497K 1 d650919d497k.htm GOLDMAN SACHS TRUST Goldman Sachs Trust

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Class A:    GSCAX    Class C:    GSCCX    Institutional:    GCCIX    Class IR:    GCCTX    Class R:    GCCRX

Before you invest, you may want to review the Goldman Sachs Commodity Strategy Fund’s (the “Fund”) Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s Prospectus and other information about the Fund, including the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) and most recent annual reports to shareholders, online at www.gsamfunds.com/summaries. You can also get this information at no cost by calling 800-621-2550 for Institutional shareholders, 800-526-7384 for all other shareholders or by sending an e-mail request to gs-funds-document-requests@gs.com. The Fund’s Prospectus and SAI, both dated April 30, 2014, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus.

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE    

The Fund seeks long-term total return.

 

FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND    

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts on purchases of Class A Shares if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in Goldman Sachs Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in “Shareholder Guide—Common Questions Applicable to the Purchase of Class A Shares” beginning on page 66 of the Prospectus and “Other Information Regarding Maximum Sales Charge, Purchases, Redemptions, Exchanges and Dividends” beginning on page B-145 of the Fund’s SAI.

SHAREHOLDER FEES (fees paid directly from your investment)

 

       Class A         Class C         Institutional       Class IR       Class R  

Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price)

    4.50     None      None   None   None

Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of original purchase price or sale proceeds)1

    None        1.00   None   None   None

ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

     Class A     Class C     Institutional     Class IR     Class R  

Management Fees

    0.50     0.50     0.50     0.50     0.50

Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees

    0.25     1.00     None        None        0.50

Other Expenses

    0.20     0.20     0.11     0.20     0.20

Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses2

    0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15     0.15

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses3

    1.10     1.85     0.76     0.85     1.35

Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation4

    (0.13 )%      (0.13 )%      (0.13 )%      (0.13 )%      (0.13 )% 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Limitation3

    0.97     1.72     0.63     0.72     1.22

 

1

A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1% is imposed on Class C Shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

 

2

“Acquired Fund Fees” and Expenses reflect the expenses (including the management fee) borne by the Fund as the sole shareholder of the Subsidiary (as defined below) and other investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

3

The “Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses” do not correlate to the ratios of net and total expenses to average net assets provided in the Financial Highlights, which reflect the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include “Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses.”

 

4

The Investment Adviser has agreed to (i) waive a portion of its management fee payable by the Fund in an amount equal to any management fees it earns as an investment adviser to any of the affiliated funds in which the Fund invests; (ii) waive a portion of its management fee in an amount equal to the management fee paid to the Investment Adviser by the Subsidiary at an annual rate of 0.42% of the Subsidiary’s average daily net assets, and (iii) reduce or limit “Other Expenses” (excluding acquired fund fees and expenses, transfer agency fees and expenses, taxes, interest, brokerage fees, shareholder meeting, litigation, indemnification and extraordinary expenses) to 0.044% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The management fee waiver arrangement with respect to the Subsidiary may not be discontinued by the Investment Adviser as long as its contract with the Subsidiary is in place. The management fee waiver and expense limitation arrangements will remain in effect through at least April 30, 2015, and prior to such date the Investment Adviser may not terminate the arrangements without the approval of the Board of Trustees.

 

LOGO


 

2        SUMMARY PROSPECTUS — GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND

 

EXPENSE EXAMPLE    

This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in Class A, Class C, Institutional, Class IR and/or Class R Shares of the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your Class A, Class C, Institutional, Class IR and/or Class R Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same (except that the Example incorporates the fee waiver and expense limitation arrangements for only the first year). Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

                                       
       1 Year         3 Years         5 Years         10 Years    

Class A Shares

  $ 544      $ 771      $ 1,017      $ 1,719   

Class C Shares

       

— Assuming complete redemption at end of period

  $ 275      $ 569      $ 988      $ 2,158   

— Assuming no redemption

  $ 175      $ 569      $ 988      $ 2,158   

Institutional Shares

  $ 64      $ 230      $ 409      $ 930   

Class IR Shares

  $ 73      $ 258      $ 458      $ 1,037   

Class R Shares

  $ 124      $ 415      $ 727      $ 1,612   

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER    

The Fund pays transaction costs when it buys and sells securities or instruments (i.e., “turns over” its portfolio). A high rate of portfolio turnover may result in increased transaction costs, including brokerage commissions, which must be borne by the Fund and its shareholders, and is also likely to result in higher short-term capital gains for taxable shareholders. These costs are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the expense example above, but are reflected in the Fund’s performance. The Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 was 266% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PRINCIPAL STRATEGY    

The Fund seeks to maintain substantial economic exposure to the performance of the commodities markets. The Fund primarily gains exposure to the commodities markets by investing in a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund organized as a company under the laws of the Cayman Islands (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary is advised by the Investment Adviser, and has the same investment objective as the Fund.

The Fund seeks to provide exposure to the commodities markets and returns that correspond to the performance of the S&P GSCI Total Return Index (Gross, USD, Unhedged), formerly the Goldman Sachs Commodity Index (“S&P GSCI”), or other similar indices by investing, through the Subsidiary, in commodity-linked investments. The Fund will also seek to add incremental returns through the use of “roll-timing” or similar strategies as described further below. The S&P GSCI is a composite index of commodity sector returns, representing an unleveraged, long-only investment in commodity futures that is diversified across the spectrum of commodities. Individual components qualify for inclusion in the S&P GSCI on the basis of liquidity and are weighted by their respective world production quantities. In pursuing its objective, the Fund attempts to provide exposure to the returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets without direct investment in physical commodities. The Fund uses the S&P GSCI as its performance benchmark, but the Fund will not attempt to replicate the index.

Investment in the Subsidiary. The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in the Subsidiary. The Subsidiary primarily obtains its commodity exposure by investing in commodity-linked derivative instruments (which may include total return swaps). Commodity-linked swaps are derivative instruments whereby the cash flows agreed upon between counterparties are dependent upon the price of the underlying commodity or commodity index over the life of the swap. The value of the swap will rise and fall in response to changes in the underlying commodity or commodity index. Commodity-linked swaps expose the Subsidiary and the Fund economically to movements in commodity prices. Such instruments may be leveraged so that small changes in the underlying commodity index prices would result in disproportionate changes in the value of the instrument. Neither the Fund nor the Subsidiary invests directly in physical commodities. The Subsidiary will also invest in other instruments, including fixed income securities, either as investments or to serve as margin or collateral for its swap positions and foreign currency transactions (including forward contracts).

The Fund employs commodity roll-timing strategies. “Rolling” futures exposure is the process by which the holder of a particular futures contract or other instrument providing futures exposure (e.g. swaps) will sell such contract or instrument on or before the expiration date and simultaneously purchase a new contract or instrument with identical terms except for a later expiration date. This process allows a holder of the instrument to extend its current position through the original instrument’s expiration without delivering the underlying asset. The Fund’s rolling may differ from that of the S&P GSCI to the extent necessary to enable the Fund to seek excess returns over the S&P GSCI. The Fund’s “roll-timing” strategies may include, for example, rolling the Fund’s commodity exposure earlier or later versus the S&P GSCI, or holding and rolling positions with longer or different expiration dates than the S&P GSCI.

Fixed Income Investments. As a result of the Fund’s use of derivatives, the Fund may hold significant amounts of U.S. Treasury or short-term investments, including money market funds. The Fund also attempts to enhance returns by investing in investment grade fixed income securities, and may invest up to 10% of its assets in non-investment grade fixed income securities. The Fund may invest in corporate securities, U.S. Government securities (including agency debentures), mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and municipal securities. The average duration will vary. The Investment Adviser uses derivatives, including futures and swaps, to manage the duration of the Fund’s investment portfolio.

Other. The Fund may also invest in forwards, futures and swaps. The Fund invests in forwards, futures and interest rate swaps to seek to increase total return and/or for hedging purposes. The Fund may invest up to 35% of its net assets in foreign securities.


 

3        SUMMARY PROSPECTUS — GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND

 

THE FUND IS NON-DIVERSIFIED UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940, AS AMENDED (“INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT”), AND MAY INVEST A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF ITS ASSETS IN FEWER ISSUERS THAN DIVERSIFIED MUTUAL FUNDS.

The Fund’s benchmark index is the S&P GSCI.

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS OF THE FUND    

Loss of money is a risk of investing in the Fund. The investment program of the Fund is speculative, entails substantial risks and includes asset classes and investment techniques not employed by more traditional mutual funds. The Fund should not be relied upon as a complete investment program. There can be no assurance that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved. Moreover, there is no assurance that the investment processes of the Fund will be successful, that the techniques utilized therein will be implemented successfully or that they are adequate for their intended uses, or that the discretionary element of the investment processes of the Fund will be exercised in a manner that is successful or that is not adverse to the Fund. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) or any government agency. Investors should carefully consider these risks before investing.

Absence of Regulation. The Fund engages in over-the-counter (“OTC”) transactions, which trade in a dealer network, rather than on an exchange. In general, there is less governmental regulation and supervision of transactions in the OTC markets than of transactions entered into on organized exchanges.

Commodity Sector Risk. Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in more traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The prices of energy, industrial metals, precious metals, agriculture and livestock sector commodities may fluctuate widely due to factors such as changes in value, supply and demand and governmental regulatory policies. The commodity-linked investments in which the Subsidiary enters into may involve counterparties in the financial services sector, and events affecting the financial services sector may cause the Subsidiary’s, and therefore the Fund’s, share value to fluctuate.

Derivatives Risk. Loss may result from the Fund’s investments in forwards, futures, swaps, structured securities and other derivative instruments. These instruments may be leveraged so that small changes in the value of the underlying instruments may produce disproportionate losses to the Fund. Derivatives are also subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the other party in the transaction will not fulfill its contractual obligation.

Expenses Risk. By investing in pooled investment vehicles (including investment companies and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”)), partnerships and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) indirectly through the Fund, the investor will incur a proportionate share of the expenses of those other pooled investment vehicles, partnerships and REITs held by the Fund (including operating costs and investment management fees), in addition to the expenses of the Fund.

Foreign and Emerging Countries Risk. Foreign securities may be subject to risk of loss because of more or less foreign government regulation, less public information and less economic, political and social stability in the countries in which the Fund invests. Loss may also result from the imposition of exchange controls, confiscations and other government restrictions by the United States or other governments, or from problems in registration, settlement or custody. Foreign risk also involves the risk of negative foreign currency rate fluctuations, which may cause the value of securities denominated in such foreign currency (or other instruments through which the Fund has exposure to foreign currencies) to decline in value. Currency exchange rates may fluctuate significantly over short periods of time. To the extent that the Fund also invests in securities of issuers located in emerging markets, these risks may be more pronounced.

Leverage Risk. Borrowing and the use of derivatives may result in leverage and may make the Fund more volatile. The use of leverage may cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions to satisfy its obligations or to meet asset segregation requirements when it may not be advantageous to do so. The use of leverage by the Fund can substantially increase the adverse impact to which the Fund’s investment portfolio may be subject.

Liquidity Risk. The Fund may make investments that are illiquid or that may become less liquid in response to market developments or adverse investor perceptions. Illiquid investments may be more difficult to value. Liquidity risk may also refer to the risk that the Fund will not be able to pay redemption proceeds within the allowable time period because of unusual market conditions, an unusually high volume of redemption requests, or other reasons. To meet redemption requests, the Fund may be forced to sell securities at an unfavorable time and/or under unfavorable conditions. Liquidity risk may be the result of, among other things, the reduced number and capacity of traditional market participants to make a market in fixed income securities or the lack of an active market. The potential for liquidity risk may be magnified by a rising interest rate environment or other circumstances where investor redemptions from fixed income mutual funds may be higher than normal, potentially causing increased supply in the market due to selling activity.

Mortgage-Backed and Other Asset-Backed Securities Risk. Mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities are subject to certain additional risks, including “extension risk” (i.e., in periods of rising interest rates, issuers may pay principal later than expected) and “prepayment risk” (i.e., in periods of declining interest rates, issuers may pay principal more quickly than expected, causing the Fund to reinvest proceeds at lower prevailing interest rates). Mortgage-backed securities offered by non-governmental issuers are subject to other risks as well, including failures of private insurers to meet their obligations and unexpectedly high rates of default on the mortgages backing the securities. Other asset-backed securities are subject to risks similar to those associated with mortgage-backed securities, as well as risks associated with the nature and servicing of the assets backing the securities. Asset-backed securities may not have the benefit


 

4        SUMMARY PROSPECTUS — GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND

 

of a security interest in collateral comparable to that of mortgage assets, resulting in additional credit risk.

Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that it is permitted to invest a larger percentage of its assets in fewer issuers than diversified mutual funds. Thus, the Fund may be more susceptible to adverse developments affecting any single issuer held in its portfolio, and may be more susceptible to greater losses because of these developments.

Subsidiary Risk. The Subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act and is not subject to all the investor protections of the Investment Company Act. The Fund relies on a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) with respect to the investment in the Subsidiary. Changes in the laws of the United States and/or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Fund and/or the Subsidiary to operate as described in the Prospectus and the SAI and could adversely affect the Fund.

Swaps Risk. In a standard “swap” transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount earned or realized on the “notional amount” of predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. Swaps can involve greater risks than direct investment in securities, because swaps may be leveraged and are subject to counterparty risk (e.g., the risk of a counterparty’s defaulting on the obligation or bankruptcy), credit risk and pricing risk (i.e., swaps may be difficult to value). Swaps may also be considered illiquid. It may not be possible for the Subsidiary to liquidate a swap position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses.

Tax Risk. Based on tax rulings from the IRS, the Fund seeks to gain exposure to the commodity markets primarily through investments in the Subsidiary. The tax treatment of the Fund’s investments in the Subsidiary may be adversely affected by future legislation, Treasury Regulations and/or guidance issued by the IRS (which may be retroactive) that could affect whether income derived from such investments is “qualifying income” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or otherwise affect the character, timing and/or amount of the Fund’s taxable income or any gains and distributions made by the Fund.

 

PERFORMANCE    

The bar chart and table below provide an indication of the risks of investing in the Fund by showing: (a) changes in the performance of the Fund’s Institutional Shares from year to year; and (b) how the average annual total returns of the Fund’s Class A, Class C, Institutional, Class IR and Class R Shares compare to those of a broad-based securities market index. The Fund’s past performance, before and after taxes, is not necessarily an indication of how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available at no cost at www.gsamfunds.com/performance or by calling the appropriate phone number on the back cover of the Prospectus.

Performance reflects applicable fee waivers and/or expense limitations in effect during the periods shown.

 

LOGO

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN

 

                                                                                

For the period ended

December 31, 2013

   1 Year      5 Years      Since
Inception
 

Class A Shares (Inception 3/30/07)

        

Returns Before Taxes

     -6.00%         3.11%         -4.48%   

Returns After Taxes on Distributions

     -6.00%         2.00%         -5.96%   

Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

     -3.40%         2.05%         -3.74%   

S&P GSCI Total Return Index (Gross, USD, Unhedged; reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     -1.22%         3.86%         -2.97%   

Class C Shares (Inception 3/30/07)

        

Returns Before Taxes

     -3.48%         3.23%         -4.58%   

S&P GSCI Total Return Index (Gross, USD, Unhedged; reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     -1.22%         3.86%         -2.97%   

Institutional Shares (Inception 3/30/07)

        

Returns Before Taxes

     -1.39%         4.22%         -3.56%   

S&P GSCI Total Return Index (Gross, USD, Unhedged; reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     -1.22%         3.86%         -2.97%   

Class IR Shares (Inception 11/30/07)

        

Returns Before Taxes

     -1.39%         4.34%         -6.50%   

S&P GSCI Total Return Index (Gross, USD, Unhedged; reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     -1.22%         3.86%         -6.04%   

Class R Shares (Inception 11/30/07)

        

Returns

     -1.93%         3.80%         -6.98%   

S&P GSCI Total Return Index (Gross, USD, Unhedged; reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)

     -1.22%         3.86%         -6.04%   

The after-tax returns are for Class A Shares only. The after-tax returns for Class C, Institutional and Class IR Shares, and returns for Class R Shares (which are offered exclusively to employee benefit plans), will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. In addition, the after-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.


 

5        SUMMARY PROSPECTUS — GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT    

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. is the investment adviser for the Fund (the “Investment Adviser” or “GSAM”).

Portfolio Managers: Samuel Finkelstein, Managing Director, Global Head of Macro Strategies, has managed the Fund since 2010; and Michael Johnson, Managing Director, has managed the Fund since 2007.

 

BUYING AND SELLING FUND SHARES    

The minimum initial investment for Class A and Class C Shares is, generally, $1,000. The minimum initial investment for Institutional Shares is, generally, $1,000,000 for individual or certain institutional investors, alone or in combination with other assets under the management of the Investment Adviser and its affiliates. There is no minimum for initial purchases of Class IR and Class R Shares. Those share classes with a minimum initial investment requirement do not impose it on certain employee benefit plans, and Institutional Shares do not impose it on certain investment advisers investing on behalf of other accounts.

The minimum subsequent investment for Class A and Class C shareholders is $50, except for certain employee benefit plans, for which there is no minimum. There is no minimum subsequent investment for Institutional, Class IR or Class R shareholders.

You may purchase and redeem (sell) shares of the Fund on any business day through certain banks, trust companies, brokers, dealers, investment advisers and other financial institutions (“Authorized Institutions”).

 

TAX INFORMATION    

The Fund’s distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Investments through tax-deferred arrangements may become taxable upon withdrawal from such arrangements.

 

PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND
OTHER FINANCIAL  INTERMEDIARIES
   

If you purchase the Fund through an Authorized Institution, the Fund and/or its related companies may pay the Authorized Institution for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Authorized Institution and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your Authorized Institution’s website for more information.


 

6        SUMMARY PROSPECTUS — GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND

 

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7        SUMMARY PROSPECTUS — GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND

 

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8        SUMMARY PROSPECTUS — GOLDMAN SACHS COMMODITY STRATEGY FUND

 

 

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