UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF
REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act File Number: 811-05833
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. |
|
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
|
(Address of principal executive offices) |
David Oestreicher |
100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
|
(Name and address of agent for service) |
Registrants telephone number, including area
code: (410) 345-2000
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: December 31,
2015
Item 1. Report to Shareholders
![]() |
Institutional International Bond Fund |
December
31, 2015 |
Highlights |
● |
Developed market international bonds
lost ground in U.S. dollar terms amid heightened volatility in global
fixed income and currency markets as well as a general appreciation of the
U.S. dollar against most major currencies. |
● |
The Institutional International Bond
Fund returned -5.37% for the 12-month period, outperforming the Barclays
Global Aggregate ex USD Bond Index. |
● |
Country allocation, currency
positioning, and sector selection all contributed to the funds
outperformance of the benchmark. |
● |
Effective security selection is critical as the international bond market grows in size, complexity, and maturity, highlighting the importance of T. Rowe Prices global sovereign, credit, and equity research platforms. |
The views and opinions in this report were current as of December 31, 2015. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the funds future investment intent. The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires mutual funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.
Managers Letter
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund
Dear Investor
Developed market international bonds lost ground in U.S. dollar terms as bonds in major markets produced gains but the dollar strengthened against many other currencies. Volatility in global fixed income and currency markets increased during the 12-month reporting period as the Federal Reserve prepared toand in December didraise interest rates while the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of Japan maintained or expanded their accommodative monetary policies. Emerging markets debt and currencies were particularly volatile after China made a surprise devaluation of the yuan in August.
The Institutional International Bond Fund returned -5.37% for the 12 months ended December 31, 2015. The fund outperformed the benchmark Barclays Global Aggregate ex USD Bond Index. Country allocation and duration exposure, currency positioning, and sector selection all contributed to the funds outperformance of the benchmark.
Market Environment
Although inflation remained well below the Federal Reserves 2% target, the U.S. central bank made its long-awaited initial rate increase in December, hiking rates for the first time since 2006. The UK economy expanded at a respectable annual rate of just over 2% in the third quarter, althoughlike the U.S.the pace slowed from the second quarter. Eurozone growth prospects continued to improve, at a more modest level, with gross domestic product growing at an annual pace well under 2% in the third quarter while inflation stayed low. In December, the ECB disappointed investors by not increasing its monthly volume of bond purchases. Japans economy struggled with ongoing difficulty generating desired levels of wage and price inflation. Growth in emerging markets varied considerably by country and region, although emerging countries as a whole continued to outpace the economic growth of developed countries. Much of the variation in growth among developing countries stemmed from low commodity prices, which benefited commodity importers like Turkey but hurt exporters such as Russia. After falling from well over $100 per barrel in mid-2014, Brent crude (the worldwide oil benchmark) dropped by almost $20 per barrel over the year to finish at under $37. New questions about Chinas ability to manage a slowdown in its growth emerged in August when the country unexpectedly devalued its currency, which put even more downward pressure on commodity prices globally.
Yields on government debt from global developed markets experienced considerable intrayear volatility. The yield on German 10-year notes finished the reporting period higher than where it started after reaching record lows near 0% early in the year. Japanese 10-year note yields decreased over the course of the year, nearing all-time lows. The 10-year U.S. Treasury notes yield finished the reporting period at 2.27%, up from 2.17% at the end of 2014. However, it followed a choppy path, increasing to nearly 2.50% in the second quarter of 2015 before decreasing toward 1.90% in the midst of the risk aversion that followed the Chinese devaluation in August. Emerging markets sovereign rates were quite varied, given differing monetary policies and political situations across individual countries. For example, yields on debt from Brazil, which is one of the largest emerging fixed income markets, increased as the countrys fiscal situation deteriorated markedly and the central bank hiked rates to try to stifle rising inflation.
Global high yield bonds lost considerable ground, primarily as a result of weakness in the U.S. high yield market as commodity prices fell. The energy and metals and mining sectors account for a significant proportion of the U.S. high yield market. In contrast, these commodity-related sectors make up a much smaller amount of the European high yield bond market, which resulted in better relative performance from Europe during the year. Global investment-grade corporate bonds declined but held up better than high yield securities as investors favored debt with higher credit quality and lower commodities exposure. Dollar-denominated emerging markets sovereign bonds posted moderate gains, while locally denominated emerging markets debt dropped steeply as currencies depreciated versus the dollar.
With the Fed poised to raise interest rates for most of the year before finally taking action in December, the U.S. dollar strengthened against most other currencies. The dollar gained more than 10% against the euro as the monetary policies of the two regions diverged. However, the Japanese yen, seen as a safe haven, was nearly unchanged versus the dollar. The declines in emerging markets currencies against the dollar were particularly steep. The Brazilian real fell almost 33%, with its decline exacerbated by Brazils political crisis. The Mexican peso lost over 14% against the dollar as investors used the currency, which is easier to trade than the currencies of most other developing nations, as a proxy for emerging markets currency risk more generally. Currencies of developed markets that are commodity exporters, such as Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, also declined.
Portfolio Review and Positioning
The funds country allocation and exposure to interest rate changes was a positive relative performance factor. Our underweight exposure to eurozone government bonds, particularly the debt of Germany and France, contributed as yields in those countries rose. An overweight to South Korean sovereign debt was also positive as disinflationary pressure in the country boosted the prices of its bonds. Toward the end of the year, we implemented overweight positions in Australia and Sweden, which both have central banks that seem poised to loosen monetary policy by cutting rates. We think that the market overreacted in selling eurozone government debt when the ECB did not increase its volume of monthly bond purchases in December, so we added exposure to the sovereign debt of eurozone countries such as Germany, Italy, and Slovenia. We extended the portfolios overall duration near the end of the year and finished the reporting period with a duration close to that of the benchmark.
Sector selection also made a positive contribution to relative performance in 2015. We increased the funds exposure to European high yield, expecting it to benefit from the ECBs quantitative easing program and the strengthening eurozone economy. Our allocation to European high yield bonds, which held up better than the broad international debt market, benefited relative returns. While we reduced the portfolios broad exposure to credit risk toward the end of the year, we maintained a moderate overweight in European investment-grade corporate bonds, which indirectly benefit from the ECBs quantitative easing.
In emerging markets, we continue to favor local currency sovereign bonds issued by nations making progress toward implementing structural, fiscal, and economic reforms, such as Mexico, Romania, and India. However, our overweight to Brazilian debt detracted from relative returns as the country struggled with an economic recession and political gridlock. We also have an allocation to emerging markets corporate bonds, where security selection weighed on returns for the year. We reduced the size of this allocation to less than 1% of net assets.
The funds currency positioning also contributed to its relative performance. In developed market currencies, we were underweight the euro, which helped the funds relative returns as the euro declined fairly steadily against the U.S. dollar throughout the year. Although the ECB disappointed markets in December by not announcing an increase in the amount of its monthly bond purchases, we anticipate that the ECB will further ease monetary policy in 2016 while the Fed slowly raises interest rates, which would put more downward pressure on the euro versus the dollar. We also made tactical changes to the size of the funds underweight to the yen over the course of the yearthe yen position was a positive relative performance factor despite the currencys nearly flat return against the dollar for the year.
The fund was overweight some emerging markets currencies earlier in the year, including the Mexican peso, the Polish zloty, and the Indonesian rupiah. The allocation to the rupiah, along with smaller positions in the Brazilian real and the South African rand, weighed on relative returns as the currencies of developing countries came under renewed pressure after the Chinese currency devaluation in August. We eliminated exposure to the zloty, the rupiah, the rand, and the Turkish lira in the final quarter of the year as we became more concerned about deteriorating fundamentals in emerging markets. We also added short positions in the South Korean won, the Taiwan dollar, and the Malaysian ringgit, which would likely lose value if there is a further devaluation in the Chinese renminbi, as well as the Mexican peso.
Outlook
We anticipate a continuation of the general trends of late 2015, including elevated volatility created by monetary policy divergence, questions about Chinas ability to manage its economic slowdown, and concerns about the implications of sharply lower commodity prices. Uncertainty about the course of the Feds monetary policy tightening is also likely to persist, with inflation dominating the U.S. economic data headlines. Although investors punished eurozone sovereign bonds after the December ECB meeting, we believe that the central banks policies are still accommodative enough to remain a powerful force in that market.
In our view, economic growth in emerging markets remains vulnerable to a sharp slowdown. The situation in China is unlikely to improve in the short term, and a meaningful further depreciation in the renminbi would negatively impact the rest of Asia. Meanwhile, depressed commodity prices will cause more deterioration in the current accounts of developing countries that are major commodity exporters, heightening the pressure to devalue their currencies.
Volatility in the markets will likely remain elevated. On the positive side, this will likely produce opportunities for relative value trading between markets at different points in their interest rate cycles. In this environment, we believe that the extended reach of T. Rowe Prices global sovereign, credit, and equity research platforms, combined with our emphasis on collaboration across those platforms, gives us a critical edge in analyzing risks and opportunities in both developed and emerging fixed income markets.
Respectfully submitted,
Arif Husain
President of the International Fixed Income Division, co-portfolio
manager, and cochairman of the funds Investment Advisory
Committee
Kenneth Orchard
Co-portfolio manager and cochairman of the funds Investment
Advisory Committee
January 27, 2016
The committee chairmen have day-to-day responsibility for the portfolio and work with committee members in developing and executing the funds investment program.
Risk of International Bond Investing |
Funds that invest overseas generally carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. assets, including unpredictable changes in currency values. Investments in emerging markets are subject to abrupt and severe price declines and should be regarded as speculative. The economic and political structures of developing nations, in most cases, do not compare favorably with the U.S. or other developed countries in terms of wealth and stability, and their financial markets often lack liquidity. Some countries also have legacies of hyperinflation, currency devaluations, and governmental interference in markets.
International investments are subject to currency risk, a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency. The overall impact on a funds holdings can be significant and long-lasting depending on the currencies represented in the portfolio, how each one appreciates or depreciates in relation to the U.S. dollar, and whether currency positions are hedged. Further, exchange rate movements are unpredictable, and it is not possible to effectively hedge the currency risks of many developing countries.
Bonds are also subject to interest rate risk, the decline in bond prices that usually accompanies a rise in interest rates, and credit risk, the chance that any fund holding could have its credit rating downgraded or that a bond issuer will default (fail to make timely payments of interest or principal), potentially reducing the funds income level and share price.
Glossary |
Barclays Global Aggregate ex USD Bond Index: An unmanaged index that tracks an international basket of bonds that contains government, corporate, agency, and mortgage-related bonds.
Credit spread: Measures the additional yield that investors demand as compensation for holding a bond with credit risk versus a similar-maturity Treasury security or other type of low-risk bond.
Duration: A measure of a bonds or bond funds sensitivity to changes in interest rates. For example, a fund with a duration of six years would fall about 6% in response to a one-percentage-point rise in rates, and vice versa.
J.P. Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global: Tracks U.S. dollar government bonds of 31 foreign countries.
Quasi-sovereign debt: Debt issued by a corporation and backed by the respective government, typically offering the higher yields of corporate debt with the added benefit of government support.
Weighted average maturity: A measure of a funds sensitivity to interest rates. In general, the longer the average maturity, the greater the funds sensitivity to interest rate changes. The weighted average maturity may take into account the interest rate readjustment dates for certain securities. Money funds must maintain a weighted average maturity of less than 60 days.
Portfolio Highlights
Performance and Expenses
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund
Growth of $1 Million |
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $1 million investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which may include a broad-based market index and a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.
Fund Expense Example
As a mutual fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other fund expenses. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the most recent six-month period and held for the entire period.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the following table (Actual) provides
information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the
information on this line, together with your account balance, to estimate the
expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by
$1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then
multiply the result by the number on the first line under the heading Expenses
Paid During Period to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during
this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison
Purposes
The information on the second
line of the table (Hypothetical) is based on hypothetical account values and
expenses derived from the funds actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year
rate of return before expenses (not the funds actual return). You may compare
the ongoing costs of investing in the fund with other funds by contrasting this
5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the
shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and
expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or
expenses you paid for the period.
You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. To the extent a fund charges transaction costs, however, the total cost of owning that fund is higher.
Financial Highlights
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond
Fund
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Portfolio of Investments
T. Rowe Price
Institutional International Bond Fund
December 31, 2015
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Statement of Assets and
Liabilities
T. Rowe Price Institutional
International Bond Fund
December 31, 2015
($000s, except shares and per share amounts)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Statement of Operations
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond
Fund
($000s)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Statement of Changes in Net
Assets
T. Rowe Price Institutional
International Bond Fund
($000s)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Notes to Financial
Statements
T. Rowe Price Institutional
International Bond Fund
December 31, 2015
T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. (the corporation), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). The Institutional International Bond Fund (the fund) is a nondiversified, open-end management investment company established by the corporation. The fund commenced operations on May 31, 2007. The fund seeks to provide high current income and capital appreciation.
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 (ASC 946). The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), including, but not limited to, ASC 946. GAAP requires the use of estimates made by management. Management believes that estimates and valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the valuations reflected in the accompanying financial statements may differ from the value ultimately realized upon sale or maturity.
Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized for financial reporting purposes. Paydown gains and losses are recorded as an adjustment to interest income. Inflation adjustments to the principal amount of inflation-indexed bonds are reflected as interest income. Dividends received from mutual fund investments are reflected as dividend income; capital gain distributions are reflected as realized gain/loss. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income tax-related interest and penalties, if incurred, would be recorded as income tax expense. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost basis. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income distributions are declared daily and paid monthly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are generally declared and paid by the fund annually.
Currency Translation Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate, using the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as quoted by a major bank. Purchases and sales of securities, income, and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on realized and unrealized security gains and losses is reflected as a component of security gains and losses.
Redemption Fees A 2% fee is assessed on redemptions of fund shares held for 90 days or less to deter short-term trading and to protect the interests of long-term shareholders. Redemption fees are withheld from proceeds that shareholders receive from the sale or exchange of fund shares. The fees are paid to the fund and are recorded as an increase to paid-in capital. The fees may cause the redemption price per share to differ from the net asset value per share.
New Accounting Guidance In May 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-07, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). The ASU removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient and amends certain disclosure requirements for such investments. The ASU is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Adoption will have no effect on the funds net assets or results of operations.
NOTE 2 - VALUATION
The funds financial instruments are valued and its net asset value (NAV) per share is computed at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day the NYSE is open for business.
Fair Value The funds financial instruments are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The T. Rowe Price Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee) has been established by the funds Board of Directors (the Board) to ensure that financial instruments are appropriately priced at fair value in accordance with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee develops and oversees pricing-related policies and procedures and approves all fair value determinations. Specifically, the Valuation Committee establishes procedures to value securities; determines pricing techniques, sources, and persons eligible to effect fair value pricing actions; oversees the selection, services, and performance of pricing vendors; oversees valuation-related business continuity practices; and provides guidance on internal controls and valuation-related matters. The Valuation Committee reports to the Board and has representation from legal, portfolio management and trading, operations, risk management, and the funds treasurer.
Various valuation techniques and inputs are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
Level 1 quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the fund can access at the reporting date
Level 2 inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads)
Level 3 unobservable inputs
Observable inputs are developed using market data, such as publicly available information about actual events or transactions, and reflect the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. Unobservable inputs are those for which market data are not available and are developed using the best information available about the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. GAAP requires valuation techniques to maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. When multiple inputs are used to derive fair value, the financial instrument is assigned to the level within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value of the financial instrument. Input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level but rather the degree of judgment used in determining those values.
Valuation Techniques Debt securities generally are traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Securities with remaining maturities of one year or more at the time of acquisition are valued at prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing service, which considers the yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Securities with remaining maturities of less than one year at the time of acquisition generally use amortized cost in local currency to approximate fair value. However, if amortized cost is deemed not to reflect fair value or the fund holds a significant amount of such securities with remaining maturities of more than 60 days, the securities are valued at prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing service. Generally, debt securities are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however, to the extent the valuations include significant unobservable inputs, the securities would be categorized in Level 3.
Equity securities listed or regularly traded on a securities exchange or in the OTC market are valued at the last quoted sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price at the time the valuations are made. OTC Bulletin Board securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the quotation on the exchange determined to be the primary market for such security. Listed securities not traded on a particular day are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for domestic securities and the last quoted sale or closing price for international securities.
For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of such securities at the close of the NYSE. If the fund determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the NYSE will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of its portfolio securities, the fund will adjust the previous quoted prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the NYSE. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust quoted prices to reflect fair value, the fund reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. The fund may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the fund is open. The fund uses outside pricing services to provide it with quoted prices and information to evaluate or adjust those prices. The fund cannot predict how often it will use quoted prices and how often it will determine it necessary to adjust those prices to reflect fair value. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the fund routinely compares quoted prices, the next days opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.
Actively traded equity securities listed on a domestic exchange generally are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Non-U.S. equity securities generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy despite the availability of quoted prices because, as described above, the fund evaluates and determines whether those quoted prices reflect fair value at the close of the NYSE or require adjustment. OTC Bulletin Board securities, certain preferred securities, and equity securities traded in inactive markets generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the mutual funds closing NAV per share on the day of valuation and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Listed options, and OTC options with a listed equivalent, are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices and generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Financial futures contracts are valued at closing settlement prices and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Forward currency exchange contracts are valued using the prevailing forward exchange rate and are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Swaps are valued at prices furnished by independent swap dealers or by an independent pricing service and generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however, if unobservable inputs are significant to the valuation, the swap would be categorized in Level 3. Assets and liabilities other than financial instruments, including short-term receivables and payables, are carried at cost, or estimated realizable value, if less, which approximates fair value.
Thinly traded financial instruments and those for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee. The objective of any fair value pricing determination is to arrive at a price that could reasonably be expected from a current sale. Financial instruments fair valued by the Valuation Committee are primarily private placements, restricted securities, warrants, rights, and other securities that are not publicly traded.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee regularly makes good faith judgments to establish and adjust the fair valuations of certain securities as events occur and circumstances warrant. For instance, in determining the fair value of troubled or thinly traded debt instruments, the Valuation Committee considers a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the issuers business prospects, its financial standing and performance, recent investment transactions in the issuer, strategic events affecting the company, market liquidity for the issuer, and general economic conditions and events. In consultation with the investment and pricing teams, the Valuation Committee will determine an appropriate valuation technique based on available information, which may include both observable and unobservable inputs. The Valuation Committee typically will afford greatest weight to actual prices in arms length transactions, to the extent they represent orderly transactions between market participants, transaction information can be reliably obtained, and prices are deemed representative of fair value. However, the Valuation Committee may also consider other valuation methods such as a discount or premium from market value of a similar, freely traded security of the same issuer; discounted cash flows; yield to maturity; or some combination. Fair value determinations are reviewed on a regular basis and updated as information becomes available, including actual purchase and sale transactions of the issue. Because any fair value determination involves a significant amount of judgment, there is a degree of subjectivity inherent in such pricing decisions, and fair value prices determined by the Valuation Committee could differ from those of other market participants. Depending on the relative significance of unobservable inputs, including the valuation technique(s) used, fair valued securities may be categorized in Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Valuation Inputs The following table summarizes the funds financial instruments, based on the inputs used to determine their fair values on December 31, 2015:
There were no material transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the year ended December 31, 2015.
NOTE 3 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the fund invested in derivative instruments. As defined by GAAP, a derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from an underlying security price, foreign exchange rate, interest rate, index of prices or rates, or other variable; it requires little or no initial investment and permits or requires net settlement. The fund invests in derivatives only if the expected risks and rewards are consistent with its investment objectives, policies, and overall risk profile, as described in its prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, such as seeking to hedge against declines in principal value, increase yield, invest in an asset with greater efficiency and at a lower cost than is possible through direct investment, or to adjust portfolio duration and credit exposure. The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and potentially much greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments on which the derivatives are based. The fund at all times maintains sufficient cash reserves, liquid assets, or other SEC-permitted asset types to cover its settlement obligations under open derivative contracts.
The fund values its derivatives at fair value, as described in Note 2, and recognizes changes in fair value currently in its results of operations. Accordingly, the fund does not follow hedge accounting, even for derivatives employed as economic hedges. Generally, the fund accounts for its derivatives on a gross basis. It does not offset the fair value of derivative liabilities against the fair value of derivative assets on its financial statements, nor does it offset the fair value of derivative instruments against the right to reclaim or obligation to return collateral.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the funds derivative instruments held as of December 31, 2015, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:
Additionally, the amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in fund earnings during the year ended December 31, 2015, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following table by primary underlying risk exposure:
Counterparty Risk and Collateral The fund invests in derivatives in various markets, which expose it to differing levels of counterparty risk. Counterparty risk on exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivative contracts, such as futures, exchange-traded options, and centrally cleared swaps, is minimal because the clearinghouse provides protection against counterparty defaults. For futures and centrally cleared swaps, the fund is required to deposit collateral in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value (margin requirement), and the margin requirement must be maintained over the life of the contract. Each clearing broker, in its sole discretion, may adjust the margin requirements applicable to the fund.
Derivatives, such as bilateral swaps, forward currency exchange contracts, and OTC options, that are transacted and settle directly with a counterparty (bilateral derivatives) expose the fund to greater counterparty risk. To mitigate this risk, the fund has entered into master netting arrangements (MNAs) with certain counterparties that permit net settlement under specified conditions and, for certain counterparties, also provide collateral agreements. MNAs may be in the form of International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreements (ISDAs) or foreign exchange letter agreements (FX letters).
MNAs govern the ability to offset amounts the fund owes a counterparty against amounts the counterparty owes the fund (net settlement). Both ISDAs and FX letters generally allow net settlement in the event of contract termination and permit termination by either party prior to maturity upon the occurrence of certain stated events, such as failure to pay or bankruptcy. In addition, ISDAs specify other events, the occurrence of which would allow one of the parties to terminate. For example, a downgrade in credit rating of a counterparty would allow the fund to terminate while a decline in the funds net assets of more than a certain percentage would allow the counterparty to terminate. Upon termination, all bilateral derivatives with that counterparty would be liquidated and a net amount settled. ISDAs typically include collateral agreements whereas FX letters do not. Collateral requirements are determined based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on all bilateral derivatives with each counterparty, subject to minimum transfer amounts that typically range from $100,000 to $250,000. Any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is transferred the next business day.
The following table summarizes the funds derivatives at the reporting date by loss exposure to each counterparty or clearinghouse after consideration of collateral, if any. Exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivatives that settle variation margin daily are presented at the variation margin receivable or payable on the reporting date, and exchange-traded options are presented at value.
Collateral may be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies. Cash and currencies posted by the fund are reflected as cash deposits in the accompanying financial statements and generally are restricted from withdrawal by the fund; securities posted by the fund are so noted in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments; both remain in the funds assets. Collateral pledged by counterparties is not included in the funds assets because the fund does not obtain effective control over those assets. For bilateral derivatives, collateral posted by the fund is held in a segregated account by the funds custodian.
Forward Currency Exchange Contracts The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. It uses forward currency exchange contracts (forwards) primarily to protect its non-U.S. dollar-denominated securities from adverse currency movements and to gain exposure to currencies for the purposes of risk management or enhanced return. A forward involves an obligation to purchase or sell a fixed amount of a specific currency on a future date at a price set at the time of the contract. Although certain forwards may be settled by exchanging only the net gain or loss on the contract, most forwards are settled with the exchange of the underlying currencies in accordance with the specified terms. Forwards are valued at the unrealized gain or loss on the contract, which reflects the net amount the fund either is entitled to receive or obligated to deliver, as measured by the difference between the forward exchange rates at the date of entry into the contract and the forward rates at the reporting date. Appreciated forwards are reflected as assets and depreciated forwards are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks related to the use of forwards include the possible failure of counterparties to meet the terms of the agreements; that anticipated currency movements will not occur, thereby reducing the funds total return; and the potential for losses in excess of the funds initial investment. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the volume of the funds activity in forwards, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 30% and 46% of net assets.
Futures Contracts The fund is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses futures contracts to help manage such risk. The fund may enter into futures contracts to manage exposure to interest rate and yield curve movements, security prices, foreign currencies, credit quality, and mortgage prepayments; as an efficient means of adjusting exposure to all or part of a target market; to enhance income; as a cash management tool; or to adjust portfolio duration and credit exposure. A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another of a specified amount of a specific underlying financial instrument at an agreed-upon price, date, time, and place. The fund currently invests only in exchange-traded futures, which generally are standardized as to maturity date, underlying financial instrument, and other contract terms. Payments are made or received by the fund each day to settle daily fluctuations in the value of the contract (variation margin), which reflect changes in the value of the underlying financial instrument. Variation margin is recorded as unrealized gain or loss until the contract is closed. The value of a futures contract included in net assets is the amount of unsettled variation margin; net variation margin receivable is reflected as an asset, and net variation margin payable is reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets, contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in hedged security values and/or interest rates, and potential losses in excess of the funds initial investment. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the volume of the funds activity in futures, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 21% and 30% of net assets.
Options The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses options to help manage such risk. The fund may use options to manage exposure to security prices, interest rates, foreign currencies, and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting exposure to all or a part of a target market; to enhance income; as a cash management tool; or to adjust credit exposure. Options are included in net assets at fair value, purchased options are included in Investments in Securities, and written options are separately reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Premiums on unexercised, expired options are recorded as realized gains or losses; premiums on exercised options are recorded as an adjustment to the proceeds from the sale or cost of the purchase. The difference between the premium and the amount received or paid in a closing transaction is also treated as realized gain or loss. In return for a premium paid, currency options give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy and sell currency at a specified exchange rate. Risks related to the use of options include possible illiquidity of the options markets; trading restrictions imposed by an exchange or counterparty; movements in the underlying asset values and/or currency values; and, for written options, potential losses in excess of the funds initial investment. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the volume of the funds activity in options, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 0% and 3% of net assets. Transactions in written options and related premiums received during the year ended December 31, 2015, were as follows:
Swaps The fund is subject to interest rate risk, and/or credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses swap contracts to help manage such risks. The fund may use swaps in an effort to manage exposure to changes in interest rates, inflation rates, and credit quality; to adjust overall exposure to certain markets; to enhance total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; or to adjust portfolio duration and credit exposure. Swap agreements can be settled either directly with the counterparty (bilateral swap) or through a central clearinghouse (centrally cleared swap). Fluctuations in the fair value of a contract are reflected in unrealized gain or loss and are reclassified to realized gain or loss upon contract termination or cash settlement. Net periodic receipts or payments required by a contract increase or decrease, respectively, the value of the contract until the contractual payment date, at which time such amounts are reclassified from unrealized to realized gain or loss. For bilateral swaps, cash payments are made or received by the fund on a periodic basis in accordance with contract terms; unrealized gain on contracts and premiums paid are reflected as assets and unrealized loss on contracts and premiums received are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For centrally cleared swaps, payments are made or received by the fund each day to settle the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract (variation margin). Accordingly, the value of a centrally cleared swap included in net assets is the unsettled variation margin; net variation margin receivable is reflected as an asset and net variation margin payable is reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Interest rate swaps are agreements to exchange cash flows based on the difference between specified interest rates applied to a notional principal amount for a specified period of time. Risks related to the use of interest rate swaps include the potential for unanticipated movements in interest or currency rates, the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements, potential government regulation that could adversely affect the funds swap investments, and potential losses in excess of the funds initial investment.
Credit default swaps are agreements where one party (the protection buyer) agrees to make periodic payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for protection against specified credit events, such as certain defaults and bankruptcies related to an underlying credit instrument, or issuer or index of such instruments. Upon occurrence of a specified credit event, the protection seller is required to pay the buyer the difference between the notional amount of the swap and the value of the underlying credit, either in the form of a net cash settlement or by paying the gross notional amount and accepting delivery of the relevant underlying credit. For credit default swaps where the underlying credit is an index, a specified credit event may affect all or individual underlying securities included in the index and will be settled based upon the relative weighting of the affected underlying security(ies) within the index. Risks related to the use of credit default swaps include the possible inability of the fund to accurately assess the current and future creditworthiness of underlying issuers, the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements, potential government regulation that could adversely affect the funds swap investments, and potential losses in excess of the funds initial investment.
During the year ended December 31, 2015, the volume of the funds activity in swaps, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 0% and 5% of net assets.
NOTE 4 - OTHER INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Consistent with its investment objective, the fund engages in the following practices to manage exposure to certain risks and/or to enhance performance. The investment objective, policies, program, and risk factors of the fund are described more fully in the funds prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Emerging and Frontier Markets The fund may invest, either directly or through investments in T. Rowe Price institutional funds, in securities of companies located in, issued by governments of, or denominated in or linked to the currencies of emerging and frontier market countries; at period-end, approximately 24% of the funds net assets were invested in emerging markets and 4% in frontier markets. Emerging markets, and to a greater extent frontier markets, generally have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, and political systems that are less stable, than developed countries. These markets may be subject to greater political, economic, and social uncertainty and differing regulatory environments that may potentially impact the funds ability to buy or sell certain securities or repatriate proceeds to U.S. dollars. Such securities are often subject to greater price volatility, less liquidity, and higher rates of inflation than U.S. securities. Investing in frontier markets is significantly riskier than investing in other countries, including emerging markets.
Restricted Securities The fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Prompt sale of such securities at an acceptable price may be difficult and may involve substantial delays and additional costs.
Other Purchases and sales of portfolio securities other than short-term securities aggregated $296,667,000 and $193,561,000, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2015.
NOTE 5 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute to shareholders all of its taxable income and gains. Distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains for financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character but are not adjusted for temporary differences.
The fund files U.S. federal, state, and local tax returns as required. The funds tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return but which can be extended to six years in certain circumstances. Tax returns for open years have incorporated no uncertain tax positions that require a provision for income taxes.
Reclassifications to paid-in capital relate primarily to the current net operating loss. Reclassifications between income and gain relate primarily to the character of foreign capital gains taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the following reclassifications were recorded to reflect tax character (there was no impact on results of operations or net assets):
Distributions during the years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, were characterized for tax purposes as follows:
At December 31, 2015, the tax-basis cost of investments and components of net assets were as follows:
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable to the deferral of losses from certain derivative contracts, and the realization of gains/losses on certain open derivative contracts for tax purposes. The fund intends to retain realized gains to the extent of available capital loss carryforwards. Net realized capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future realized capital gains. All or a portion of the capital loss carryforwards may be from losses realized between November 1 and the funds fiscal year-end, which are deferred for tax purposes until the subsequent year but recognized for financial reporting purposes in the year realized. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the fund utilized $48,000 of capital loss carryforwards. In accordance with federal tax laws applicable to investment companies, specified net losses realized between November 1 and December 31 are not recognized for tax purposes until the subsequent year (late-year ordinary loss deferrals); however, such losses are recognized for financial reporting purposes in the year realized.
NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Price Group). Price Associates has entered into a subadvisory agreement(s) with one or more of its wholly owned subsidiaries, to provide investment advisory services to the fund. The investment management and administrative agreement between the fund and Price Associates provides for an all-inclusive annual fee equal to 0.55% of the funds average daily net assets. The fee is computed daily and paid monthly. The all-inclusive fee covers investment management, shareholder servicing, transfer agency, accounting, and custody services provided to the fund, as well as fund directors fees and expenses. Interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, and extraordinary expenses are paid directly by the fund.
Mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Price Associates or its affiliates (collectively, Price funds and accounts) may invest in the fund; however, no Price fund or account may invest for the purpose of exercising management or control over the fund. At December 31, 2015, approximately 62% of the funds outstanding shares were held by Price funds and accounts.
The fund may invest in the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Fund, the T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Investment Fund, or the T. Rowe Price Short-Term Reserve Fund (collectively, the Price Reserve Investment Funds), open-end management investment companies managed by Price Associates and considered affiliates of the fund. The Price Reserve Investment Funds are offered as short-term investment options to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Price Associates or its affiliates and are not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Price Reserve Investment Funds pay no investment management fees.
NOTE 7 - BORROWING
To provide temporary liquidity, the fund may borrow from other T. Rowe Price-sponsored mutual funds under an interfund borrowing program developed and managed by Price Associates. The program permits the borrowing and lending of cash at rates beneficial to both the borrowing and lending funds. Pursuant to program guidelines, loans totaling 10% or more of a borrowing funds total assets require collateralization at 102% of the value of the loan; loans of less than 10% are unsecured. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the fund incurred less than $1,000 in interest expense related to outstanding borrowings on 1 day in the average amount of $12,100,000 and at an average annual rate of 1.20%. At December 31, 2015, there were no borrowings outstanding.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors of T. Rowe
Price Institutional International Funds, Inc. and
Shareholders of T. Rowe
Price Institutional International Bond Fund
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the portfolio of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund (one of the portfolios comprising T. Rowe Price Institutional International Funds, Inc., hereafter referred to as the Fund) at December 31, 2015, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated therein, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as financial statements) are the responsibility of the Funds management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2015 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, and confirmation of the underlying fund by correspondence with the transfer agent, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Baltimore,
Maryland
February 17, 2016
Tax Information (Unaudited) for the Tax Year Ended 12/31/15 |
We are providing this information as required by the Internal Revenue Code. The amounts shown may differ from those elsewhere in this report because of differences between tax and financial reporting requirements.
The fund will pass through foreign source income of $102,000 and foreign taxes paid of $102,000.
Information on Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures, and Records |
A description of the policies and procedures used by T. Rowe Price funds and portfolios to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in each funds Statement of Additional Information. You may request this document by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SECs website, sec.gov.
The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our website, troweprice.com. To access it, click on the words Social Responsibility at the top of our corporate homepage. Next, click on the words Conducting Business Responsibly on the left side of the page that appears. Finally, click on the words Proxy Voting Policies on the left side of the page that appears.
Each funds most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our website and through the SECs website. To access it through our website, follow the directions above to reach the Conducting Business Responsibly page. Click on the words Proxy Voting Records on the left side of that page, and then click on the View Proxy Voting Records link at the bottom of the page that appears.
How to Obtain Quarterly Portfolio Holdings |
The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The funds Form N-Q is available electronically on the SECs website (sec.gov); hard copies may be reviewed and copied at the SECs Public Reference Room, 100 F St. N.E., Washington, DC 20549. For more information on the Public Reference Room, call 1-800-SEC-0330.
About the Funds Directors and Officers |
Your fund is overseen by a Board of Directors (Board) that meets regularly to review a wide variety of matters affecting or potentially affecting the fund, including performance, investment programs, compliance matters, advisory fees and expenses, service providers, and business and regulatory affairs. The Board elects the funds officers, who are listed in the final table. At least 75% of the Boards members are independent of T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (T. Rowe Price), and its affiliates; inside or interested directors are employees or officers of T. Rowe Price. The business address of each director and officer is 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202. The Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the fund directors and is available without charge by calling a T. Rowe Price representative at 1-800-638-5660.
Independent Directors | ||
Name (Year of Birth) Year Elected* [Number of T. Rowe Price Portfolios Overseen] |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships of Public Companies and Other Investment Companies During the Past Five Years | |
William R. Brody, M.D., Ph.D. (1944) 2009 [181] |
President and Trustee, Salk Institute for Biological Studies (2009 to present); Director, BioMed Realty Trust (2013 to present); Director, Novartis, Inc. (2009 to 2014); Director, IBM (2007 to present) | |
Anthony W. Deering (1945) 1991 [181] |
Chairman, Exeter Capital, LLC, a private investment firm (2004 to present); Director, Brixmor Real Estate Investment Trust (2012 to present); Director and Advisory Board Member, Deutsche Bank North America (2004 to present); Director, Under Armour (2008 to present); Director, Vornado Real Estate Investment Trust (2004 to 2012) | |
Bruce
W. Duncan (1951) 2013 [181] |
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, First Industrial Realty Trust, an owner and operator of industrial properties (2009 to present); Chairman of the Board (2005 to present) and Director (1999 to present), Starwood Hotels & Resorts, a hotel and leisure company | |
Robert J. Gerrard, Jr. (1952) 2012 [181] |
Chairman of Compensation Committee and Director, Syniverse Holdings, Inc., a provider of wireless voice and data services for telecommunications companies (2008 to 2011); Advisory Board Member, Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies, a collaborative working to improve opportunities for young African Americans (1997 to present) | |
Paul
F. McBride (1956) 2013 [181] |
Former Company Officer and Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Initiatives, Black & Decker Corporation (2004 to 2010) | |
Cecilia E. Rouse, Ph.D. (1963) 2012 [181] |
Dean, Woodrow Wilson School (2012 to present); Professor and Researcher, Princeton University (1992 to present); Director, MDRC, a nonprofit education and social policy research organization (2011 to present); Member, National Academy of Education (2010 to present); Research Associate, National Bureau of Economic Researchs Labor Studies Program (2011 to present); Member, Presidents Council of Economic Advisers (2009 to 2011); Chair of Committee on the Status of Minority Groups in the Economic Profession, American Economic Association (2012 to present) | |
John
G. Schreiber (1946) 2001 [181] |
Owner/President, Centaur Capital Partners, Inc., a real estate investment company (1991 to present); Cofounder and Partner, Blackstone Real Estate Advisors, L.P. (1992 to present); Director, General Growth Properties, Inc. (2010 to 2013); Director, Blackstone Mortgage Trust, a real estate financial company (2012 to present); Director and Chairman of the Board, Brixmor Property Group, Inc. (2013 to present); Director, Hilton Worldwide (2013 to present); Director, Hudson Pacific Properties (2014 to present) | |
Mark
R. Tercek (1957) 2009 [181] |
President and Chief Executive Officer, The Nature Conservancy (2008 to present) | |
*Each independent director serves until retirement, resignation, or election of a successor. | ||
Inside Directors | ||
Name (Year of Birth) Year Elected* [Number of T. Rowe Price Portfolios Overseen] |
Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships of Public Companies and Other Investment Companies During the Past Five Years | |
Edward C. Bernard (1956) 2006 [181] |
Director and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Vice Chairman of the Board, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Chairman of the Board, Director, and President, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board and Director, T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Director, T. Rowe Price International; Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Director, and President, T. Rowe Price Trust Company; Chairman of the Board, all funds | |
Brian
C. Rogers, CFA, CIC (1955) 2006 [127] |
Chief Investment Officer, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Chairman of the Board, Chief Investment Officer, Director, and Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Vice President, T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
*Each inside director serves until retirement, resignation, or election of a successor. |
Officers | ||
Name (Year of Birth) | ||
Position Held With Institutional International Funds | Principal Occupation(s) | |
Ulle Adamson, CFA (1979) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Roy H. Adkins (1970) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Christopher D. Alderson
(1962) President |
Companys Representative, Director, and Vice President, Price Hong Kong; Director and Vice President, Price Singapore and T. Rowe Price International; Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Paulina Amieva (1981) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Malik S. Asif (1981) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, student, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business (to 2012) | |
Harishankar Balkrishna
(1983) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Peter J. Bates, CFA
(1974) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Oliver D.M. Bell, IMC
(1969) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, Head of Global Emerging Markets Research, Pictet Asset Management Ltd. (to 2011) | |
R. Scott Berg, CFA
(1972) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Steven E. Boothe, CFA
(1977) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Peter I. Botoucharov
(1965) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, Director, EMEA Macroeconomic Research and Strategy (to 2012) | |
Tala Boulos (1984) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, Vice President, CEEMEA Corporate Credit Research, Deutsche Bank (to 2013) | |
Darrell N. Braman (1963) Vice President |
Vice President, Price Hong Kong, Price Singapore, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price International, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc. | |
Carolyn Hoi Che Chu (1974) Vice President |
Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Archibald Ciganer Albeniz, CFA (1976) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Richard N. Clattenburg, CFA (1979) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, Price Singapore, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Michael J. Conelius, CFA (1964) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Richard de los Reyes (1975) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Michael Della Vedova (1969) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Laurent Delgrande (1971) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, Portfolio Manager, Fidelity International Limited (to 2014) | |
Shawn
T. Driscoll (1975) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Bridget A. Ebner (1970) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
David
J. Eiswert, CFA (1972) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Mark
S. Finn, CFA, CPA (1963) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
John
R. Gilner (1961) Chief Compliance Officer |
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President, T. Rowe Price; Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. | |
Paul
D. Greene II (1978) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Benjamin Griffiths, CFA (1977) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Richard L. Hall (1979) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; formerly, Financial Attaché, U.S. Department of Treasury, International Affairs Division (to 2012) | |
Steven C. Huber, CFA, FSA (1958) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Stefan Hubrich, Ph.D., CFA (1974) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Arif
Husain, CFA (1972) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, Director/Head of UK and Euro Fixed Income, AllianceBernstein (to 2013) | |
Dominic Janssens (1965) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Randal S. Jenneke (1971) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Yoichiro Kai (1973) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Andrew J. Keirle (1974) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Paul
J. Krug, CPA (1964) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Christopher J. Kushlis, CFA (1976) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Mark
J. Lawrence (1970) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
David
M. Lee, CFA (1962) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Patricia B. Lippert (1953) Secretary |
Assistant Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc. | |
Christopher C. Loop, CFA (1966) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Anh
Lu (1968) Vice President |
Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Sebastien Mallet (1974) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Catherine D. Mathews (1963) Treasurer and Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Jonathan H.W. Matthews, CFA (1975) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Raymond A. Mills, Ph.D., CFA (1960) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Sudhir Nanda, Ph.D., CFA (1959) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Joshua Nelson (1977) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Sridhar Nishtala (1975) Vice President |
Vice President, Price Singapore and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Jason
Nogueira, CFA (1974) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
David
Oestreicher (1967) Vice President |
Director, Vice President, and Secretary, T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company; Chief Legal Officer, Vice President, and Secretary, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.; Vice President and Secretary, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price International; Vice President, Price Hong Kong and Price Singapore | |
Michael D. Oh, CFA (1974) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Kenneth A. Orchard (1975) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Oluwaseun A. Oyegunle, CFA
(1984) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International; formerly, student, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (to 2013); Summer Investment Analyst, T. Rowe Price International (2012); Analyst, Asset & Resource Management Limited (to 2012); Analyst, Vetiva Capital Management Limited (to 2011) | |
Gonzalo Pángaro, CFA
(1968) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
John W. Ratzesberger
(1975) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company; formerly, North American Head of Listed Derivatives Operation, Morgan Stanley (to 2013) | |
Federico Santilli, CFA
(1974) Executive Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Sebastian Schrott (1977) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Deborah D. Seidel (1962) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., T. Rowe Price Investment Services, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Services, Inc. | |
Robert W. Sharps, CFA, CPA
(1971) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
John C.A. Sherman (1969) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Robert W. Smith (1961) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Gabriel Solomon (1977) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Joshua K. Spencer, CFA
(1973) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
David A. Stanley (1963) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Taymour R. Tamaddon, CFA
(1976) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Ju Yen Tan (1972) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Dean Tenerelli (1964) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Eric L. Veiel, CFA (1972) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Verena Wachnitz, CFA
(1978) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Christopher S. Whitehouse
(1972) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
J. Howard Woodward, CFA
(1974) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc., and T. Rowe Price International | |
Ernest C. Yeung, CFA
(1979) Vice President |
Vice President, Price Hong Kong and T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | |
Jeffrey T. Zoller (1970) Vice President |
Vice President, T. Rowe Price, T. Rowe Price International, and T. Rowe Price Trust Company | |
Unless otherwise noted, officers have been employees of T. Rowe Price or T. Rowe Price International for at least 5 years. |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
The registrant has adopted a code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of this code of ethics is filed as an exhibit to this Form N-CSR. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to this code of ethics during the period covered by this report.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
The registrants Board of Directors/Trustees has determined that Mr. Bruce W. Duncan qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR. Mr. Duncan is considered independent for purposes of Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
(a) (d) Aggregate fees billed for the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered to, or on behalf of, the registrant by the registrants principal accountant were as follows:
Audit fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrants annual financial statements and services normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Audit-related fees include amounts reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrants financial statements and specifically include the issuance of a report on internal controls and, if applicable, agreed-upon procedures related to fund acquisitions. Tax fees include amounts related to services for tax compliance, tax planning, and tax advice. The nature of these services specifically includes the review of distribution calculations and the preparation of Federal, state, and excise tax returns. All other fees include the registrants pro-rata share of amounts for agreed-upon procedures in conjunction with service contract approvals by the registrants Board of Directors/Trustees.
(e)(1) The registrants audit committee has adopted a policy whereby audit and non-audit services performed by the registrants principal accountant for the registrant, its investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant require pre-approval in advance at regularly scheduled audit committee meetings. If such a service is required between regularly scheduled audit committee meetings, pre-approval may be authorized by one audit committee member with ratification at the next scheduled audit committee meeting. Waiver of pre-approval for audit or non-audit services requiring fees of a de minimis amount is not permitted.
(2) No services included in (b) (d) above were approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) Less than 50 percent of the hours expended on the principal accountants engagement to audit the registrants financial statements for the most recent fiscal year were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountants full-time, permanent employees.
(g) The aggregate fees billed for the most recent fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year by the registrants principal accountant for non-audit services rendered to the registrant, its investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $2,158,000 and $2,283,000, respectively.
(h) All non-audit services rendered in (g) above were pre-approved by the registrants audit committee. Accordingly, these services were considered by the registrants audit committee in maintaining the principal accountants independence.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
(b) 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.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer have evaluated the registrants disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrants disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of that date, in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.
(b) The registrants principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the registrants internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrants second fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) The registrants code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is attached.
(2) Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.
(3) Written solicitation to repurchase securities issued by closed-end companies: not applicable.
(b) A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached.
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.
T. Rowe Price Institutional International
Funds, Inc.
By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
Edward C. Bernard | ||
Principal Executive Officer | ||
Date February 17, 2016 |
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/ Edward C. Bernard | |
Edward C. Bernard | ||
Principal Executive Officer | ||
Date February 17, 2016 | ||
By | /s/ Catherine D. Mathews | |
Catherine D. Mathews | ||
Principal Financial Officer | ||
Date February 17, 2016 |
Item 12(a)(2).
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Edward C. Bernard, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund; | |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | |
4. | The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: | |
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | |
(b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and | |
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting; and | |
5. | The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and | |
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. | |
Date: February 17, 2016 | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
Edward C. Bernard | ||
Principal Executive Officer |
CERTIFICATIONS
I, Catherine D. Mathews, certify that:
1. | I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund; | |
2. | Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; | |
3. | Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; | |
4. | The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have: | |
(a) | Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; | |
(b) | Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; | |
(c) | Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and | |
(d) | Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants 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 registrants internal control over financial reporting; and | |
5. | The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): | |
(a) | All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and | |
(b) | Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. | |
Date: February 17, 2016 | /s/ Catherine D. Mathews | |
Catherine D. Mathews | ||
Principal Financial Officer |
Item 12(b).
CERTIFICATION UNDER SECTION 906 OF SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 | ||
Name of Issuer: T. Rowe Price Institutional International Bond Fund | ||
In connection with the Report on Form N-CSR for the above named Issuer, the undersigned hereby | ||
certifies, to the best of his knowledge, that: | ||
1. | The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities | |
Exchange Act of 1934; | ||
2. | The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial | |
condition and results of operations of the Issuer. |
Date: February 17, 2016 | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
Edward C. Bernard | ||
Principal Executive Officer | ||
Date: February 17, 2016 | /s/ Catherine D. Mathews | |
Catherine D. Mathews | ||
Principal Financial Officer |
CODE OF ETHICS FOR PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
AND SENIOR FINANCIAL
OFFICERS OF THE PRICE FUNDS
UNDER THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I. General Statement. This Code of Ethics (the Price Funds S-O Code) has been designed to bring the Price Funds into compliance with the applicable requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act) rules promulgated by The Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder (Regulations). The Price Funds S-O Code applies solely to the Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer or Controller of, or persons performing similar functions for, a Price Fund (whether such persons are employed by a Price Fund or third party) (Covered Officers). The Price Funds shall include each mutual fund that is managed, sponsored and distributed by affiliates of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Group). The investment managers to the Price Funds will be referred to as the Price Fund Advisers. A list of Covered Officers is attached as Exhibit A.
The Price Fund Advisers have, along with their parent, T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Group) also maintained a comprehensive Code of Ethics and Conduct (the Group Code) since 1972, which applies to all officers, directors and employees of the Price Funds, Group and its affiliates.
As mandated by the Act, Group has adopted a Code (the Group S-O Code), similar to the Price Funds S-O Code, which applies solely to its principal executive and senior financial officers. The Group S-O Code and the Price Funds S-O Code will be referred to collectively as the S-O Codes.
The Price Funds S-O Code has been adopted by the Price Funds in accordance with the Act and Regulations thereunder and will be administered in conformity with the disclosure requirements of Item 2 of Form N-CSR. The S-O Codes are attachments to the Group Code. In many respects the S-O Codes are supplementary to the Group Code, but the Group Code is administered separately from the S-O Codes, as the S-O Codes are from each other.
II. Purpose of the Price Funds S-O Code. The purpose of the Price Funds S-O Code, as mandated by the Act and the Regulations, is to establish standards that are reasonably designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote:
Ethical Conduct. Honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
Disclosure. Full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Price Funds file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by the Price Funds.
Compliance. Compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations.
Reporting of Violations. The prompt internal reporting of violations of the Price Funds S-O Code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Price Funds S-O Code.
Accountability. Accountability for adherence to the Price Funds S-O Code.
III. Covered Officers Should Handle Ethically Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest.
Overview. Each Covered Officer owes a duty to the Price Funds to adhere to a high standard of honesty and business ethics and should be sensitive to situations that may give rise to actual as well as apparent conflicts of interest.
A conflict of interest occurs when a Covered Officers private interest interferes with the interests of, or his or her service to, the Price Funds. For example, a conflict of interest would arise if a Covered Officer, or a member of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position with a Price Fund.
Certain conflicts of interest covered by the Price Funds S-O Code arise out of the relationships between Covered Officers and the Price Funds and may already be subject to provisions regulating conflicts of interest in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (Investment Company Act), the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (Investment Advisers Act) and the Group Code. For example, Covered Officers may not individually engage in certain transactions (such as the purchase or sale of securities or other property) with a Price Fund because of their status as affiliated persons of a Price Fund. The compliance programs and procedures of the Price Funds and Price Fund Advisers are designed to prevent, or identify and correct, violations of these provisions.
Although typically not presenting an opportunity for improper personal benefit, conflicts arise from, or as a result of, the contractual relationship between a Price Fund and its Price Fund Adviser (and its affiliates) of which the Covered Officers may also be officers or employees. As a result, the Price Funds S-O Code recognizes that the Covered Officers will, in the normal course of their duties (whether formally for the Price Funds or for the Price Fund Advisers, or for both), be involved in establishing policies and implementing decisions which will have different effects on these entities. The participation of the Covered Officers in such activities is inherent in the contractual relationship between each Price Fund and its respective Price Fund Adviser. Such participation is also consistent with the performance by the Covered Officers of their duties as officers of the Price Funds and, if consistent with the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act, it will be deemed to have been handled ethically.
Other conflicts of interest are covered by the Price Funds S-O Code, even if these conflicts of interest are not addressed by or subject to provisions in the Investment Company Act and the Investment Advisers Act.
Whenever a Covered Officer is confronted with a conflict of interest situation where he or she is uncertain as to the appropriate action to be taken, he or she should discuss the matter with the Chairperson of Groups Ethics Committee or another member of the Committee.
Handling of Specific Types of Conflicts. Each Covered Officer (and close family members) must not:
Entertainment. Accept entertainment from any company with which any Price Fund or any Price Fund Adviser has current or prospective business dealings, including portfolio companies, unless such entertainment is in full compliance with the policy on entertainment as set forth in the Group Code.
Gifts. Accept any gifts, except as permitted by the Group Code.
Improper Personal Influence. Use his or her personal influence or personal relationships improperly to influence investment decisions, brokerage allocations or financial reporting by the Price Funds to the detriment of any one or more of the Price Funds.
Taking Action at the Expense of a Price Fund. Cause a Price Fund to take action, or fail to take action, for the personal benefit of the Covered Officer rather than for the benefit of one or more of the Price Funds.
Misuse of Price Funds Transaction Information. Use knowledge of portfolio transactions made or contemplated for a Price Fund or any other clients of the Price Fund Advisers to trade personally or cause others to trade in order to take advantage of or avoid the market impact of such portfolio transactions.
Outside Business Activities. Engage in any outside business activity that detracts from a Covered Officers ability to devote appropriate time and attention to his or her responsibilities to a Price Fund.
Service Providers. Excluding Group and its affiliates, have any ownership interest in, or any consulting or employment relationship with, any of the Price Funds service providers, except that an ownership interest in public companies is permitted
Receipt of Payments. Have a direct or indirect financial interest in commissions, transaction charges, spreads or other payments paid by a Price Fund for effecting portfolio transactions or for selling or redeeming shares other than an interest (such as compensation or equity ownership) arising from the Covered Officers employment by Group or any of its affiliates.
Service as a Director or Trustee. Serve as a director, trustee or officer of any public or private company or a non-profit organization that issues securities eligible for purchase by any of the Price Funds, unless approval is obtained as required by the Group Code.
IV. Covered Officers Specific Obligations and Accountabilities.
A. Disclosure Requirements and Controls. Each Covered Officer must familiarize himself or herself with the disclosure requirements (Form N-1A registration statement, proxy (Schedule 14A), shareholder reports, Forms N-SAR, N-CSR, etc.) applicable to the Price Funds and the disclosure controls and procedures of the Price Fund and the Price Fund Advisers.
B. Compliance with Applicable Law. It is the responsibility of each Covered Officer to promote compliance with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Price Funds and the Price Fund Advisers. Each Covered Officer should, to the extent appropriate within his or her area of responsibility, consult with other officers and employees of the Price Funds and the Price Fund Advisers and take other appropriate steps with the goal of promoting full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in the reports and documents the Price Funds file with, or submit to, the SEC, and in other public communications made by the Price Funds.
C. Fair Disclosure. Each Covered Officer must not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent, facts about a Price Fund to others, whether within or outside the Price organization, including to the Price Funds directors and auditors, and to governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations.
D. Initial and Annual Affirmations. Each Covered Officer must:
1. Upon adoption of the Price Funds S-O Code (or thereafter, as applicable, upon becoming a Covered Officer), affirm in writing that he or she has received, read, and understands the Price Funds S-O Code.
2. Annually affirm that he or she has complied with the requirements of the Price Funds S-O Code.
E. Reporting of Material Violations of the Price Funds S-O Code. If a Covered Officer becomes aware of any material violation of the Price Funds S-O Code or laws and governmental rules and regulations applicable to the operations of the Price Funds, he or she must promptly report the violation (Report) to the Chief Legal Counsel of the Price Funds (CLC). Failure to report a material violation will be considered itself a violation of the Price Funds S-O Code. The CLC is identified in the attached Exhibit B.
It is the Price Funds policy that no retaliation or other adverse action will be taken against any Covered Officer or other employee of a Price Fund, a Price Fund Adviser or their affiliates based upon any lawful actions of the Covered Officer or employee with respect to a Report made in good faith.
F. Annual Disclosures. Each Covered Officer must report, at least annually, all affiliations or other relationships as called for in the Annual Questionnaire for Executive Officers and/or Employee Directors/Trustees of Group and the Price Funds.
V. Administration of the Price Funds S-O Code. The Ethics Committee is responsible for administering the Price Funds S-O Code and applying its provisions to specific situations in which questions are presented.
A. Waivers and Interpretations. The Chairperson of the Ethics Committee has the authority to interpret the Price Funds S-O Code in any particular situation and to grant waivers where justified, subject to the approval of the Joint Audit Committee of the Price Funds. All material interpretations concerning Covered Officers will be reported to the Joint Audit Committee of the Price Funds at its next meeting. Waivers, including implicit waivers, to Covered Officers will be publicly disclosed as required in the Instructions to N-CSR. Pursuant to the definition in the Regulations, an implicit waiver means a Price Funds failure to take action within a reasonable period of time regarding a material departure from a provision of the Price Funds S-O Code that has been made known to an executive officer (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of a Price Fund. An executive officer of a Price Fund includes its president and any vice-president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function.
B. Violations/Investigations. The following procedures will be followed in investigating and enforcing the Price Funds S-O Code:
1. The CLC will take or cause to be taken appropriate action to investigate any potential or actual violation reported to him or her.
2. The CLC, after consultation if deemed appropriate with Outside Counsel to the Price Funds, will make a recommendation to the appropriate Price Funds Board regarding the action to be taken with regard to each material violation. Such action could include any of the following: a letter of censure or suspension, a fine, a suspension of trading privileges or termination of officership or employment. In addition, the violator may be required to surrender any profit realized (or loss avoided) from any activity that is in violation of the Price Funds S-O Code.
VI. Amendments to the Price Funds S-O Code. Except as to the contents of Exhibit A and Exhibit B, the Price Funds S-O Code may not be materially amended except in written form, which is specifically approved or ratified by a majority vote of each Price Fund Board, including a majority of the independent directors on each Board.
VII. Confidentiality. All reports and records prepared or maintained pursuant to the Price Funds S-O Code will be considered confidential and shall be maintained and protected accordingly. Except as otherwise required by law, the Price Funds S-O Code or as necessary in connection with regulations under the Price Funds S-O Code, such matters shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the directors of the appropriate Price Fund Board, Outside Counsel to the Price Funds, members of the Ethics Committee and the CLC and authorized persons on his or her staff.
Preparation Date: 9/30/03
Adoption Date:
10/22/03
Exhibit A
Persons Covered by the Price Funds S-O Code
of Ethics
Edward C. Bernard, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Catherine D. Mathews, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer
Exhibit B
David Oestreicher, Chief Legal Counsel to
the Price Funds
&%P+S$N,"\ /#]X<&%C
M:V5T(&)E9VEN/2+ON[\B(&ED/2)7-4TP37!#96AI2'IR95-Z3E1C>FMC.60B
M/SX@/'@Z>&UP;65T82!X;6QN >=Q%5E:0/R;'@=G8Q;!
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MU?\ C>C;Q_JVW[/U6[];^?\ :_JWZ+]K^F:#(2 (2=0%<$+:1-F5Q&WP,F21GXQ\4F1$6
M@UVQ[7]%L8FCB&8SPQV.0RK50M]A<0A\C+5&0,$G P@ S%Q,\X[_ (]!GO>W
MG4[UE]FQ5=SV'+LM-5NVGYRD>FA@PIH0!E7^2T@VDY?D=OT')70.IH9C65Z9
MH/$J77I2FQ87X)2?(I3-C!YUK/S M_* %H-AT#0- T'_T_5.@X.9"DFV1DH
M9+:,>)3X1X^$1_Y=!U0CW5[7&,1DV(H6T6L.OLD)J@W?7HKLJ&U784M/EL#6
M:9*:(*'G0U? 6@PN]V>]7
M/G\?#CT5BZQ[I4[^2N4^\!DJ0V+G=9J2RP#)6-:*9%("*Y$Y8.PA6/S V[/K:$6E#WV=3RF"M
MCA196Q?7PZU=K%9*"LH&!W-!HK$JQE(#X>$-V_E:$1+WO(F5=5KX? *QE3J5
M\[V/3-EMC>+&0TUL)D;IDSW23/[WD -"-5[WV7'=F[/
@B?RPP'X/8Q//:FO9P=;KAGO7OBI4AHK.)X
M]O//J#WEMX_*'RA^L$N>AX4LK.2,W&TLBS*DHI"52YV/_#3"1V>/%P>;;NW<
MOU]GR]!2^V_0\WUS(W;62LBQ$TJF,QE87S9X:U,W$ \DUZDB P^ !9"X_+N.
MPS=Y0WW0- T#04'8NH!F,KC
8_P!)H'\PL#_E
M8_P!)H,,=UZI%PKT8[*Q=-8I.S& R_*2@(B%:/0_-\&?,C?N\_FT&.O8]NJEO'NQ^'R>/1C6NM(HT^O9-
M%8K+U0B;!K71CK4
MULG%!B X@XVIV
MJETA5L+WM5!D24JK,L<9<#U$&PPW;W%K7;;^F)1;*C;9FQ_2T"#"7/X9=DI"
M'":Y^CQB-ZR_Z.B-%L>YG:JSL)5G)D5L+Q(N\\55#