteristics.
 
Under the terms of a credit default swap, the Fund receives or makes periodic payments based on a specified interest rate on a fixed notional amount. These payments are recorded as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Payments received or made as a result of a credit event or termination of the swap are recognized, net of a proportional amount of the upfront payment, as realized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations.
 
A summary of the open credit default swap contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in credit default swap contracts sold had a total notional value of generally indicative of a range from $0 to $205,000.
 
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between a buyer or seller and an established futures exchange or its clearinghouse in which the buyer or seller agrees to take or make a delivery of a specific amount of a financial instrument at a specified price on a specific date (settlement date). For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into interest rate futures to gain exposure to different parts of the yield curve while managing overall duration. The Fund also entered into interest rate futures contracts for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
 
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities ("initial margin") in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the face value indicated in the futures contract. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value and are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Gains or losses are realized when the contract expires or is closed. Since all futures contracts are exchange-traded, counterparty risk is minimized as the exchange's clearinghouse acts as the counterparty, and guarantees the futures against default.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into futures contracts, including the risk that an illiquid market will limit the Fund's ability to close out a futures contract prior to the settlement date and the risk that the futures contract is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates. Risk of loss may exceed amounts disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
A summary of the open futures contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in futures contracts purchased had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from approximately $4,501,000 to $13,797,000, and the investment in futures contracts sold had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from approximately $21,219,000 to $52,895,000.
 
Options. An option contract is a contract in which the writer (seller) of the option grants the buyer of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to purchase from (call option), or sell to (put option), the writer a designated instrument at a specified price within a specified period of time. The Fund may write or purchase interest rate swaption agreements which are options to enter into a pre-defined swap agreement. The interest rate swaption agreement will specify whether the buyer of the swaption will be a fixed-rate receiver or a fixed-rate payer upon exercise. Certain options, including options on indices and interest rate options, will require cash settlement by the Fund if exercised. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into options on interest rate swaps in order to hedge against potential adverse interest rate movements of portfolio assets.
 
If the Fund writes a covered call option, the Fund foregoes, in exchange for the premium, the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price. If the Fund writes a put option it accepts the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security below the exercise price. Over-the-counter options have the risk of the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. For exchange traded contracts, the counterparty risk is minimized as the exchange's clearinghouse acts as the counterparty, and guarantees the futures against default. The Fund's maximum exposure to purchased options is limited to the premium initially paid. In addition, certain risks may arise upon entering into option contracts including the risk that an illiquid secondary market will limit the Fund's ability to close out an option contract prior to the expiration date and that a change in the value of the option contract may not correlate exactly with changes in the value of the securities or currencies hedged.
 
A summary of open written option contracts is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in written option contracts had a total value generally indicative of a range from approximately $385,000 to $1,758,000.
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. A forward foreign currency exchange contract ("forward currency contract") is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at the settlement date at a negotiated rate. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings, to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities and to enhance total returns.
 
Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and unrealized gain (loss) is recorded daily. On the settlement date of the forward currency contract, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it was closed. Certain risks may arise upon entering into forward currency contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The maximum counterparty credit risk to the Fund is measured by the unrealized gain on appreciated contracts. Additionally, when utilizing forward currency contracts to hedge, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit from favorable exchange rate movements during the term of the contract.
 
A summary of the open forward currency contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in forward currency contracts short vs. U.S. dollars had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from approximately $20,741,000 to $46,081,000, and the investment in forward currency contracts long vs. U.S. dollars had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from approximately $17,111,000 to $35,894,000. The investment in forward currency contracts long vs. other foreign currencies sold had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from approximately $9,923,000 to $21,540,000.
 
The following tables summarize the value of the Fund's derivative instruments held as of June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:
Asset Derivatives
 
Forward Contracts
   
Swap Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
  $     $ 370,405     $ 392,263     $ 762,668  
Credit Contracts (b)
          2,394             2,394  
Foreign Exchange Contracts (c)
    654,360                   654,360  
    $ 654,360     $ 372,799     $ 392,263     $ 1,419,422  
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities accounts:
(a) Includes cumulative appreciation of futures and centrally cleared swap contracts as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(b) Unrealized appreciation on bilateral swap contracts
(c) Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
 
 

Liability Derivatives
 
Written Options
   
Forward Contracts
   
Swap Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a) (b)
  $ (385,009 )   $     $ (147,975 )   $ (77,559 )   $ (610,543 )
Foreign Exchange Contracts (c)
          (848,454 )                 (848,454 )
    $ (385,009 )   $ (848,454 )   $ (147,975 )   $ (77,559 )   $ (1,458,997 )
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities accounts:
(a) Includes cumulative depreciation of futures and centrally cleared swap contracts as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(b) Options written, at value
(c) Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
 
 
Additionally, the amount of unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in Fund earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following tables by primary underlying risk exposure:
Realized Gain (Loss)
 
Written Options
   
Forward Contracts
   
Swap Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
  $ 40,280     $     $ (260,407 )   $ (539,975 )   $ (760,102 )
Foreign Exchange Contracts (b)
          1,006,667                   1,006,667  
    $ 40,280     $ 1,006,667     $ (260,407 )   $ (539,975 )   $ 246,565  
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:
(a) Net realized gain (loss) from written options, swap contracts and futures, respectively
(b) Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency (Statement of Operations includes both forward currency contracts and foreign currency transactions)
 
 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
 
Written Options
   
Forward Contracts
   
Swap Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
  $ 835,806     $     $ 230,837     $ 360,623     $ 1,427,266  
Credit Contracts (a)
                2,394             2,394  
Foreign Exchange Contracts (b)
          (230,019 )                 (230,019 )
    $ 835,806     $ (230,019 )   $ 233,231     $ 360,623     $ 1,199,641  
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:
(a) Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on written options, swap contracts and futures, respectively
(b) Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency (Statement of Operations includes both forward currency contracts and foreign currency transactions)
 
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund has transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements. A reconciliation of the gross amounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to the net amounts by counterparty, including any collateral exposure, is included in the following tables:
Counterparty
 
Gross Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments and Derivatives Available for Offset
   
Cash
Collateral Received
   
Non-Cash Collateral Received (a)
   
Net Amount of Derivative Assets
 
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd
  $ 15,615     $     $     $     $ 15,615  
Bank of America
    147,372       (99,004 )                 48,368  
Barclays Bank PLC
    67,072       (67,072 )                  
BNP Paribas
    53,974       (53,974 )                  
Crédit Agricole CIB
    11,699                         11,699  
Citigroup, Inc.
    1,145       (1,145 )                  
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
    18,872                         18,872  
Credit Suisse
    2,224                         2,224  
JPMorgan Chase Securities, Inc.
    1,288                         1,288  
Macquarie Bank Ltd.
    24,937       (733 )                 24,204  
Morgan Stanley
    31,194       (31,194 )                  
National Australia Bank Ltd.
    8,342                         8,342  
Nomura International PLC
    15,684       (15,684 )                  
Societe Generale
    237,126       (79,129 )                 157,997  
UBS AG
    20,210       (11,627 )                 8,583  
    $ 656,754     $ (359,562 )   $     $     $ 297,192  
Counterparty
 
Gross Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments and Derivatives Available for Offset
   
Cash
Collateral Pledged
   
Non-Cash Collateral Pledged (a)
   
Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities
 
Bank of America
  $ 99,004     $ (99,004 )   $     $     $  
Barclays Bank PLC
    210,804       (67,072 )                 143,732  
BNP Paribas
    100,295       (53,974 )                 46,321  
Citigroup, Inc.
    493,270       (1,145 )           (492,125 )      
Macquarie Bank Ltd.
    733       (733 )                  
Morgan Stanley
    154,068       (31,194 )           (122,874 )      
Nomura International PLC
    84,533       (15,684 )           (46,331 )     22,518  
Societe Generale
    79,129       (79,129 )                  
UBS AG
    11,627       (11,627 )                  
    $ 1,233,463     $ (359,562 )   $     $ (661,330 )   $ 212,571  
 
(a) The actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown.
 
C. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment transactions (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Treasury obligations) aggregated $105,950,093 and $87,788,253, respectively. Purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury obligations aggregated $10,828,374 and $8,294,297, respectively.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, transactions for written options on interest rate swap contracts were as follows:
   
Contract Amount
   
Premium
 
Outstanding, beginning of period
    37,000,000     $ 517,417  
Options closed
    (4,000,000 )     (41,134 )
Options expired
    (3,800,000 )     (43,794 )
Outstanding, end of period
    29,200,000     $ 432,489  
 
D. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Under the Investment Management Agreement, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $250 million
    .370 %
Next $750 million
    .345 %
Over $1 billion
    .310 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.37% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
The Fund did not impose a portion of its management fee by an amount equal to the amount of management fee borne by the Fund as a shareholder of the Deutsche Floating Rate Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Advisor waived $31,838 of its management fee.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) of Class A shares at 0.73%.
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $121,283, of which $19,934 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC aggregated $198, of which $97 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated 9,790, of which $9,597 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
Securities Lending Agent Fees. Deutsche Bank AG serves as securities lending agent for the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund incurred securities lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG in the amount of $3,538.
 
E. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, three participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding shares of the Fund, each owning 44%, 20% and 17%.
 
F. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
G. Transactions with Affiliates
 
The Underlying Deutsche Funds in which the Fund invests are considered to be affiliated investments. A summary of the Fund's transactions with affiliated Deutsche Funds during the six months ended June 30, 2015 is as follows:
Affiliate
 
Value ($) at 12/31/2014
   
Purchases Cost ($)
   
Sales
Cost ($)
   
Realized Gain/
(Loss) ($)
   
Income Distributions ($)
   
Value ($) at 6/30/2015
 
Deutsche Floating Rate Fund
          14,914,998       3,680,124             235,375       11,307,152  
Central Cash Management Fund
    26,756,478       69,366,569       90,199,536             3,700       5,923,511  
Total
    26,756,478       84,281,567       93,879,660             239,075       17,230,663  
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,026.00  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 2.91  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,021.92  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 2.91  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratio
Class A
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Global Income Builder VIP
.58%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Global Income Builder VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 1st quartile of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitation agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to a comparable fund and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable fund. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2GIB-3 (R-028382-4 8/15)
 
 
 


June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Government & Agency Securities VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
6 Portfolio Management Team
7 Investment Portfolio
12 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
13 Statement of Operations
14 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
15 Financial Highlights
17 Notes to Financial Statements
24 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
25 Proxy Voting
26 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. The "full faith and credit" guarantee of the US government applies to the timely repayment of interest, and does not eliminate market risk. Because of the rising US government debt burden, it is possible that the US government may not be able to meet its financial obligations or that securities issued by the US government may experience credit downgrades. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns. While all share classes have the same underlying portfolio, their performance will differ.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 are 0.72% and 1.06% for Class A and Class B shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Government & Agency Securities VIP
The Barclays GNMA Index is an unmanaged, market-value-weighted measure of all fixed-rate securities backed by mortgage pools of the Government National Mortgage Association.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Government & Agency Securities VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,963     $ 10,091     $ 10,309     $ 11,267     $ 15,123  
Average annual total return
    –0.37 %     0.91 %     1.02 %     2.41 %     4.22 %
Barclays GNMA Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,012     $ 10,188     $ 10,466     $ 11,630     $ 15,741  
Average annual total return
    0.12 %     1.88 %     1.53 %     3.07 %     4.64 %
Deutsche Government & Agency Securities VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class B
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,937     $ 10,057     $ 10,203     $ 11,072     $ 14.589  
Average annual total return
    –0.63 %     0.57 %     0.67 %     2.06 %     3.85 %
Barclays GNMA Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,012     $ 10,188     $ 10,466     $ 11,630     $ 15,741  
Average annual total return
    0.12 %     1.88 %     1.53 %     3.07 %     4.64 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Net Assets)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs
76%
71%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
26%
26%
Government & Agency Obligations
6%
19%
Short-Term US Treasury Obligations
1%
1%
Cash Equivalents and Other Assets and Liabilities, net
–9%
–17%
 
100%
100%
 

Coupons*
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Less than 4.5%
47%
50%
4.5%–5.49%
30%
34%
5.5%–6.49%
15%
14%
6.5%–7.49%
8%
2%
7.5% and Greater
0%
0%
 
100%
100%
 

Interest Rate Sensitivity
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Effective Maturity
8.8 years
9.7 years
Effective Duration
5.8 years
7.8 years
 
* Excludes Cash Equivalents, Securities Lending Collateral, U.S. Treasury Bills and Options Purchased.
 
Effective maturity is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
 
Effective duration is an approximate measure of the Fund's sensitivity to interest rate changes taking into consideration any maturity shortening features.
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 7.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Management Team
 
William Chepolis, CFA
 
Scott Agi, CFA
 
Portfolio Managers
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
       
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs 76.2%
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 3.5%, 12/1/2042 (a)
    6,000,000       6,170,625  
Federal National Mortgage Association:
               
3.5%, 12/1/2042 (a)
    5,000,000       5,151,953  
4.0%, 5/1/2042 (a)
    1,000,000       1,059,375  
Government National Mortgage Association:
               
3.0%, with various maturities from 4/1/2043 until 10/20/2044 (a)
    4,882,112       4,933,363  
3.5%, with various maturities from 4/15/2042 until 5/1/2043 (a)
    5,186,443       5,398,516  
4.0%, with various maturities from 9/20/2040 until 6/20/2043
    3,908,241       4,189,027  
4.5%, with various maturities from 6/20/2033 until 2/20/2043
    9,762,439       10,609,013  
4.55%, 1/15/2041
    330,218       360,834  
4.625%, 5/15/2041
    190,503       209,981  
5.0%, with various maturities from 11/20/2032 until 4/15/2042
    9,699,432       10,849,316  
5.5%, with various maturities from 10/15/2032 until 7/20/2040
    6,309,054       7,121,656  
6.0%, with various maturities from 2/15/2034 until 2/15/2039
    5,304,593       6,046,775  
6.5%, with various maturities from 9/15/2036 until 2/15/2039
    636,463       727,738  
7.0%, with various maturities from 2/20/2027 until 11/15/2038
    110,718       130,337  
7.5%, 10/20/2031
    6,572       7,834  
Total Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs (Cost $61,810,546)
      62,966,343  
   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 25.9%
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:
 
"OA", Series 3179, Principal Only, Zero Coupon, 7/15/2036
    149,537       138,348  
"KO", Series 4180, Principal Only, Zero Coupon, 1/15/2043
    1,269,464       815,102  
"YI", Series 3936, Interest Only, 3.0%, 6/15/2025
    80,337       4,614  
"AI", Series 4016, Interest Only, 3.0%, 9/15/2025
    972,206       75,654  
"WI", Series 3939, Interest Only, 3.0%, 10/15/2025
    337,513       23,679  
"EI", Series 3953, Interest Only, 3.0%, 11/15/2025
    487,890       37,970  
"IO", Series 3974, Interest Only, 3.0%, 12/15/2025
    155,781       13,666  
"DI", Series 4010, Interest Only, 3.0%, 2/15/2027
    126,824       12,746  
"IK", Series 4048, Interest Only, 3.0%, 5/15/2027
    1,258,747       149,226  
"PZ", Series 4094, 3.0%, 8/15/2042
    395,842       374,887  
"CZ", Series 4113, 3.0%, 9/15/2042
    381,533       375,218  
"ZT", Series 4165, 3.0%, 2/15/2043
    478,787       455,198  
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
"IK", Series 3754, Interest Only, 3.5%, 6/15/2025
    716,637       65,755  
"VZ", Series 4303, 3.5%, 8/15/2042
    1,047,702       1,009,513  
"ZG", Series 4213, 3.5%, 6/15/2043
    189,022       183,403  
"PI", Series 3940, Interest Only, 4.0%, 2/15/2041
    524,634       102,318  
"KZ", Series 4328, 4.0%, 4/15/2044
    94,450       96,805  
"UZ", Series 4341, 4.0%, 5/15/2044
    704,555       753,534  
"UA", Series 4298, 4.0%, 2/15/2054
    330,110       345,290  
"22", Series 243, Interest Only, 4.3%*, 6/15/2021
    266,128       10,929  
"MI", Series 3871, Interest Only, 6.0%, 4/15/2040
    107,476       14,739  
"SP", Series 4047, Interest Only, 6.465%*, 12/15/2037
    566,608       92,702  
"A", Series 172, Interest Only, 6.5%, 1/1/2024
    15,198       2,748  
"DS", Series 3199, Interest Only, 6.965%*, 8/15/2036
    1,643,813       352,209  
"S", Series 2416, Interest Only, 7.915%*, 2/15/2032
    228,214       51,000  
"ST", Series 2411, Interest Only, 8.565%*, 6/15/2021
    323,722       19,841  
"KS", Series 2064, Interest Only, 9.965%*, 5/15/2022
    216,244       45,854  
Federal National Mortgage Association:
               
"DI", Series 2011-136, Interest Only, 3.0%, 1/25/2026
    147,420       12,580  
"HI", Series 2010-123, Interest Only, 3.5%, 3/25/2024
    220,406       11,305  
"KI", Series 2011-72, Interest Only, 3.5%, 3/25/2025
    654,142       30,380  
"IO", Series 2012-146, Interest Only, 3.5%, 1/25/2043
    1,787,277       412,416  
"4", Series 406, Interest Only, 4.0%, 9/25/2040
    359,772       74,113  
"ZB", Series 2010-136, 4.0%, 12/25/2040
    150,838       159,105  
"AZ", Series 2012-29, 4.0%, 4/25/2042
    1,511,927       1,593,675  
"HZ", Series 2013-20, 4.0%, 3/25/2043
    1,584,747       1,631,275  
"25", Series 351, Interest Only, 4.5%, 5/25/2019
    96,295       5,951  
"IN", Series 2003-49, Interest Only, 4.75%, 3/25/2018
    137,439       1,038  
"21", Series 334, Interest Only, 5.0%, 3/25/2018
    36,207       1,777  
"20", Series 334, Interest Only, 5.0%, 3/25/2018
    57,604       2,874  
"23", Series 339, Interest Only, 5.0%, 6/25/2018
    81,597       4,071  
"26", Series 381, Interest Only, 5.0%, 12/25/2020
    34,265       2,810  
"ZA", Series 2008-24, 5.0%, 4/25/2038
    753,821       827,453  
"30", Series 381, Interest Only, 5.5%, 11/25/2019
    195,597       16,187  
"PI", Series 2009-14, Interest Only, 5.5%, 3/25/2024
    329,410       36,912  
"PJ", Series 2004-46, Interest Only, 5.813%*, 3/25/2034
    253,630       35,056  
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
"WI", Series 2011-59, Interest Only, 6.0%, 5/25/2040
    209,656       22,387  
"101", Series 383, Interest Only, 6.5%, 9/25/2022
    700,651       98,010  
"SJ", Series 2007-36, Interest Only, 6.583%*, 4/25/2037
    137,697       23,618  
"KI", Series 2005-65, Interest Only, 6.813%*, 8/25/2035
    75,527       14,404  
"SA", Series G92-57, IOette, 83.104%*, 10/25/2022
    26,676       46,294  
Government National Mortgage Association:
               
"KZ", Series 2014-102, 3.5%, 7/16/2044
    1,858,600       1,763,082  
"BI", Series 2014-22, Interest Only, 4.0%, 2/20/2029
    876,797       117,186  
"JY", Series 2010-20, 4.0%, 12/20/2033
    2,138,155       2,266,698  
"IP", Series 2015-50, Interest Only, 4.0%, 9/20/2040
    1,980,999       359,247  
"PI", Series 2015-40, Interest Only, 4.0%, 4/20/2044
    592,269       104,753  
"LI", Series 2009-104, Interest Only, 4.5%, 12/16/2018
    124,400       6,575  
"NI", Series 2010-44, Interest Only, 4.5%, 10/20/2037
    334,179       24,727  
"CI", Series 2010-87, Interest Only, 4.5%, 11/20/2038
    1,251,588       290,601  
"PI", Series 2014-108, Interest Only, 4.5%, 12/20/2039
    446,185       89,404  
"MI", Series 2010-169, Interest Only, 4.5%, 8/20/2040
    565,479       84,925  
"Z", Series 2010-169, 4.5%, 12/20/2040
    585,170       651,010  
"IP", Series 2014-115, Interest Only, 4.5%, 2/20/2044
    315,815       64,178  
"GZ", Series 2005-24, 5.0%, 3/20/2035
    558,674       647,378  
"ZA", Series 2005-75, 5.0%, 10/16/2035
    628,499       721,081  
"MZ", Series 2009-98, 5.0%, 10/16/2039
    1,127,751       1,335,815  
"Z", Series 2009-112, 5.0%, 11/20/2039
    1,321,261       1,470,508  
"AI", Series 2008-46, Interest Only, 5.5%, 5/16/2023
    125,463       8,250  
"GI", Series 2003-19, Interest Only, 5.5%, 3/16/2033
    587,330       124,950  
"IB", Series 2010-130, Interest Only, 5.5%, 2/20/2038
    167,020       34,833  
"BS", Series 2011-93, Interest Only, 5.915%*, 7/16/2041
    954,912       166,109  
"DI", Series 2009-10, Interest Only, 6.0%, 4/16/2038
    238,403       39,552  
"SA", Series 2012-84, Interest Only, 6.113%*, 12/20/2038
    1,065,508       145,098  
"QA", Series 2007-57, Interest Only, 6.313%*, 10/20/2037
    224,058       41,385  
"IP", Series 2009-118, Interest Only, 6.5%, 12/16/2039
    61,286       13,404  
"IC", Series 1997-4, Interest Only, 7.5%, 3/16/2027
    436,547       113,467  
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
"SK", Series 2003-11, Interest Only, 7.515%*, 2/16/2033
    373,760       71,076  
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $19,079,364)
      21,441,931  
   
Government & Agency Obligations 5.4%
 
U.S. Treasury Obligations
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds:
 
2.875%, 5/15/2043
    1,500,000       1,429,453  
3.375%, 5/15/2044
    1,000,000       1,050,391  
U.S. Treasury Note, 1.0%, 9/30/2016 (b) (c)
    2,000,000       2,015,156  
Total Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $4,400,235)
      4,495,000  
   
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Obligation 1.3%
 
U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.06%**, 8/13/2015 (d) (Cost $1,044,925)
    1,045,000       1,045,000  
 

   
Contract Amount
   
Value ($)
 
       
Call Options Purchased 0.1%
 
Options on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
 
Pay Fixed Rate — 3.72% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR, Swap Expiration Date 4/22/2026, Option Expiration Date 4/20/20161
    2,600,000       9,609  
Pay Fixed Rate — 4.32% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR, Swap Expiration Date 2/3/2027, Option Expiration Date 2/1/20172
    6,000,000       31,740  
Total Call Options Purchased (Cost $390,446)
      41,349  
   
Put Options Purchased 0.1%
 
Options on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
 
Receive Fixed Rate — 2.32% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR, Swap Expiration Date 2/3/2027, Option Expiration Date 2/1/20172 (Cost $203,883)
    6,000,000       107,549  
 

   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Cash Equivalents 4.7%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (e) (Cost $3,855,326)
    3,855,326       3,855,326  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $90,784,725)
    113.7       93,952,498  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (13.7 )     (11,319,734 )
Net Assets
    100.0       82,632,764  
 
* These securities are shown at their current rate as of June 30, 2015.
 
** Annualized yield at time of purchase; not a coupon rate.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $90,808,279. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $3,144,219. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $4,364,939 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $1,220,720.
 
(a) When-issued or delayed delivery securities included.
 
(b) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, as collateral for open over-the-counter derivatives.
 
(c) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, to cover initial margin requirements for open centrally cleared swap contracts.
 
(d) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, to cover initial margin requirements for open futures contracts.
 
(e) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
Interest Only: Interest Only (IO) bonds represent the "interest only" portion of payments on a pool of underlying mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. IO securities are subject to prepayment risk of the pool of underlying mortgages.
 
IOettes: These securities represent the right to receive interest payments on an underlying pool of mortgages with similar features as those associated with IO securities. Unlike IO's, a nominal amount of principal is assigned to an IOette which is small in relation to the interest flow that constitutes almost all of the IOette cash flow. The effective yield of this security is lower than the stated interest rate.
 
LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate; 3-Month LIBOR rate at June 30, 2015 is 0.28%.
 
Principal Only: Principal Only (PO) bonds represent the "principal only" portion of payments on a pool of underlying mortgages or mortgage-backed securities.
 
Included in the portfolio are investments in mortgage- or asset-backed securities which are interests in separate pools of mortgages or assets. Effective maturities of these investments may be shorter than stated maturities due to prepayments. Some separate investments in the Government National Mortgage Association issues which have similar coupon rates have been aggregated for presentation purposes in this investment portfolio.
 
At June 30, 2015, open futures contracts purchased were as follows:
Futures
Currency
Expiration Date
 
Contracts
   
Notional Value ($)
   
Unrealized Depreciation ($)
 
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note
USD
9/21/2015
    27       3,406,641       (6,382 )
 
At June 30, 2015, open futures contracts sold were as follows:
Futures
Currency
Expiration Date
 
Contracts
   
Notional Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation ($)
 
Ultra Long U.S. Treasury Bond
USD
9/21/2015
    106       16,330,625       293,298  
 

Currency Abbreviation
USD United States Dollar
 
At June 30, 2015, open written options contracts were as follows:
Options on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
Swap Effective/
Expiration Dates
 
Contract Amount
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Premiums Received ($)
   
Value ($) (f)
 
Call Options
Receive Fixed — 3.32% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
2/3/2017
2/3/2027
    3,000,000 2
2/1/2017
    216,990       (67,572 )
Receive Fixed — 4.22% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
4/22/2016
4/22/2026
    2,600,000 1
4/20/2016
    92,690       (2,832 )
Receive Fixed — 4.48% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
5/9/2016
5/11/2026
    2,400,000 1
5/5/2016
    26,940       (1,597 )
Receive Fixed — 5.132% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
3/17/2016
3/17/2026
    2,400,000 1
3/15/2016
    17,340       (102 )
Receive Fixed — 5.132% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
3/17/2016
3/17/2026
    2,400,000 2
3/15/2016
    28,320       (102 )
Total Call Options
    382,280       (72,205 )
Put Options
Pay Fixed — 1.132% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
3/17/2016
3/17/2026
    2,400,000 2
3/15/2016
    6,120       (1,232 )
Pay Fixed — 1.132% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
3/17/2016
3/17/2026
    2,400,000 1
3/15/2016
    17,340       (1,232 )
Pay Fixed — 2.48% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
5/9/2016
5/11/2026
    2,400,000 1
5/5/2016
    26,940       (46,383 )
Pay Fixed — 2.615% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
12/4/2015
12/4/2045
    1,900,000 3
12/2/2015
    41,230       (34,116 )
Pay Fixed — 2.64% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
8/10/2015
8/10/2045
    2,200,000 1
8/6/2015
    20,570       (11,769 )
Pay Fixed — 2.675% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
11/12/2015
11/12/2045
    1,900,000 3
11/9/2015
    38,095       (38,488 )
Pay Fixed — 2.88% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
9/30/2015
9/30/2045
    1,900,000 4
9/28/2015
    39,754       (55,560 )
Pay Fixed — 3.32% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
2/3/2017
2/3/2027
    3,000,000 2
2/1/2017
    216,990       (178,464 )
Total Put Options
    407,039       (367,244 )
Total
    789,319       (439,449 )
 
(f) Unrealized appreciation on written options on interest rate swap contracts at June 30, 2015 was $349,870.
 
At June 30, 2015, open interest rate swap contracts were as follows:
Centrally Cleared Swaps
 
Effective/
Expiration Dates
 
Notional Amount ($)
 
Cash Flows Paid by the Fund
Cash Flows Received by the Fund
 
Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) ($)
 
9/16/2015
9/16/2017
    11,000,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 1.0%
    (10,378 )     6,978  
9/16/2015
9/16/2017
    18,500,000  
Fixed — 1.0%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    17,597       (35,206 )
6/17/2015
6/17/2020
    8,830,000  
Fixed — 1.5%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    105,072       23,359  
9/16/2015
9/16/2020
    7,100,000  
Fixed — 1.75%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    44,321       (20,436 )
9/16/2015
9/16/2020
    3,384,000  
Fixed — 2.25%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (60,578 )     (1,087 )
9/16/2015
9/16/2025
    7,900,000  
Fixed — 2.5%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    8,813       10,569  
9/16/2015
9/16/2045
    2,200,000  
Fixed — 3.0%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (22,463 )     30,416  
9/16/2015
9/16/2022
    16,000,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 2.25%
    39,199       (133,661 )
6/17/2015
6/17/2045
    8,578,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 2.5%
    (750,715 )     (758,428 )
9/16/2015
9/16/2045
    800,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 3.0%
    8,169       (7,389 )
Total net unrealized depreciation
      (884,885 )
 
Counterparties:
 
1 Nomura International PLC
 
2 BNP Paribas
 
3 Citigroup, Inc.
 
4 Morgan Stanley
 
For information on the Fund's policy and additional disclosures regarding futures contracts, purchased and written options contracts, and interest rate swap contracts, please refer to the Derivatives section of Note B in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Fixed-Income Investments (g)
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs
  $     $ 62,966,343     $     $ 62,966,343  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
          21,441,931             21,441,931  
Government & Agency Obligations
          4,495,000             4,495,000  
Short-Term U.S. Treasury Obligations
          1,045,000             1,045,000  
Short-Term Investments
    3,855,326                   3,855,326  
Derivatives (h)
 
Purchased Options
          148,898             148,898  
Futures Contracts
    293,298                   293,298  
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
          71,322             71,322  
Total
  $ 4,148,624     $ 90,168,494     $     $ 94,317,118  
Liabilities
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Derivatives (h)
 
Futures Contracts
  $ (6,382 )   $     $     $ (6,382 )
Written Options
          (439,449 )           (439,449 )
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
          (956,207 )           (956,207 )
Total
  $ (6,382 )   $ (1,395,656 )   $     $ (1,402,038 )
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
(g) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
(h) Derivatives include value of purchased options, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open futures contracts and interest rate swap contracts, and written options, at value.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $86,929,399)
  $ 90,097,172  
Investment in Central Cash Management Fund (cost $3,855,326)
    3,855,326  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $90,784,725)
    93,952,498  
Cash
    10,000  
Receivable for investments sold
    4,343,212  
Receivable for investments sold — when-issued/delayed delivery securities
    9,591,970  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    44,727  
Interest receivable
    340,922  
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts
    6,231  
Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps
    6,614  
Other assets
    1,332  
Total assets
    108,297,506  
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased — when-issued/delayed delivery securities
    25,109,263  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    11,104  
Options written, at value (premiums received $789,319)
    439,449  
Accrued management fee
    26,570  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    931  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    77,425  
Total liabilities
    25,664,742  
Net assets, at value
  $ 82,632,764  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    992,567  
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    3,167,773  
Swap contracts
    (884,885 )
Futures
    286,916  
Written options
    349,870  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    (1,398,492 )
Paid-in capital
    80,119,015  
Net assets, at value
  $ 82,632,764  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($79,901,636 ÷ 6,990,233 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 11.43  
Class B
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($2,731,128 ÷ 238,857 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 11.43  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Interest
  $ 1,323,210  
Income distributions — Central Cash Management Fund
    1,742  
Total income
    1,324,952  
Expenses:
Management fee
    193,045  
Administration fee
    42,899  
Services to shareholders
    691  
Record keeping fees (Class B)
    1,453  
Distribution service fees (Class B)
    3,477  
Custodian fee
    16,893  
Professional fees
    40,755  
Reports to shareholders
    15,570  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    2,806  
Other
    6,644  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    324,233  
Expense reductions
    (14,659 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    309,574  
Net investment income
    1,015,378  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
    195,340  
Swap contracts
    (838,194 )
Futures
    34,968  
Written options
    98,020  
      (509,866 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    (980,479 )
Swap contracts
    (875,857 )
Futures
    276,851  
Written options
    725,058  
      (854,427 )
Net gain (loss)
    (1,364,293 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ (348,915 )
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 1,015,378     $ 2,385,165  
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 1,015,378     $ 2,385,165  
Net realized gain (loss)
    (509,866 )     (778,379 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (854,427 )     3,438,057  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    (348,915 )     5,044,843  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
    (2,287,159 )     (2,179,180 )
Class B
    (68,234 )     (66,035 )
Total distributions
    (2,355,393 )     (2,245,215 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    2,899,823       11,625,548  
Reinvestment of distributions
    2,287,159       2,179,180  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (9,341,460 )     (25,367,687 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    (4,154,478 )     (11,562,959 )
Class B
Proceeds from shares sold
    96,084       277,916  
Reinvestment of distributions
    68,234       66,035  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (368,998 )     (1,055,485 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class B share transactions
    (204,680 )     (711,534 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (7,063,466 )     (9,474,865 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    89,696,230       99,171,095  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $992,567 and $2,332,582, respectively)
  $ 82,632,764     $ 89,696,230  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    7,344,193       8,328,640  
Shares sold
    247,551       994,555  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    199,404       189,659  
Shares redeemed
    (800,915 )     (2,168,661 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    (353,960 )     (984,447 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    6,990,233       7,344,193  
Class B
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    256,223       317,145  
Shares sold
    8,204       23,866  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    5,944       5,742  
Shares redeemed
    (31,514 )     (90,530 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class B shares
    (17,366 )     (60,922 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    238,857       256,223  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 11.80     $ 11.47     $ 12.69     $ 13.12     $ 12.98     $ 12.78  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .14       .29       .24       .34       .48       .50  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (.18 )     .31       (.59 )     .03       .45       .32  
Total from investment operations
    (.04 )     .60       (.35 )     .37       .93       .82  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.33 )     (.27 )     (.37 )     (.52 )     (.57 )     (.62 )
Net realized gains
                (.50 )     (.28 )     (.22 )      
Total distributions
    (.33 )     (.27 )     (.87 )     (.80 )     (.79 )     (.62 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 11.43     $ 11.80     $ 11.47     $ 12.69     $ 13.12     $ 12.98  
Total Return (%)
    (.37 )b**     5.29 b     (3.04 )b     2.93 b     7.46       6.61  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    80       87       96       121       146       157  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    .74 *     .72       .71       .68       .67       .64  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    .71 *     .70       .67       .66       .67       .64  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    2.38 *     2.49       2.05       2.65       3.68       3.86  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    133 **     393       794       796       673       423  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 

       
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class B
 
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
2014
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 11.79     $ 11.46     $ 12.67     $ 13.10     $ 12.95     $ 12.75  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .12       .25       .20       .29       .43       .46  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (.19 )     .31       (.59 )     .03       .46       .31  
Total from investment operations
    (.07 )     .56       (.39 )     .32       .89       .77  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.29 )     (.23 )     (.32 )     (.47 )     (.52 )     (.57 )
Net realized gains
                (.50 )     (.28 )     (.22 )      
Total distributions
    (.29 )     (.23 )     (.82 )     (.75 )     (.74 )     (.57 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 11.43     $ 11.79     $ 11.46     $ 12.67     $ 13.10     $ 12.95  
Total Return (%)
    (.63 )b**     4.95 b     (3.25 )b     2.48 b     7.15       6.24  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    3       3       4       5       7       6  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    1.10 *     1.06       1.06       1.03       1.01       .99  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    1.06 *     1.03       .99       1.01       1.01       .99  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    2.03 *     2.16       1.71       2.29       3.34       3.51  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    133 **     393       794       796       673       423  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Government & Agency Securities VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Class B shares). Sales of Class B shares are subject to recordkeeping fees up to 0.15% and Rule 12b-1 fees under the 1940 Act equal to an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares of the Fund. Class A shares are not subject to such fees.
 
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class (including the applicable Rule 12b-1 fee and recordkeeping fees). Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Debt securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Fund's Board. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, prepayment speeds and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, debt securities are valued at the average of the most recent reliable bid quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices established each day on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Swap contracts are valued daily based upon prices supplied by a Board approved pricing vendor, if available, and otherwise are valued at the price provided by the broker-dealer. Swap contracts are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Exchange-traded options are valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked prices or at the most recent asked price (bid for purchased options) if no bid or asked price are available. Exchange-traded options are categorized as Level 1. Over-the-counter written or purchased options are valued at prices supplied by a Board approved pricing vendor, if available, and otherwise are valued at the price provided by the broker-dealer with which the option was traded. Over-the-counter written or purchased options are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments. The Fund had no securities on loan during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
Mortgage Dollar Rolls. The Fund may enter into mortgage dollar rolls in which the Fund sells to a bank or broker/dealer (the "counterparty") mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase similar, but not identical, securities on a fixed date. The counterparty receives all principal and interest payments, including prepayments, made on the security while it is the holder. The Fund receives compensation as consideration for entering into the commitment to repurchase. The compensation is paid in the form of a lower price for the security upon its repurchase, or alternatively, a fee. Mortgage dollar rolls may be renewed with a new sale and repurchase price and a cash settlement made at each renewal without physical delivery of the securities subject to the contract.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into mortgage dollar rolls from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their commitments. Additionally, the value of such securities may change adversely before the Fund is able to repurchase them. There can be no assurance that the Fund's use of the cash that it receives from a mortgage dollar roll will provide a return that exceeds its costs.
 
When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase or sell securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the transaction is reflected in the net asset value. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. At the time the Fund enters into a purchase transaction it is required to segregate cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Additionally, the Fund or the counterparty may be required to post securities and/or cash collateral in accordance with the terms of the commitment.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.
 
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
At December 31, 2014, the Fund had approximately $806,000 of net tax basis capital loss carryforwards, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely, including short-term losses ($723,000) and long-term losses ($83,000).
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to investments in futures contracts, paydown losses on mortgage backed securities, investments in swap contracts and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All discounts and premiums are accreted/amortized for both tax and financial reporting purposes for the Fund.
 
B. Derivative Instruments
 
Swaps. A swap is a contract between two parties to exchange future cash flows at periodic intervals based on the notional amount of the swap. A bilateral swap is a transaction between the Fund and a counterparty where cash flows are exchanged between the two parties. A centrally cleared swap is a transaction executed between the Fund and a counterparty, then cleared by a clearing member through a central clearinghouse. The central clearinghouse serves as the counterparty, with whom the Fund exchanges cash flows.
 
The value of a swap is adjusted daily, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized when the swap expires or is closed. Certain risks may arise when entering into swap transactions including counterparty default; liquidity; or unfavorable changes in interest rates or the value of the underlying reference security, commodity or index. In connection with bilateral swaps, securities and/or cash may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default. The maximum counterparty credit risk is the net present value of the cash flows to be received from or paid to the counterparty over the term of the swap, to the extent that this amount is beneficial to the Fund, in addition to any related collateral posted to the counterparty by the Fund. This risk may be partially reduced by a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities ("initial margin") in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount of the swap. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value of the swap. In a cleared swap transaction, counterparty risk is minimized as the central clearinghouse acts as the counterparty.
 
An upfront payment, if any, made by the Fund is recorded as an asset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. An upfront payment, if any, received by the Fund is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.
 
Interest rate swaps are agreements in which the Fund agrees to pay to the counterparty a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund a variable rate payment, or the Fund agrees to receive from the counterparty a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to receive from the Fund a variable rate payment. The payment obligations are based on the notional amount of the swap. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into interest rate swap agreements to gain exposure to different parts of the yield curve while managing overall duration.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in interest rate swap contracts had a total notional amount generally indicative of a range from $43,200,000 to $84,292,000.
 
Options. An option contract is a contract in which the writer (seller) of the option grants the buyer of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to purchase from (call option), or sell to (put option), the writer a designated instrument at a specified price within a specified period of time. The Fund may write or purchase interest rate swaption agreements which are options to enter into a pre-defined swap agreement. The interest rate swaption agreement will specify whether the buyer of the swaption will be a fixed-rate receiver or a fixed-rate payer upon exercise. Certain options, including options on indices and interest rate options, will require cash settlement by the Fund if exercised. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into options on interest rate swap contracts in order to hedge against potential adverse interest rate movements of portfolio assets.
 
If the Fund writes a covered call option, the Fund foregoes, in exchange for the premium, the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price. If the Fund writes a put option it accepts the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security below the exercise price. Over-the-counter options have the risk of the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. For exchange-traded contracts, the counterparty risk is minimized as the exchange's clearinghouse acts as the counterparty, and guarantees the futures against default. The Fund's maximum exposure to purchased options is limited to the premium initially paid. In addition, certain risks may arise upon entering into option contracts, including the risk that an illiquid secondary market will limit the Fund's ability to close out an option contract prior to the expiration date and that a change in the value of the option contract may not correlate exactly with changes in the value of the securities or currencies hedged.
 
A summary of the open purchased option contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in the Fund's Investment Portfolio. A summary of open written option contracts is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in written option contracts had a total value generally indicative of a range from approximately $439,000 to $1,280,000, and purchased option contracts had a total value generally indicative of a range from approximately $149,000 to $263,000.
 
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between a buyer or seller and an established futures exchange or its clearinghouse in which the buyer or seller agrees to take or make a delivery of a specific amount of a financial instrument at a specified price on a specific date (settlement date). For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into interest rate futures to gain exposure to different parts of the yield curve while managing overall duration.
 
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities ("initial margin") in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the face value indicated in the futures contract. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value and are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Gains or losses are realized when the contract expires or is closed. Since all futures contracts are exchange-traded, counterparty risk is minimized as the exchange's clearinghouse acts as the counterparty, and guarantees the futures against default.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into futures contracts, including the risk that an illiquid market will limit the Fund's ability to close out a futures contract prior to the settlement date and the risk that the futures contract is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates. Risk of loss may exceed amounts disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
A summary of the open futures contracts as of June 30, 2015, is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in futures contracts purchased had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from approximately $3,407,000 to $21,425,000, and the investment in futures contracts sold had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from $0 to approximately $16,331,000.
 
The following tables summarize the value of the Fund's derivative instruments held as of June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:
Asset Derivatives
 
Purchased Options
   
Swap
Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a) (b)
  $ 148,898     $ 71,322     $ 293,298     $ 513,518  
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities accounts:
(a) Investments in securities, at value (includes purchased options)
(b) Includes cumulative appreciation of futures and centrally cleared swap contracts as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
 

Liability Derivatives
 
Written
Options
   
Swap
Contracts
   
Futures
Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a) (b)
  $ (439,449 )   $ (956,207 )   $ (6,382 )   $ (1,402,038 )
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities accounts:
(a) Options written, at value
(b) Includes cumulative depreciation of futures and centrally cleared swap contracts as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
 
Additionally, the amount of unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in Fund earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following tables by primary underlying risk exposure:
Realized Gain (Loss)
 
Written
Options
   
Swap
Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
  $ 98,020     $ (838,194 )   $ 34,968     $ (705,206 )
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:
(a) Net realized gain (loss) from written options, swap contracts and futures, respectively
 
 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
 
Purchased Options
   
Written
Options
   
Swap
Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
  $ (53,364 )   $ 725,058     $ (875,857 )   $ 276,851     $ 72,688  
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:
(a) Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments (includes purchased options), written options, swap contracts and futures, respectively
 
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund has transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements. A reconciliation of the gross amounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to the net amounts by counterparty, including any collateral exposure, is included in the following tables:
Counterparty
 
Gross Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments and Derivatives Available for Offset
   
Non-Cash
Collateral Received
   
Net Amount of Derivative Assets
 
BNP Paribas
  $ 139,289     $ (139,289 )   $     $  
Nomura International PLC
    9,609       (9,609 )            
    $ 148,898     $ (148,898 )   $     $  
Counterparty
 
Gross Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments and Derivatives Available for Offset
   
Non-Cash
Collateral Pledged (a)
   
Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities
 
BNP Paribas
  $ 247,370     $ (139,289 )   $ (108,081 )   $  
Citigroup, Inc.
    72,604             (72,604 )      
Morgan Stanley
    55,560                   55,560  
Nomura International PLC
    63,915       (9,609 )     (54,306 )      
    $ 439,449     $ (148,898 )   $ (234,991 )   $ 55,560  
 
(a) The actual collateral pledged may be more than the amount shown.
 
C. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Treasury securities) aggregated $124,410,054 and $134,494,162, respectively. Purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury securities aggregated $7,102,261 and $10,565,135, respectively.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, transactions for written options on interest rate swap contracts were as follows:
   
Contract Amount
   
Premiums
 
Outstanding, beginning of period
    39,900,000     $ 887,339  
Options exercised
    (4,600,000 )     (47,310 )
Options expired
    (4,400,000 )     (50,710 )
Outstanding, end of period
    30,900,000     $ 789,319  
 
D. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $250 million
    .450 %
Next $750 million
    .430 %
Next $1.5 billion
    .410 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .400 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .380 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .360 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .340 %
Over $12.5 billion
    .320 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.45% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest) of each class as follows:
Class A
.71%
Class B
1.06%
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
Class A
  $ 14,092  
Class B
    567  
    $ 14,659  
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $42,899, of which $6,822 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
   
Total Aggregated
   
Unpaid at June 30, 2015
 
Class A
  $ 143     $ 71  
Class B
    35       17  
    $ 178     $ 88  
 
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Fund's Class B 12b-1 plan, DeAWM Distributors, Inc. ("DDI") received a fee ("Distribution Service Fee") of 0.25% of average daily net assets of Class B shares. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Distribution Service Fee aggregated $3,477, of which $563 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $8,568, of which $8,109 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
E. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, three participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 44%, 30% and 17%. One participating insurance company was the owner of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class B shares of the Fund, owning 93%.
 
F. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 996.30     $ 993.70  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.51     $ 5.24  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,021.27     $ 1,019.54  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.56     $ 5.31  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratios
Class A
 
Class B
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Government & Agency Securities VIP
.71%
 
1.06%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Government & Agency Securities VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 4th quartile, 3rd quartile and 1st quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the five-year period and has underperformed its benchmark in the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2013. The Board noted the disappointing investment performance of the Fund in recent periods and continued to discuss with senior management of DIMA the factors contributing to such underperformance and actions being taken to improve performance. The Board observed that the Fund had experienced improved relative performance during the first seven months of 2014. The Board recognized the efforts by DIMA in recent years to enhance its investment platform and improve long-term performance across the Deutsche fund complex.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also reviewed data comparing each share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses. The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to a comparable fund and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable fund. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
Notes
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2GAS-3 (R-028384-4 8/15)


 
June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche High Income VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
4 Portfolio Manager
5 Investment Portfolio
16 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
17 Statement of Operations
18 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
19 Financial Highlights
21 Notes to Financial Statements
28 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
29 Proxy Voting
30 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in lower-quality ("junk bonds") and non-rated securities present greater risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns. While all share classes have the same underlying portfolio, their performance will differ.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 are 0.75% and 1.13% for Class A and Class B shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche High Income VIP
The Credit Suisse High Yield Index tracks the performance of the global high-yield debt market.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche High Income VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,185     $ 9,842     $ 12,010     $ 14,622     $ 18,557  
Average annual total return
    1.85 %     –1.58 %     6.27 %     7.89 %     6.38 %
Credit Suisse High Yield Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,290     $ 9,930     $ 12,122     $ 14,904     $ 20,710  
Average annual total return
    2.90 %     –0.70 %     6.62 %     8.31 %     7.55 %
Deutsche High Income VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class B
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,162     $ 9,792     $ 11,887     $ 14,417     $ 17,956  
Average annual total return
    1.62 %     –2.08 %     5.93 %     7.59 %     6.03 %
Credit Suisse High Yield Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,290     $ 9,930     $ 12,122     $ 14,904     $ 20,710  
Average annual total return
    2.90 %     –0.70 %     6.62 %     8.31 %     7.55 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Corporate Bonds
92%
87%
Cash Equivalents
2%
7%
Convertible Bond
2%
2%
Government & Agency Obligations
1%
1%
Preferred Security
1%
1%
Loan Participations and Assignments
1%
1%
Preferred Stock
1%
1%
Common Stocks
0%
0%
Warrant
0%
0%
 
100%
100%
 

Sector Diversification (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Government & Agency Obligations, Cash Equivalents and Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Consumer Discretionary
22%
20%
Telecommunication Services
18%
20%
Energy
14%
10%
Industrials
12%
12%
Materials
9%
9%
Health Care
9%
8%
Information Technology
5%
8%
Financials
4%
5%
Utilities
4%
3%
Consumer Staples
3%
5%
 
100%
100%
 

Quality (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Cash Equivalents and Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
AAA
2%
1%
BBB
3%
2%
BB
46%
43%
B
39%
41%
CCC
9%
12%
Not Rated
1%
1%
 
100%
100%
 
The quality ratings represent the higher of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") credit ratings. The ratings of Moody's and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Credit quality measures a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Credit quality does not remove market risk and is subject to change.
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 5.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Manager
 
Gary Russell, CFA
 
Portfolio Manager
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
Corporate Bonds 91.5%
Consumer Discretionary 19.9%
1011778 BC ULC, 144A, 4.625%, 1/15/2022
 
125,000
123,125
Ally Financial, Inc., 4.125%, 3/30/2020 (b)
 
285,000
284,464
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 5.875%, 2/15/2022 (b)
 
220,000
223,300
AMC Networks, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/2021
 
80,000
86,400
AmeriGas Finance LLC:
 
6.75%, 5/20/2020
 
460,000
484,150
 
7.0%, 5/20/2022
 
350,000
371,000
Apex Tool Group LLC, 144A, 7.0%, 2/1/2021 (b)
 
210,000
186,900
APX Group, Inc., 6.375%, 12/1/2019
205,000
198,850
Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., 6.0%, 12/15/2024
495,000
514,800
Ashtead Capital, Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 7/15/2022
 
330,000
349,800
Ashton Woods U.S.A. LLC, 144A, 6.875%, 2/15/2021
350,000
325,500
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC:
 
144A, 5.25%, 3/15/2025 (b)
480,000
450,600
 
5.5%, 4/1/2023 (b)
 
660,000
651,750
Block Communications, Inc., 144A, 7.25%, 2/1/2020
375,000
382,500
Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.875%, 5/15/2023
 
140,000
143,500
Cablevision Systems Corp., 5.875%, 9/15/2022 (b)
 
110,000
106,700
CCO Holdings LLC:
 
144A, 5.125%, 5/1/2023
 
385,000
374,412
 
144A, 5.375%, 5/1/2025
 
285,000
277,519
 
144A, 5.875%, 5/1/2027
 
480,000
468,600
 
7.0%, 1/15/2019
 
51,000
52,976
Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC:
 
 
144A, 5.125%, 12/15/2021
 
602,000
546,691
 
144A, 6.375%, 9/15/2020
 
940,000
933,655
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:
 
 
Series A, 6.5%, 11/15/2022
250,000
256,250
 
Series B, 6.5%, 11/15/2022
365,000
380,056
 
Series A, 7.625%, 3/15/2020
110,000
113,575
 
Series B, 7.625%, 3/15/2020
1,115,000
1,162,387
Cogeco Cable, Inc., 144A, 4.875%, 5/1/2020
 
20,000
20,300
CSC Holdings LLC, 5.25%, 6/1/2024 (b)
 
935,000
897,600
Dana Holding Corp., 5.5%, 12/15/2024
 
180,000
176,850
DISH DBS Corp.:
 
4.25%, 4/1/2018
 
270,000
274,725
 
5.0%, 3/15/2023
 
1,225,000
1,133,125
 
6.75%, 6/1/2021
 
50,000
52,125
 
7.875%, 9/1/2019
 
270,000
299,430
Family Tree Escrow LLC:
 
144A, 5.25%, 3/1/2020
 
420,000
439,425
 
144A, 5.75%, 3/1/2023
 
350,000
365,750
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, 144A, 4.5%, 4/15/2020
345,000
343,275
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
Global Partners LP, 144A, 7.0%, 6/15/2023
 
235,000
230,888
Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 5.0%, 6/1/2022 (b)
 
455,000
452,725
HD Supply, Inc.:
 
144A, 5.25%, 12/15/2021
 
275,000
278,781
 
7.5%, 7/15/2020 (b)
 
95,000
100,463
 
11.5%, 7/15/2020
 
345,000
398,475
Hertz Corp., 6.75%, 4/15/2019
305,000
314,730
Hot Topic, Inc., 144A, 9.25%, 6/15/2021
 
140,000
147,000
iHeartCommunications, Inc.:
 
9.0%, 12/15/2019 (b)
 
530,000
505,090
 
11.25%, 3/1/2021
 
280,000
271,950
Jo-Ann Stores Holdings, Inc., 144A, 9.75%, 10/15/2019
160,000
143,200
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.:
 
144A, 5.375%, 6/15/2022
 
50,000
50,000
 
144A, 7.0%, 9/1/2020
 
345,000
366,562
MDC Partners, Inc., 144A, 6.75%, 4/1/2020
 
370,000
368,612
Mediacom Broadband LLC:
 
5.5%, 4/15/2021
 
50,000
48,750
 
6.375%, 4/1/2023
 
425,000
425,000
Mediacom LLC, 7.25%, 2/15/2022
 
110,000
115,225
MGM Resorts International:
 
6.0%, 3/15/2023 (b)
 
280,000
283,500
 
6.75%, 10/1/2020 (b)
 
526,000
557,560
 
8.625%, 2/1/2019
 
510,000
576,300
Nielsen Finance LLC, 144A, 5.0%, 4/15/2022
 
155,000
151,900
Numericable-SFR:
 
144A, 4.875%, 5/15/2019
 
520,000
514,800
 
144A, 6.0%, 5/15/2022
 
775,000
763,859
Penske Automotive Group, Inc., 5.375%, 12/1/2024
 
660,000
668,250
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc., 144A, 9.25%, 12/1/2018
 
315,000
329,175
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 6.375%, 8/1/2021
 
160,000
169,800
Quebecor Media, Inc., 5.75%, 1/15/2023
 
205,000
204,488
Sabre GLBL, Inc., 144A, 5.375%, 4/15/2023
 
25,000
24,625
Schaeffler Finance BV, 144A, 4.75%, 5/15/2023
 
365,000
355,875
Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc., 144A, 5.875%, 5/15/2021
 
125,000
126,250
Serta Simmons Holdings LLC, 144A, 8.125%, 10/1/2020 (b)
230,000
242,650
Sirius XM Radio, Inc., 144A, 5.875%, 10/1/2020
 
195,000
199,875
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 144A, 5.75%, 7/15/2025
 
120,000
121,800
Springs Industries, Inc., 6.25%, 6/1/2021
 
295,000
288,363
Starz LLC, 5.0%, 9/15/2019
 
175,000
177,188
Suburban Propane Partners LP, 5.75%, 3/1/2025
145,000
144,638
TRI Pointe Holdings, Inc., 4.375%, 6/15/2019
 
145,000
142,100
UCI International, Inc., 8.625%, 2/15/2019
 
310,000
275,900
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
Unitymedia Hessen GmbH & Co., KG, 144A, 5.5%, 1/15/2023
945,000
963,309
Viking Cruises Ltd.:
 
144A, 6.25%, 5/15/2025
 
240,000
238,200
 
144A, 8.5%, 10/15/2022
 
205,000
227,550
 
25,417,471
Consumer Staples 3.1%
Chiquita Brands International, Inc., 7.875%, 2/1/2021
 
90,000
96,975
Cott Beverages, Inc.:
 
5.375%, 7/1/2022
 
445,000
431,650
 
144A, 6.75%, 1/1/2020
 
180,000
186,750
FAGE Dairy Industry SA, 144A, 9.875%, 2/1/2020 (b)
810,000
844,425
JBS Investments GmbH:
 
144A, 7.25%, 4/3/2024 (b)
 
525,000
543,375
 
144A, 7.75%, 10/28/2020
 
405,000
440,437
JBS U.S.A. LLC:
 
144A, 5.75%, 6/15/2025
 
190,000
187,805
 
144A, 7.25%, 6/1/2021
 
485,000
511,069
 
144A, 8.25%, 2/1/2020
 
160,000
169,600
Pilgrim's Pride Corp., 144A, 5.75%, 3/15/2025
 
200,000
202,000
Post Holdings, Inc., 144A, 6.75%, 12/1/2021
 
110,000
110,000
Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc., 144A, 10.25%, 12/15/2020
 
55,000
46,750
Smithfield Foods, Inc., 6.625%, 8/15/2022
 
9,000
9,608
The WhiteWave Foods Co., 5.375%, 10/1/2022
 
185,000
195,175
 
3,975,619
Energy 13.3%
Antero Resources Corp.:
 
5.125%, 12/1/2022
 
330,000
311,850
 
5.375%, 11/1/2021
 
250,000
240,000
 
144A, 5.625%, 6/1/2023
 
205,000
198,081
Baytex Energy Corp.:
 
144A, 5.125%, 6/1/2021
 
70,000
65,625
 
144A, 5.625%, 6/1/2024
 
95,000
88,113
Berry Petroleum Co., LLC:
 
6.375%, 9/15/2022
 
205,000
159,900
 
6.75%, 11/1/2020
 
680,000
537,200
Blue Racer Midstream LLC, 144A, 6.125%, 11/15/2022
115,000
118,450
California Resources Corp.:
 
5.0%, 1/15/2020
 
140,000
123,200
 
5.5%, 9/15/2021 (b)
 
323,000
281,075
 
6.0%, 11/15/2024 (b)
 
135,000
116,100
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.25%, 4/15/2023
 
235,000
235,587
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 7.625%, 11/15/2022
 
465,000
334,800
Chesapeake Energy Corp.:
 
5.75%, 3/15/2023 (b)
 
650,000
588,250
 
6.125%, 2/15/2021
 
50,000
47,000
 
6.625%, 8/15/2020
 
240,000
234,000
Concho Resources, Inc., 5.5%, 4/1/2023
 
530,000
530,000
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP:
 
6.125%, 3/1/2022
 
165,000
168,300
 
144A, 6.25%, 4/1/2023
 
95,000
98,800
Endeavor Energy Resources LP:
 
144A, 7.0%, 8/15/2021
 
545,000
542,275
 
144A, 8.125%, 9/15/2023
 
285,000
293,906
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
EP Energy LLC, 144A, 6.375%, 6/15/2023 (b)
 
210,000
210,525
EV Energy Partners LP, 8.0%, 4/15/2019
 
955,000
888,150
Gulfport Energy Corp., 144A, 6.625%, 5/1/2023
 
95,000
96,188
Halcon Resources Corp.:
 
144A, 8.625%, 2/1/2020
 
435,000
429,562
 
8.875%, 5/15/2021
 
543,000
357,022
 
9.75%, 7/15/2020
 
145,000
97,513
Hilcorp Energy I LP:
 
144A, 5.0%, 12/1/2024
 
195,000
182,852
 
144A, 5.75%, 10/1/2025
 
335,000
321,600
Holly Energy Partners LP, 6.5%, 3/1/2020
 
105,000
104,738
Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 6.25%, 3/15/2023
 
295,000
300,162
Linn Energy LLC, 6.25%, 11/1/2019
140,000
109,550
MEG Energy Corp.:
 
144A, 6.5%, 3/15/2021
 
235,000
226,187
 
144A, 7.0%, 3/31/2024
 
610,000
584,837
Memorial Resource Development Corp., 5.875%, 7/1/2022
195,000
188,312
Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc., 6.0%, 8/15/2023
 
290,000
300,875
Newfield Exploration Co., 5.375%, 1/1/2026
 
155,000
153,450
Northern Oil & Gas, Inc., 8.0%, 6/1/2020
 
595,000
541,450
Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:
 
6.875%, 3/15/2022
 
610,000
619,150
 
6.875%, 1/15/2023
 
210,000
207,375
Parsley Energy LLC, 144A, 7.5%, 2/15/2022
 
35,000
35,514
Range Resources Corp., 144A, 4.875%, 5/15/2025
190,000
184,566
Regency Energy Partners LP:
 
5.0%, 10/1/2022
 
125,000
126,975
 
5.875%, 3/1/2022
 
25,000
26,613
Rice Energy, Inc., 144A, 7.25%, 5/1/2023
 
50,000
51,250
RSP Permian, Inc., 144A, 6.625%, 10/1/2022
 
460,000
470,350
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC:
 
5.625%, 2/1/2021
 
690,000
703,800
 
5.625%, 4/15/2023
 
155,000
154,467
 
144A, 5.625%, 3/1/2025
 
255,000
252,450
 
5.75%, 5/15/2024
 
675,000
672,469
Seven Generations Energy Ltd., 144A, 6.75%, 5/1/2023
70,000
69,825
Sunoco LP, 144A, 6.375%, 4/1/2023
140,000
145,600
Talos Production LLC, 144A, 9.75%, 2/15/2018
 
410,000
356,700
Targa Resources Partners LP, 144A, 4.125%, 11/15/2019
 
70,000
69,300
TerraForm Power Operating LLC, 144A, 5.875%, 2/1/2023
340,000
345,100
Triangle U.S.A. Petroleum Corp., 144A, 6.75%, 7/15/2022
145,000
112,375
Welltec AS, 144A, 8.0%, 2/1/2019
400,000
382,000
Whiting Petroleum Corp.:
 
5.75%, 3/15/2021
 
350,000
344,400
 
144A, 6.25%, 4/1/2023
 
910,000
903,175
Williams Partners LP, 6.125%, 7/15/2022
 
325,000
345,312
 
16,984,251
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
Financials 3.6%
CNO Financial Group, Inc.:
 
4.5%, 5/30/2020
 
70,000
71,050
 
5.25%, 5/30/2025
 
140,000
142,268
Credit Agricole SA, 144A, 7.875%, 1/29/2049
 
330,000
339,246
Denali Borrower LLC, 144A, 5.625%, 10/15/2020
 
285,000
299,606
E*TRADE Financial Corp.:
 
4.625%, 9/15/2023
 
200,000
196,500
 
5.375%, 11/15/2022
 
170,000
174,250
Equinix, Inc.:
 
(REIT), 5.375%, 1/1/2022
 
225,000
225,563
 
(REIT), 5.375%, 4/1/2023
 
725,000
725,000
 
(REIT), 5.75%, 1/1/2025
 
170,000
168,300
Hellas Telecommunications Finance, 144A, 8.011%**, 7/15/2015*
EUR
322,107
0
International Lease Finance Corp.:
 
 
3.875%, 4/15/2018
 
385,000
386,925
 
6.25%, 5/15/2019
 
320,000
346,000
MPT Operating Partnership LP:
 
(REIT), 6.375%, 2/15/2022
 
290,000
309,213
 
(REIT), 6.875%, 5/1/2021
 
295,000
311,594
Popular, Inc., 7.0%, 7/1/2019
 
145,000
145,000
Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., 144A, 7.804%, 10/1/2020
 
305,000
325,587
Societe Generale SA, 144A, 7.875%, 12/29/2049
 
460,000
462,300
 
4,628,402
Health Care 8.8%
Alere, Inc., 144A, 6.375%, 7/1/2023
185,000
188,238
Community Health Systems, Inc.:
 
5.125%, 8/15/2018
 
1,155,000
1,183,875
 
5.125%, 8/1/2021
 
55,000
56,031
 
6.875%, 2/1/2022 (b)
 
220,000
232,100
 
7.125%, 7/15/2020
 
1,735,000
1,838,232
Concordia Healthcare Corp., 144A, 7.0%, 4/15/2023
95,000
95,000
Endo Finance LLC:
 
144A, 5.375%, 1/15/2023
 
215,000
212,313
 
144A, 5.75%, 1/15/2022 (b)
220,000
222,750
 
144A, 6.0%, 7/15/2023 (c)
 
195,000
199,388
 
144A, 6.0%, 2/1/2025
 
150,000
152,438
Fresenius Medical Care U.S. Finance II, Inc., 144A, 5.625%, 7/31/2019 (b)
220,000
238,150
Fresenius U.S. Finance II, Inc., 144A, 9.0%, 7/15/2015
420,000
420,672
HCA, Inc.:
 
6.5%, 2/15/2020
 
890,000
994,575
 
7.5%, 2/15/2022
 
305,000
350,369
Hologic, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 7/15/2022 (c)
 
90,000
91,913
IMS Health, Inc., 144A, 6.0%, 11/1/2020
 
250,000
257,500
LifePoint Health, Inc., 5.5%, 12/1/2021
 
275,000
283,937
Mallinckrodt International Finance SA, 144A, 4.875%, 4/15/2020
160,000
162,808
Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., 7.375%, 10/15/2020
345,000
368,287
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
Tenet Healthcare Corp.:
 
144A, 3.786%**, 6/15/2020
180,000
181,575
 
144A, 6.75%, 6/15/2023
 
380,000
387,600
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:
 
 
144A, 5.375%, 3/15/2020
 
365,000
376,862
 
144A, 5.875%, 5/15/2023
 
335,000
343,375
 
144A, 6.125%, 4/15/2025
 
955,000
982,456
 
144A, 6.375%, 10/15/2020
 
245,000
258,016
 
144A, 7.5%, 7/15/2021
 
1,050,000
1,130,062
 
11,208,522
Industrials 11.3%
ADT Corp.:
 
3.5%, 7/15/2022 (b)
 
150,000
135,750
 
5.25%, 3/15/2020
 
300,000
314,250
 
6.25%, 10/15/2021 (b)
 
145,000
152,250
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., 7.125%, 3/15/2021
535,000
569,775
Aguila 3 SA, 144A, 7.875%, 1/31/2018
 
480,000
475,200
Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc., 144A, 9.75%, 10/15/2020
245,000
243,162
AWAS Aviation Capital Ltd., 144A, 7.0%, 10/17/2016
292,520
296,176
Belden, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 9/1/2022
355,000
352,337
Bombardier, Inc.:
 
144A, 4.75%, 4/15/2019
 
160,000
155,600
 
144A, 5.5%, 9/15/2018
 
100,000
99,000
 
144A, 5.75%, 3/15/2022 (b)
225,000
200,250
 
144A, 6.0%, 10/15/2022
 
265,000
235,187
 
144A, 7.5%, 3/15/2025
 
105,000
95,288
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 7.75%, 2/15/2019
 
220,000
222,200
Covanta Holding Corp., 5.875%, 3/1/2024
 
220,000
219,450
CTP Transportation Products LLC, 144A, 8.25%, 12/15/2019
275,000
284,625
D.R. Horton, Inc., 4.0%, 2/15/2020
100,000
99,470
DigitalGlobe, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 2/1/2021
 
160,000
156,600
EnerSys, 144A, 5.0%, 4/30/2023
45,000
44,508
Florida East Coast Holdings Corp., 144A, 6.75%, 5/1/2019
155,000
155,388
FTI Consulting, Inc., 6.0%, 11/15/2022
205,000
213,713
Garda World Security Corp., 144A, 7.25%, 11/15/2021
290,000
278,400
Gates Global LLC, 144A, 6.0%, 7/15/2022
 
190,000
171,950
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., 144A, 5.0%, 12/15/2021
395,000
401,912
Kenan Advantage Group, Inc., 144A, 8.375%, 12/15/2018
575,000
598,719
Masonite International Corp., 144A, 5.625%, 3/15/2023
220,000
223,575
Meritor, Inc.:
 
6.25%, 2/15/2024
 
215,000
212,313
 
6.75%, 6/15/2021
 
300,000
306,750
Moog, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 12/1/2022
165,000
167,888
Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 144A, 7.375%, 1/15/2022
830,000
718,987
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 4/15/2021
 
440,000
469,700
Oshkosh Corp.:
 
5.375%, 3/1/2022
 
165,000
168,713
 
5.375%, 3/1/2025
 
25,000
25,000
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 6.5%, 2/1/2022 (b)
 
415,000
407,012
SBA Communications Corp., 5.625%, 10/1/2019
 
200,000
208,000
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., 5.25%, 3/15/2022
 
285,000
294,262
Titan International, Inc., 6.875%, 10/1/2020 (b)
 
340,000
312,375
TransDigm, Inc.:
 
6.0%, 7/15/2022
 
260,000
256,750
 
6.5%, 7/15/2024
 
155,000
153,063
 
7.5%, 7/15/2021
 
1,115,000
1,198,625
Triumph Group, Inc., 5.25%, 6/1/2022
 
130,000
128,375
United Rentals North America, Inc.:
 
4.625%, 7/15/2023
 
160,000
156,896
 
6.125%, 6/15/2023
 
25,000
25,531
 
7.375%, 5/15/2020
 
595,000
634,859
 
7.625%, 4/15/2022
 
595,000
644,087
USG Corp., 144A, 5.5%, 3/1/2025
10,000
9,963
Wise Metals Group LLC, 144A, 8.75%, 12/15/2018
250,000
264,062
XPO Logistics, Inc.:
 
144A, 6.5%, 6/15/2022
 
230,000
225,113
 
144A, 7.875%, 9/1/2019
 
240,000
256,464
ZF North America Capital, Inc.:
 
144A, 4.5%, 4/29/2022
 
510,000
499,570
 
144A, 4.75%, 4/29/2025
 
205,000
198,467
 
14,337,560
Information Technology 4.8%
ACI Worldwide, Inc., 144A, 6.375%, 8/15/2020
 
105,000
110,513
Activision Blizzard, Inc., 144A, 5.625%, 9/15/2021
805,000
843,237
Alliance Data Systems Corp., 144A, 5.25%, 12/1/2017
255,000
263,287
Audatex North America, Inc.:
 
144A, 6.0%, 6/15/2021
 
315,000
323,662
 
144A, 6.125%, 11/1/2023
 
115,000
118,163
BMC Software Finance, Inc., 144A, 8.125%, 7/15/2021
215,000
174,150
Boxer Parent Co., Inc., 144A, 9.0%, 10/15/2019 (b)
 
320,000
227,200
Cardtronics, Inc., 144A, 5.125%, 8/1/2022
 
145,000
141,738
CDW LLC:
 
5.5%, 12/1/2024
 
330,000
326,700
 
6.0%, 8/15/2022
 
370,000
382,025
EarthLink Holdings Corp., 7.375%, 6/1/2020
 
245,000
254,800
Entegris, Inc., 144A, 6.0%, 4/1/2022
160,000
164,400
First Data Corp.:
 
144A, 7.375%, 6/15/2019
 
96,000
99,792
 
144A, 8.75%, 1/15/2022
 
910,000
967,444
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 144A, 6.0%, 1/15/2022
275,000
291,500
Infor U.S., Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 5/15/2022
 
215,000
218,762
Italics Merger Sub, Inc., 144A, 7.125%, 7/15/2023
95,000
93,813
Micron Technology, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 8/1/2023
250,000
239,687
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
NCR Corp.:
 
5.875%, 12/15/2021
 
55,000
56,650
 
6.375%, 12/15/2023
 
135,000
143,100
NXP BV, 144A, 3.75%, 6/1/2018
250,000
251,875
Open Text Corp., 144A, 5.625%, 1/15/2023
 
200,000
198,000
Project Homestake Merger Corp., 144A, 8.875%, 3/1/2023
155,000
150,350
Sanmina Corp., 144A, 4.375%, 6/1/2019
 
25,000
24,938
 
6,065,786
Materials 6.1%
ArcelorMittal, 5.125%, 6/1/2020
60,000
60,825
Ardagh Packaging Finance PLC, 144A, 3.286%**, 12/15/2019
310,000
301,475
AVINTIV Specialty Materials, Inc., 7.75%, 2/1/2019
 
163,000
167,890
Ball Corp., 5.25%, 7/1/2025
 
225,000
222,469
Berry Plastics Corp., 5.5%, 5/15/2022
 
435,000
436,631
Cascades, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 7/15/2022
 
145,000
140,287
Chemours Co.:
 
144A, 6.625%, 5/15/2023 (b)
435,000
421,406
 
144A, 7.0%, 5/15/2025 (b)
 
80,000
77,600
Clearwater Paper Corp., 144A, 5.375%, 2/1/2025
195,000
191,100
Coveris Holding Corp., 144A, 10.0%, 6/1/2018
 
230,000
241,500
Coveris Holdings SA, 144A, 7.875%, 11/1/2019
 
330,000
328,350
Crown Americas LLC, 6.25%, 2/1/2021
 
50,000
52,125
Evolution Escrow Issuer LLC, 144A, 7.5%, 3/15/2022
245,000
232,137
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.:
 
144A, 6.75%, 2/15/2020
 
36,000
34,830
 
144A, 7.0%, 2/15/2021
 
475,000
454,219
Hexion, Inc.:
 
6.625%, 4/15/2020
 
600,000
550,500
 
8.875%, 2/1/2018
 
270,000
243,675
Perstorp Holding AB, 144A, 8.75%, 5/15/2017
 
455,000
473,200
Plastipak Holdings, Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 10/1/2021
 
250,000
254,375
Platform Specialty Products Corp., 144A, 6.5%, 2/1/2022
230,000
237,475
Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:
 
5.75%, 10/15/2020
 
1,390,000
1,424,750
 
6.875%, 2/15/2021
 
540,000
562,950
Sealed Air Corp.:
 
144A, 4.875%, 12/1/2022
 
115,000
113,275
 
144A, 5.125%, 12/1/2024
 
55,000
54,244
Signode Industrial Group Lux SA, 144A, 6.375%, 5/1/2022
210,000
203,700
Tronox Finance LLC, 6.375%, 8/15/2020
 
200,000
185,500
WR Grace & Co-Conn:
 
144A, 5.125%, 10/1/2021
 
90,000
90,675
 
144A, 5.625%, 10/1/2024
 
45,000
45,563
 
7,802,726
Telecommunication Services 17.1%
Altice Financing SA:
 
144A, 6.5%, 1/15/2022
 
200,000
200,000
 
144A, 7.875%, 12/15/2019
 
235,000
247,338
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
Altice Finco SA, 144A, 9.875%, 12/15/2020
 
235,000
258,500
B Communications Ltd., 144A, 7.375%, 2/15/2021
270,000
289,575
CenturyLink, Inc.:
 
Series V, 5.625%, 4/1/2020
105,000
105,131
 
Series W, 6.75%, 12/1/2023 (b)
280,000
280,875
CommScope, Inc.:
 
144A, 4.375%, 6/15/2020
 
115,000
116,150
 
144A, 5.0%, 6/15/2021
 
260,000
253,500
CyrusOne LP, 144A,
     
 
6.375%, 11/15/2022 (c)
 
205,000
212,175
 
144A, 6.375%, 11/15/2022
105,000
108,675
Digicel Group Ltd.:
 
144A, 7.125%, 4/1/2022
 
265,000
251,671
 
144A, 8.25%, 9/30/2020
 
1,560,000
1,563,900
Digicel Ltd.:
 
144A, 6.75%, 3/1/2023
 
390,000
382,317
 
144A, 7.0%, 2/15/2020
 
200,000
207,000
Frontier Communications Corp.:
 
6.25%, 9/15/2021
 
140,000
127,400
 
6.875%, 1/15/2025 (b)
 
660,000
551,925
 
7.125%, 1/15/2023
 
1,370,000
1,215,875
 
8.5%, 4/15/2020
 
100,000
104,550
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.:
 
6.5%, 6/15/2019
 
400,000
434,000
 
7.625%, 6/15/2021
 
230,000
253,046
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:
 
5.5%, 8/1/2023
 
465,000
411,757
 
7.25%, 10/15/2020
 
810,000
800,887
 
7.5%, 4/1/2021
 
1,270,000
1,255,712
Level 3 Financing, Inc.:
 
5.375%, 8/15/2022 (b)
 
675,000
681,750
 
144A, 5.375%, 5/1/2025 (b)
200,000
192,750
 
6.125%, 1/15/2021
 
165,000
173,036
 
8.625%, 7/15/2020
 
510,000
545,037
Millicom International Cellular SA, 144A, 4.75%, 5/22/2020
370,000
355,766
Plantronics, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 5/31/2023
95,000
96,188
Sprint Communications, Inc.:
 
144A, 7.0%, 3/1/2020 (b)
 
245,000
266,487
 
144A, 9.0%, 11/15/2018
 
845,000
954,225
Sprint Corp., 7.125%, 6/15/2024
1,345,000
1,247,622
T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.:
 
6.125%, 1/15/2022 (b)
 
110,000
113,575
 
6.375%, 3/1/2025
 
720,000
736,200
 
6.625%, 11/15/2020
 
705,000
733,200
UPCB Finance IV Ltd., 144A, 5.375%, 1/15/2025
 
955,000
911,547
UPCB Finance V Ltd., 144A, 7.25%, 11/15/2021
 
886,500
957,420
UPCB Finance VI Ltd., 144A, 6.875%, 1/15/2022
 
270,000
287,550
Virgin Media Secured Finance PLC, 144A, 5.25%, 1/15/2026
200,000
193,250
Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 144A, 6.5%, 4/30/2020
 
195,000
203,775
Windstream Services LLC:
 
6.375%, 8/1/2023
 
265,000
215,644
 
7.75%, 10/15/2020 (b)
 
1,880,000
1,840,050
 
7.75%, 10/1/2021
 
675,000
617,625
 
7.875%, 11/1/2017
 
495,000
525,937
 
Principal Amount ($)(a)
Value ($)
   
Zayo Group LLC:
 
144A, 6.0%, 4/1/2023 (b)
 
190,000
187,663
 
144A, 6.375%, 5/15/2025
 
240,000
232,800
 
21,901,056
Utilities 3.5%
AES Corp.:
 
3.283%**, 6/1/2019
 
175,000
175,000
 
8.0%, 6/1/2020
 
525,000
606,375
Calpine Corp.:
 
5.375%, 1/15/2023
 
240,000
235,800
 
5.75%, 1/15/2025
 
240,000
233,400
Dynegy, Inc.:
 
144A, 7.375%, 11/1/2022
 
235,000
246,163
 
144A, 7.625%, 11/1/2024
 
425,000
449,437
Energy Future Holdings Corp., Series Q, 6.5%, 11/15/2024*
550,000
577,500
NGL Energy Partners LP, 5.125%, 7/15/2019
 
190,000
189,525
NRG Energy, Inc.:
 
6.25%, 5/1/2024
 
1,270,000
1,260,475
 
7.875%, 5/15/2021
 
215,000
228,975
Talen Energy Supply LLC, 144A, 5.125%, 7/15/2019
195,000
191,100
 
4,393,750
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $118,244,543)
116,715,143
 
Government & Agency Obligation 1.6%
U.S. Treasury Obligation
U.S. Treasury Note, 1.0%, 8/31/2016 (d) (Cost $2,062,147)
2,050,000
2,064,735
 
Loan Participations and Assignments 0.8%
Senior Loans**
Alliance Mortgage Cycle Loan, Term Loan A, 9.5%, 6/15/2010*
700,000
0
Level 3 Financing, Inc.:
 
Term Loan B, 4.0%, 1/15/2020
310,000
310,485
 
Term Loan B2, 3.5%, 5/31/2022
365,000
362,985
Ply Gem Industries, Inc., Term Loan, 4.0%, 2/1/2021
306,125
304,595
Total Loan Participations and Assignments (Cost $1,675,623)
978,065
 
Convertible Bond 1.9%
Materials
GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 144A, 7.5%, 10/30/2018 (Cost $1,267,500)
1,297,793
2,371,717
 
Preferred Security 0.8%
Materials
Hercules, Inc., 6.5%, 6/30/2029 (Cost $778,844)
1,135,000
1,032,850
 

   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Common Stocks 0.1%
 
Consumer Discretionary 0.0%
 
Dawn Holdings, Inc.* (e)
    15       21,392  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Industrials 0.0%
 
Congoleum Corp.*
    24,000       0  
Quad Graphics, Inc.
    224       4,146  
              4,146  
Materials 0.1%
 
GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc.*
    144,027       101,049  
GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc. 144A*
    2,206       1,548  
              102,597  
Total Common Stocks (Cost $345,503)
      128,135  
   
Preferred Stock 0.5%
 
Consumer Discretionary
 
Ally Financial, Inc. Series G, 144A, 7.0% (Cost $547,374)
    568       576,786  
   
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Warrants 0.0%
 
Materials
 
Hercules Trust II, Expiration Date 3/31/2029* (Cost $244,286)
    1,100       6,474  
   
Securities Lending Collateral 10.4%
 
Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 0.16% (f) (g) (Cost $13,271,710)
    13,271,710       13,271,710  
   
Cash Equivalents 1.9%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (f) (Cost $2,460,621)
    2,460,621       2,460,621  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $140,898,151)
    109.5       139,606,236  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (9.5 )     (12,118,571 )
Net Assets
    100.0       127,487,665  
 
The following table represents bonds and senior loans that are in default:
Security
 
Coupon
 
Maturity Date
Principal Amount
   
Cost ($)
   
Value ($)
 
Alliance Mortgage Cycle Loan*
    9.5 %
6/15/2010
USD
    700,000       700,000       0  
Energy Future Holdings Corp.*
    6.5 %
11/15/2024
USD
    550,000       334,642       577,500  
Hellas Telecommunications Finance*
    8.011 %
7/15/2015
EUR
    322,107       92,199       0  
                          1,126,841       577,500  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
** Floating rate securities' yields vary with a designated market index or market rate, such as the coupon-equivalent of the U.S. Treasury Bill rate. These securities are shown at their current rate as of June 30, 2015.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $140,835,937. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized depreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $1,229,701. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $3,532,679 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $4,762,380.
 
(a) Principal amount stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
 
(b) All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, "Other Assets and Liabilities, Net" may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at June 30, 2015 amounted to $12,780,279, which is 10.0% of net assets.
 
(c) When-issued security.
 
(d) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, as collateral for swap contracts.
 
(e) The Fund may purchase securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale ("restricted securities"). Restricted securities are securities which have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund may be unable to sell a restricted security and it may be more difficult to determine a market value for a restricted security. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the Fund's decision to sell a restricted security and the point at which the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell. This investment practice, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity of the Fund. The future value of these securities is uncertain and there may be changes in the estimated value of these securities.
Schedule of Restricted Securities
Acquisition Date
 
Cost ($)
   
Value ($)
   
Value as % of Net Assets
 
Dawn Holdings, Inc.*
August 2013
    53,353       21,392       .02  
 
(f) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
(g) Represents collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
 
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
 
REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust
 
At June 30, 2015, open credit default swap contracts sold were as follows:
Bilateral Swaps
 
Effective/
Expiration Dates
 
Notional Amount ($) (h)
   
Fixed Cash Flows Received
 
Underlying Debt Obligation/
Quality Rating (i)
 
Value ($)
   
Upfront Payments Paid ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation/
(Depreciation) ($)
 
3/20/2015
6/20/2020
    240,000 1     5.0 %
CCO Holdings LLC,
7.25%, 10/30/2017, BB–
    23,519       22,939       580  
9/22/2014
12/20/2019
    630,000 2     5.0 %
Community Health Systems, Inc.,
8.0%, 11/15/2019, B–
    73,351       37,955       35,396  
12/22/2014
3/20/2020
    345,000 3     5.0 %
General Motors Corp.,
6.25%, 10/2/2043, BBB–
    57,530       51,846       5,684  
6/20/2013
9/20/2018
    730,000 4     5.0 %
Sprint Communications, Inc.,
6.0%, 12/1/2016, B+
    46,675       27,955       18,720  
12/20/2013
3/20/2019
    3,000,000 5     5.0 %
Sprint Communications, Inc.,
6.0%, 12/1/2016, B+
    172,448       231,598       (59,150 )
Total net unrealized appreciation
      1,230  
 
(h) The maximum potential amount of future undiscounted payments that the Fund could be required to make under a credit default swap contract would be the notional amount of the contract. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the referenced debt obligation or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap contracts entered into by the Fund for the same referenced debt obligation, if any.
 
(i) The quality ratings represent the higher of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") credit ratings and are unaudited.
 
Counterparties:
 
1 Barclays Bank PLC
 
2 Morgan Stanley
 
3 Credit Suisse
 
4 Bank of America
 
5 Goldman Sachs & Co.
Currency Abbreviations
EUR Euro
USD United States Dollar
 
For information on the Fund's policy and additional disclosures regarding credit default swap contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts, please refer to Note B in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Fixed Income Investments (j)
                       
Corporate Bonds
  $     $ 116,715,143     $ 0     $ 116,715,143  
Government & Agency Obligation
          2,064,735             2,064,735  
Loan Participations and Assignments
          978,065       0       978,065  
Convertible Bond
                2,371,717       2,371,717  
Preferred Security
          1,032,850             1,032,850  
Common Stocks (j)
    4,146             123,989       128,135  
Preferred Stock
          576,786             576,786  
Warrants
                6,474       6,474  
Short-Term Investments (j)
    15,732,331                   15,732,331  
Derivatives (k)
                               
Credit Default Swap Contracts
          60,380             60,380  
Total
  $ 15,736,477     $ 121,427,959     $ 2,502,180     $ 139,666,616  
Liabilities
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Derivatives (k)
 
Credit Default Swap Contracts
  $     $ (59,150 )   $     $ (59,150 )
Total
  $     $ (59,150 )   $     $ (59,150 )
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
(j) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
(k) Derivatives include unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on credit default swap contracts.
 
Level 3 Reconciliation
 
The following is a reconciliation of the Fund's Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used in determining value:
   
Corporate Bonds
   
Loan Participations and Assignments
   
Convertible Bonds
   
Common Stocks
   
Warrants
   
Total
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 2,241,938     $ 59,212     $ 89,364     $ 2,390,514  
Realized gains (loss)
                      (911 )           (911 )
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
                156,763       64,490       (82,890 )     138,363  
Amortization of premium/accretion of discount
                (26,984 )                 (26,984 )
Purchases
                      1,198             1,198  
(Sales)
                      0              
Transfer into Level 3
                                   
Transfer (out) of Level 3
                                   
Balance as of June 30, 2015
  $ 0     $ 0     $ 2,371,717     $ 123,989     $ 6,474     $ 2,502,180  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from investments still held as of June 30, 2015
  $     $     $ (156,673 )   $ 63,579     $ (4,335 )   $ (97,429 )
 

Quantitative Disclosure About Significant Unobservable Inputs
 
Asset Class
 
Fair Value at 6/30/15
 
Valuation Technique(s)
Unobservable Input
 
Range (Weighted Average)
 
Common Stocks
 
Consumer Discretionary
  $ 21,392  
Market Approach
EV/EBITDA Multiple
    9.81  
           
Discount to public comparables
    15 %
           
Discount for lack of marketability
    15 %
Industrials
  $ 0  
Asset Valuation
Book Value of Equity
    0 %
Materials
  $ 102,597  
Market Approach
EV/EBITDA Multiple
    6.84  
Discount to public comparables
    20 %
Discount for lack of marketability
    25 %
Warrants
 
Materials
  $ 6,474  
Black Scholes Option Pricing Model
Implied Volatility
    25 %
 
Discount for lack of marketability
    20 %
Loan Participations & Assignments
 
Senior Loans
  $ 0  
Market Approach
Evaluated Price
    0  
Corporate Bonds
 
Finance
  $ 0  
Asset Valuation
Book Value
    0  
Convertible Bonds
 
Materials
  $ 2,371,717  
Convertible Bond Methodology
EV/EBITDA Multiple
    6.84  
           
Discount to public comparable
    20 %
           
Discount for lack of marketability
    25 %
 
Qualitative Disclosure About Unobservable Inputs
 
Significant unobservable inputs developed by the Pricing Committee and used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s equity investments include enterprise value (EV) to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) ratio with a discount for lack of marketability. A significant change in the EV to EBITDA ratio may result in a significant change in the fair value measurement, while a significant change in the discount for lack of marketability is unlikely to result in a materially higher or lower fair value measurement.
 
Significant unobservable inputs developed by the Pricing Committee and used in the fair value measurement of the Fund’s fixed income investments include the convertible bond methodology. A significant change in the EV to EBITDA ratio could have a material change on the fair value measurement, while a significant change in the discount for lack of marketability is unlikely to result in a materially higher or lower fair value measurement. Generally, there is a direct relationship between the EV to EBITDA ratio and the fair value measurement of a fixed income investment.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $125,165,820) — including $12,780,279 of securities loaned
  $ 123,873,905  
Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $13,271,710)*
    13,271,710  
Investment in Central Cash Management Fund (cost $2,460,621)
    2,460,621  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $140,898,151)
    139,606,236  
Receivable for investments sold
    161,689  
Receivable for investments sold — when-issued securities
    181,125  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    4,830  
Interest receivable
    1,972,068  
Unrealized appreciation on bilateral swap contracts
    60,380  
Upfront payments paid on bilateral swap contracts
    372,293  
Foreign taxes recoverable
    91  
Other assets
    1,464  
Total assets
    142,360,176  
Liabilities
 
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    13,271,710  
Payable for investments purchased
    132,747  
Payable for investments purchased — when-issued securities
    677,820  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    567,748  
Unrealized depreciation on bilateral swap contracts
    59,150  
Accrued management fee
    52,071  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    1,899  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    109,366  
Total liabilities
    14,872,511  
Net assets, at value
  $ 127,487,665  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    3,370,452  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    (1,291,915 )
Swap contracts
    1,230  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    (37,988,799 )
Paid-in capital
    163,396,697  
Net assets, at value
  $ 127,487,665  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($127,376,890 ÷ 20,152,518 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 6.32  
Class B
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($110,775 ÷ 17,454 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 6.35  
 
* Represents collateral on securities loaned.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Interest
  $ 3,943,506  
Dividends
    35,642  
Income distributions — Central Cash Management Fund
    4,057  
Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates
    18,031  
Total income
    4,001,236  
Expenses:
Management fee
    350,706  
Administration fee
    70,141  
Distribution service fee (Class B)
    3,371  
Recordkeeping fees (Class B)
    1,984  
Services to shareholders
    713  
Custodian fee
    14,992  
Professional fees
    45,846  
Reports to shareholders
    19,344  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    4,171  
Other
    21,019  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    532,287  
Expense reductions
    (23,474 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    508,813  
Net investment income (loss)
    3,492,423  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
    (772,980 )
Swap contracts
    314,200  
Foreign currency
    (136 )
      (458,916 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    (184,833 )
Swap contracts
    (12,405 )
Foreign currency
    4  
      (197,234 )
Net gain (loss)
    (656,150 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 2,836,273  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 3,492,423     $ 8,068,202  
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 3,492,423     $ 8,068,202  
Net realized gain (loss)
    (458,916 )     1,188,317  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (197,234 )     (6,349,088 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    2,836,273       2,907,431  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
    (8,457,661 )     (10,554,088 )
Class B
    (6,469 )     (119,183 )
Total distributions
    (8,464,130 )     (10,673,271 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    10,485,677       12,833,015  
Reinvestment of distributions
    8,457,661       10,554,088  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (21,022,429 )     (45,572,381 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    (2,079,091 )     (22,185,278 )
Class B
Proceeds from shares sold
    7,919,108       7,949,939  
Reinvestment of distributions
    6,469       119,183  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (7,952,553 )     (8,248,423 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class B share transactions
    (26,976 )     (179,301 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (7,733,924 )     (30,130,419 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    135,221,589       165,352,008  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $3,370,452 and $8,342,159, respectively)
  $ 127,487,665     $ 135,221,589  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    20,495,541       23,727,813  
Shares sold
    1,582,894       1,881,827  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    1,315,344       1,575,237  
Shares redeemed
    (3,241,261 )     (6,689,336 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    (343,023 )     (3,232,272 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    20,152,518       20,495,541  
Class B
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    3,764       46,339  
Shares sold
    1,195,812       1,159,065  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    998       17,657  
Shares redeemed
    (1,183,120 )     (1,219,297 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class B shares
    13,690       (42,575 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    17,454       3,764  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 6.60     $ 6.96     $ 6.93     $ 6.56     $ 6.90     $ 6.55  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .16       .36       .39       .45       .51       .52  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (.03 )     (.25 )     .14       .48       (.24 )     .36  
Total from investment operations
    .13       .11       .53       .93       .27       .88  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.41 )     (.47 )     (.50 )     (.56 )     (.61 )     (.53 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 6.32     $ 6.60     $ 6.96     $ 6.93     $ 6.56     $ 6.90  
Total Return (%)
    1.85 b**     1.47 b     7.91 b     14.91       3.84       14.00  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    127       135       165       178       169       195  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    .75 *     .75       .73       .72       .72       .72  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    .72 *     .73       .72       .72       .72       .72  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    4.98 *     5.21       5.69       6.68       7.59       7.90  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    31 **     52       58       58       59       93  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 

         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class B
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 6.63     $ 6.99     $ 6.97     $ 6.59     $ 6.93     $ 6.58  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .16       .35       .36       .43       .49       .50  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (.04 )     (.26 )     .15       .49       (.24 )     .36  
Total from investment operations
    .12       .09       .51       .92       .25       .86  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.40 )     (.45 )     (.49 )     (.54 )     (.59 )     (.51 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 6.35     $ 6.63     $ 6.99     $ 6.97     $ 6.59     $ 6.93  
Total Return (%)
    1.62 b**     1.22 b     7.44 b     14.70 b     3.57       13.64  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)
    111       25       324       92       85       144  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    1.15 *     1.13       1.10       .99       .99       .99  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    1.00 *     .97       .97       .99       .99       .99  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    4.86 *     5.09       5.29       6.42       7.33       7.63  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    31 **     52       58       58       59       93  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche High Income VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Class B shares). Sales of Class B shares are subject to recordkeeping fees up to 0.15% and Rule 12b-1 fees under the 1940 Act equal to an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares of the Fund. Class A shares are not subject to such fees.
 
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class (including the applicable Rule 12b-1 fee and recordkeeping fees). Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Debt securities and loan participations and assignments are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Fund's Board. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, prepayment speeds and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, debt securities are valued at the average of the most recent reliable bid quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers and loan participations and assignments are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers. Certain securities may be valued on the basis of a price provided by a single source or broker-dealer. No active trading market may exist for some senior loans and they may be subject to restrictions on resale. The inability to dispose of senior loans in a timely fashion could result in losses. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Equity securities are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities are generally categorized as Level 1 securities.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and are categorized as Level 2.
 
Swap contracts are valued daily based upon prices supplied by a Board approved pricing vendor, if available, and otherwise are valued at the price provided by the broker-dealer. Swap contracts are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.
 
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.
 
Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had securities on loan. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.
 
Loan Participations and Assignments. Loan Participations and Assignments are portions of loans originated by banks and sold in pieces to investors. These floating-rate loans ("Loans") in which the Fund invests are arranged between the borrower and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders"). These Loans may take the form of Senior Loans, which are corporate obligations often issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buy outs and refinancing. The Fund invests in such Loans in the form of participations in Loans ("Participations") or assignments of all or a portion of Loans from third parties ("Assignments"). Participations typically result in the Fund having a contractual relationship with only the Lender, not with the borrower. The Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the Loan, or any rights of set off against the borrower, and the Fund will not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. Assignments typically result in the Fund having a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, and the Fund may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement. Loans held by the Fund are generally in the form of Assignments, but the Fund may also invest in Participations. All Loans involve interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk, including the potential default or insolvency of the borrower.
 
When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the transaction is reflected in the net asset value. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. At the time the Fund enters into a purchase transaction it is required to segregate cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Additionally, the Fund may be required to post securities and/or cash collateral in accordance with the terms of the commitment.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery transaction from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.
 
Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, net capital losses incurred post-enactment may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
At December 31, 2014, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $37,593,000, including $35,391,000 of pre-enactment losses, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until December 31, 2015 ($858,000), December 31, 2016 ($17,301,000) and December 31, 2017 ($17,232,000), the respective expiration dates, whichever occurs first; and approximately $2,202,000 of post-enactment long-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely, including short-term losses ($614,000) and long-term losses ($1,588,000).
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to investments in swap contracts and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on ex-dividend date. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments. All discounts and premiums are accreted/amortized for both tax and financial reporting purposes for the Fund, with the exception of securities in default of principal.
 
B. Derivative Instruments
 
Swaps. A swap is a contract between two parties to exchange future cash flows at periodic intervals based on the notional amount of the swap. A bilateral swap is a transaction between the fund and a counterparty where cash flows are exchanged between the two parties. A centrally cleared swap is a transaction executed between the fund and a counterparty, then cleared by a clearing member through a central clearinghouse. The central clearinghouse serves as the counterparty, with whom the fund exchanges cash flows.
 
The value of a swap is adjusted daily, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized when the swap expires or is closed. Certain risks may arise when entering into swap transactions including counterparty default; liquidity; or unfavorable changes in interest rates or the value of the underlying reference security, commodity or index. In connection with bilateral swaps, securities and/or cash may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default. The maximum counterparty credit risk is the net present value of the cash flows to be received from or paid to the counterparty over the term of the swap, to the extent that this amount is beneficial to the Fund, in addition to any related collateral posted to the counterparty by the Fund. This risk may be partially reduced by a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities ("initial margin") in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount of the swap. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value of the swap. In a cleared swap transaction, counterparty risk is minimized as the central clearinghouse acts as the counterparty.
 
An upfront payment, if any, made by the Fund is recorded as an asset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. An upfront payment, if any, received by the Fund is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.
 
Credit default swaps are agreements between a buyer and a seller of protection against predefined credit events for the reference entity. The Fund may enter into credit default swaps to gain exposure to an underlying issuer's credit quality characteristics without directly investing in that issuer or to hedge against the risk of a credit event on debt securities. As a seller of a credit default swap, the Fund is required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the referenced entity to the counterparty with the occurrence of a credit event by a third party, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, on the reference entity, which would likely result in a loss to the Fund. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap provided that no credit event has occurred. If no credit event occurs, the Fund keeps the stream of payments with no payment obligations. The Fund may also buy credit default swaps, in which case the Fund functions as the counterparty referenced above. This involves the risk that the swap may expire worthless. It also involves counterparty risk that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund with the occurrence of a credit event. When the Fund sells a credit default swap, it will cover its commitment. This may be achieved by, among other methods, maintaining cash or liquid assets equal to the aggregate notional value of the reference entities for all outstanding credit default swaps sold by the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into credit default swap agreements to gain exposure to the underlying issuer's credit quality characteristics.
 
Under the terms of a credit default swap, the Fund receives or makes periodic payments based on a specified interest rate on a fixed notional amount. These payments are recorded as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Payments received or made as a result of a credit event or termination of the swap are recognized, net of a proportional amount of the upfront payment, as realized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations.
 
A summary of the open credit default swap contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund's investment in credit default swap contracts sold had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from $4,945,000 to $7,200,000.
 
The following tables summarize the value of the Fund's derivative instruments held as of June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:
Asset Derivative
 
Swap
Contracts
 
Credit Contract (a)
  $ 60,380  
The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities account:
(a) Unrealized appreciation on bilateral swap contracts
 
 

Liability Derivative
 
Swap
Contracts
 
Credit Contracts (a)
  $ (59,150 )
The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities account:
(a) Unrealized depreciation on bilateral swap contracts
 
 
Additionally, the amount of unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in Fund earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following tables by primary underlying risk exposure:
Realized Gain (Loss)
 
Swap
Contracts
 
Credit Contracts (a)
  $ 314,200  
The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Operations account:
(a) Net realized gain (loss) from swap contracts
 
 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
 
Swap
Contracts
 
Credit Contracts (a)
  $ (12,405 )
The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Operations account:
(a) Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap contracts
 
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund has transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements. A reconciliation of the gross amounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to the net amounts by counterparty, including any collateral exposure, is included in the following table:
Counterparty
 
Gross Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments and Derivatives Available for Offset
   
Collateral Received
   
Net Amount of Derivative Assets
 
Bank of America
  $ 18,720     $     $     $ 18,720  
Barclays Bank PLC
    580                   580  
Credit Suisse
    5,684                   5,684  
Morgan Stanley
    35,396                   35,396  
    $ 60,380     $     $     $ 60,380  
Counterparty
 
Gross Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments and Derivatives Available for Offset
   
Collateral Pledged
   
Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities
 
Goldman Sachs & Co.
  $ 59,150     $     $     $ 59,150  
 
C. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment transactions (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Treasury securities) aggregated $40,524,293 and $39,274,697, respectively. Purchases of U.S. Treasury obligations aggregated $1,009,066.
 
D. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $250 million
    .500 %
Next $750 million
    .470 %
Next $1.5 billion
    .450 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .430 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .400 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .380 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .360 %
Over $12.5 billion
    .340 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through April 30, 2015, the Advisor had contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest) of each class as follows:
Class A
.72%
Class B
1.00%
 
Effective May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest) of each class as follows:
Class A
.72%
Class B
1.11%
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
Class A
  $ 21,513  
Class B
    1,961  
    $ 23,474  
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $70,141, of which $10,969 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
Services to Shareholders
 
Total Aggregated
   
Unpaid at June 30, 2015
 
Class A
  $ 145     $ 65  
Class B
    25       13  
    $ 170     $ 78  
 
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Fund's Class B 12b-1 plans, DeAWM Distributors, Inc. ("DDI") received a fee ("Distribution Service Fee") of 0.25% of average daily net assets of Class B shares. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Distribution Service Fee was $3,371, of which $23 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $9,174, all of which was unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
Security Lending Fees. Deutsche Bank AG serves as lending agent for the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund incurred lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG for the amount of $1,568.
 
E. Investing in High-Yield Securities
 
The Fund's performance could be hurt if a security declines in credit quality or goes into default, or if an issuer does not make timely payments of interest or principal. Because the issuers of high-yield debt securities or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth-highest category) may be in uncertain financial health, the risk of loss from default by the issuer is significantly greater. Prices and yields of high-yield securities will fluctuate over time and, during periods of economic uncertainty, volatility of high-yield securities may adversely affect a fund's net asset value. Because the Fund may invest in securities not paying current interest or in securities already in default, these risks may be more pronounced.
 
F. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, two participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 27% and 61%. Two participating insurance companies were the owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class B shares of the Fund, each owning 79% and 20%.
 
G. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,018.50     $ 1,016.20  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.60     $ 5.00  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,021.22     $ 1,019.84  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.61     $ 5.01  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratios
Class A
 
Class B
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche High Income VIP
.72%
 
1.00%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche High Income VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 2nd quartile, 2nd quartile and 3rd quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the one-year period and has underperformed its benchmark in the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also reviewed data comparing each share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses. The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable funds and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2HI-3 (R-028385-4 8/15)
 
 


June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Large Cap Value VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
4 Portfolio Manager
5 Investment Portfolio
8 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
9 Statement of Operations
9 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
11 Financial Highlights
13 Notes to Financial Statements
17 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
18 Proxy Voting
19 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Stocks may decline in value. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns. While all share classes have the same underlying portfolio, their performance will differ.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 are 0.78% and 1.09% for Class A and Class B shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Large Cap Value VIP
The Russell 1000® Value Index is an unmanaged index that consists of those stocks in the Russell 1000® Index with less-than-average growth orientation. The Russell 1000® Index is an unmanaged price-only index of the 1,000 largest capitalized companies that are domiciled in the U.S. and whose common stocks are traded.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Large Cap Value VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,330     $ 10,636     $ 15,728     $ 19,616     $ 19,679  
Average annual total return
    3.30 %     6.36 %     16.29 %     14.43 %     7.00 %
Russell 1000® Value Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,939     $ 10,413     $ 16,157     $ 21,460     $ 19,758  
Average annual total return
    –0.61 %     4.13 %     17.34 %     16.50 %     7.05 %
Deutsche Large Cap Value VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class B
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,308     $ 10,601     $ 15,575     $ 19,317     $ 19,029  
Average annual total return
    3.08 %     6.01 %     15.92 %     14.07 %     6.65 %
Russell 1000® Value Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,939     $ 10,413     $ 16,157     $ 21,460     $ 19,758  
Average annual total return
    –0.61 %     4.13 %     17.34 %     16.50 %     7.05 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Common Stocks
100%
100%
Cash Equivalents
0%
 
100%
100%
 

Sector Diversification (As a % of Common Stocks)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Health Care
32%
24%
Consumer Discretionary
15%
10%
Financials
14%
21%
Information Technology
10%
14%
Energy
8%
11%
Industrials
6%
10%
Utilities
6%
2%
Materials
6%
3%
Consumer Staples
3%
5%
 
100%
100%
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 5.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Manager
 
Deepak Khanna, CFA
 
Lead Portfolio Manager
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Common Stocks 99.7%
 
Consumer Discretionary 14.9%
 
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 4.8%
 
Carnival Corp.
    86,203       4,257,566  
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc.*
    58,492       890,248  
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
    159,992       8,410,780  
Yum! Brands, Inc.
    72,521       6,532,692  
              20,091,286  
Household Durables 1.3%
 
Whirlpool Corp.
    30,889       5,345,341  
Media 6.4%
 
Comcast Corp. "A" (a)
    117,297       7,054,242  
Starz "A"* (a)
    163,506       7,311,988  
Viacom, Inc. "B"
    193,806       12,527,620  
              26,893,850  
Multiline Retail 1.0%
 
Dillard's, Inc. "A" (a)
    40,581       4,268,715  
Specialty Retail 1.4%
 
Best Buy Co., Inc.
    185,109       6,036,405  
Consumer Staples 2.7%
 
Beverages 1.2%
 
Molson Coors Brewing Co. "B"
    72,883       5,087,962  
Food & Staples Retailing 0.6%
 
CVS Health Corp.
    22,901       2,401,857  
Household Products 0.9%
 
Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    57,634       3,769,840  
Energy 7.6%
 
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels
 
Devon Energy Corp.
    48,021       2,856,769  
EQT Corp.
    63,049       5,128,406  
Gulfport Energy Corp.*
    68,886       2,772,661  
Marathon Petroleum Corp.
    116,492       6,093,697  
Range Resources Corp.
    114,032       5,630,900  
Valero Energy Corp.
    146,928       9,197,693  
              31,680,126  
Financials 14.3%
 
Banks 5.0%
 
Citigroup, Inc.
    226,408       12,506,778  
East West Bancorp., Inc.
    86,217       3,864,246  
SVB Financial Group*
    32,122       4,624,925  
              20,995,949  
Consumer Finance 3.1%
 
Capital One Financial Corp.
    88,037       7,744,615  
Discover Financial Services
    88,248       5,084,850  
              12,829,465  
Insurance 0.8%
 
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
    78,014       3,243,042  
Real Estate Investment Trusts 1.2%
 
HCP, Inc. (REIT)
    138,732       5,059,556  
Real Estate Management & Development 4.2%
 
CBRE Group, Inc. "A"*
    163,730       6,058,010  
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
    33,784       5,777,064  
Realogy Holdings Corp.*
    127,224       5,943,905  
              17,778,979  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Health Care 31.9%
 
Biotechnology 7.0%
 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
    52,346       9,462,587  
Celgene Corp.*
    80,717       9,341,782  
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
    40,652       4,759,536  
Medivation, Inc.*
    1,921       219,378  
Puma Biotechnology, Inc.* (a)
    31,057       3,625,905  
Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.* (a)
    66,614       2,027,064  
              29,436,252  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 1.3%
 
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
    47,474       5,185,585  
Health Care Providers & Services 14.7%
 
Anthem, Inc.
    34,762       5,705,835  
Centene Corp.*
    91,460       7,353,384  
Cigna Corp.
    91,753       14,863,986  
Community Health Systems, Inc.*
    135,329       8,521,667  
DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc.*
    95,302       7,573,650  
Diplomat Pharmacy, Inc.* (a)
    95,423       4,270,179  
Humana, Inc.
    28,253       5,404,234  
Tenet Healthcare Corp.*
    137,803       7,976,038  
              61,668,973  
Life Sciences Tools & Services 2.9%
 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    108,425       4,183,036  
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
    60,309       7,825,696  
              12,008,732  
Pharmaceuticals 6.0%
 
Allergan PLC*
    26,207       7,952,776  
Endo International PLC*
    136,834       10,898,828  
Mallinckrodt PLC* (a)
    54,651       6,433,516  
              25,285,120  
Industrials 6.2%
 
Aerospace & Defense 4.0%
 
Northrop Grumman Corp.
    54,204       8,598,380  
Raytheon Co.
    84,369       8,072,426  
              16,670,806  
Air Freight & Logistics 1.4%
 
FedEx Corp.
    35,406       6,033,182  
Building Products 0.8%
 
A.O. Smith Corp.
    46,427       3,341,816  
Information Technology 10.3%
 
Communications Equipment 2.9%
 
Cisco Systems, Inc.
    439,842       12,078,061  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 1.2%
 
Corning, Inc.
    262,962       5,188,240  
Internet Software & Services 3.0%
 
Rackspace Hosting, Inc.*
    147,303       5,478,198  
Yahoo!, Inc.*
    176,092       6,918,655  
              12,396,853  
IT Services 3.2%
 
Alliance Data Systems Corp.*
    29,170       8,515,890  
Vantiv, Inc. "A"*
    126,024       4,812,857  
              13,328,747  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Materials 5.8%
 
Chemicals 2.4%
 
PPG Industries, Inc.
    49,068       5,629,081  
Valspar Corp.
    55,273       4,522,437  
              10,151,518  
Containers & Packaging 1.4%
 
Rock-Tenn Co. "A"
    98,987       5,959,018  
Metals & Mining 2.0%
 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.
    135,544       2,523,829  
Newmont Mining Corp.
    241,708       5,646,299  
              8,170,128  
Utilities 6.0%
 
Electric Utilities 2.4%
 
Duke Energy Corp.
    58,060       4,100,197  
NextEra Energy, Inc.
    63,514       6,226,278  
              10,326,475  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Gas Utilities 0.5%
 
UGI Corp.
    58,165       2,003,784  
Multi-Utilities 3.1%
 
Dominion Resources, Inc.
    76,585       5,121,239  
Sempra Energy
    79,113       7,827,440  
              12,948,679  
Total Common Stocks (Cost $393,015,261)
      417,664,342  
   
Securities Lending Collateral 6.7%
 
Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 0.16% (b) (c) (Cost $28,112,354)
    28,112,354       28,112,354  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $421,127,615)
    106.4       445,776,696  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (6.4 )     (26,852,632 )
Net Assets
    100.0       418,924,064  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $421,536,536. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $24,240,160. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $45,800,062 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $21,559,902.
 
(a) All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, "Other Assets and Liabilities, Net" may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at June 30, 2015 amounted to $27,985,165, which is 6.7% of net assets.
 
(b) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
(c) Represents collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
 
REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Common Stocks (d)
  $ 417,664,342     $     $     $ 417,664,342  
Short-Term Investments
    28,112,354                   28,112,354  
Total
  $ 445,776,696     $     $     $ 445,776,696  
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
(d) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $393,015,261) — including $27,985,165 of securities loaned
  $ 417,664,342  
Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $28,112,354)*
    28,112,354  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $421,127,615)
    445,776,696  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $29,493)
    28,421  
Receivable for investments sold
    3,139,319  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    22,062  
Dividends receivable
    349,660  
Interest receivable
    6,246  
Other assets
    6,415  
Total assets
    449,328,819  
Liabilities
 
Cash overdraft
    220,321  
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    28,112,354  
Payable for investments purchased
    1,305,225  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    452,279  
Accrued management fee
    208,919  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    3,176  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    102,481  
Total liabilities
    30,404,755  
Net assets, at value
  $ 418,924,064  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    1,125,188  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    24,649,081  
Foreign currency
    (1,072 )
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    26,248,403  
Paid-in capital
    366,902,464  
Net assets, at value
  $ 418,924,064  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($413,742,716 ÷ 24,401,955 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 16.96  
Class B
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($5,181,348 ÷ 304,701 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 17.00  
 
* Represents collateral on securities loaned.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 

Statement of Operations

for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Dividends
  $ 2,641,358  
Income distributions — Central Cash Management Fund
    1,628  
Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates
    25,787  
Total income
    2,668,773  
Expenses:
Management fee
    1,369,063  
Administration fee
    214,091  
Services to shareholders
    2,372  
Record keeping fees (Class B)
    1,470  
Distribution and service fee (Class B)
    6,394  
Custodian fee
    7,058  
Professional fees
    36,546  
Reports to shareholders
    17,703  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    9,927  
Other
    8,555  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    1,673,179  
Expense reductions
    (101,641 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    1,571,538  
Net investment income
  $ 1,097,235  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
    26,801,480  
Foreign currency
    (768 )
      26,800,712  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    (13,798,787 )
Foreign currency
    1,431  
      (13,797,356 )
Net gain (loss)
    13,003,356  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    14,100,591  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 1,097,235     $ 6,247,902  
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 1,097,235     $ 6,247,902  
Net realized gain (loss)
    26,800,712       115,236,680  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (13,797,356 )     (77,036,705 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    14,100,591       44,447,877  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
    (5,899,426 )     (7,350,279 )
Class B
    (54,717 )     (66,263 )
Net realized gains:
Class A
    (17,852,466 )      
Class B
    (214,368 )      
Total distributions
    (24,020,977 )     (7,416,542 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    2,936,931       11,756,922  
Reinvestment of distributions
    23,751,892       7,350,279  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (33,592,920 )     (57,676,534 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    (6,904,097 )     (38,569,333 )
Class B
Proceeds from shares sold
    280,706       1,147,061  
Reinvestment of distributions
    269,085       66,263  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (427,687 )     (1,111,822 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class B share transactions
    122,104       101,502  
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (16,702,379 )     (1,436,496 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    435,626,443       437,062,939  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,125,188 and $5,982,096, respectively)
  $ 418,924,064     $ 435,626,443  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    24,769,255       27,072,074  
Shares sold
    169,544       711,170  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    1,389,812       455,690  
Shares redeemed
    (1,926,656 )     (3,469,679 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    (367,300 )     (2,302,819 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    24,401,955       24,769,255  
Class B
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    297,108       289,672  
Shares sold
    16,057       68,963  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    15,690       4,095  
Shares redeemed
    (24,154 )     (65,622 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class B shares
    7,593       7,436  
Shares outstanding at end of period
    304,701       297,108  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 17.38     $ 15.97     $ 12.45     $ 11.56     $ 11.80     $ 10.86  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)a
    .04       .24       .26       .25       .25       .23  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    .54       1.45       3.54       .87       (.24 )     .93  
Total from investment operations
    .58       1.69       3.80       1.12       .01       1.16  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.25 )     (.28 )     (.28 )     (.23 )     (.25 )     (.22 )
Net realized gains on investment transactions
    (.75 )                              
Total distributions
    (1.00 )     (.28 )     (.28 )     (.23 )     (.25 )     (.22 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 16.96     $ 17.38     $ 15.97     $ 12.45     $ 11.56     $ 11.80  
Total Return (%)
    3.30 b**     10.72 b     30.89 b     9.79 b     (.07 )     10.77  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    414       430       432       377       396       206  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    .78 *     .78       .78       .78       .79       .82  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    .73 *     .73       .74       .77       .79       .82  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)
    .52 *     1.43       1.82       2.04       2.15       2.13  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    57 **     133       54       63       28       32  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 

         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class B
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 17.40     $ 15.99     $ 12.46     $ 11.57     $ 11.81     $ 10.86  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)a
    .02       .18       .22       .21       .22       .20  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    .52       1.46       3.55       .88       (.25 )     .93  
Total from investment operations
    .54       1.64       3.77       1.09       (.03 )     1.13  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.19 )     (.23 )     (.24 )     (.20 )     (.21 )     (.18 )
Net realized gains on investment transactions
    (.75 )                              
Total distributions
    (.94 )     (.23 )     (.24 )     (.20 )     (.21 )     (.18 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 17.00     $ 17.40     $ 15.99     $ 12.46     $ 11.57     $ 11.81  
Total Return (%)
    3.08 b**     10.36 b     30.54 b     9.44 b     (.36 )     10.53  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    5       5       5       4       3       1  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    1.09 *     1.09       1.09       1.09       1.10       1.11  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    1.04 *     1.04       1.05       1.08       1.10       1.11  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)
    .21 *     1.10       1.52       1.73       1.84       1.84  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    57 **     133       54       63       28       32  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Large Cap Value VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Class B shares). Sales of Class B shares are subject to recordkeeping fees up to 0.15% and Rule 12b-1 fees under the 1940 Act equal to an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares of the Fund. Class A shares are not subject to such fees.
 
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class (including the applicable Rule 12b-1 fee and recordkeeping fees). Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Equity securities and exchange traded funds ("ETFs") are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities and ETFs are generally categorized as Level 1.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.
 
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.
 
Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains the benefits of owning securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had securities on loan. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.
 
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, is declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.
 
B. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment transactions (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $242,310,774 and $271,445,861, respectively.
 
C. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Under the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $250 million
    .650 %
Next $750 million
    .625 %
Next $1.5 billion
    .600 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .575 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .550 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .525 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .500 %
Over $12.5 billion
    .475 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.64% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest) of each class as follows:
Class A
.73%
Class B
1.04%
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:
Class A
  $ 100,378  
Class B
    1,263  
    $ 101,641  
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $214,091, of which $35,112 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
Services to Shareholders
 
Total Aggregated
   
Unpaid at June 30, 2015
 
Class A
  $ 204     $ 103  
Class B
    117       57  
    $ 321     $ 160  
 
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Fund's Class B 12b-1 plan, DeAWM Distributors, Inc. ("DDI") received a fee ("Distribution Service Fee") of 0.25% of average daily net assets of Class B shares. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Distribution Service Fee aggregated $6,394, of which $1,073 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $7,167, of which $6,170 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
Securities Lending Agent Fees. Deutsche Bank AG serves as securities lending agent for the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund incurred securities lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG in the amount of $2,242.
 
D. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, three participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 61%, 24% and 10%. Two participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class B shares of the Fund, each owning 61% and 13%.
 
E. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,033.00     $ 1,030.80  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.68     $ 5.24  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,021.17     $ 1,019.64  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.66     $ 5.21  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratios
Class A
 
Class B
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Large Cap Value VIP
.73%
 
1.04%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Large Cap Value VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Equity Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 3rd quartile, 4th quartile and 4th quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has underperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013. The Board noted the disappointing investment performance of the Fund in recent periods and continued to discuss with senior management of DIMA the factors contributing to such underperformance and actions being taken to improve performance. The Board observed that the Fund had experienced improved relative performance during the first seven months of 2014. The Board recognized the efforts by DIMA in recent years to enhance its investment platform and improve long-term performance across the Deutsche fund complex.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also reviewed data comparing each share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses. The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable funds and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
Notes
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2LCV-3 (R-028386-4 8/15)
 
 


 
June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Money Market VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
5 Investment Portfolio
9 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
10 Statement of Operations
10 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
12 Financial Highlights
13 Notes to Financial Statements
16 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
17 Other Information
18 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
An investment in this Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or by any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price. You should not rely on or expect the Advisor to enter into support agreements or take other actions to maintain the Fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality of the Fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding could have an adverse impact on the Fund’s share price. The Fund’s share price can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets. The actions of a few large investors in the Fund may have a significant adverse effect on the share price of the Fund. See the prospectus for specific details regarding the Fund’s risk profile.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Deutsche Money Market VIP
 
All performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns. The yield quotation more closely reflects the current earnings of the Fund than the total return quotation.
 
An investment in this Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or by any other government agency. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it is possible to lose money by investing in the Fund. The share price of money market funds can fall below the $1.00 share price.
 
7-Day Current Yield
June 30, 2015
.01%*
December 31, 2014
.01%*
 
* The investment advisor has agreed to waive fees/reimburse expenses. Without such fee waivers/expense reimbursements, the 7-day current yield would have been lower.
 
Yields are historical, will fluctuate and do not guarantee future performance. The 7-day current yield refers to the income paid by the Fund over a 7-day period expressed as an annual percentage rate of the Fund's shares outstanding.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Commercial Paper
57%
54%
Certificates of Deposit and Bank Notes
23%
10%
Short-Term Notes
6%
6%
Government & Agency Obligations
5%
5%
Time Deposits
4%
4%
Repurchase Agreements
4%
20%
Municipal Bonds and Notes
1%
1%
 
100%
100%
 

Weighted Average Maturity*
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Money Market VIP
37 days
46 days
First Tier Retail Money Fund Average
36 days
40 days
 
* The Fund is compared to its respective iMoneyNet Category: First Tier Retail Money Fund Average — Category includes a widely recognized composite of money market funds that invest in only first tier (highest rating) securities. Portfolio Holdings of First Tier funds include U.S. Treasury, U.S. Other, Repos, Time Deposits, Domestic Bank Obligations, Foreign Bank Obligations, First Tier Commercial Paper, Floating Rate Notes and Asset Backed Commercial Paper.
 
Weighted average maturity, also known as effective maturity, is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 5.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. In addition, each month, information about the Fund and its portfolio holdings is filed with the SEC on Form N-MFP. The SEC delays the public availability of the information filed on Form N-MFP for 60 days after the end of the reporting period included in the filing. These forms will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and they may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
       
Certificates of Deposit and Bank Notes 23.1%
 
Banco del Estado de Chile:
 
0.25%, 8/28/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
0.3%, 10/6/2015
    1,200,000       1,200,000  
0.31%, 9/2/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
0.32%, 11/4/2015
    1,200,000       1,200,000  
0.43%, 12/16/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Bank of Montreal, 0.25%, 7/15/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 0.11%, 7/1/2015
    3,000,000       3,000,000  
Credit Suisse, 0.23%, 7/2/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
DZ Bank AG:
 
0.21%, 7/7/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
0.28%, 9/2/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
0.33%, 9/18/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd., 0.3%, 8/24/2015
    1,200,000       1,200,000  
Mizuho Bank Ltd.:
 
0.26%, 8/14/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
0.27%, 7/23/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,024  
Rabobank Nederland NV, 0.43%, 3/4/2016
    1,200,000       1,200,000  
Standard Chartered Bank, 0.31%, 10/5/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.:
 
0.14%, 7/1/2015
    5,000,000       5,000,000  
0.25%, 7/24/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
Swedbank AB, 0.09%, 7/1/2015
    7,000,000       7,000,000  
The Toronto-Dominion Bank:
 
0.295%, 7/13/2015
    800,000       800,000  
0.43%, 3/2/2016
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
Total Certificates of Deposit and Bank Notes (Cost $36,600,024)
      36,600,024  
   
Commercial Paper 57.8%
 
Issued at Discount** 42.7%
 
Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten:
 
0.285%, 9/17/2015
    1,800,000       1,798,889  
0.295%, 9/14/2015
    1,000,000       999,385  
Bedford Row Funding Corp.:
 
144A, 0.35%, 8/27/2015
    500,000       499,723  
144A, 0.35%, 10/19/2015
    750,000       749,198  
144A, 0.47%, 12/11/2015
    1,000,000       997,872  
Caisse Centrale Desjardins, 0.12%, 7/2/2015
    4,000,000       3,999,987  
Caisse des Depots et Consignations:
 
144A, 0.21%, 9/16/2015
    1,500,000       1,499,326  
144A, 0.285%, 9/22/2015
    1,500,000       1,499,014  
Cancara Asset Securitization LLC, 144A, 0.12%, 7/1/2015
    4,685,000       4,685,000  
CNPC Finance HK Ltd.:
 
144A, 0.43%, 7/20/2015
    3,000,000       2,999,319  
144A, 0.44%, 8/11/2015
    500,000       499,749  
Coca-Cola Co., 0.31%, 9/16/2015
    800,000       799,470  
Collateralized Commercial Paper Co., LLC, 0.24%, 7/8/2015
    2,200,000       2,199,897  
Collateralized Commercial Paper II Co., LLC:
               
144A, 0.26%, 10/8/2015
    1,000,000       999,285  
144A, 0.26%, 10/9/2015
    1,000,000       999,278  
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
DBS Bank Ltd., 144A, 0.25%, 7/7/2015
    1,200,000       1,199,950  
Erste Abwicklungsanstalt, 144A, 0.28%, 7/28/2015
    1,500,000       1,499,685  
Hannover Funding Co., LLC, 0.3%, 7/8/2015
    2,000,000       1,999,883  
Matchpoint Finance PLC:
 
0.11%, 7/6/2015
    1,000,000       999,985  
0.12%, 7/1/2015
    6,000,000       6,000,000  
MetLife Short Term Funding LLC, 144A, 0.23%, 7/15/2015
    1,750,000       1,749,843  
Nederlandse Waterschapsbank NV:
 
0.19%, 7/27/2015
    500,000       499,931  
0.28%, 7/9/2015
    800,000       799,950  
Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp., 0.34%, 7/9/2015
    700,000       699,949  
Old Line Funding LLC:
 
144A, 0.3%, 10/26/2015
    2,000,000       1,998,050  
144A, 0.32%, 11/16/2015
    1,000,000       998,773  
Prudential Funding LLC, 0.06%, 7/1/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Rabobank Nederland NV, 0.33%, 12/7/2015
    1,500,000       1,497,814  
Regency Markets No. 1 LLC, 144A, 0.14%, 7/10/2015
    6,000,000       5,999,790  
Sinopec Century Bright Capital Investment Ltd.:
               
0.41%, 7/14/2015
    1,000,000       999,852  
0.42%, 8/20/2015
    1,000,000       999,417  
Standard Chartered Bank:
 
0.27%, 7/6/2015
    1,500,000       1,499,944  
0.34%, 9/10/2015
    1,800,000       1,798,793  
Svenska Handelsbanken AB:
 
0.2%, 7/22/2015
    1,485,000       1,484,827  
0.25%, 8/4/2015
    1,000,000       999,764  
0.32%, 11/18/2015
    1,200,000       1,198,507  
United Overseas Bank Ltd., 0.27%, 9/14/2015
    1,500,000       1,499,156  
Victory Receivables Corp., 144A, 0.14%, 7/2/2015
    5,000,000       4,999,981  
        67,649,236  
Issued at Par* 15.1%
 
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., 144A, 0.375%, 8/18/2015
    800,000       800,000  
Bank Nederlandse Gemeenten, 144A, 0.287%, 2/25/2016
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Bank of Montreal, 0.283%, 10/9/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
Bank of Nova Scotia, 0.407%, 7/22/2016
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Bedford Row Funding Corp., 144A, 0.21%, 1/14/2016
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 144A, 0.293%, 4/7/2016
    1,000,000       999,952  
General Electric Capital Corp., 0.258%, 8/11/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
HSBC Bank PLC:
 
144A, 0.302%, 12/9/2015
    1,000,000       999,888  
144A, 0.317%, 12/23/2015
    1,200,000       1,200,000  
JPMorgan Chase Bank NA, 0.436%, 7/22/2016
    2,000,000       2,000,000  
National Australia Bank Ltd., 144A, 0.284%, 10/8/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Old Line Funding LLC, 144A, 0.305%, 12/15/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Rabobank Nederland NV, 0.394%, 10/1/2015
    500,000       500,066  
Royal Bank of Canada:
 
0.273%, 9/3/2015
    2,000,000       1,999,966  
0.295%, 12/10/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
Starbird Funding Corp., 144A, 0.254%, 10/2/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Wells Fargo Bank NA:
 
0.32%, 9/9/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
0.32%, 12/10/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Westpac Banking Corp.:
 
0.255%, 7/17/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,008  
144A, 0.286%, 10/13/2015
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
144A, 0.29%, 3/10/2016
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
        23,999,880  
Total Commercial Paper (Cost $91,649,116)
      91,649,116  
   
Short-Term Notes* 6.0%
 
Bank of Nova Scotia, 0.562%, 12/31/2015
    1,500,000       1,501,743  
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, 0.42%, 8/18/2015
    1,800,000       1,800,000  
Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 144A, 0.281%, 7/10/2015
    1,200,000       1,200,000  
Rabobank Nederland NV, 0.321%, 7/6/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
Svenska Handelsbanken AB, 144A, 0.391%, 10/2/2015
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
Wells Fargo Bank NA, 0.335%, 6/3/2016
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Westpac Banking Corp., 0.316%, 5/27/2016
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Total Short-Term Notes (Cost $9,501,743)
      9,501,743  
   
Time Deposit 3.9%
 
Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank, 0.06%, 7/1/2015 (Cost $6,247,465)
    6,247,465       6,247,465  
   
   
Principal Amount ($)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Government & Agency Obligations 5.1%
 
U.S. Government Sponsored Agencies 3.8%
 
Federal Home Loan Bank:
 
0.19%, 9/3/2015
    500,000       499,984  
0.2%, 9/17/2015
    325,000       324,988  
0.21%, 10/13/2015
    500,000       499,960  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 0.095%**, 9/22/2015
    1,500,000       1,499,671  
Federal National Mortgage Association:
 
0.166%*, 10/21/2016
    1,300,000       1,299,908  
0.19%**, 12/14/2015
    2,000,000       1,998,248  
        6,122,759  
U.S. Treasury Obligation 1.3%
 
U.S. Treasury Notes, 0.25%, 7/31/2015
    2,000,000       2,000,359  
Total Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $8,123,118)
      8,123,118  
   
Municipal Bonds and Notes 0.6%
 
New York, State Housing Finance Agency Revenue, 605 West 42nd Street, Series B, 144A, 0.25%***, 5/1/2048, LOC: Bank of China (Cost $1,000,000)
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
   
Repurchase Agreements 3.9%
 
BNP Paribas, 0.2%, dated 1/21/2015, to be repurchased at $1,501,625 on 8/4/2015 (a) (b)
    1,500,000       1,500,000  
JPMorgan Securities, Inc., 0.424%, dated 2/13/2015, to be repurchased at $1,253,357 on 9/29/2015 (a) (c)
    1,250,000       1,250,000  
JPMorgan Securities, Inc., 0.451%, dated 7/3/2014, to be repurchased at $2,514,181 on 9/29/2015 (a) (d)
    2,500,000       2,500,000  
Wells Fargo Bank, 0.4%, dated 5/1/2015, to be repurchased at $1,001,000 on 7/30/2015 (e)
    1,000,000       1,000,000  
Total Repurchase Agreements (Cost $6,250,000)
      6,250,000  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $159,371,466)
    100.4       159,371,466  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (0.4 )     (695,900 )
Net Assets
    100.0       158,675,566  
 
* Floating rate securities' yields vary with a designated market index or market rate, such as the coupon-equivalent of the U.S. Treasury Bill rate. These securities are shown at their current rate as of June 30, 2015.
 
** Annualized yield at time of purchase; not a coupon rate.
 
*** Variable rate demand notes are securities whose interest rates are reset periodically at market levels. These securities are payable on demand and are shown at their current rates as of June 30, 2015.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $159,371,466.
 
(a) Open maturity repurchase agreement whose interest rate resets periodically and is shown at the current rate as of June 30, 2015. The dated date is the original day the repurchase agreement was entered into, the maturity date represents the next repurchase date. Upon notice, both the Fund and counterparty have the right to terminate the repurchase agreement at any time.
 
(b) Collateralized by:
Principal Amount ($)
 
Security
 
Rate (%)
 
Maturity Date
 
Collateral Value ($)
 
  3,726,981  
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
 
Zero Coupon
 
10/10/2036
    1,495,451  
  94  
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.
    5.375  
9/15/2035
    110  
  128  
Bank of the West Auto Trust
    1.65  
3/16/2020
    129  
  13,170  
Countrywide Financial Corp.
    6.25  
5/15/2016
    13,790  
  367  
DIRECTV Holdings LLC
    5.0  
3/1/2021
    404  
  14,042  
ING Bank NV
    2.5  
10/1/2019
    14,131  
  55  
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA
    3.125  
1/15/2016
    56  
  156  
Ocean Trails CLO IV
    1.577  
8/13/2025
    155  
  5,564  
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.
    6.75  
10/15/2022
    5,872  
  23,694  
Petroleos Mexicanos
    6.375  
1/23/2045
    25,043  
  19,248  
WhiteHorse VIII Ltd.
    1.778  
5/1/2026
    19,205  
Total Collateral Value
              1,574,346  
 
(c) Collateralized by $1,255,000 HCA, Inc., 4.25%, maturing on 10/15/2019 with a value of $1,289,643.
 
(d) Collateralized by:
Principal Amount ($)
 
Security
 
Rate (%)
 
Maturity Date
 
Collateral Value ($)
 
  477,000  
Dresdner Bank AG
    7.25  
9/15/2015
    492,138  
  2,030,000  
HCA, Inc.
    4.25  
10/15/2019
    2,086,036  
Total Collateral Value
              2,578,174  
 
(e) Collateralized by $1,049,026 Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 3.4%, maturing on 9/1/2024 with a value of $1,050,000.
 
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Investments in Securities (f)
  $     $ 153,121,466     $     $ 153,121,466  
Repurchase Agreements
          6,250,000             6,250,000  
Total
  $     $ 159,371,466     $     $ 159,371,466  
 
(f) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments in non-affiliated securities, valued at amortized cost
  $ 159,371,466  
Receivable for investments sold
    2,000,115  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    536,397  
Interest receivable
    32,595  
Other assets
    1,599  
Total assets
    161,942,172  
Liabilities
 
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    3,152,965  
Distributions payable
    659  
Accrued management fee
    5,660  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    1,192  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    106,130  
Total liabilities
    3,266,606  
Net assets, at value
  $ 158,675,566  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    794  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    50  
Paid-in capital
    158,674,722  
Net assets, at value
  $ 158,675,566  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($158,675,566 ÷ 158,758,438 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 1.00  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Interest
  $ 186,017  
Expenses:
Management fee
    235,400  
Administration fee
    82,597  
Services to shareholders
    1,018  
Custodian fee
    14,037  
Professional fees
    26,569  
Reports to shareholders
    36,854  
Trustees' fee and expenses
    4,285  
Other
    3,993  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    404,753  
Expense reductions
    (227,003 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    177,750  
Net investment income
    8,267  
Net realized gain (loss)
    50  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 8,317  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 8,267     $ 17,035  
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 8,267     $ 17,035  
Net realized gain (loss)
    50       81  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    8,317       17,116  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income
Class A
    (8,266 )     (17,036 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    87,783,852       130,299,481  
Reinvestment of distributions
    8,412       16,947  
Cost of shares redeemed
    (106,163,399 )     (126,949,638 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    (18,371,135 )     3,366,790  
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (18,371,084 )     3,366,870  
Net assets at beginning of period
    177,046,650       173,679,780  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $794 and $793, respectively)
  $ 158,675,566     $ 177,046,650  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    177,129,573       173,762,783  
Shares sold
    87,783,852       130,299,481  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    8,412       16,947  
Shares redeemed
    (106,163,399 )     (126,949,638 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    (18,371,135 )     3,366,790  
Shares outstanding at end of period
    158,758,438       177,129,573  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00  
Income from investment operations:
Net investment income
    .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***
Net realized gain (loss)
    .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***
Total from investment operations
    .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***     .000 ***
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.000 )***     (.000 )***     (.000 )***     (.000 )***     (.000 )***     (.000 )***
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00     $ 1.00  
Total Return (%)a
    .01 **     .01       .01       .01       .01       .01  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    159       177       174       196       217       220  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    .49 *     .49       .49       .45       .51       .46  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    .22 *     .18       .20       .31       .25       .34  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    .01 *     .01       .01       .01       .01       .01  
a Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
*** Amount is less than $.0005.
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Money Market VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The Fund values all securities utilizing the amortized cost method permitted in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act and certain conditions therein. Under this method, which does not take into account unrealized capital gains or losses on securities, an instrument is initially valued at its cost and thereafter assumes a constant accretion/amortization rate to maturity of any discount or premium. Securities held by the Fund are reflected as Level 2 because the securities are valued at amortized cost (which approximates fair value) and, accordingly, the inputs used to determine value are not quoted prices in an active market.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Repurchase Agreements. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, under the terms of a Master Repurchase Agreement, with certain banks and broker/dealers whereby the Fund, through its custodian or a sub-custodian bank, receives delivery of the underlying securities, the amount of which at the time of purchase and each subsequent business day is required to be maintained at such a level that the value is equal to at least the principal amount of the repurchase price plus accrued interest. The custodian bank or another designated sub-custodian holds the collateral in a separate account until the agreement matures. If the value of the securities falls below the principal amount of the repurchase agreement plus accrued interest, the financial institution deposits additional collateral by the following business day. If the financial institution either fails to deposit the required additional collateral or fails to repurchase the securities as agreed, the Fund has the right to sell the securities and recover any resulting loss from the financial institution. If the financial institution enters into bankruptcy, the Fund's claim on the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund held repurchase agreements with a gross value of $6,250,000. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the repurchase agreements at period end. The detail of the related collateral is included in the footnotes following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Net investment income of the Fund is declared as a daily dividend and is distributed to shareholders monthly. The Fund may take into account capital gains and losses in its daily dividend declarations. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
Permanent book and tax differences relating to shareholder distributions will result in reclassifications to paid-in capital. Temporary book and tax differences will reverse in a subsequent period. There were no significant book to tax differences for the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. All discounts and premiums are accreted/amortized for both tax and financial reporting purposes.
 
B. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $500 million
    .285 %
Next $500 million
    .270 %
Next $1.0 billion
    .255 %
Over $2.0 billion
    .240 %
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) at 0.51%.
 
In addition, the Advisor has agreed to voluntarily waive additional expenses. The waiver may be changed or terminated at any time without notice. Under this arrangement, the Advisor waived certain expenses of the Fund.
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement aggregated $235,400, of which $226,677 was waived, resulting in an annualized effective rate of 0.01% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $82,597, of which $12,897 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC aggregated $326, all of which was waived.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $4,627, all of which is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
C. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, three participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 53%, 22% and 12%.
 
D. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate, plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement: The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
E. Money Market Fund Reform
 
In July 2014, the SEC adopted money market fund reform intended to address potential systemic risks associated with money market funds and to improve transparency for money market fund investors. The Fund is required to comply with money market reforms by the specified compliance dates, with the latest being October 14, 2016. As a result, the Fund may be required to take certain steps that will impact its structure and/or operations, which could impact the return potential of the Fund.
 
F. Additional Information
 
At a meeting on July 10, 2015, the Board approved changes to the Fund that would allow the Fund to operate as a government money market fund under the amendments to Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, that were adopted in July 2014 with final compliance dates ranging between July 2015 and October 2016. As currently structured, on the final compliance date for the Rule 2a-7 amendments, the Fund would be required to implement a floating net asset value and would be allowed, and in certain situations, required, to implement liquidity fees and/or redemption gates. As a government money market fund, the Fund will continue to seek to maintain a stable $1.00 net asset value. (Although the Fund will seek to maintain a $1.00 net asset value, there is no guarantee that it will be able do so and if the net asset value falls below $1.00, you would lose money.) The Fund will not be required to implement liquidity fees and/or redemption gates as a government money market fund. As defined in amended Rule 2a-7, a government money market fund is a fund that invests at least 99.5% of the fund’s total assets in cash, government securities, and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized by these same securities.
 
In order for the Fund to operate as a government money market fund, the Board approved revisions to the Fund’s fundamental investment policy relating to concentration (the "Concentration Policy") such that the Fund would no longer be required to invest more than 25% of its total assets in obligations of banks and other financial institutions. If not revised, the current Concentration Policy would preclude the Fund from operating as a government money market fund. The revisions to the Concentration Policy are subject to approval by the shareholders of the Fund at a special shareholders’ meeting expected to be held during the fourth quarter of 2015. No assurance can be given that shareholder approval will be obtained for the revisions to the Concentration Policy.
 
If the revisions to the Concentration Policy are approved by shareholders, the Board approved other changes for the Fund to operate as a government money market fund, including:
 
(i) The adoption of a principal investment strategy to invest at least 99.5% of the Fund’s total assets in cash, government securities, and/or repurchase agreements that are collateralized by these same securities.
 
(ii) Name change from Deutsche Money Market VIP to Deutsche Government Money Market VIP.
 
(iii) A reduction in the management fee rate paid by the Fund to DIMA as set forth below:
Current Management Fee Rate Schedule
 
Revised Management Fee Rate Schedule
 
Average Daily Assets
 
Management Fee Rate
 
Average Daily Assets
 
Management Fee Rate
 
First $500 Million
    .285 %
First $500 Million
    .235 %
Next $500 Million
    .270 %
Next $500 Million
    .220 %
Next $1 Billion
    .255 %
Next $1 Billion
    .205 %
Over $2 Million
    .240 %
Over $2 Million
    .190 %
 
If shareholders approve the revisions to the Concentration Policy, DIMA currently anticipates that the change to the Concentration Policy and other changes for the Fund to operate as a government money market fund will take effect on or about May 2, 2016. To ensure an orderly transition to a government money market fund, DIMA anticipates that it will begin to gradually implement changes to the Fund beginning in the first quarter of 2016. As a result, it is expected that the Fund gradually will allocate a larger percentage of its assets to government securities over time until it reaches its new allocation on or about May 2, 2016. Because the yields on government securities generally may be expected to be lower than the yields on comparable non-government securities, it should be expected that the Fund's yield may decrease as more assets are invested in government securities.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,000.05  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 1.09  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,023.70  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 1.10  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratio
Class A
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Money Market VIP
.22%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Other Information
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Money Market VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by iMoneyNet, an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided by the Fee Consultant, the Board noted that for the one- and three-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s gross performance (Class A shares) was in the 2nd quartile of the applicable iMoneyNet universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers).
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted the expense limitation agreed to by DIMA. The Board also noted the significant voluntary fee waivers implemented by DIMA to ensure the Fund maintained a positive yield. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable funds and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2MM-3 (R-028387-4 8/15)
 
 


 
June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Small Mid Cap Growth VIP
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
6 Portfolio Management Team
7 Investment Portfolio
10 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
11 Statement of Operations
12 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
13 Financial Highlights
14 Notes to Financial Statements
17 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
18 Proxy Voting
19 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Stocks may decline in value. Smaller and medium company stocks tend to be more volatile than large company stocks. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns.
 
The gross expense ratio of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 is 0.73% for Class A shares and may differ from the expense ratio disclosed in the Financial Highlights table in this report.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Small Mid Cap Growth VIP
The Russell 2500™ Growth Index is an unmanaged index that measures the performance of the small- to mid-cap growth segment of the U.S. equity universe. It includes those Russell 2500 companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Small Mid Cap Growth VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 11,011     $ 11,431     $ 17,817     $ 24,340     $ 19,881  
Average annual total return
    10.11 %     14.31 %     21.23 %     19.47 %     7.11 %
Russell 2500 Growth Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,809     $ 11,130     $ 17,430     $ 24,418     $ 26,709  
Average annual total return
    8.09 %     11.30 %     20.35 %     19.55 %     10.32 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Common Stocks
96%
97%
Cash Equivalents
3%
2%
Exchange-Traded Funds
1%
1%
 
100%
100%
 

Sector Diversification (As a % of Common Stocks, Convertible Preferred Stocks and Exchange-Traded Fund)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Health Care
22%
20%
Information Technology
20%
21%
Consumer Discretionary
19%
21%
Industrials
16%
18%
Financials
9%
7%
Consumer Staples
5%
5%
Materials
4%
4%
Energy
3%
3%
Telecommunication Services
2%
1%
 
100%
100%
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 7.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Management Team
 
Joseph Axtell, CFA
 
Rafaelina M. Lee
 
Portfolio Managers
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Common Stocks 95.6%
 
Consumer Discretionary 18.0%
 
Auto Components 3.1%
 
American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.*
    69,987       1,463,428  
Gentherm, Inc.*
    39,810       2,185,967  
Tenneco, Inc.*
    32,782       1,882,998  
              5,532,393  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 2.8%
 
Fogo De Chao, Inc.*
    39,523       915,353  
Jack in the Box, Inc.
    27,727       2,444,412  
Panera Bread Co. "A"*
    9,689       1,693,347  
              5,053,112  
Household Durables 2.7%
 
iRobot Corp.* (a)
    55,238       1,760,987  
Jarden Corp.* (a)
    43,965       2,275,189  
Ryland Group, Inc.
    17,756       823,346  
              4,859,522  
Leisure Products 1.1%
 
Polaris Industries, Inc.
    13,432       1,989,413  
Media 1.0%
 
Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
    45,549       1,829,703  
Specialty Retail 5.1%
 
DSW, Inc. "A"
    23,818       794,807  
Outerwall, Inc. (a)
    19,131       1,456,060  
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.
    30,944       1,612,492  
The Children's Place, Inc.
    27,136       1,774,966  
Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc.*
    14,652       2,263,001  
Urban Outfitters, Inc.* (a)
    37,243       1,303,505  
              9,204,831  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 2.2%
 
Carter's, Inc.
    15,730       1,672,099  
Hanesbrands, Inc.
    71,630       2,386,712  
              4,058,811  
Consumer Staples 4.2%
 
Food & Staples Retailing 1.9%
 
Casey's General Stores, Inc.
    18,882       1,807,763  
United Natural Foods, Inc.* (a)
    25,962       1,653,260  
              3,461,023  
Food Products 2.3%
 
Hain Celestial Group, Inc.*
    33,643       2,215,728  
The WhiteWave Foods Co.*
    40,730       1,990,882  
              4,206,610  
Energy 2.9%
 
Energy Equipment & Services 1.4%
 
Core Laboratories NV (a)
    6,327       721,531  
Dril-Quip, Inc.*
    10,626       799,606  
RPC, Inc. (a)
    75,179       1,039,726  
              2,560,863  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 1.5%
 
Diamondback Energy, Inc.*
    20,513       1,546,270  
Gulfport Energy Corp.*
    27,123       1,091,701  
              2,637,971  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Financials 8.9%
 
Banks 4.9%
 
FCB Financial Holdings, Inc. "A"*
    27,482       873,928  
Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.
    34,294       1,864,565  
Signature Bank*
    11,972       1,752,581  
South State Corp.
    10,143       770,766  
SVB Financial Group*
    9,641       1,388,111  
Talmer Bancorp., Inc. "A"
    125,484       2,101,857  
              8,751,808  
Capital Markets 2.6%
 
Lazard Ltd. "A"
    30,574       1,719,482  
Moelis & Co. "A"
    40,248       1,155,520  
Oaktree Capital Group LLC (a)
    34,742       1,847,579  
              4,722,581  
Consumer Finance 1.4%
 
PRA Group, Inc.* (a)
    41,505       2,586,177  
Health Care 21.4%
 
Biotechnology 6.8%
 
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.* (a)
    38,619       1,617,364  
Alkermes PLC*
    19,368       1,246,137  
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.* (a)
    30,555       1,459,307  
OvaScience, Inc.* (a)
    14,454       418,154  
Puma Biotechnology, Inc.* (a)
    4,544       530,512  
Retrophin, Inc.*
    94,125       3,120,244  
Threshold Pharmaceuticals, Inc.* (a)
    324,763       1,312,042  
Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.*
    9,355       957,858  
United Therapeutics Corp.*
    9,903       1,722,627  
              12,384,245  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 4.5%
 
HeartWare International, Inc.*
    13,132       954,565  
NxStage Medical, Inc.*
    60,494       864,157  
Orthofix International NV*
    27,740       918,749  
SurModics, Inc.*
    22,909       536,529  
Thoratec Corp.*
    51,731       2,305,650  
Zeltiq Aesthetics, Inc.*
    84,627       2,493,958  
              8,073,608  
Health Care Providers & Services 5.7%
 
Centene Corp.*
    39,388       3,166,795  
Kindred Healthcare, Inc.
    83,858       1,701,479  
Molina Healthcare, Inc.* (a)
    33,305       2,341,341  
Providence Service Corp.*
    68,595       3,037,387  
              10,247,002  
Life Sciences Tools & Services 1.0%
 
PAREXEL International Corp.*
    27,366       1,759,908  
Pharmaceuticals 3.4%
 
Flamel Technologies SA (ADR)*
    205,594       4,356,537  
Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
    25,809       1,825,212  
              6,181,749  
Industrials 15.8%
 
Aerospace & Defense 1.9%
 
DigitalGlobe, Inc.*
    40,520       1,126,051  
HEICO Corp. (a)
    39,242       2,287,808  
              3,413,859  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Airlines 0.8%
 
JetBlue Airways Corp.* (a)
    70,173       1,456,792  
Building Products 1.5%
 
A.O. Smith Corp.
    15,641       1,125,839  
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.
    35,691       1,635,362  
              2,761,201  
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.7%
 
Team, Inc.*
    31,684       1,275,281  
Construction & Engineering 0.8%
 
Primoris Services Corp.
    71,608       1,417,838  
Electrical Equipment 3.0%
 
Acuity Brands, Inc.
    14,862       2,674,863  
AZZ, Inc.
    33,222       1,720,899  
Thermon Group Holdings, Inc.*
    43,538       1,047,960  
              5,443,722  
Machinery 4.5%
 
Altra Industrial Motion Corp. (a)
    44,741       1,216,060  
Manitowoc Co., Inc.
    77,759       1,524,076  
Middleby Corp.*
    23,560       2,644,139  
WABCO Holdings, Inc.*
    22,322       2,761,678  
              8,145,953  
Professional Services 1.5%
 
On Assignment, Inc.*
    41,837       1,643,358  
TriNet Group, Inc.*
    43,566       1,104,398  
              2,747,756  
Road & Rail 1.1%
 
Swift Transportation Co.*
    82,338       1,866,603  
Information Technology 19.3%
 
Communications Equipment 1.0%
 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*
    10,739       1,876,103  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 2.8%
 
Cognex Corp.
    61,616       2,963,730  
IPG Photonics Corp.* (a)
    25,891       2,205,266  
              5,168,996  
Internet Software & Services 2.5%
 
CoStar Group, Inc.* (a)
    12,425       2,500,655  
LogMeIn, Inc.*
    12,772       823,666  
WebMD Health Corp.*
    26,652       1,180,151  
              4,504,472  
IT Services 6.6%
 
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
    17,162       858,272  
Cardtronics, Inc.*
    69,019       2,557,154  
MAXIMUS, Inc.
    42,214       2,774,726  
VeriFone Systems, Inc.*
    66,138       2,246,046  
Virtusa Corp.*
    50,504       2,595,906  
WEX, Inc.*
    7,697       877,227  
              11,909,331  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 1.0%
 
Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.*
    68,960       1,895,711  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Software 4.9%
 
Aspen Technology, Inc.*
    46,290       2,108,509  
Splunk, Inc.*
    32,438       2,258,334  
Tyler Technologies, Inc.*
    17,690       2,288,732  
Ultimate Software Group, Inc.*
    12,959       2,129,682  
              8,785,257  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals 0.5%
 
Super Micro Computer, Inc.*
    29,307       866,901  
Materials 4.2%
 
Chemicals 2.3%
 
A. Schulman, Inc. (a)
    33,779       1,476,818  
Huntsman Corp.
    44,162       974,655  
Minerals Technologies, Inc.
    24,078       1,640,434  
              4,091,907  
Construction Materials 0.6%
 
Eagle Materials, Inc.
    13,523       1,032,211  
Containers & Packaging 0.8%
 
Berry Plastics Group, Inc.*
    47,351       1,534,172  
Metals & Mining 0.5%
 
Constellium NV "A"*
    79,368       938,924  
Telecommunication Services 0.9%
 
Wireless Telecommunication Services
 
SBA Communications Corp. "A"*
    14,172       1,629,355  
Total Common Stocks (Cost $120,807,813)
      172,863,675  
   
Exchange-Traded Funds 1.4%
 
SPDR S&P Biotech
    6,000       1,513,440  
SPDR S&P Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Fund (a)
    23,491       1,096,090  
Total Exchange-Traded Funds (Cost $1,808,254)
      2,609,530  
   
Convertible Preferred Stocks 0.2%
 
Health Care
 
Providence Service Corp., 5.5% (Cost $283,300)
    2,833       283,101  
   
Securities Lending Collateral 16.5%
 
Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 0.16% (b) (c) (Cost $29,782,101)
    29,782,101       29,782,101  
   
Cash Equivalents 2.6%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (b) (Cost $4,706,325)
    4,706,325       4,706,325  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $157,387,793)
    116.3       210,244,732  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (16.3 )     (29,493,218 )
Net Assets
    100.0       180,751,514  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $158,306,437. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $51,938,295. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $56,796,124 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $4,857,829.
 
(a) All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, "Other Assets and Liabilities, Net" may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at June 30, 2015 amounted to $29,418,609, which is 16.3% of net assets.
 
(b) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
(c) Represents collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
 
ADR: American Depositary Receipt
 
S&P: Standard & Poor's
 
SPDR: Standard & Poor's Depositary Receipt
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Common Stocks (d)
  $ 172,863,675     $     $     $ 172,863,675  
Exchange-Traded Funds
    2,609,530                   2,609,530  
Convertible Preferred Stocks
                283,101       283,101  
Short-Term Investments (d)
    34,488,426                   34,488,426  
Total
  $ 209,961,631     $     $ 283,101     $ 210,244,732  
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
(d) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $122,899,367) — including $29,418,609 of securities loaned
  $ 175,756,306  
Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $29,782,101)*
    29,782,101  
Investment in Central Cash Management Fund (cost $4,706,325)
    4,706,325  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $157,387,793)
    210,244,732  
Receivable for investments sold
    731,337  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    205  
Dividends receivable
    21,284  
Interest receivable
    12,024  
Other assets
    1,747  
Total assets
    211,011,329  
Liabilities
 
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    29,782,101  
Payable for investments purchased
    184,446  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    128,909  
Accrued management fee
    83,169  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    1,009  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    80,181  
Total liabilities
    30,259,815  
Net assets, at value
  $ 180,751,514  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Net investment loss
    (171,786 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    52,856,939  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    13,030,503  
Paid-in capital
    115,035,858  
Net assets, at value
  $ 180,751,514  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($180,751,514 ÷ 7,784,820 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 23.22  
 
* Represents collateral on securities loaned.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Dividends
  $ 399,111  
Income distributions — Central Cash Management Fund
    1,131  
Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates
    73,615  
Total income
    473,857  
Expenses:
Management fee
    490,181  
Administration fee
    89,124  
Services to shareholders
    1,083  
Custodian fee
    5,731  
Professional fees
    36,334  
Reports to shareholders
    15,045  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    4,269  
Other
    3,876  
Total expenses
    645,643  
Net investment income (loss)
    (171,786 )
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from investments
    14,387,092  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    2,764,733  
Net gain (loss)
    17,151,825  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 16,980,039  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)
  $ (171,786 )   $ (196,065 )
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)
  $ (171,786 )   $ (196,065 )
Net realized gain (loss)
    14,387,092       20,390,112  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    2,764,733       (10,889,918 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    16,980,039       9,304,129  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net realized gains
Class A
    (13,914,292 )      
Total distributions
    (13,914,292 )      
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    4,939,188       5,733,576  
Reinvestment of distributions
    13,914,292        
Cost of shares redeemed
    (13,054,640 )     (30,428,185 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    5,798,840       (24,694,609 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    8,864,587       (15,390,480 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    171,886,927       187,277,407  
Net assets at end of period (including net investment loss and undistributed net investment income of $171,786 and $0, respectively)
  $ 180,751,514     $ 171,886,927  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    7,527,702       8,676,171  
Shares sold
    203,836       261,454  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    604,706        
Shares redeemed
    (551,424 )     (1,409,923 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    257,118       (1,148,469 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    7,784,820       7,527,702  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 22.83     $ 21.59     $ 15.14     $ 13.24     $ 13.85     $ 10.70  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment income (loss)a
    (.02 )     (.02 )     (.04 )     .02       (.03 )     (.01 )
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    2.30       1.26       6.51       1.88       (.50 )     3.16  
Total from investment operations
    2.28       1.24       6.47       1.90       (.53 )     3.15  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
                (.02 )           (.08 )      
Net realized gains
    (1.89 )                              
Total distributions
    (1.89 )           (.02 )           (.08 )      
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 23.22     $ 22.83     $ 21.59     $ 15.14     $ 13.24     $ 13.85  
Total Return (%)
    10.11 **     5.74       42.78       14.35       (3.91 )     29.44  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    181       172       187       145       147       88  
Ratio of expenses (%)
    .72 *     .73       .72       .74       .73       .78  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)
    (.19 )*     (.11 )     (.22 )     .11       (.23 )     (.12 )
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    24 **     44       56       57       84       64  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Small Mid Cap Growth VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Equity securities and exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities or ETFs for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity and ETF securities are generally categorized as Level 1.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had securities on loan. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.
 
Federal Income Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, net capital losses incurred post-enactment may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.
 
At December 31, 2014, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $405,000 of pre-enactment losses, inherited from its mergers with DWS Mid Cap Growth VIP, which may be applied against any realized net taxable capital gains of each succeeding year until fully utilized or until December 31, 2016 ($405,000), the expiration date, whichever occurs first, and which may be subject to certain limitations under Section 382–384 of Internal Revenue Code.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to net operating losses and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.
 
B. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment transactions (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $41,056,726 and $50,445,418, respectively.
 
C. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $250 million
    .550 %
Next $750 million
    .525 %
Over $1 billion
    .500 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) of Class A at 0.98%.
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $89,124, of which $15,122 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC aggregated $193, of which $98 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $5,007, of which $4,710 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
Securities Lending Agent Fees. Deutsche Bank AG serves as securities lending agent for the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund incurred securities lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG in the amount of $6,402.
 
D. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, two participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 76% and 21%.
 
E. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,101.10  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.75  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,021.22  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.61  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratio
Class A
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Small Mid Cap Growth VIP
.72%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Small Mid Cap Growth VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Equity Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 1st quartile, 1st quartile and 2nd quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the one-year period and has underperformed its benchmark in the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitation agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to a comparable fund and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable fund. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2SMCG-3 (R-028388-4 8/15)
 
 


June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Small Mid Cap Value VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
6 Portfolio Manager
7 Investment Portfolio
9 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
10 Statement of Operations
11 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
12 Financial Highlights
13 Notes to Financial Statements
17 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
18 Proxy Voting
19 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Stocks may decline in value. Smaller and medium company stocks tend to be more volatile than large company stocks. Any fund that focuses in a particular segment of the market or region of the world will generally be more volatile than a fund that invests more broadly. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns. While all share classes have the same underlying portfolio, their performance will differ.
 
The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 are 0.82% and 1.17% for Class A and Class B shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Small Mid Cap Value VIP
The Russell 2500™ Value Index is an unmanaged Index of those securities in the Russell 3000® Index with lower price-to-book ratios and lower forecasted growth values.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Small Mid Cap Value VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,872     $ 10,902     $ 16,846     $ 21,217     $ 24,315  
Average annual total return
    8.72 %     9.02 %     18.99 %     16.24 %     9.29 %
Russell 2500 Value Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,171     $ 10,099     $ 16,011     $ 21,220     $ 21,123  
Average annual total return
    1.71 %     0.99 %     16.99 %     16.24 %     7.76 %
Deutsche Small Mid Cap Value VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class B
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,858     $ 10,870     $ 16,660     $ 20,853     $ 23,469  
Average annual total return
    8.58 %     8.70 %     18.55 %     15.83 %     8.91 %
Russell 2500 Value Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,171     $ 10,099     $ 16,011     $ 21,220     $ 21,123  
Average annual total return
    1.71 %     0.99 %     16.99 %     16.24 %     7.76 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Common Stocks
96%
96%
Cash Equivalents
4%
4%
 
100%
100%
 

Sector Diversification (As a % of Common Stocks)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Financials
26%
23%
Industrials
22%
20%
Information Technology
21%
21%
Consumer Discretionary
13%
12%
Materials
10%
11%
Health Care
4%
6%
Energy
4%
5%
Consumer Staples
2%
 
100%
100%
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 7.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Manager
 
Richard Glass, CFA
 
Portfolio Manager
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Common Stocks 95.5%
 
Consumer Discretionary 12.6%
 
Auto Components 2.4%
 
Visteon Corp.*
    50,570       5,308,838  
Diversified Consumer Services 1.1%
 
Ascent Capital Group, Inc. "A"*
    59,351       2,536,662  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 1.0%
 
The Wendy's Co. (a)
    204,957       2,311,915  
Household Durables 2.6%
 
Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.
    141,244       5,806,541  
Specialty Retail 3.4%
 
CST Brands, Inc.
    86,819       3,391,150  
Ross Stores, Inc.
    90,066       4,378,108  
              7,769,258  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 2.1%
 
Hanesbrands, Inc.
    142,674       4,753,898  
Energy 3.9%
 
Energy Equipment & Services 1.3%
 
Superior Energy Services, Inc.
    138,534       2,914,756  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels 2.6%
 
Cimarex Energy Co.
    29,351       3,237,709  
QEP Resources, Inc.
    140,350       2,597,878  
              5,835,587  
Financials 24.9%
 
Banks 10.9%
 
Capital Bank Financial Corp. "A"*
    150,950       4,388,117  
Great Western Bancorp., Inc.
    129,463       3,121,353  
Investors Bancorp., Inc.
    432,051       5,314,227  
KeyCorp
    300,171       4,508,568  
OFG Bancorp.
    263,398       2,810,457  
Sterling Bancorp.
    311,402       4,577,609  
              24,720,331  
Capital Markets 2.2%
 
Lazard Ltd. "A"
    88,545       4,979,771  
Consumer Finance 2.8%
 
Synchrony Financial* (a)
    190,536       6,274,351  
Insurance 4.7%
 
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
    346,036       6,349,761  
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.
    46,427       4,404,529  
              10,754,290  
Real Estate Investment Trusts 1.6%
 
Plum Creek Timber Co., Inc. (REIT)
    86,738       3,518,961  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance 2.7%
 
Walker & Dunlop, Inc.*
    230,333       6,159,104  
Health Care 4.3%
 
Health Care Providers & Services 2.5%
 
HealthSouth Corp.
    126,221       5,813,739  
Life Sciences Tools & Services 1.8%
 
PerkinElmer, Inc.
    76,297       4,016,274  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Industrials 20.6%
 
Aerospace & Defense 1.4%
 
Curtiss-Wright Corp.
    43,639       3,161,209  
Air Freight & Logistics 1.8%
 
Forward Air Corp.
    77,160       4,032,382  
Commercial Services & Supplies 3.0%
 
Covanta Holding Corp.
    209,925       4,448,311  
The Brink's Co.
    78,274       2,303,604  
              6,751,915  
Electrical Equipment 2.3%
 
The Babcock & Wilcox Co.
    158,183       5,188,402  
Machinery 8.0%
 
Harsco Corp.
    220,691       3,641,401  
ITT Corp.
    78,773       3,295,862  
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    50,554       5,320,303  
Xylem, Inc.
    156,181       5,789,630  
              18,047,196  
Marine 1.0%
 
Kirby Corp.*
    29,551       2,265,380  
Professional Services 1.0%
 
FTI Consulting, Inc.*
    56,362       2,324,369  
Trading Companies & Distributors 2.1%
 
AerCap Holdings NV*
    104,598       4,789,542  
Information Technology 19.8%
 
Communications Equipment 2.1%
 
Harris Corp.
    60,868       4,681,358  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 7.8%
 
Belden, Inc.
    62,616       5,086,297  
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. "A"
    98,179       3,895,743  
Rogers Corp.*
    65,693       4,344,935  
Zebra Technologies Corp. "A"*
    39,418       4,377,369  
              17,704,344  
IT Services 6.0%
 
Convergys Corp. (a)
    271,794       6,928,029  
Global Payments, Inc.
    21,928       2,268,452  
NeuStar, Inc. "A"* (a)
    150,621       4,399,639  
              13,596,120  
Software 3.9%
 
ACI Worldwide, Inc.*
    96,044       2,359,801  
Verint Systems, Inc.*
    106,317       6,458,226  
              8,818,027  
Materials 9.4%
 
Chemicals 5.4%
 
Celanese Corp. "A"
    60,868       4,375,192  
H.B. Fuller Co.
    106,579       4,329,239  
Minerals Technologies, Inc.
    51,888       3,535,130  
              12,239,561  
Containers & Packaging 1.8%
 
Sealed Air Corp.
    78,632       4,040,112  
Metals & Mining 2.2%
 
Materion Corp.
    143,173       5,046,848  
Total Common Stocks (Cost $181,354,312)
      216,161,041  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Securities Lending Collateral 7.1%
 
Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 0.16% (b) (c) (Cost $15,997,975)
    15,997,975       15,997,975  
   
Cash Equivalents 3.7%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (b) (Cost $8,398,294)
    8,398,294       8,398,294  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $205,750,581)
    106.3       240,557,310  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (6.3 )     (14,343,976 )
Net Assets
    100.0       226,213,334  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $205,737,656. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized appreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $34,819,654. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $43,677,777 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $8,858,123.
 
(a) All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, "Other Assets and Liabilities, Net" may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at June 30, 2015 amounted to $15,756,851, which is 7.0% of net assets.
 
(b) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
(c) Represents collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
 
REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Common Stocks (d)
  $ 216,161,041     $     $     $ 216,161,041  
Short-Term Investments (d)
    24,396,269                   24,396,269  
Total
  $ 240,557,310     $     $     $ 240,557,310  
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
(d) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $181,354,312) — including $15,756,851 of securities loaned
  $ 216,161,041  
Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $15,997,975)*
    15,997,975  
Investment in Central Cash Management Fund (cost $8,398,294)
    8,398,294  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $205,750,581)
    240,557,310  
Receivable for investments sold
    2,367,837  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    52,599  
Dividends receivable
    144,067  
Interest receivable
    25,108  
Other assets
    1,985  
Total assets
    243,148,906  
Liabilities
 
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    15,997,975  
Payable for investments purchased
    565,911  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    129,430  
Accrued management fee
    123,249  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    1,609  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    117,398  
Total liabilities
    16,935,572  
Net assets, at value
  $ 226,213,334  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    446,766  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    34,806,729  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    12,206,767  
Paid-in capital
    178,753,072  
Net assets, at value
  $ 226,213,334  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($210,137,692 ÷ 11,872,563 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 17.70  
Class B
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($16,075,642 ÷ 907,895 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 17.71  
 
* Represents collateral on securities loaned.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $2,199)
  $ 1,226,349  
Income distributions — Central Cash Management Fund
    3,511  
Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates
    128,360  
Total income
    1,358,220  
Expenses:
Management fee
    720,742  
Administration fee
    110,883  
Services to shareholders
    3,143  
Record keeping fees (Class B)
    8,939  
Distribution service fee (Class B)
    20,541  
Custodian fee
    4,162  
Professional fees
    33,407  
Reports to shareholders
    25,140  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    5,446  
Other
    4,193  
Total expenses
    936,596  
Net investment income (loss)
    421,624  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from investments
    12,218,110  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
    6,023,569  
Net gain (loss)
    18,241,679  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 18,663,303  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)
  $ 421,624     $ 687,058  
Operations:
Net investment income (loss)
  $ 421,624     $ 687,058  
Net realized gain (loss)
    12,218,110       18,607,552  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    6,023,569       (7,308,422 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    18,663,303       11,986,188  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
    (593,081 )     (1,782,045 )
Class B
          (85,579 )
Net realized gains:
Class A
    (17,173,555 )     (1,065,847 )
Class B
    (1,373,376 )     (91,018 )
Total distributions
    (19,140,012 )     (3,024,489 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    4,848,045       7,581,114  
Reinvestment of distributions
    17,766,636       2,847,892  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (17,132,769 )     (53,470,098 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    5,481,912       (43,041,092 )
Class B
Proceeds from shares sold
    1,329,787       2,985,548  
Reinvestment of distributions
    1,373,376       176,597  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (3,573,450 )     (6,702,666 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class B share transactions
    (870,287 )     (3,540,521 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    4,134,916       (37,619,914 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    222,078,418       259,698,332  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $446,766 and $618,223, respectively)
  $ 226,213,334     $ 222,078,418  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    11,531,437       14,042,897  
Shares sold
    268,720       442,556  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    1,025,787       170,839  
Shares redeemed
    (953,381 )     (3,124,855 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    341,126       (2,511,460 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    11,872,563       11,531,437  
Class B
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    953,703       1,160,889  
Shares sold
    73,566       174,632  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    79,203       10,581  
Shares redeemed
    (198,577 )     (392,399 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class B shares
    (45,808 )     (207,186 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    907,895       953,703  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 17.79     $ 17.08     $ 12.78     $ 11.36     $ 12.21     $ 10.04  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .04       .05       .12       .14       .13       .12  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    1.47       .88       4.35       1.42       (.85 )     2.19  
Total from investment operations
    1.51       .93       4.47       1.56       (.72 )     2.31  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.05 )     (.14 )     (.17 )     (.14 )     (.13 )     (.14 )
Net realized gains
    (1.55 )     (.08 )                        
Total distributions
    (1.60 )     (.22 )     (.17 )     (.14 )     (.13 )     (.14 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 17.70     $ 17.79     $ 17.08     $ 12.78     $ 11.36     $ 12.21  
Total Return (%)
    8.72 **     5.53       35.24       13.77       (6.08 )     23.07  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    210       205       240       219       216       247  
Ratio of expenses (%)
    .82 *     .82       .82       .82       .81       .82  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    .41 *     .32       .81       1.18       1.08       1.14  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    16 **     34       115       11       36       38  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 

       
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class B
 
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
2014
 
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 17.77     $ 17.07     $ 12.78     $ 11.36     $ 12.20     $ 10.03  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .00 b     (.01 )     .07       .10       .09       .08  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    1.49       .87       4.34       1.42       (.85 )     2.19  
Total from investment operations
    1.49       .86       4.41       1.52       (.76 )     2.27  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
          (.08 )     (.12 )     (.10 )     (.08 )     (.10 )
Net realized gains
    (1.55 )     (.08 )                        
Total distributions
    (1.55 )     (.16 )     (.12 )     (.10 )     (.08 )     (.10 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 17.71     $ 17.77     $ 17.07     $ 12.78     $ 11.36     $ 12.20  
Total Return (%)
    8.58 **     5.09       34.70       13.38       (6.33 )     22.66  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    16       17       20       17       20       26  
Ratio of expenses (%)
    1.18 *     1.17       1.17       1.16       1.15       1.17  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    .04 *     (.04 )     .45       .81       .74       .79  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    16 **     34       115       11       36       38  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Amount is less than $.005.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Small Mid Cap Value VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
Multiple Classes of Shares of Beneficial Interest. The Fund offers two classes of shares (Class A shares and Class B shares). Sales of Class B shares are subject to recordkeeping fees up to 0.15% and Rule 12b-1 fees under the 1940 Act equal to an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class B shares of the Fund. Class A shares are not subject to such fees.
 
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class (including the applicable Rule 12b-1 fee and recordkeeping fees). Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Equity securities are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Securities for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities are generally categorized as Level 1.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.
 
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.
 
Securities Lending. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had securities on loan. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.
 
Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to income received from Real Estate Investment Trusts and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Real Estate Investment Trusts. The Fund periodically recharacterizes distributions received from a Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") investment based on information provided by the REIT into the following categories: ordinary income, long-term and short-term capital gains, and return of capital. If information is not available timely from a REIT, the recharacterization will be estimated for financial reporting purposes and a recharacterization will be made to the accounting records in the following year when such information becomes available. Distributions received from REITs in excess of income are recorded as either a reduction of cost of investments or realized gains. The Fund distinguishes between dividends received on a tax basis and a financial reporting basis and only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments.
 
B. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment transactions (excluding short-term investments) aggregated $33,116,868 and $49,079,547, respectively.
 
C. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $250 million
    .650 %
Next $750 million
    .620 %
Next $1.5 billion
    .600 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .580 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .550 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .540 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .530 %
Over $12.5 billion
    .520 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.65% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest) of each class as follows:
Class A
.84%
Class B
1.19%
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $110,883, of which $18,961 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:
Service to Shareholders
 
Total Aggregated
   
Unpaid at June 30, 2015
 
Class A
  $ 311     $ 166  
Class B
    283       138  
    $ 594     $ 304  
 
Distribution Service Agreement. Under the Fund's Class B 12b-1 plan, DeAWM Distributors, Inc. ("DDI") received a fee ("Distribution Service Fee") of 0.25% of average daily net assets of Class B shares. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Distribution Service Fee aggregated $20,541, of which $3,469 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $6,275, of which $5,570 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
D. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, two participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 59% and 21%. Three participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class B shares of the Fund, each owning 34%, 25% and 18%.
 
E. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,087.20     $ 1,085.80  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 4.24     $ 6.10  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
   
Class B
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,020.73     $ 1,018.94  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 4.11     $ 5.91  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratios
Class A
 
Class B
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Small Mid Cap Value VIP
.82%
 
1.18%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Small Mid Cap Value VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Equity Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 2nd quartile, 4th quartile and 4th quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the one-year period and has underperformed its benchmark in the three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013. The Board noted the disappointing investment performance of the Fund in some past periods and continued to discuss with senior management of DIMA the factors contributing to such underperformance and actions being taken to improve performance. The Board observed that the Fund had experienced improved relative performance in 2013. The Board recognized the efforts by DIMA in recent years to enhance its investment platform and improve long-term performance across the Deutsche fund complex.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be lower than the median (2nd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also reviewed data comparing each share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Lipper Universe Expenses. The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to a comparable fund and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable fund. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
Notes
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2SMCV-3 (R-028381-4 8/15)
 


June 30, 2015
 
Semiannual Report
 
Deutsche Variable Series II
 
Deutsche Unconstrained Income VIP
 
Contents
3 Performance Summary
4 Portfolio Summary
4 Portfolio Management Team
5 Investment Portfolio
21 Statement of Assets and Liabilities
22 Statement of Operations
23 Statement of Changes in Net Assets
24 Financial Highlights
25 Notes to Financial Statements
34 Information About Your Fund's Expenses
35 Proxy Voting
36 Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain an additional prospectus or summary prospectus, if available, call (800) 728-3337 or your financial representative. We advise you to consider the Fund's objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.
 
Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Credit risk refers to the ability of an issuer to make timely payments of principal and interest. Investments in lower-quality ("junk bonds") and non-rated securities present greater risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. Investing in foreign securities, particularly those of emerging markets, presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increase volatility. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. See the prospectus for details.
 
Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management represents the asset management and wealth management activities conducted by Deutsche Bank AG or any of its subsidiaries, including the Advisor and DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT
 
NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY
 
Performance Summary June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Fund performance shown is historical, assumes reinvestment of all dividend and capital gain distributions and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal value fluctuate with changing market conditions so that, when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Please contact your participating insurance company for the Fund's most recent month-end performance. Performance doesn't reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option. These charges and fees will reduce returns.
 
The gross expense ratio of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated May 1, 2015 is 1.10% for Class A shares and may differ from the expense ratio disclosed in the Financial Highlights table in this report.
 
Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment in Deutsche Unconstrained Income VIP
The unmanaged Barclays U.S. Universal Index represents the union of the U.S. Aggregate Index, the U.S. High-Yield Corporate Index, the 144A Index, the Eurodollar Index, the Emerging Markets Index and the non-ERISA portion of the CMBS Index.
The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index representing domestic taxable investment-grade bonds, with index components for government and corporate securities, mortgage pass-through securities, and asset-backed securities with an average maturity of one year or more.
Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.
 
Yearly periods ended June 30
 
 

Comparative Results
 
Deutsche Unconstrained Income VIP
 
6-Month
   
1-Year
   
3-Year
   
5-Year
   
10-Year
 
Class A
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,107     $ 9,852     $ 10,945     $ 12,807     $ 17,599  
Average annual total return
    1.07 %     –1.48 %     3.05 %     5.07 %     5.82 %
Barclays U.S. Universal Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 10,030     $ 10,161     $ 10,716     $ 12,055     $ 15,802  
Average annual total return
    0.30 %     1.61 %     2.33 %     3.81 %     4.68 %
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
Growth of $10,000
  $ 9,990     $ 10,186     $ 10,558     $ 11,790     $ 15,438  
Average annual total return
    –0.10 %     1.86 %     1.83 %     3.35 %     4.44 %
 
The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.
 
Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
Portfolio Summary (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Corporate Bonds
45%
52%
Government & Agency Obligations
16%
13%
Cash Equivalents
14%
17%
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs
9%
2%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
9%
3%
Loan Participations and Assignments
3%
4%
Municipal Bonds and Notes
2%
2%
Asset-Backed
1%
1%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
1%
1%
Exchange-Traded Fund
5%
 
100%
100%
 

Quality (Excludes Cash Equivalents and Securities Lending Collateral)
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
AAA
25%
8%
AA
1%
4%
A
5%
5%
BBB
16%
19%
BB
28%
32%
B
17%
19%
CCC or Below
4%
5%
Not Rated
4%
8%
 
100%
100%
 

Interest Rate Sensitivity
6/30/15
12/31/14
     
Effective Maturity
7.6 years
5.7 years
Effective Duration
4.2 years
3.0 years
 
The quality ratings represent the higher of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") credit ratings. The ratings of Moody's and S&P represent their opinions as to the quality of the securities they rate. Credit quality measures a bond issuer's ability to repay interest and principal in a timely manner. Ratings are relative and subjective and are not absolute standards of quality. Credit quality does not remove market risk and is subject to change.
 
Effective maturity is the weighted average of the maturity date of bonds held by the Fund taking into consideration any available maturity shortening features.
 
Effective duration is an approximate measure of the Fund's sensitivity to interest rate changes taking into consideration any maturity shortening features.
 
Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.
 
For more complete details about the Fund's investment portfolio, see page 5.
 
Following the Fund's fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-Q. The form will be available on the SEC's Web site at sec.gov, and it also may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the SEC's Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling (800) SEC-0330. The Fund's portfolio holdings are also posted on deutschefunds.com from time to time. Please see the Fund's current prospectus for more information.
 
Portfolio Management Team
 
Gary Russell, CFA
 
William Chepolis, CFA
 
John D. Ryan
 
Philip G. Condon
 
Darwei Kung
 
Portfolio Managers
 
Investment Portfolio June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
       
Corporate Bonds 49.4%
 
Consumer Discretionary 5.9%
 
Ally Financial, Inc.:
 
3.25%, 2/13/2018
      35,000       34,781  
4.125%, 3/30/2020 (b)
      35,000       34,934  
AMC Entertainment, Inc., 5.875%, 2/15/2022
      30,000       30,450  
AMC Networks, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/2021
      15,000       16,200  
AmeriGas Finance LLC:
 
6.75%, 5/20/2020
      70,000       73,675  
7.0%, 5/20/2022
      60,000       63,600  
Apex Tool Group LLC, 144A, 7.0%, 2/1/2021
      30,000       26,700  
Ashtead Capital, Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 7/15/2022
      45,000       47,700  
Ashton Woods U.S.A. LLC, 144A, 6.875%, 2/15/2021
      50,000       46,500  
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC:
 
144A, 5.25%, 3/15/2025
      60,000       56,325  
5.5%, 4/1/2023
      30,000       29,625  
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.:
 
4.915%, 8/1/2034
      40,000       39,039  
5.165%, 8/1/2044
      50,000       49,638  
Block Communications, Inc., 144A, 7.25%, 2/1/2020
    65,000       66,300  
Boyd Gaming Corp., 6.875%, 5/15/2023
      20,000       20,500  
Cablevision Systems Corp., 5.875%, 9/15/2022
      15,000       14,550  
CCO Holdings LLC:
 
144A, 5.125%, 5/1/2023
      50,000       48,625  
144A, 5.375%, 5/1/2025
      35,000       34,081  
144A, 5.875%, 5/1/2027
      60,000       58,575  
7.0%, 1/15/2019
      9,000       9,349  
Cequel Communications Holdings I LLC:
               
144A, 5.125%, 12/15/2021
      89,000       80,823  
144A, 6.375%, 9/15/2020
      125,000       124,156  
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc.:
               
Series A, 6.5%, 11/15/2022
    15,000       15,375  
Series A, 7.625%, 3/15/2020
    20,000       20,650  
Series B, 7.625%, 3/15/2020
    185,000       192,862  
Cogeco Cable, Inc., 144A, 4.875%, 5/1/2020
      5,000       5,075  
Crown Media Holdings, Inc., 10.5%, 7/15/2019
      55,000       58,094  
CSC Holdings LLC, 5.25%, 6/1/2024 (b)
      55,000       52,800  
Dana Holding Corp., 5.5%, 12/15/2024
    25,000       24,563  
DISH DBS Corp.:
 
4.25%, 4/1/2018
      40,000       40,700  
5.0%, 3/15/2023
      50,000       46,250  
6.75%, 6/1/2021
      10,000       10,425  
7.125%, 2/1/2016
      155,000       159,069  
Family Tree Escrow LLC:
 
144A, 5.25%, 3/1/2020
      50,000       52,312  
144A, 5.75%, 3/1/2023
      35,000       36,575  
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, 144A, 4.5%, 4/15/2020
    45,000       44,775  
General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.25%, 5/15/2018
    15,000       15,341  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Global Partners LP, 144A, 7.0%, 6/15/2023
      30,000       29,475  
Group 1 Automotive, Inc., 5.0%, 6/1/2022 (b)
      60,000       59,700  
HD Supply, Inc.:
 
7.5%, 7/15/2020
      15,000       15,863  
11.5%, 7/15/2020
      45,000       51,975  
Hertz Corp., 6.75%, 4/15/2019
    50,000       51,595  
Hot Topic, Inc., 144A, 9.25%, 6/15/2021
      20,000       21,000  
iHeartCommunications, Inc.:
 
9.0%, 12/15/2019 (b)
      70,000       66,710  
11.25%, 3/1/2021
      40,000       38,850  
Jo-Ann Stores Holdings, Inc., 144A, 9.75%, 10/15/2019
    25,000       22,375  
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.:
 
144A, 5.375%, 6/15/2022
      5,000       5,000  
144A, 7.0%, 9/1/2020
      50,000       53,125  
MDC Partners, Inc., 144A, 6.75%, 4/1/2020
      30,000       29,888  
Mediacom Broadband LLC:
 
5.5%, 4/15/2021
      5,000       4,875  
6.375%, 4/1/2023
      65,000       65,000  
Mediacom LLC, 7.25%, 2/15/2022
    20,000       20,950  
MGM Resorts International:
 
6.75%, 10/1/2020 (b)
      76,000       80,560  
8.625%, 2/1/2019
      85,000       96,050  
New Red Finance, Inc., 144A, 4.625%, 1/15/2022
      15,000       14,775  
Nielsen Finance LLC, 144A, 5.0%, 4/15/2022
      20,000       19,600  
Numericable-SFR, 144A, 4.875%, 5/15/2019
      70,000       69,300  
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc., 6.375%, 8/1/2021
      20,000       21,225  
Quebecor Media, Inc., 5.75%, 1/15/2023
      30,000       29,925  
Sabre GLBL, Inc., 144A, 5.375%, 4/15/2023
      5,000       4,925  
Seminole Hard Rock Entertainment, Inc., 144A, 5.875%, 5/15/2021
    15,000       15,150  
Serta Simmons Holdings LLC, 144A, 8.125%, 10/1/2020
    35,000       36,925  
Sirius XM Radio, Inc., 144A, 5.875%, 10/1/2020
      30,000       30,750  
Spectrum Brands, Inc., 144A, 5.75%, 7/15/2025
      15,000       15,225  
Springs Industries, Inc., 6.25%, 6/1/2021
      35,000       34,212  
Starz LLC, 5.0%, 9/15/2019
      25,000       25,313  
Suburban Propane Partners LP, 5.75%, 3/1/2025
    20,000       19,950  
Time Warner Cable, Inc., 7.3%, 7/1/2038
      35,000       39,435  
Time Warner, Inc.:
 
3.6%, 7/15/2025
      30,000       29,180  
4.85%, 7/15/2045
      10,000       9,701  
UCI International, Inc., 8.625%, 2/15/2019
      20,000       17,800  
Viking Cruises Ltd.:
 
144A, 6.25%, 5/15/2025
      30,000       29,775  
144A, 8.5%, 10/15/2022
      30,000       33,300  
        2,990,449  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Consumer Staples 3.2%
 
Anadolu Efes Biracilik Ve Malt Sanayii AS, 144A, 3.375%, 11/1/2022
    250,000       221,430  
Cencosud SA, 144A, 5.5%, 1/20/2021
      250,000       262,673  
Chiquita Brands International, Inc., 7.875%, 2/1/2021
    11,000       11,853  
Cott Beverages, Inc.:
 
5.375%, 7/1/2022
      60,000       58,200  
144A, 6.75%, 1/1/2020
      25,000       25,938  
FAGE Dairy Industry SA, 144A, 9.875%, 2/1/2020
    85,000       88,613  
HJ Heinz Co.:
 
144A, 3.95%, 7/15/2025 (c)
    10,000       10,055  
144A, 5.2%, 7/15/2045 (c)
      5,000       5,124  
JBS Investments GmbH:
 
144A, 7.25%, 4/3/2024
      70,000       72,450  
144A, 7.75%, 10/28/2020
      200,000       217,500  
JBS U.S.A. LLC:
 
144A, 5.75%, 6/15/2025
      25,000       24,711  
144A, 7.25%, 6/1/2021
      80,000       84,300  
144A, 8.25%, 2/1/2020
      25,000       26,500  
Marfrig Overseas Ltd., 144A, 9.5%, 5/4/2020
      200,000       204,340  
Minerva Luxembourg SA, 144A, 12.25%, 2/10/2022
    200,000       220,100  
Pilgrim's Pride Corp., 144A, 5.75%, 3/15/2025
      25,000       25,250  
Post Holdings, Inc., 144A, 6.75%, 12/1/2021
      15,000       15,000  
Reynolds American, Inc.:
 
4.45%, 6/12/2025
      10,000       10,188  
5.85%, 8/15/2045
      10,000       10,489  
Roundy's Supermarkets, Inc., 144A, 10.25%, 12/15/2020
    10,000       8,500  
Smithfield Foods, Inc., 6.625%, 8/15/2022
      2,000       2,135  
The WhiteWave Foods Co., 5.375%, 10/1/2022
      30,000       31,650  
        1,636,999  
Energy 9.1%
 
Afren PLC, 144A, 10.25%, 4/8/2019*
    140,000       61,600  
Antero Resources Corp.:
 
5.125%, 12/1/2022
      45,000       42,525  
5.375%, 11/1/2021
      35,000       33,600  
144A, 5.625%, 6/1/2023
      25,000       24,156  
Baytex Energy Corp.:
 
144A, 5.125%, 6/1/2021
      10,000       9,375  
144A, 5.625%, 6/1/2024
      15,000       13,913  
Berry Petroleum Co., LLC:
 
6.375%, 9/15/2022
      30,000       23,400  
6.75%, 11/1/2020
      140,000       110,600  
California Resources Corp.:
 
5.0%, 1/15/2020
      20,000       17,600  
5.5%, 9/15/2021
      43,000       37,419  
6.0%, 11/15/2024 (b)
      15,000       12,900  
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc., 6.25%, 4/15/2023
      30,000       30,075  
Chaparral Energy, Inc., 7.625%, 11/15/2022
      20,000       14,400  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Chesapeake Energy Corp.:
 
5.75%, 3/15/2023 (b)
      75,000       67,875  
6.125%, 2/15/2021
      5,000       4,700  
6.625%, 8/15/2020
      30,000       29,250  
Concho Resources, Inc., 5.5%, 4/1/2023
      70,000       70,000  
Crestwood Midstream Partners LP:
 
6.125%, 3/1/2022
      20,000       20,400  
144A, 6.25%, 4/1/2023
      10,000       10,400  
Delek & Avner Tamar Bond Ltd., 144A, 5.082%, 12/30/2023
    200,000       201,000  
Ecopetrol SA, 5.875%, 5/28/2045
    250,000       220,625  
Endeavor Energy Resources LP:
 
144A, 7.0%, 8/15/2021
      75,000       74,625  
144A, 8.125%, 9/15/2023
      35,000       36,094  
EP Energy LLC, 144A, 6.375%, 6/15/2023 (b)
      25,000       25,062  
EV Energy Partners LP, 8.0%, 4/15/2019
      155,000       144,150  
GeoPark Latin America Ltd. Agencia en Chile, 144A, 7.5%, 2/11/2020
    200,000       173,000  
Gulfport Energy Corp., 144A, 6.625%, 5/1/2023
      10,000       10,125  
Halcon Resources Corp.:
 
144A, 8.625%, 2/1/2020
      55,000       54,312  
8.875%, 5/15/2021
      10,000       6,575  
9.75%, 7/15/2020
      20,000       13,450  
Hilcorp Energy I LP:
 
144A, 5.0%, 12/1/2024
      25,000       23,443  
144A, 5.75%, 10/1/2025
      40,000       38,400  
Holly Energy Partners LP, 6.5%, 3/1/2020
      20,000       19,950  
Kinder Morgan, Inc.:
 
3.05%, 12/1/2019
      75,000       74,917  
5.55%, 6/1/2045
      50,000       46,214  
7.25%, 6/1/2018
      55,000       62,029  
Laredo Petroleum, Inc., 6.25%, 3/15/2023
      35,000       35,612  
Linn Energy LLC, 6.25%, 11/1/2019
    25,000       19,563  
MEG Energy Corp.:
 
144A, 6.5%, 3/15/2021
      40,000       38,500  
144A, 7.0%, 3/31/2024
      95,000       91,081  
Memorial Resource Development Corp., 5.875%, 7/1/2022
    25,000       24,143  
Murphy Oil U.S.A., Inc., 6.0%, 8/15/2023
      40,000       41,500  
Newfield Exploration Co., 5.375%, 1/1/2026
      20,000       19,800  
Northern Oil & Gas, Inc., 8.0%, 6/1/2020
      90,000       81,900  
Oasis Petroleum, Inc.:
 
6.875%, 3/15/2022
      75,000       76,125  
6.875%, 1/15/2023
      30,000       29,625  
Odebrecht Offshore Drilling Finance Ltd.:
               
144A, 6.625%, 10/1/2022
      189,580       131,758  
144A, 6.75%, 10/1/2022
      229,775       164,864  
Offshore Drilling Holding SA, 144A, 8.625%, 9/20/2020
      200,000       179,000  
ONEOK Partners LP, 4.9%, 3/15/2025
      20,000       19,784  
Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp., 144A, 5.375%, 1/26/2019
    200,000       164,300  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Parsley Energy LLC, 144A, 7.5%, 2/15/2022
      5,000       5,073  
Petrobras Global Finance BV, 6.85%, 6/5/2115
      250,000       205,090  
Range Resources Corp., 144A, 4.875%, 5/15/2025
    25,000       24,285  
Regency Energy Partners LP:
 
5.0%, 10/1/2022
      15,000       15,237  
5.875%, 3/1/2022
      5,000       5,323  
Rice Energy, Inc., 144A, 7.25%, 5/1/2023
      5,000       5,125  
RSP Permian, Inc., 144A, 6.625%, 10/1/2022
      60,000       61,350  
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC:
 
5.625%, 2/1/2021
      105,000       107,100  
144A, 5.625%, 3/1/2025
      30,000       29,700  
SESI LLC, 7.125%, 12/15/2021
    60,000       63,600  
Seven Generations Energy Ltd., 144A, 6.75%, 5/1/2023
    10,000       9,975  
Sunoco LP, 144A, 6.375%, 4/1/2023
    20,000       20,800  
Talos Production LLC, 144A, 9.75%, 2/15/2018
      60,000       52,200  
Targa Resources Partners LP, 144A, 4.125%, 11/15/2019
      10,000       9,900  
TerraForm Power Operating LLC, 144A, 5.875%, 2/1/2023
    40,000       40,600  
Tesoro Corp., 4.25%, 10/1/2017
    35,000       35,700  
Transocean, Inc., 4.3%, 10/15/2022
    145,000       109,112  
Transportadora de Gas Internacional SA ESP, 144A, 5.7%, 3/20/2022
    500,000       524,375  
Triangle U.S.A. Petroleum Corp., 144A, 6.75%, 7/15/2022
    20,000       15,500  
Whiting Petroleum Corp.:
 
5.75%, 3/15/2021
      45,000       44,280  
144A, 6.25%, 4/1/2023
      115,000       114,137  
Williams Partners LP:
 
4.0%, 9/15/2025
      30,000       28,101  
6.125%, 7/15/2022
      55,000       58,437  
WPX Energy, Inc., 5.25%, 1/15/2017
    40,000       40,900  
        4,601,614  
Financials 7.5%
 
Assured Guaranty U.S. Holdings, Inc., 5.0%, 7/1/2024
    2,000       1,962  
Banco Continental SAECA, 144A, 8.875%, 10/15/2017
    200,000       210,400  
Banco de Credito del Peru, 144A, 4.25%, 4/1/2023
    250,000       249,300  
Banco do Brasil SA, 144A, 9.0%, 6/29/2049
      200,000       180,440  
Barclays Bank PLC, 7.625%, 11/21/2022
      200,000       227,760  
BBVA Bancomer SA, 144A, 6.75%, 9/30/2022
      150,000       165,187  
CBL & Associates LP, (REIT), 4.6%, 10/15/2024
      120,000       118,155  
China Overseas Finance Cayman II Ltd., REG S, 5.5%, 11/10/2020
    250,000       270,159  
CIT Group, Inc.:
 
3.875%, 2/19/2019
      145,000       143,912  
5.0%, 5/15/2017
      80,000       82,496  
5.25%, 3/15/2018
      90,000       93,037  
CNO Financial Group, Inc.:
 
4.5%, 5/30/2020
      10,000       10,150  
5.25%, 5/30/2025
      15,000       15,243  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, Series 3, REG S, 6.5%, 6/3/2020
      500,000       520,000  
E*TRADE Financial Corp., 4.625%, 9/15/2023
      25,000       24,563  
Equinix, Inc., (REIT), 5.375%, 4/1/2023
      105,000       105,000  
Everest Reinsurance Holdings, Inc., 4.868%, 6/1/2044
      50,000       47,433  
Hellas Telecommunications Finance, 144A, 8.011%**, 7/15/2015*
EUR
    109,187       0  
Hospitality Properties Trust, (REIT), 5.0%, 8/15/2022
      110,000       114,503  
International Lease Finance Corp.:
   
3.875%, 4/15/2018
      65,000       65,325  
5.75%, 5/15/2016
      20,000       20,500  
6.25%, 5/15/2019
      50,000       54,063  
8.625%, 9/15/2015
      40,000       40,500  
8.75%, 3/15/2017
      120,000       131,293  
Legg Mason, Inc., 5.625%, 1/15/2044
      45,000       48,012  
Macquarie Group Ltd., 144A, 6.0%, 1/14/2020
      200,000       224,731  
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., 144A, 4.5%, 4/15/2065
      10,000       8,881  
Morgan Stanley, Series H, 5.45%, 7/29/2049
      20,000       19,850  
MPT Operating Partnership LP:
 
(REIT), 6.375%, 2/15/2022
      45,000       47,981  
(REIT), 6.875%, 5/1/2021
      50,000       52,813  
Nationwide Financial Services, Inc., 144A, 5.3%, 11/18/2044
      65,000       63,824  
Navient Corp., 5.5%, 1/25/2023 (b)
      125,000       118,750  
Neuberger Berman Group LLC, 144A, 5.875%, 3/15/2022
      45,000       48,094  
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc., (REIT), 4.95%, 4/1/2024
      130,000       132,967  
Popular, Inc., 7.0%, 7/1/2019
      20,000       20,000  
Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., 144A, 7.804%, 10/1/2020
    70,000       74,725  
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series L, 5.7%, 12/29/2049
    35,000       35,126  
        3,787,135  
Health Care 3.1%
 
AbbVie, Inc., 3.6%, 5/14/2025
    20,000       19,768  
Actavis Funding SCS, 4.75%, 3/15/2045
      2,000       1,904  
Alere, Inc., 144A, 6.375%, 7/1/2023
    25,000       25,438  
Community Health Systems, Inc.:
 
5.125%, 8/15/2018
      185,000       189,625  
5.125%, 8/1/2021
      5,000       5,094  
6.875%, 2/1/2022 (b)
      30,000       31,650  
7.125%, 7/15/2020
      60,000       63,570  
Concordia Healthcare Corp., 144A, 7.0%, 4/15/2023
    10,000       10,000  
Endo Finance LLC:
 
144A, 5.375%, 1/15/2023
      35,000       34,563  
144A, 5.75%, 1/15/2022
      35,000       35,438  
144A, 6.0%, 2/1/2025
      20,000       20,325  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
HCA, Inc.:
 
6.5%, 2/15/2020
      210,000       234,675  
7.5%, 2/15/2022
      80,000       91,900  
Hologic, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 7/15/2022 (c)
      10,000       10,213  
LifePoint Health, Inc., 5.5%, 12/1/2021
      35,000       36,137  
Mallinckrodt International Finance SA:
               
4.75%, 4/15/2023
      75,000       69,984  
144A, 4.875%, 4/15/2020
      20,000       20,351  
Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., 7.375%, 10/15/2020
    55,000       58,712  
Tenet Healthcare Corp.:
 
144A, 3.786%**, 6/15/2020
    20,000       20,175  
6.25%, 11/1/2018
      80,000       86,900  
144A, 6.75%, 6/15/2023
      50,000       51,000  
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:
               
144A, 5.375%, 3/15/2020
      50,000       51,625  
144A, 5.875%, 5/15/2023
      40,000       41,000  
144A, 6.125%, 4/15/2025
      115,000       118,306  
144A, 6.375%, 10/15/2020
      35,000       36,859  
144A, 6.75%, 8/15/2018
      70,000       73,412  
144A, 7.5%, 7/15/2021
      140,000       150,675  
        1,589,299  
Industrials 4.3%
 
ADT Corp.:
 
3.5%, 7/15/2022 (b)
      20,000       18,100  
5.25%, 3/15/2020
      40,000       41,900  
6.25%, 10/15/2021
      25,000       26,250  
Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc., 7.125%, 3/15/2021
    80,000       85,200  
Artesyn Embedded Technologies, Inc., 144A, 9.75%, 10/15/2020
    40,000       39,700  
Belden, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 9/1/2022
    55,000       54,587  
Bombardier, Inc.:
 
144A, 4.75%, 4/15/2019
      20,000       19,450  
144A, 5.5%, 9/15/2018
      15,000       14,850  
144A, 5.75%, 3/15/2022
      55,000       48,950  
144A, 6.0%, 10/15/2022
      35,000       31,063  
144A, 7.5%, 3/15/2025
      10,000       9,075  
144A, 7.75%, 3/15/2020
      45,000       45,248  
Casella Waste Systems, Inc., 7.75%, 2/15/2019
      80,000       80,800  
Covanta Holding Corp., 5.875%, 3/1/2024
      30,000       29,925  
CTP Transportation Products LLC, 144A, 8.25%, 12/15/2019
    35,000       36,225  
D.R. Horton, Inc., 4.0%, 2/15/2020
    10,000       9,947  
DigitalGlobe, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 2/1/2021
      25,000       24,469  
Empresas ICA SAB de CV, 144A, 8.875%, 5/29/2024
    200,000       149,500  
EnerSys, 144A, 5.0%, 4/30/2023
    5,000       4,945  
Florida East Coast Holdings Corp., 144A, 6.75%, 5/1/2019
    15,000       15,038  
Garda World Security Corp., 144A, 7.25%, 11/15/2021
    45,000       43,200  
Gates Global LLC, 144A, 6.0%, 7/15/2022
      30,000       27,150  
Kenan Advantage Group, Inc., 144A, 8.375%, 12/15/2018
    25,000       26,031  
Masonite International Corp., 144A, 5.625%, 3/15/2023
    25,000       25,406  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Meritor, Inc.:
 
6.25%, 2/15/2024
      30,000       29,625  
6.75%, 6/15/2021
      40,000       40,900  
Navios Maritime Holdings, Inc., 144A, 7.375%, 1/15/2022
    110,000       95,287  
Noble Group Ltd., 144A, 6.625%, 8/5/2020
      250,000       248,625  
Nortek, Inc., 8.5%, 4/15/2021
      75,000       80,062  
Oshkosh Corp.:
 
5.375%, 3/1/2022
      22,500       23,006  
5.375%, 3/1/2025
      5,000       5,000  
Ply Gem Industries, Inc., 6.5%, 2/1/2022
      60,000       58,850  
SBA Communications Corp., 5.625%, 10/1/2019
      30,000       31,200  
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., 5.25%, 3/15/2022
      40,000       41,300  
Titan International, Inc., 6.875%, 10/1/2020 (b)
      55,000       50,531  
TransDigm, Inc.:
 
6.0%, 7/15/2022
      40,000       39,500  
6.5%, 7/15/2024
      25,000       24,688  
7.5%, 7/15/2021
      125,000       134,375  
Triumph Group, Inc., 5.25%, 6/1/2022
      20,000       19,750  
United Rentals North America, Inc.:
 
4.625%, 7/15/2023
      20,000       19,612  
7.375%, 5/15/2020
      95,000       101,364  
7.625%, 4/15/2022
      95,000       102,837  
Wise Metals Group LLC, 144A, 8.75%, 12/15/2018
    30,000       31,688  
XPO Logistics, Inc.:
 
144A, 6.5%, 6/15/2022
      30,000       29,363  
144A, 7.875%, 9/1/2019
      35,000       37,401  
        2,151,973  
Information Technology 2.3%
 
ACI Worldwide, Inc., 144A, 6.375%, 8/15/2020
      15,000       15,788  
Activision Blizzard, Inc., 144A, 5.625%, 9/15/2021
    130,000       136,175  
Audatex North America, Inc., 144A, 6.0%, 6/15/2021
    25,000       25,688  
BMC Software Finance, Inc., 144A, 8.125%, 7/15/2021
    30,000       24,300  
Boxer Parent Co., Inc., 144A, 9.0%, 10/15/2019 (b)
      40,000       28,400  
Cardtronics, Inc., 144A, 5.125%, 8/1/2022
      20,000       19,550  
CDW LLC, 6.0%, 8/15/2022
      50,000       51,625  
EarthLink Holdings Corp., 7.375%, 6/1/2020
      30,000       31,200  
Entegris, Inc., 144A, 6.0%, 4/1/2022
    20,000       20,550  
First Data Corp.:
 
144A, 6.75%, 11/1/2020
      72,000       76,095  
144A, 7.375%, 6/15/2019
      17,000       17,672  
144A, 8.75%, 1/15/2022
      60,000       63,787  
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., 144A, 6.0%, 1/15/2022
    40,000       42,400  
Infor U.S., Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 5/15/2022
      30,000       30,525  
Italics Merger Sub, Inc., 144A, 7.125%, 7/15/2023
    10,000       9,875  
Jabil Circuit, Inc., 7.75%, 7/15/2016
    30,000       31,425  
KLA-Tencor Corp., 4.65%, 11/1/2024
      65,000       64,965  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Micron Technology, Inc., 144A, 5.25%, 8/1/2023
    30,000       28,762  
NCR Corp.:
 
5.875%, 12/15/2021
      10,000       10,300  
6.375%, 12/15/2023
      20,000       21,200  
NXP BV, 144A, 3.75%, 6/1/2018
    35,000       35,262  
Open Text Corp., 144A, 5.625%, 1/15/2023
      25,000       24,750  
Project Homestake Merger Corp., 144A, 8.875%, 3/1/2023
    20,000       19,400  
Sanmina Corp., 144A, 4.375%, 6/1/2019
      5,000       4,988  
Seagate HDD Cayman, 144A, 5.75%, 12/1/2034
      100,000       98,462  
Tencent Holdings Ltd., 144A, 3.375%, 5/2/2019
      200,000       205,344  
        1,138,488  
Materials 4.7%
 
Anglo American Capital PLC, 144A, 4.125%, 9/27/2022
      200,000       194,307  
ArcelorMittal, 5.125%, 6/1/2020
    5,000       5,069  
Ashland, Inc., 3.875%, 4/15/2018
    20,000       20,550  
AVINTIV Specialty Materials, Inc., 7.75%, 2/1/2019
      30,000       30,900  
Ball Corp., 5.25%, 7/1/2025
      30,000       29,662  
Berry Plastics Corp., 5.5%, 5/15/2022
      60,000       60,225  
Cascades, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 7/15/2022
      20,000       19,350  
Cemex SAB de CV, 144A, 6.5%, 12/10/2019
      200,000       209,940  
Chemours Co.:
 
144A, 6.625%, 5/15/2023
      55,000       53,281  
144A, 7.0%, 5/15/2025 (b)
      10,000       9,700  
Clearwater Paper Corp., 144A, 5.375%, 2/1/2025
      25,000       24,500  
Coveris Holding Corp., 144A, 10.0%, 6/1/2018
      40,000       42,000  
Coveris Holdings SA, 144A, 7.875%, 11/1/2019
      5,000       4,975  
Crown Americas LLC, 6.25%, 2/1/2021
      10,000       10,425  
Evolution Escrow Issuer LLC, 144A, 7.5%, 3/15/2022
    30,000       28,425  
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.:
 
144A, 6.75%, 2/15/2020
      5,000       4,838  
144A, 7.0%, 2/15/2021
      60,000       57,375  
Glencore Funding LLC, 144A, 4.125%, 5/30/2023
      110,000       106,416  
Gold Fields Orogen Holdings BVI Ltd., 144A, 4.875%, 10/7/2020
    250,000       228,750  
Greif, Inc., 7.75%, 8/1/2019
      195,000       216,937  
Hexion, Inc.:
 
6.625%, 4/15/2020
      85,000       77,987  
8.875%, 2/1/2018
      60,000       54,150  
Huntsman International LLC, 8.625%, 3/15/2021 (b)
      10,000       10,524  
Kaiser Aluminum Corp., 8.25%, 6/1/2020
      40,000       43,300  
Novelis, Inc., 8.75%, 12/15/2020
    215,000       227,362  
Plastipak Holdings, Inc., 144A, 6.5%, 10/1/2021
    40,000       40,700  
Platform Specialty Products Corp., 144A, 6.5%, 2/1/2022
    25,000       25,813  
Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc.:
 
5.75%, 10/15/2020
      235,000       240,875  
6.875%, 2/15/2021
      100,000       104,250  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Signode Industrial Group Lux SA, 144A, 6.375%, 5/1/2022
    30,000       29,100  
Tronox Finance LLC, 6.375%, 8/15/2020
      30,000       27,825  
WR Grace & Co-Conn:
 
144A, 5.125%, 10/1/2021
      15,000       15,113  
144A, 5.625%, 10/1/2024
      5,000       5,063  
Yamana Gold, Inc., 4.95%, 7/15/2024
    120,000       115,588  
        2,375,275  
Telecommunication Services 7.2%
 
America Movil SAB de CV, 7.125%, 12/9/2024
MXN
    2,000,000       123,404  
AT&T, Inc.:
 
2.45%, 6/30/2020
      20,000       19,605  
3.4%, 5/15/2025
      40,000       38,148  
B Communications Ltd., 144A, 7.375%, 2/15/2021
      35,000       37,538  
CenturyLink, Inc.:
 
Series V, 5.625%, 4/1/2020
    15,000       15,019  
Series W, 6.75%, 12/1/2023 (b)
    35,000       35,109  
CommScope, Inc.:
 
144A, 4.375%, 6/15/2020
      15,000       15,150  
144A, 5.0%, 6/15/2021
      35,000       34,125  
CyrusOne LP, 144A, 6.375%, 11/15/2022
      30,000       31,050  
Digicel Group Ltd.:
 
144A, 7.125%, 4/1/2022
      35,000       33,240  
144A, 8.25%, 9/30/2020
      305,000       305,765  
Frontier Communications Corp.:
 
6.25%, 9/15/2021
      20,000       18,200  
6.875%, 1/15/2025
      85,000       71,081  
7.125%, 1/15/2023
      200,000       177,500  
8.25%, 4/15/2017
      62,000       66,650  
8.5%, 4/15/2020
      20,000       20,910  
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp.:
 
6.5%, 6/15/2019
      63,000       68,355  
7.625%, 6/15/2021
      40,000       44,008  
Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA:
 
5.5%, 8/1/2023
      55,000       48,703  
7.25%, 10/15/2020
      140,000       138,425  
7.5%, 4/1/2021
      215,000       212,581  
Level 3 Financing, Inc.:
 
5.375%, 8/15/2022
      90,000       90,900  
144A, 5.375%, 5/1/2025 (b)
    30,000       28,913  
6.125%, 1/15/2021
      20,000       20,974  
7.0%, 6/1/2020
      75,000       79,594  
8.625%, 7/15/2020
      50,000       53,435  
MTN Mauritius Investments Ltd., 144A, 4.755%, 11/11/2024
    200,000       198,500  
Plantronics, Inc., 144A, 5.5%, 5/31/2023
      10,000       10,125  
Sprint Communications, Inc.:
 
144A, 7.0%, 3/1/2020 (b)
      40,000       43,508  
144A, 9.0%, 11/15/2018
      175,000       197,620  
Sprint Corp., 7.125%, 6/15/2024
    200,000       185,520  
T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.:
 
6.125%, 1/15/2022
      15,000       15,488  
6.375%, 3/1/2025
      90,000       92,025  
6.625%, 11/15/2020
      65,000       67,600  
Telefonica Celular del Paraguay SA, 144A, 6.75%, 12/13/2022
    200,000       207,000  
UPCB Finance IV Ltd., 144A, 5.375%, 1/15/2025
      200,000       190,900  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
UPCB Finance V Ltd., 144A, 7.25%, 11/15/2021
      27,000       29,160  
UPCB Finance VI Ltd., 144A, 6.875%, 1/15/2022
      9,000       9,585  
VimpelCom Holdings BV, 144A, 5.95%, 2/13/2023
    200,000       176,460  
Wind Acquisition Finance SA, 144A, 6.5%, 4/30/2020
    30,000       31,350  
Windstream Services LLC:
 
6.375%, 8/1/2023
      40,000       32,550  
7.75%, 10/15/2020 (b)
      20,000       19,575  
7.75%, 10/1/2021
      55,000       50,325  
7.875%, 11/1/2017
      205,000       217,812  
Zayo Group LLC:
 
144A, 6.0%, 4/1/2023 (b)
      20,000       19,754  
144A, 6.375%, 5/15/2025
      30,000       29,100  
        3,652,339  
Utilities 2.1%
 
AES Corp.:
 
3.283%**, 6/1/2019
      20,000       20,000  
8.0%, 6/1/2020
      175,000       202,125  
Calpine Corp.:
 
5.375%, 1/15/2023
      35,000       34,387  
5.75%, 1/15/2025
      35,000       34,038  
Dynegy, Inc.:
 
144A, 7.375%, 11/1/2022
      30,000       31,425  
144A, 7.625%, 11/1/2024
      50,000       52,875  
Energy Future Holdings Corp., Series Q, 6.5%, 11/15/2024*
    100,000       105,000  
IPALCO Enterprises, Inc., 5.0%, 5/1/2018
      145,000       152,975  
Lamar Funding Ltd., 144A, 3.958%, 5/7/2025
      250,000       243,125  
NGL Energy Partners LP, 5.125%, 7/15/2019
      30,000       29,925  
NRG Energy, Inc.:
 
6.25%, 5/1/2024
      100,000       99,250  
7.875%, 5/15/2021
      30,000       31,950  
Talen Energy Supply LLC, 144A, 5.125%, 7/15/2019
    30,000       29,400  
        1,066,475  
Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $25,453,883)
      24,990,046  
   
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs 10.3%
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 3.5%, 12/1/2042 (c)
    1,500,000       1,542,656  
Federal National Mortgage Association, 4.0%, 4/1/2042 (c)
    1,000,000       1,059,375  
Government National Mortgage Association, 3.5%, 5/1/2043 (c)
    2,500,000       2,594,727  
Total Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs (Cost $5,222,266)
      5,196,758  
   
Asset-Backed 1.3%
 
Home Equity Loans 0.1%
 
CIT Group Home Equity Loan Trust, "AF6", Series 2002-1, 6.2%, 2/25/2030
    43,368       43,246  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Miscellaneous 1.2%
 
ARES CLO Ltd., "D", Series 2012-3A, 144A, 4.907%**, 1/17/2024
    250,000       250,029  
Domino's Pizza Master Issuer LLC, "A2", Series 2012-1A, 144A, 5.216%, 1/25/2042
    144,938       149,608  
Hilton Grand Vacations Trust, "B", Series 2014-AA, 144A, 2.07%, 11/25/2026
    231,763       228,365  
        628,002  
Total Asset-Backed (Cost $668,682)
      671,248  
   
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities 1.0%
 
Commercial Mortgage Trust, "AM", Series 2007-GG11, 5.867%, 12/10/2049
    290,000       311,068  
Del Coronado Trust, "M", Series 2013-HDMZ, 144A, 5.186%**, 3/15/2018
      80,000       80,024  
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, "A3", Series 2014-C19, 3.669%, 4/15/2047
    125,000       130,650  
Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $480,959)
      521,742  
   
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 10.2%
 
Banc of America Mortgage Securities, "2A2", Series 2004-A, 2.666%**, 2/25/2034
    87,649       87,111  
Bear Stearns Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, "2A1", Series 2005-11, 2.841%**, 12/25/2035
    117,295       118,024  
Countrywide Home Loans, "2A5", Series 2004-13, 5.75%, 8/25/2034
    69,577       69,464  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:
 
"AI", Series 4016, Interest Only, 3.0%, 9/15/2025
      972,206       75,654  
"ZT", Series 4165, 3.0%, 2/15/2043
      287,272       273,119  
"ZG", Series 4213, 3.5%, 6/15/2043
      56,707       55,021  
"JI", Series 3558, Interest Only, 4.5%, 12/15/2023
    19,556       500  
"PI", Series 3843, Interest Only, 4.5%, 5/15/2038
    346,282       40,945  
"DZ", Series 4253, 4.75%, 9/15/2043
      1,073,446       1,201,000  
"HI", Series 2934, Interest Only, 5.0%, 2/15/2020
      81,448       6,597  
"WI", Series 3010, Interest Only, 5.0%, 7/15/2020
    130,413       10,329  
"SP", Series 4047, Interest Only, 6.465%***, 12/15/2037
    433,289       70,890  
"JS", Series 3572, Interest Only, 6.615%***, 9/15/2039
    539,310       83,244  
Federal National Mortgage Association:
 
"4", Series 406, Interest Only, 4.0%, 9/25/2040
    179,886       37,056  
"KZ", Series 2010-134, 4.5%, 12/25/2040
      243,058       262,312  
"BI", Series 2010-13, Interest Only, 5.0%, 12/25/2038
    43,211       2,135  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
"PI", Series 2006-20, Interest Only, 6.493%***, 11/25/2030
    345,266       55,865  
"SI", Series 2007-23, Interest Only, 6.583%***, 3/25/2037
    223,963       46,442  
Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes, "M3", Series 2015-DN1, 4.335%**, 1/25/2025
    750,000       757,082  
Government National Mortgage Association:
               
"GI", Series 2014-146, Interest Only, 3.5%, 9/20/2029
    2,135,708       293,072  
"GC", Series 2010-101, 4.0%, 8/20/2040
      200,000       210,201  
"ME", Series 2014-4, 4.0%, 1/16/2044
      400,000       428,425  
"PI", Series 2015-40, Interest Only, 4.0%, 4/20/2044
    296,134       52,377  
"HI", Series 2015-77, Interest Only, 4.0%, 5/20/2045
    496,459       100,892  
"IP", Series 2014-115, Interest Only, 4.5%, 2/20/2044
    90,233       18,337  
"PZ", Series 2010-106, 4.75%, 8/20/2040
      222,467       246,851  
"IV", Series 2009-69, Interest Only, 5.5%, 8/20/2039
    278,674       55,071  
"IN", Series 2009-69, Interest Only, 5.5%, 8/20/2039
    283,437       58,910  
"IJ", Series 2009-75, Interest Only, 6.0%, 8/16/2039
    263,252       53,690  
"AI", Series 2007-38, Interest Only, 6.275%***, 6/16/2037
    73,133       12,901  
JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, "2A1", Series 2006-A2, 2.631%**, 4/25/2036
    253,010       230,428  
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, "2A", Series 2003-A6, 2.521%**, 10/25/2033
    60,212       60,002  
Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, "2A3",Series 2004-EE, 2.695%**, 12/25/2034
    87,574       86,938  
Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations (Cost $4,981,471)
      5,160,885  
   
Government & Agency Obligations 17.6%
 
Other Government Related (d) 0.4%
 
Perusahaan Penerbit SBSN, 144A, 4.325%, 5/28/2025
      200,000       194,760  
Sovereign Bonds 10.5%
 
Dominican Republic, 144A, 5.5%, 1/27/2025
      100,000       100,250  
Federative Republic of Brazil, 12.5%, 1/5/2016
BRL
    250,000       79,815  
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Government AID Bond, 3.0%, 6/30/2025
      600,000       601,500  
Indonesia Treasury Bond, Series FR56, 8.375%, 9/15/2026
IDR
    1,340,000,000       100,562  
Kingdom of Spain-Inflation Linked Bond, REG S, 144A, 1.0%, 11/30/2030
EUR
    556,367       575,482  
Republic of Argentina- Inflation Linked Bond, 5.83%, 12/31/2033
ARS
    375       127  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Republic of El Salvador:
 
144A, 6.375%, 1/18/2027
      75,000       72,562  
144A, 7.65%, 6/15/2035
      100,000       100,500  
Republic of Hungary:
 
4.0%, 3/25/2019
      200,000       206,460  
Series 19/A, 6.5%, 6/24/2019
HUF
    11,600,000       46,927  
Republic of Ireland, REG S, 2.0%, 2/18/2045
EUR
    320,000       311,613  
Republic of New Zealand, Series 0427, REG S, 4.5%, 4/15/2027
NZD
    1,100,000       806,736  
Republic of Poland, Series 0725, 3.25%, 7/25/2025
PLN
    360,000       95,494  
Republic of Portugal, 144A, REG S, 4.1%, 2/15/2045
EUR
    700,000       809,176  
Republic of Singapore, 2.75%, 4/1/2042
SGD
    300,000       210,380  
Republic of Slovenia:
 
144A, 4.75%, 5/10/2018
      200,000       212,517  
144A, 5.5%, 10/26/2022
      100,000       110,895  
Republic of South Africa:
 
Series R204, 8.0%, 12/21/2018
ZAR
    1,100,000       91,695  
Series R186, 10.5%, 12/21/2026
ZAR
    2,700,000       258,326  
Republic of Sri Lanka, 144A, 5.125%, 4/11/2019
      200,000       199,000  
Republic of Turkey, 8.5%, 7/10/2019
TRY
    280,000       101,548  
Republic of Uruguay, 5.1%, 6/18/2050
      40,000       38,100  
United Mexican States, 4.6%, 1/23/2046
      200,000       185,000  
        5,314,665  
U.S. Treasury Obligations 6.7%
 
U.S. Treasury Bills:
 
0.06%****, 8/13/2015 (e)
      254,000       254,000  
0.07%****, 12/3/2015 (e)
      501,000       500,908  
U.S. Treasury Bonds:
 
2.5%, 2/15/2045
      21,000       18,482  
3.125%, 8/15/2044
      80,400       80,532  
3.625%, 2/15/2044
      36,000       39,580  
U.S. Treasury Notes:
 
1.0%, 8/31/2016 (f)
      1,630,000       1,641,717  
1.0%, 9/30/2016
      500,000       503,789  
1.5%, 5/31/2019
      232,600       233,890  
1.625%, 6/30/2019
      19,000       19,180  
1.625%, 12/31/2019
      109,000       109,451  
2.125%, 5/15/2025
      5,000       4,909  
        3,406,438  
Total Government & Agency Obligations (Cost $9,305,798)
      8,915,863  
   
Loan Participations and Assignments 3.6%
 
Senior Loans**
 
American Rock Salt Holdings LLC, First Lien Term Loan, 4.75%, 5/20/2021
    103,950       103,858  
Avis Budget Car Rental LLC, Term Loan B, 3.0%, 3/15/2019
    58,945       59,117  
Calpine Corp., Term Loan B5, 3.5%, 5/27/2022
      195,000       193,635  
   
Principal Amount ($)(a)
   
Value ($)
 
                 
CSC Holdings, Inc., Term Loan B, 2.687%, 4/17/2020
    94,663       93,834  
DaVita HealthCare Partners, Inc., Term Loan B, 3.5%, 6/24/2021
    69,300       69,426  
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Second Lien Term Loan, 3.75%, 4/30/2019
    183,333       184,059  
HJ Heinz Co., Term Loan B2, 3.25%, 6/5/2020
      163,781       163,997  
Level 3 Financing, Inc., Term Loan B2, 3.5%, 5/31/2022
    60,000       59,669  
MacDermid, Inc.:
 
Term Loan B2, 4.75%, 6/7/2020
    30,000       30,171  
First Lien Term Loan, 4.5%, 6/7/2020
      53,900       54,112  
MEG Energy Corp., Term Loan, 3.75%, 3/31/2020
    254,078       249,246  
NRG Energy, Inc., Term Loan B, 2.75%, 7/2/2018
    116,633       115,870  
Par Pharmaceutical Companies, Inc., Term Loan B2, 4.0%, 9/30/2019
    116,259       116,383  
Quebecor Media, Inc., Term Loan B1, 3.25%, 8/17/2020
    88,425       87,237  
Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.:
               
Term Loan B, 3.5%, 2/13/2019
    137,133       136,982  
Term Loan B, 3.5%, 12/11/2019
    115,706       115,553  
Total Loan Participations and Assignments (Cost $1,840,403)
      1,833,149  
   
Municipal Bonds and Notes 1.8%
 
Chicago, IL, Airport Revenue, O'Hare International Airport, Series B, 6.0%, 1/1/2041
    145,000       168,832  
Massachusetts, State School Building Authority, Sales Tax Revenue, Qualified School Construction Bond, Series A, 4.885%, 7/15/2028
    300,000       325,497  
Orlando & Orange County, FL, Expressway Authority Revenue, Series C, 5.0%, 7/1/2040
    145,000       158,950  
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, 4.926%, 10/1/2051
    260,000       274,048  
Total Municipal Bonds and Notes (Cost $849,814)
      927,327  
   
Convertible Bond 0.4%
 
Materials
 
GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc., 144A, 7.5%, 10/30/2018 (Cost $117,596)
    120,175       219,620  
   
Preferred Security 0.2%
 
Materials
 
Hercules, Inc., 6.5%, 6/30/2029 (Cost $60,889)
    95,000       86,450  
 

   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Common Stocks 0.0%
 
Consumer Discretionary 0.0%
 
Dawn Holdings, Inc.* (g)
    1       2,115  
   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
                 
Industrials 0.0%
 
Congoleum Corp.*
    2,500       0  
Quad Graphics, Inc.
    24       444  
              444  
Materials 0.0%
 
GEO Specialty Chemicals, Inc.*
    13,196       9,258  
Total Common Stocks (Cost $25,206)
      11,817  
   
Preferred Stock 0.1%
 
Consumer Discretionary
 
Ally Financial, Inc., Series G, 144A, 7.0% (Cost $41,756)
    45       45,696  
   
Warrant 0.0%
 
Materials
 
Hercules Trust II, Expiration Date 3/31/2029* (Cost $17,432)
    85       500  
 

   
Contract Amount
   
Value ($)
 
       
Call Options Purchased 0.1%
 
Options on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
 
Pay Fixed Rate — 3.72% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR, Swap Expiration Date 4/22/2026, Option Expiration Date 4/20/20161
    1,300,000       4,805  
Pay Fixed Rate — 4.19% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR, Swap Expiration Date 2/3/2027, Option Expiration Date 2/1/20172
    1,500,000       9,733  
Pay Fixed Rate — 4.32% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR, Swap Expiration Date 2/3/2027, Option Expiration Date 2/1/20173
    1,400,000       7,406  
Total Call Options Purchased (Cost $191,320)
      21,944  
   
Put Options Purchased 0.1%
 
Options on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
 
Receive Fixed Rate — 2.19% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR, Swap Expiration Date 2/3/2027, Option Expiration Date 2/1/20172
    1,500,000       22,196  
Receive Fixed Rate — 2.32% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR, Swap Expiration Date 2/3/2027, Option Expiration Date 2/1/20173
    1,400,000       25,095  
Total Put Options Purchased (Cost $98,573)
      47,291  
 

   
Shares
   
Value ($)
 
       
Securities Lending Collateral 1.4%
 
Daily Assets Fund Institutional, 0.16% (h) (i) (Cost $717,278)
    717,278       717,278  
   
Cash Equivalents 15.2%
 
Central Cash Management Fund, 0.09% (h) (Cost $7,670,269)
    7,670,269       7,670,269  
 

   
% of Net Assets
   
Value ($)
 
       
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $57,743,595)
    112.7       57,037,883  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net
    (12.7 )     (6,437,586 )
Net Assets
    100.0       50,600,297  
 
The following table represents bonds that are in default:
Security
 
Coupon
 
Maturity
Date
Principal
Amount
   
Cost ($)
   
Value ($)
 
Afren PLC*
    10.25 %
4/8/2019
USD
    140,000       152,586       61,600  
Energy Future Holdings Corp.*
    6.5 %
11/15/2024
USD
    100,000       60,368       105,000  
Hellas Telecommunications Finance*
    8.011 %
7/15/2015
EUR
    109,187       32,169       0  
                          245,123       166,600  
 
* Non-income producing security.
 
** Floating rate securities' yields vary with a designated market index or market rate, such as the coupon-equivalent of the U.S. Treasury Bill rate. These securities are shown at their current rate as of June 30, 2015.
 
*** These securities are shown at their current rate as of June 30, 2015.
 
****Annualized yield at time of purchase; not a coupon rate.
 
The cost for federal income tax purposes was $57,739,660. At June 30, 2015, net unrealized depreciation for all securities based on tax cost was $701,777. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $1,035,446 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all securities in which there was an excess of tax cost over value of $1,737,223.
 
(a) Principal amount stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.
 
(b) All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, "Other Assets and Liabilities, Net" may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at June 30, 2015 amounted to $693,496, which is 1.4% of net assets.
 
(c) When-issued or delayed delivery security included.
 
(d) Government-backed debt issued by financial companies or government-sponsored enterprises.
 
(e) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, to cover initial margin requirements for open futures contracts.
 
(f) At June 30, 2015, this security has been pledged, in whole or in part, to cover initial margin requirements for open centrally cleared swap contracts.
 
(g) The Fund may purchase securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale ("restricted securities"). Restricted securities are securities which have not been registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. The Fund may be unable to sell a restricted security and it may be more difficult to determine a market value for a restricted security. Moreover, if adverse market conditions were to develop during the period between the Fund's decision to sell a restricted security and the point at which the Fund is permitted or able to sell such security, the Fund might obtain a price less favorable than the price that prevailed when it decided to sell. This investment practice, therefore, could have the effect of increasing the level of illiquidity of the Fund. The future value of these securities is uncertain and there may be changes in the estimated value of these securities.
Schedule of Restricted Securities
Acquisition Date
 
Cost ($)
   
Value ($)
   
Value as % of Net Assets
 
Dawn Holdings, Inc.*
August 2013
    5,273       2,115       .00  
 
(h) Affiliated fund managed by Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.
 
(i) Represents collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.
 
144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.
 
CLO: Collateralized Loan Obligation
 
Interest Only: Interest Only (IO) bonds represent the "interest only" portion of payments on a pool of underlying mortgages or mortgage-backed securities. IO securities are subject to prepayment risk of the pool of underlying mortgages.
 
LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate; 3-Month LIBOR rate at June 30, 2015 is 0.28%.
 
REG S: Securities sold under Regulation S may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
REIT: Real Estate Investment Trust
 
SBSN: Surat Berharga Syariah Negara
 
Included in the portfolio are investments in mortgage- or asset-backed securities which are interests in separate pools of mortgages or assets. Effective maturities of these investments may be shorter than stated maturities due to prepayments.
 
At June 30, 2015, open futures contracts purchased were as follows:
Futures
Currency
Expiration Date
 
Contracts
   
Notional Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) ($)
 
10 Year Australian Bond
AUD
9/15/2015
    12       1,159,746       5,859  
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note
USD
9/21/2015
    3       378,516       (2,912 )
Euro-BUXL 30 Year German Government Bond
EUR
9/8/2015
    6       994,267       (11,425 )
Total net unrealized depreciation
      (8,478 )
 
At June 30, 2015, open futures contracts sold were as follows:
Futures
Currency
Expiration Date
 
Contracts
   
Notional Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) ($)
 
10 Year Canadian Government Bond
CAD
9/21/2015
    10       1,120,897       (11,175 )
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note
USD
9/21/2015
    6       757,031       657  
Euro-Bund German Federal Government Bond
EUR
9/8/2015
    8       1,355,657       (16,066 )
Ultra Long U.S. Treasury Bond
USD
9/21/2015
    28       4,313,750       119,853  
Total net unrealized appreciation
      93,269  
 
At June 30, 2015, open written options contracts were as follows:
Options on Interest Rate Swap Contracts
Swap Effective/
Expiration Date
 
Contract Amount
 
Option Expiration Date
 
Premiums Received ($)
   
Value ($) (j)
 
Call Options
Receive Fixed — 3.19% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
2/3/2017
2/3/2027
    700,000 2
2/1/2017
    50,400       (18,581 )
Receive Fixed — 3.32% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
2/3/2017
2/3/2027
    700,000 3
2/1/2017
    50,631       (15,767 )
Receive Fixed — 4.22% – Pay Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
4/22/2016
4/22/2026
    1,300,000 1
4/20/2016
    46,345       (1,416 )
Total Call Options
    147,376       (35,764 )
Put Options
Pay Fixed — 3.19% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
2/3/2017
2/3/2027
    700,000 2
2/1/2017
    50,400       (36,599 )
Pay Fixed — 3.32% – Receive Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
2/3/2017
2/3/2027
    700,000 3
2/1/2017
    50,631       (41,642 )
Total Put Options
    101,031       (78,241 )
Total
    248,407       (114,005 )
 
(j) Unrealized appreciation on written options on interest rate swap contracts at June 30, 2015 was $134,402.
 
At June 30, 2015, open credit default swap contracts purchased were as follows:
Centrally Cleared Swaps
 
Effective/
Expiration Dates
 
Notional Amount ($)
   
Fixed Cash Flows Paid
 
Underlying Debt Obligation
 
Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation ($)
 
3/20/2015
6/20/2020
    2,970,000       5.0 %
Markit Dow Jones CDX North America High Yield Index
    (190,843 )     1,473  
 
At June 30, 2015, open credit default swap contracts sold were as follows:
Bilateral Swaps
 
Effective/
Expiration Dates
 
Notional Amount ($) (k)
   
Fixed Cash Flows Received
 
Underlying Debt Obligation/
Quality Rating (l)
 
Value ($)
   
Upfront Payments Paid ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation ($)
 
6/20/2013
9/20/2018
    100,000 4     5.0 %
Sprint Communications, Inc.,
6.0%, 12/1/2016, B+
    6,394       3,830       2,564  
1/21/2015
3/20/2020
    45,000 5     5.0 %
General Motors Corp.,
6.25%, 10/2/2043, BBB–
    7,503       6,762       741  
4/15/2015
6/20/2020
    30,000 6     5.0 %
CCO Holdings LLC,
7.25%, 10/30/2017, BB–
    2,940       2,867       73  
Total unrealized appreciation
      3,378  
 
(k) The maximum potential amount of future undiscounted payments that the Fund could be required to make under a credit default swap contract would be the notional amount of the contract. These potential amounts would be partially offset by any recovery values of the referenced debt obligation or net amounts received from the settlement of buy protection credit default swap contracts entered into by the Fund for the same referenced debt obligation, if any.
 
(l) The quality ratings represent the higher of Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("Moody's") or Standard & Poor's Corporation ("S&P") credit ratings and are unaudited.
 
At June 30, 2015, open interest rate swap contracts were as follows:
Centrally Cleared Swaps
 
Effective/
Expiration Dates
 
Notional Amount ($)
 
Cash Flows Paid by the Fund
Cash Flows Received by the Fund
 
Value ($)
   
Unrealized Appreciation/
(Depreciation) ($)
 
12/16/2015
9/18/2017
    3,600,000  
Fixed — 1.557%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (25,832 )     (29,430 )
12/16/2015
9/16/2020
    2,000,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 2.214%
    23,131       24,103  
9/16/2015
9/16/2020
    3,807,000  
Fixed — 2.25%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (68,150 )     (1,223 )
6/17/2015
6/18/2025
    4,000,000  
Fixed — 2.404%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    11,503       11,503  
12/16/2015
9/16/2025
    3,000,000  
Fixed — 2.64%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (17,783 )     (876 )
12/16/2015
9/17/2035
    200,000  
Fixed — 2.938%
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
    (877 )     3,216  
9/16/2015
9/16/2045
    900,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 3.0%
    9,189       (8,313 )
12/16/2015
9/18/2045
    500,000  
Floating — 3-Month LIBOR
Fixed — 2.998%
    1,624       (14,745 )
Total net unrealized depreciation
      (15,765 )
 
Counterparties:
 
1 Nomura International PLC
 
2 JPMorgan Chase Securities, Inc.
 
3 BNP Paribas
 
4 Bank of America
 
5 Credit Suisse
 
6 Barclays Bank PLC
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency exchange contracts:
Contracts to Deliver
 
In Exchange For
 
Settlement Date
 
Unrealized Appreciation ($)
 
Counterparty
KRW
    584,831,000  
JPY
    65,000,000  
7/9/2015
    6,937  
Nomura International PLC
KRW
    584,837,500  
JPY
    65,000,000  
7/9/2015
    6,931  
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
AUD
    497,075  
GBP
    250,000  
7/9/2015
    9,428  
Morgan Stanley
AUD
    497,065  
GBP
    250,000  
7/9/2015
    9,436  
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
USD
    1,195,438  
JPY
    150,000,000  
7/9/2015
    30,300  
Barclays Bank PLC
SEK
    4,144,496  
EUR
    450,000  
7/9/2015
    1,721  
Societe Generale
SEK
    4,143,681  
EUR
    450,000  
7/9/2015
    1,820  
Morgan Stanley
SEK
    4,179,600  
NOK
    4,000,000  
7/9/2015
    5,849  
Crédit Agricole CIB
SEK
    4,192,876  
NOK
    4,000,000  
7/9/2015
    4,248  
Morgan Stanley
JPY
    65,000,000  
KRW
    593,580,000  
7/9/2015
    905  
Nomura International PLC
JPY
    65,000,000  
KRW
    593,547,500  
7/9/2015
    876  
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
EUR
    700,000  
USD
    790,939  
7/9/2015
    10,467  
BNP Paribas
NZD
    500,000  
USD
    349,950  
7/9/2015
    11,335  
Macquarie Bank Ltd.
NZD
    200,000  
USD
    138,783  
7/9/2015
    3,337  
National Australia Bank Ltd.
USD
    1,186,326  
EUR
    1,102,200  
7/13/2015
    42,645  
Societe Generale
EUR
    839,000  
USD
    939,811  
7/13/2015
    4,313  
Societe Generale
EUR
    161,000  
USD
    179,761  
7/13/2015
    243  
UBS AG
SEK
    5,150,000  
USD
    623,198  
7/13/2015
    1,829  
Societe Generale
SGD
    589,000  
USD
    439,836  
7/13/2015
    2,592  
Societe Generale
USD
    1,316,652  
SEK
    11,133,700  
7/13/2015
    26,677  
Societe Generale
USD
    335,966  
EUR
    302,000  
7/13/2015
    769  
UBS AG
NZD
    1,192,000  
USD
    838,495  
7/13/2015
    31,520  
Societe Generale
PLN
    410,000  
USD
    109,503  
8/10/2015
    581  
Citigroup, Inc.
USD
    585,811  
ZAR
    7,200,000  
8/14/2015
    1,314  
BNP Paribas
MXN
    4,050,000  
USD
    261,827  
8/14/2015
    4,989  
BNP Paribas
MXN
    2,042,900  
USD
    130,856  
8/14/2015
    1,301  
JPMorgan Chase Securities, Inc.
COP
    945,000,000  
USD
    370,376  
8/18/2015
    9,578  
BNP Paribas
Total unrealized appreciation
        231,941  
 

Contracts to Deliver
 
In Exchange For
 
Settlement Date
 
Unrealized Depreciation ($)
 
Counterparty
CAD
    650,000  
USD
    519,925  
7/9/2015
    (441 )
Morgan Stanley
CAD
    650,000  
USD
    520,000  
7/9/2015
    (366 )
Macquarie Bank Ltd.
GBP
    500,000  
USD
    780,635  
7/9/2015
    (4,950 )
Morgan Stanley
JPY
    150,000,000  
USD
    1,221,275  
7/9/2015
    (4,463 )
Nomura International PLC
USD
    350,959  
CAD
    426,243  
7/13/2015
    (9,742 )
Societe Generale
NOK
    5,952,000  
USD
    734,558  
7/13/2015
    (24,392 )
BNP Paribas
SGD
    396,000  
USD
    291,463  
7/13/2015
    (2,508 )
UBS AG
EUR
    2,591,700  
USD
    2,783,450  
7/13/2015
    (106,336 )
Citigroup, Inc.
CAD
    426,243  
USD
    338,834  
7/13/2015
    (2,383 )
Citigroup, Inc.
SEK
    11,136,000  
USD
    1,277,009  
7/13/2015
    (66,597 )
Barclays Bank PLC
USD
    786,485  
NOK
    5,952,000  
7/13/2015
    (27,534 )
Barclays Bank PLC
USD
    359,328  
EUR
    322,000  
7/13/2015
    (293 )
Citigroup, Inc.
USD
    633,438  
SEK
    5,152,300  
7/13/2015
    (11,791 )
Barclays Bank PLC
USD
    210,101  
SGD
    283,000  
7/13/2015
    (16 )
Barclays Bank PLC
TRY
    280,000  
USD
    100,736  
7/20/2015
    (3,085 )
BNP Paribas
ZAR
    10,420,000  
USD
    830,525  
8/14/2015
    (19,175 )
BNP Paribas
USD
    193,496  
TRY
    525,000  
8/14/2015
    (197 )
Nomura International PLC
USD
    258,865  
MXN
    4,050,000  
8/14/2015
    (2,026 )
BNP Paribas
TRY
    525,000  
USD
    186,839  
8/14/2015
    (6,459 )
Nomura International PLC
ILS
    950,000  
USD
    247,919  
8/14/2015
    (3,844 )
Nomura International PLC
Total unrealized depreciation
        (296,598 )
 

Currency Abbreviations
ARS Argentine Peso
AUD Australian Dollar
BRL Brazilian Real
CAD Canadian Dollar
COP Colombian Peso
EUR Euro
GBP British Pound
HUF Hungarian Forint
IDR Indonesian Rupiah
ILS Israeli Shekel
JPY Japanese Yen
KRW South Korean Won
MXN Mexican Peso
NOK Norwegian Krone
NZD New Zealand Dollar
PLN Polish Zloty
SEK Swedish Krona
SGD Singapore Dollar
TRY Turkish Lira
USD United States Dollar
ZAR South African Rand
 
For information on the Fund's policy and additional disclosures regarding options purchased, futures contracts, credit default swap contracts, interest rate swap contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts and written option contracts, please refer to Note B in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
 
Fair Value Measurements
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of June 30, 2015 in valuing the Fund's investments. For information on the Fund's policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.
Assets
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Fixed Income Investments (m)
 
Corporate Bonds
  $     $ 24,990,046     $ 0     $ 24,990,046  
Mortgage-Backed Securities Pass-Throughs
          5,196,758             5,196,758  
Asset-Backed
          671,248             671,248  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
          521,742             521,742  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
          5,160,885             5,160,885  
Government & Agency Obligations
          8,915,863             8,915,863  
Loan Participations and Assignments
          1,833,149             1,833,149  
Municipal Bonds and Notes
          927,327             927,327  
Convertible Bond
                219,620       219,620  
Preferred Security
          86,450             86,450  
Common Stocks (m)
    444             11,373       11,817  
Preferred Stock
          45,696             45,696  
Warrant
                500       500  
Short-Term Investments (m)
    8,387,547                   8,387,547  
Derivatives (n)
Purchased Options
          69,235             69,235  
Futures Contracts
    126,369                   126,369  
Credit Default Swap Contracts
          4,851             4,851  
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
          38,822             38,822  
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
          231,941             231,941  
Total
  $ 8,514,360     $ 48,694,013     $ 231,493     $ 57,439,866  
Liabilities
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
   
Derivatives (n)
Futures Contracts
  $ (41,578 )   $     $     $ (41,578 )
Written Options
          (114,005 )           (114,005 )
Interest Rate Swap Contracts
          (54,587 )           (54,587 )
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
          (296,598 )           (296,598 )
Total
  $ (41,578 )   $ (465,190 )   $     $ (506,768 )
 
There have been no transfers between fair value measurement levels during the period ended June 30, 2015.
 
(m) See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.
 
(n) Derivatives include value of options purchased, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, credit default swap contracts, interest rate swap contracts and forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and written options, at value.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
as of June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Assets
 
Investments:
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $49,356,048) — including $693,496 of securities loaned
  $ 48,650,336  
Investment in Daily Assets Fund Institutional (cost $717,278)*
    717,278  
Investment in Central Cash Management Fund (cost $7,670,269)
    7,670,269  
Total investments in securities, at value (cost $57,743,595)
    57,037,883  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $433,857)
    434,799  
Receivable for investments sold
    493,336  
Receivable for investments sold — when-issued/delayed delivery securities
    1,031,265  
Receivable for Fund shares sold
    9,215  
Receivable for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps
    13,773  
Interest receivable
    526,035  
Unrealized appreciation on bilateral swap contracts
    3,378  
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
    231,941  
Upfront payments paid on bilateral swap contracts
    13,459  
Foreign taxes recoverable
    4,132  
Other assets
    538  
Total assets
  $ 59,799,754  
Liabilities
 
Cash overdraft
    14,000  
Payable upon return of securities loaned
    717,278  
Payable for investments purchased
    1,626,592  
Payable for investments purchased — when-issued/delayed delivery securities
    6,286,306  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed
    38,866  
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts
    3,483  
Options written, at value (premiums received $248,407)
    114,005  
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
    296,598  
Accrued management fee
    5,774  
Accrued Trustees' fees
    233  
Other accrued expenses and payables
    96,322  
Total liabilities
    9,199,457  
Net assets, at value
  $ 50,600,297  
Net Assets Consist of
 
Undistributed net investment income
    1,001,827  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    (705,712 )
Swap contracts
    (10,914 )
Futures
    84,791  
Foreign currency
    (64,424 )
Written options
    134,402  
Accumulated net realized gain (loss)
    (1,365,433 )
Paid-in capital
    51,525,760  
Net assets, at value
  $ 50,600,297  
Class A
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share ($50,600,297 ÷ 4,652,647 outstanding shares of beneficial interest, no par value, unlimited number of shares authorized)
  $ 10.88  
 
* Represents collateral on securities loaned.
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Operations
for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
 
Investment Income
 
Income:
Interest (net of foreign taxes withheld of $615)
  $ 1,114,039  
Dividends
    7,040  
Income distributions — Central Cash Management Fund
    2,968  
Securities lending income, including income from Daily Assets Fund Institutional, net of borrower rebates
    1,329  
Total income
    1,125,376  
Expenses:
Management fee
    142,074  
Administration fee
    25,832  
Services to shareholders
    405  
Custodian fee
    34,093  
Professional fees
    41,715  
Reports to shareholders
    12,218  
Trustees' fees and expenses
    2,172  
Pricing fee
    23,079  
Other
    1,821  
Total expenses before expense reductions
    283,409  
Expense reductions
    (102,450 )
Total expenses after expense reductions
    180,959  
Net investment income
    944,417  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) from:
Investments
    (569,008 )
Swap contracts
    54,154  
Futures
    (230,208 )
Foreign currency
    499,009  
      (246,053 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
Investments
    (163,772 )
Swap contracts
    (39,284 )
Futures
    100,327  
Written options
    17,693  
Foreign currency
    (46,411 )
      (131,447 )
Net gain (loss)
    (377,500 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
  $ 566,917  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)
   
Year Ended December 31, 2014
 
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 944,417     $ 2,471,475  
Operations:
Net investment income
  $ 944,417     $ 2,471,475  
Net realized gain (loss)
    (246,053 )     (166,856 )
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    (131,447 )     (970,135 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    566,917       1,334,484  
Distributions to shareholders from:
Net investment income:
Class A
    (2,026,151 )     (2,905,554 )
Total distributions
    (2,026,151 )     (2,905,554 )
Fund share transactions:
Class A
Proceeds from shares sold
    1,217,200       3,829,411  
Reinvestment of distributions
    2,026,151       2,905,554  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (4,769,449 )     (12,535,275 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Class A share transactions
    (1,526,098 )     (5,800,310 )
Increase (decrease) in net assets
    (2,985,332 )     (7,371,380 )
Net assets at beginning of period
    53,585,629       60,957,009  
Net assets at end of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,001,827 and $2,083,561, respectively)
  $ 50,600,297     $ 53,585,629  
Other Information
 
Class A
Shares outstanding at beginning of period
    4,786,192       5,284,551  
Shares sold
    109,414       334,959  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions
    184,028       258,501  
Shares redeemed
    (426,987 )     (1,091,819 )
Net increase (decrease) in Class A shares
    (133,545 )     (498,359 )
Shares outstanding at end of period
    4,652,647       4,786,192  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
 
Financial Highlights
         
Years Ended December 31,
 
Class A
 
Six Months Ended 6/30/15 (Unaudited)
   
2014
   
2013
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
 
Selected Per Share Data
 
Net asset value, beginning of period
  $ 11.20     $ 11.53     $ 12.60     $ 11.90     $ 11.96     $ 11.61  
Income (loss) from investment operations:
Net investment incomea
    .20       .49       .49       .57       .63       .66  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    (.07 )     (.23 )     (.59 )     .92       (.01 )     .47  
Total from investment operations
    .13       .26       (.10 )     1.49       .62       1.13  
Less distributions from:
Net investment income
    (.45 )     (.59 )     (.62 )     (.76 )     (.68 )     (.78 )
Net realized gains
                (.35 )     (.03 )            
Total distributions
    (.45 )     (.59 )     (.97 )     (.79 )     (.68 )     (.78 )
Net asset value, end of period
  $ 10.88     $ 11.20     $ 11.53     $ 12.60     $ 11.90     $ 11.96  
Total Return (%)b
    1.07 **     2.23       (1.04 )     13.08       5.31       10.05  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)
    51       54       61       73       69       76  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)
    1.10 *     1.08       1.02       .99       .99       .95  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)
    .70 *     .77       .74       .77       .79       .86  
Ratio of net investment income (%)
    3.66 *     4.23       4.16       4.72       5.38       5.62  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)
    108 **     185       183       164       144       167  
a Based on average shares outstanding during the period.
b Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.
* Annualized
** Not annualized
 
 
Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)
 
A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Deutsche Unconstrained Income VIP (the "Fund") is a diversified series of Deutsche Variable Series II (the "Trust"), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust.
 
The Fund's financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.
 
Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.
 
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.
 
Debt securities and loan participations and assignments are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Fund's Board. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, prepayment speeds and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, debt securities are valued at the average of the most recent reliable bid quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers and loan participations and assignments are valued at the mean of the most recent bid and ask quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from one or more broker-dealers. Certain securities may be valued on the basis of a price provided by a single source or broker-dealer. No active trading market may exist for some senior loans and they may be subject to restrictions on resale. The inability to dispose of senior loans in a timely fashion could result in losses. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Equity securities and exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Equity securities or ETFs for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities and ETFs are generally categorized as Level 1.
 
Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices established each day on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.
 
Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and are categorized as Level 2.
 
Swap contracts are valued daily based upon prices supplied by a Board approved pricing vendor, if available, and otherwise are valued at the price provided by the broker-dealer. Swap contracts are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Exchange-traded options are valued at the last sale price or, in the absence of a sale, the mean between the closing bid and asked prices or at the most recent asked price (bid for purchased options) if no bid or asked price are available. Exchange-traded options are categorized as Level 1. Over-the-counter written or purchased options are valued at prices supplied by a Board approved pricing vendor, if available, and otherwise are valued at the price provided by the broker-dealer with which the option was traded. Over-the-counter written or purchased options are generally categorized as Level 2.
 
Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund's valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.
 
Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio.
 
Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.
 
Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. That portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.
 
Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of the Security Lending Agreement. The Fund retains benefits of owning the securities it has loaned and continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the security lending agreement. The Fund may invest the cash collateral into a joint trading account in an affiliated money market fund pursuant to Exemptive Orders issued by the SEC. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund had securities on loan. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end.
 
Loan Participations and Assignments. Loan Participations and Assignments are portions of loans originated by banks and sold in pieces to investors. These floating-rate loans ("Loans") in which the Fund invests are arranged between the borrower and one or more financial institutions ("Lenders"). These Loans may take the form of Senior Loans, which are corporate obligations often issued in connection with recapitalizations, acquisitions, leveraged buy outs and refinancing. The Fund invests in such Loans in the form of participations in Loans ("Participations") or assignments of all or a portion of Loans from third parties ("Assignments"). Participations typically result in the Fund having a contractual relationship with only the Lender, not with the borrower. The Fund has the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled from the Lender selling the Participation and only upon receipt by the Lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing Participations, the Fund generally has no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the Loan, or any rights of set off against the borrower, and the Fund will not benefit directly from any collateral supporting the Loan in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, the Fund assumes the credit risk of both the borrower and the Lender that is selling the Participation. Assignments typically result in the Fund having a direct contractual relationship with the borrower, and the Fund may enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement. Loans held by the Fund are generally in the form of Assignments, but the Fund may also invest in Participations. All Loans involve interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk, including the potential default or insolvency of the borrower.
 
When-Issued/Delayed Delivery Securities. The Fund may purchase or sell securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase or sell a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the transaction is reflected in the net asset value. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. At the time the Fund enters into this type of transaction, it is required to segregate cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the commitment. Additionally, the Fund may be required to post securities and/or cash collateral in accordance with the terms of the commitment.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.
 
Taxes. The Fund's policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.
 
Additionally, the Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by the governments of countries in which it invests and are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Estimated tax liabilities on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized gain/loss on investments. Tax liabilities realized as a result of security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain/loss on investments.
 
At December 31, 2014, the Fund had net tax basis capital loss carryforwards of approximately $1,129,000, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely, including short-term losses ($829,000) and long-term losses ($300,000).
 
The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for the open tax years as of December 31, 2014 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax provisions is required in the Fund's financial statements. The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
 
Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.
 
The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to investments in foreign denominated investments, forward currency contracts, futures contracts, swap contracts and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.
 
The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.
 
Expenses. Expenses of the Trust arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Trust expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Trust based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.
 
Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.
 
Other. Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments. All discounts and premiums are accreted/amortized for both tax and financial reporting purposes for the Fund, with the exception of securities in default of principal.
 
B. Derivative Instruments
 
Swaps. A swap is a contract between two parties to exchange future cash flows at periodic intervals based on the notional amount of the swap. A bilateral swap is a transaction between the fund and a counterparty where cash flows are exchanged between the two parties. A centrally cleared swap is a transaction executed between the fund and a counterparty, then cleared by a clearing member through a central clearinghouse. The central clearinghouse serves as the counterparty, with whom the fund exchanges cash flows.
 
The value of a swap is adjusted daily, and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Gains or losses are realized when the swap expires or is closed. Certain risks may arise when entering into swap transactions including counterparty default; liquidity; or unfavorable changes in interest rates or the value of the underlying reference security, commodity or index. In connection with bilateral swaps, securities and/or cash may be identified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default. The maximum counterparty credit risk is the net present value of the cash flows to be received from or paid to the counterparty over the term of the swap, to the extent that this amount is beneficial to the Fund, in addition to any related collateral posted to the counterparty by the Fund. This risk may be partially reduced by a master netting arrangement between the Fund and the counterparty. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities ("initial margin") in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount of the swap. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value of the swap. In a cleared swap transaction, counterparty risk is minimized as the central clearinghouse acts as the counterparty.
 
An upfront payment, if any, made by the Fund is recorded as an asset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. An upfront payment, if any, received by the Fund is recorded as a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or made at the end of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations.
 
Interest Rate Swaps. Interest rate swaps are agreements in which the Fund agrees to pay to the counterparty a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to pay to the Fund a variable rate payment, or the Fund agrees to receive from the counterparty a fixed rate payment in exchange for the counterparty agreeing to receive from the Fund a variable rate payment. The payment obligations are based on the notional amount of the swap. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into interest rate swap agreements to gain exposure to different parts of the yield curve while managing overall duration.
 
A summary of the open interest rate swap contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in interest rate swap contracts had a total notional amount generally indicative of a range from $13,300,000 to $18,007,000.
 
Credit Default Swaps. Credit default swaps are agreements between a buyer and a seller of protection against predefined credit events for the reference entity. The Fund may enter into credit default swaps to gain exposure to an underlying issuer's credit quality characteristics without directly investing in that issuer or to hedge against the risk of a credit event on debt securities. As a seller of a credit default swap, the Fund is required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of the referenced entity to the counterparty with the occurrence of a credit event by a third party, such as a U.S. or foreign corporate issuer, on the reference entity, which would likely result in a loss to the Fund. In return, the Fund receives from the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the swap provided that no credit event has occurred. If no credit event occurs, the Fund keeps the stream of payments with no payment obligations. The Fund may also buy credit default swaps, in which case the Fund functions as the counterparty referenced above. This involves the risk that the swap may expire worthless. It also involves counterparty risk that the seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund with the occurrence of a credit event. When the Fund sells a credit default swap, it will cover its commitment. This may be achieved by, among other methods, maintaining cash or liquid assets equal to the aggregate notional value of the reference entities for all outstanding credit default swaps sold by the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into credit default swap agreements to gain exposure to the underlying issuer's credit quality characteristics and to hedge the risk of default on fund securities.
 
Under the terms of a credit default swap, the Fund receives or makes periodic payments based on a specified interest rate on a fixed notional amount. These payments are recorded as a realized gain or loss in the Statement of Operations. Payments received or made as a result of a credit event or termination of the swap are recognized, net of a proportional amount of the upfront payment, as realized gains or losses in the Statement of Operations.
 
A summary of the open credit default swap contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in credit default swap contracts purchased had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from $0 to $2,970,000, and the investment in credit default swap contracts sold had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from $145,000 to $445,000.
 
Options. An option contract is a contract in which the writer (seller) of the option grants the buyer of the option, upon payment of a premium, the right to purchase from (call option), or sell to (put option), the writer a designated instrument at a specified price within a specified period of time. The Fund may write or purchase interest rate swaption agreements which are options to enter into a pre-defined swap agreement. The interest rate swaption agreement will specify whether the buyer of the swaption will be a fixed-rate receiver or a fixed-rate payer upon exercise. Certain options, including options on indices, will require cash settlement by the Fund if the option is exercised. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into options on interest rate swaps in order to hedge against potential adverse interest rate movements of portfolio assets.
 
If the Fund writes a covered call option, the Fund foregoes, in exchange for the premium, the opportunity to profit during the option period from an increase in the market value of the underlying security above the exercise price. If the Fund writes a put option it accepts the risk of a decline in the value of the underlying security below the exercise price. Over-the-counter options have the risk of the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The Fund's maximum exposure to purchased options is limited to the premium initially paid. In addition, certain risks may arise upon entering into option contracts including the risk that an illiquid secondary market will limit the Fund's ability to close out an option contract prior to the expiration date and that a change in the value of the option contract may not correlate exactly with changes in the value of the securities.
 
A summary of the open purchased option contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in the Fund's Investment Portfolio. A summary of open written option contracts is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in written option contracts had a total value generally indicative of a range from approximately $114,000 to $152,000, and purchased option contracts had a total value generally indicative of a range from approximately $69,000 to $121,000.
 
Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between a buyer or seller and an established futures exchange or its clearinghouse in which the buyer or seller agrees to take or make a delivery of a specific amount of a financial instrument at a specified price on a specific date (settlement date). For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into interest rate futures to gain exposure to different parts of the yield curve while managing overall duration and for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
 
Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities ("initial margin") in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the face value indicated in the futures contract. Subsequent payments ("variation margin") are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value and are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Gains or losses are realized when the contract expires or is closed. Since all futures contracts are exchange-traded, counterparty risk is minimized as the exchange's clearinghouse acts as the counterparty, and guarantees the futures against default.
 
Certain risks may arise upon entering into futures contracts, including the risk that an illiquid market will limit the Fund's ability to close out a futures contract prior to the settlement date and the risk that the futures contract is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates. Risk of loss may exceed amounts disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
 
A summary of the open futures contracts as of June 30, 2015 is included in a table following the Fund's Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in futures contracts purchased had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from approximately $2,533,000 to $4,992,000, and the investment in futures contracts sold had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from approximately $3,123,000 to $18,678,000.
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts. A forward foreign currency exchange contract ("forward currency contract") is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at the settlement date at a negotiated rate. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in order to hedge against anticipated currency market changes and for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.
 
Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and unrealized gain (loss) is recorded daily. On the settlement date of the forward currency contract, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it was closed. Certain risks may arise upon entering into forward currency contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The maximum counterparty credit risk to the Fund is measured by the unrealized gain on appreciated contracts. Additionally, when utilizing forward currency contracts to hedge, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit from favorable exchange rate movements during the term of the contract.
 
A summary of the open forward currency contracts as of June 30, 2015, is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the investment in forward currency contracts short vs. U.S. dollars had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from approximately $8,466,000 to $19,951,000, and the investment in forward currency contracts long vs. U.S. dollars had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from approximately $7,413,000 to $14,683,000. The investment in forward currency contracts long vs. other foreign currencies sold had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from $4,905,000 to approximately to $9,640,000.
 
The following tables summarize the value of the Fund's derivative instruments held as of June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:
Asset Derivatives
 
Purchased Options
   
Forward Contracts
   
Swap Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a) (b)
  $ 69,235     $     $ 38,822     $ 126,369     $ 234,426  
Credit Contracts (a) (b)
                4,851             4,851  
Foreign Exchange Contracts (c)
          231,941                   231,941  
    $ 69,235     $ 231,941     $ 43,673     $ 126,369     $ 471,218  
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities accounts:
(a) Includes cumulative appreciation of futures and centrally cleared swap contracts as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(b) Investments in securities, at value (includes purchased options) and unrealized appreciation on bilateral swap contracts, respectively
(c) Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
 
 

Liability Derivatives
 
Written Options
   
Forward Contracts
   
Swap Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a) (b)
  $ (114,005 )   $     $ (54,587 )   $ (41,578 )   $ (210,170 )
Foreign Exchange Contracts (c)
          (296,598 )                 (296,598 )
    $ (114,005 )   $ (296,598 )   $ (54,587 )   $ (41,578 )   $ (506,768 )
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities accounts:
(a) Includes cumulative depreciation of futures and centrally cleared swap contracts as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
(b) Options written, at value
(c) Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
 
 
Additionally, the amount of unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in Fund earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following tables by primary underlying risk exposure:
Realized Gain (Loss)
 
Forward Contracts
   
Swap Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
  $     $ 1,953     $ (230,208 )   $ (228,255 )
Credit Contracts (a)
          52,201             52,201  
Foreign Exchange Contracts (b)
    466,131                   466,131  
    $ 466,131     $ 54,154     $ (230,208 )   $ 290,077  
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:
(a) Net realized gain (loss) from swap contracts and futures, respectively
(b) Net realized gain (loss) from foreign currency (Statement of Operations includes both forward currency contracts and foreign currency transactions)
 
 

Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
 
Purchased Options
   
Written Options
   
Forward Contracts
   
Swap Contracts
   
Futures Contracts
   
Total
 
Interest Rate Contracts (a)
  $ (24,710 )   $ 17,693     $     $ (22,256 )   $ 100,327     $ 71,054  
Credit Contracts (a)
                      (17,028 )           (17,028 )
Foreign Exchange Contracts (b)
                (49,851 )                 (49,851 )
    $ (24,710 )   $ 17,693     $ (49,851 )   $ (39,284 )   $ 100,327     $ 4,175  
Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:
(a) Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (includes purchased options), written options, swap contracts and futures, respectively
(b) Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency (Statement of Operations includes both forward currency contracts and foreign currency transactions)
 
 
As of June 30, 2015, the Fund has transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements. A reconciliation of the gross amounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to the net amounts by counterparty, including any collateral exposure, is included in the following tables:
Counterparty
 
Gross Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments and Derivatives Available for Offset
   
Collateral Received
   
Net Amount of Derivative Assets
 
Australia & New Zealand Banking Group Ltd.
  $ 7,807     $     $     $ 7,807  
Bank of America
    2,564                   2,564  
Barclays Bank PLC
    30,373       (30,373 )            
BNP Paribas
    58,849       (58,849 )            
Crédit Agricole CIB
    5,849                   5,849  
Citigroup, Inc.
    581       (581 )            
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
    9,436                   9,436  
Credit Suisse
    741                   741  
JPMorgan Chase Securities, Inc.
    33,230       (33,230 )            
Macquarie Bank Ltd.
    11,335       (366 )           10,969  
Morgan Stanley
    15,496       (5,391 )           10,105  
National Australia Bank Ltd.
    3,337                   3,337  
Nomura International PLC
    12,647       (12,647 )            
Societe Generale
    111,297       (9,742 )           101,555  
UBS AG
    1,012       (1,012 )            
    $ 304,554     $ (152,191 )   $     $ 152,363  
Counterparty
 
Gross Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments and Derivatives Available for Offset
   
Collateral Pledged
   
Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities
 
Barclays Bank PLC
  $ 105,938     $ (30,373 )   $     $ 75,565  
BNP Paribas
    106,087       (58,849 )           47,238  
Citigroup, Inc.
    109,012       (581 )           108,431  
JPMorgan Chase Securities, Inc.
    55,180       (33,230 )           21,950  
Macquarie Bank Ltd.
    366       (366 )            
Morgan Stanley
    5,391       (5,391 )            
Nomura International PLC
    16,379       (12,647 )           3,732  
Societe Generale
    9,742       (9,742 )            
UBS AG
    2,508       (1,012 )           1,496  
    $ 410,603     $ (152,191 )   $     $ 258,412  
 
C. Purchases and Sales of Securities
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2015, purchases and sales of investment transactions (excluding short-term investments and U.S. Treasury obligations) aggregated $50,977,268 and $47,068,467, respectively. Purchases and sales of U.S. Treasury obligations aggregated $3,370,281 and $2,710,919, respectively.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, transactions for written options on interest rate swap contracts were as follows:
   
Contract Amount
   
Premiums
 
Outstanding, beginning of period
    4,100,000     $ 248,407  
Outstanding, end of period
    4,100,000     $ 248,407  
 
D. Related Parties
 
Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA" or the "Advisor"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Deutsche Bank AG, the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund.
 
Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:
First $250 million
    .550 %
Next $750 million
    .520 %
Next $1.5 billion
    .500 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .480 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .450 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .430 %
Next $2.5 billion
    .410 %
Over $12.5 billion
    .390 %
 
Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2015, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.55% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
 
For the period from January 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest expense) at 0.70%.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2015, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed amounted to $102,450.
 
Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. For all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays DIMA an annual fee ("Administration Fee") of 0.10% of the Fund's average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Administration Fee was $25,832, of which $4,175 is unpaid.
 
Service Provider Fees. DeAWM Service Company ("DSC"), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. ("DST"), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee it receives from the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC aggregated $73, of which $36 is unpaid.
 
Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with DIMA, DIMA is compensated for providing typesetting and certain regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under "Reports to shareholders" aggregated $7,752, of which $7,225 is unpaid.
 
Trustees' Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Trustee not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and Vice Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.
 
Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in Central Cash Management Fund and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund seeks to provide a high level of current income consistent with liquidity and the preservation of capital. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. Central Cash Management Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund in which it invests. Central Cash Management Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund's assets invested in Deutsche Variable NAV Money Fund.
 
Security Lending Fees. Deutsche Bank AG serves as securities lending agent for the Fund. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund incurred securities lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG in the amount of $116.
 
E. Investing in High-Yield Securities
 
The Fund's performance could be hurt if a security declines in credit quality or goes into default, or if an issuer does not make timely payments of interest or principal. Because the issuers of high-yield debt securities or junk bonds (debt securities rated below the fourth-highest category) may be in uncertain financial health, the risk of loss from default by the issuer is significantly greater. Prices and yields of high-yield securities will fluctuate over time and, during periods of economic uncertainty, volatility of high-yield securities may adversely affect a fund's net asset value. Because the Fund may invest in securities not paying current interest or in securities already in default, these risks may be more pronounced.
 
F. Investing in Emerging Markets
 
Investing in emerging markets may involve special risks and considerations not typically associated with investing in developed markets. These risks include revaluation of currencies, high rates of inflation or deflation, repatriation restrictions on income and capital, and future adverse political, social and economic developments. Moreover, securities issued in these markets may be less liquid, subject to government ownership controls or delayed settlements, and may have prices that are more volatile or less easily assessed than those of comparable securities of issuers in developed markets.
 
G. Ownership of the Fund
 
At June 30, 2015, two participating insurance companies were owners of record of 10% or more of the total outstanding Class A shares of the Fund, each owning 68% and 29%.
 
H. Line of Credit
 
The Fund and other affiliated funds (the "Participants") share in a $400 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at June 30, 2015.
 
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
 
As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include contract charges, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015).
 
The tables illustrate your Fund's expenses in two ways:
 
Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund's actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line under the share class you hold.
 
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund's ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund's actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical Fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
 
Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The "Expenses Paid per $1,000" line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. If these transaction costs had been included, your costs would have been higher.
 
Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment for the six months ended June 30, 2015
 
Actual Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,010.70  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.49  
Hypothetical 5% Fund Return
 
Class A
 
Beginning Account Value 1/1/15
  $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 6/30/15
  $ 1,021.32  
Expenses Paid per $1,000*
  $ 3.51  
 
* Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 365.
 
Annualized Expense Ratio
Class A
 
Deutsche Variable Series II — Deutsche Unconstrained Income VIP
.70%
 
 
For more information, please refer to the Fund's prospectus.
 
These tables do not reflect charges and fees ("contract charges") associated with the separate account that invests in the Fund or any variable life insurance policy or variable annuity contract for which the Fund is an investment option.
 
For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the fund or similar funds, please refer to the current and hypothetical expense calculators for Variable Insurance Products which can be found at deutschefunds.com/EN/resources/calculators.jsp.
 
Proxy Voting
 
The Trust's policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Trust voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — deutschefunds.com (click on "proxy voting" at the bottom of the page) — or on the SEC's Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Trust's policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
 
Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
 
The Board of Trustees approved the renewal of Deutsche Unconstrained Income VIP’s investment management agreement (the "Agreement") with Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. ("DIMA") in September 2014.
 
In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreement, shareholders should know that:
 
In September 2014, all of the Fund’s Trustees were independent of DIMA and its affiliates.
 
The Trustees met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee, in coordination with the Board’s Fixed Income and Asset Allocation Oversight Committee, reviewed comprehensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability compiled by a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Trustees (the "Fee Consultant"). The Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.
 
The Independent Trustees regularly meet privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Trustees were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.
 
In connection with reviewing the Agreement, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.
 
Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.
 
In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund, and that the Agreement was approved by the Fund’s shareholders. DIMA is part of Deutsche Bank AG ("DB"), a major global banking institution that is engaged in a wide range of financial services. The Board believes that there are advantages to being part of a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts with research capabilities in many countries throughout the world.
 
As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each Deutsche fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.
 
In 2012, DB combined its Asset Management (of which DIMA was a part) and Wealth Management divisions into a new Asset and Wealth Management ("AWM") division. DB has advised the Independent Trustees that the U.S. asset management business is a critical and integral part of DB, and that DB will continue to invest in AWM a significant portion of the savings it has realized by combining its Asset and Wealth Management divisions, including ongoing enhancements to AWM’s investment capabilities. DB also has confirmed its commitment to maintaining strong legal and compliance groups within the AWM division.
 
While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s personnel and such other issues as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.
 
Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreement, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreement. The Board noted that, under the Agreement, DIMA provides portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel, the resources made available to such personnel, the ability of DIMA to attract and retain high-quality personnel, and the organizational depth and stability of DIMA. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled by the Fee Consultant using information supplied by Morningstar Direct ("Morningstar"), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying "Focus Funds" (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives more frequent reporting and information from DIMA regarding such funds, along with DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 4th quartile, 2nd quartile and 4th quartile, respectively, of the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2013. The Board noted the disappointing investment performance of the Fund in recent periods and continued to discuss with senior management of DIMA the factors contributing to such underperformance and actions being taken to improve performance. The Board recognized the efforts by DIMA in recent years to enhance its investment platform and improve long-term performance across the Deutsche fund complex.
 
Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were equal to the median of the applicable Lipper peer group (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013). The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses were expected to be higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Lipper expense universe (based on Lipper data provided as of December 31, 2013, and analyzing Lipper expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) ("Lipper Universe Expenses"). The Board also considered how the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses compared to the total (net) operating expenses of a more customized peer group selected by Lipper (based on such factors as asset size). The Board noted that the expense limitation agreed to by DIMA helped to ensure that the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses would remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable funds and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts and funds offered primarily to European investors ("Deutsche Europe funds") managed by DIMA and its affiliates. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that it does not manage any institutional accounts or Deutsche Europe funds comparable to the Fund.
 
On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA.
 
Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA from advising the Deutsche U.S. mutual funds ("Deutsche Funds"), as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s management fee schedule includes fee breakpoints. The Board concluded that the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.
 
Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities, along with the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to Deutsche Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA products and services. The Board concluded that management fees were reasonable in light of these fallout benefits.
 
Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to documenting and enhancing its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience and seniority of DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officer; (ii) the large number of DIMA compliance personnel; and (iii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters.
 
Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board unanimously determined that the continuation of the Agreement is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Trustees and counsel present. It is possible that individual Trustees may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreement.
 
Notes
 
 
DeAWM Distributors, Inc.
 
222 South Riverside Plaza
 
Chicago, IL 60606
 
(800) 621-1148



 
VS2UI-3 (R-028389-4 8/15)
   
ITEM 2.
CODE OF ETHICS
   
 
Not applicable.
   
ITEM 3.
AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 4.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 5.
AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 6.
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 7.
DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 8.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 9.
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
   
 
Not applicable
   
ITEM 10.
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
   
 
There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board. The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Kenneth C. Froewiss, Independent Chairman, Deutsche Mutual Funds, P.O. Box 390601, Cambridge, MA 02139.
   
ITEM 11.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
   
 
(a)
The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
   
 
(b)
There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.
   
ITEM 12.
EXHIBITS
   
 
(a)(1)
Not applicable
   
 
(a)(2)
Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
   
 
(b)
Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.



SIGNATURES

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

Registrant:
Deutsche Variable Series II
   
   
By:
/s/Brian E. Binder
Brian E. Binder
President
   
Date:
August 21, 2015

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/Brian E. Binder
Brian E. Binder
President
   
Date:
August 21, 2015
   
   
   
By:
/s/Paul Schubert
Paul Schubert
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
   
Date:
August 21, 2015