N-CSRS 1 sr43020gmf.htm DWS GLOBAL MACRO FUND

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSRS

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-00642

 

Deutsche DWS International Fund, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

875 Third Avenue

New York, NY 10022-6225

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code: (212) 454-4500

 

Diane Kenneally

One International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Date of fiscal year end: 10/31
   
Date of reporting period: 4/30/2020

 

ITEM 1. REPORT TO STOCKHOLDERS
   

LOGO

April 30, 2020

Semiannual Report

to Shareholders

DWS Global Macro Fund

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s Web site (dws.com), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a Web site link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), or if you are a direct investor, by calling (800) 728-3337 or sending an email request to service@dws.com.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the Fund, you can call (800) 728-3337 or send an email request to service@dws.com to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all funds held with DWS if you invest directly with the Fund.

 

LOGO

 


Contents

 

  4      Letter to Shareholders
  5      Performance Summary
  9      Portfolio Management Team
  10      Portfolio Summary
  12      Investment Portfolio
  20      Statement of Assets and Liabilities
  22      Statement of Operations
  23      Statements of Changes in Net Assets
  24      Financial Highlights
  31      Notes to Financial Statements
  49      Information About Your Fund’s Expenses
  51      Liquidity Risk Management
  52      Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation
  57      Account Management Resources
  59      Privacy Statement

 

 

The brand DWS represents DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA and any of its subsidiaries such as DWS Distributors, Inc. which offers investment products or DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. and RREEF America L.L.C. which offer advisory services.

NOT FDIC/NCUA INSURED     NO BANK GUARANTEE     MAY LOSE VALUE NOT A DEPOSIT     NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

 

2   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


This report must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus. To obtain a summary prospectus, if available, or prospectus for any of our funds, refer to the Account Management Resources information provided in the back of this booklet. We advise you to consider the Fund’s objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The summary prospectus and prospectus contain this and other important information about the Fund. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

Stocks may decline in value. Investing in foreign securities presents certain risks, such as currency fluctuations, political and economic changes, and market risks. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. The Fund’s use of forward currency contracts may not be successful in hedging currency exchange rates changes and could eliminate some or all of the benefit of an increase in the value of a foreign currency versus the US dollar. Although allocation among different asset categories generally limits risk, fund management may favor an asset category that underperforms other assets or markets as a whole. Investing in derivatives entails special risks relating to liquidity, leverage and credit that may reduce returns and/or increased volatility. Investments in lower-quality (“junk bonds”) and non-rated securities present greater risk of loss than investments in higher-quality securities. The Fund may lend securities to approved institutions. Please read the prospectus for details.

War, terrorism, economic uncertainty, trade disputes, public health crises (including the recent pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus) and related geopolitical events could lead to increased market volatility, disruption to U.S. and world economies and markets and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     3  


Letter to Shareholders

Dear Shareholder:

While the economy isn’t expected to shrug off the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic easily, DWS’s CIO Office is cautiously optimistic. Our CIO Office anticipates the recession in the United States (“U.S.”) to be shallower than in the Eurozone, followed by a more robust U.S. recovery primarily benefiting from the outsized U.S. fiscal stimulus. Our CIO office sees long-lasting disruptions of supply chains and consumer spending, potentially derailing the current outlook.

What is already becoming clear is the current assessment of the situation by financial markets. As of mid-May, U.S. markets have moved from panic mode back to relatively high valuations. However, sentiment can quickly change and March lows may be tested again in the coming months. With respect to the bond markets, we think that accommodative central bank action will continue or even accelerate, with the interest rates set to remain low for the foreseeable future.

What may come next? In the short term, we expect markets to remain volatile. While our strategists forecast peaking uncertainty on stock markets, sharp setbacks could happen at any time. Stocks have become even more appealing for the medium to long term time horizons, due to the very accommodative monetary policy of the leading central banks and growing fiscal deficits.

As the U.S. and global economies forge a path to recovery, close monitoring of developments to assess potential opportunities and risks is critical. We believe the unique structure of our CIO Office — which synthesizes the views of more than 900 DWS economists, analysts and investment professionals around the world — perfectly positions us to make strategic and tactical decisions. Those insights are updated frequently and are always available on the “Insights” section of dws.com.

As always, we appreciate your trust and welcome the opportunity to help you navigate these unusual times. We believe our decades of experience in managing assets through multiple market cycles and events will add value in times such as these.

Best regards,

 

LOGO   

LOGO

Hepsen Uzcan

 

President, DWS Funds

Assumptions, estimates and opinions contained in this document constitute our judgment as of the date of the document and are subject to change without notice. Any projections are based on a number of assumptions as to market conditions and there can be no guarantee that any projected results will be achieved. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

 

4   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Performance Summary   April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

Class A   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge     –5.28%       –2.30%       3.15%       5.10%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 5.75% load)
    –10.72%       –7.91%       1.94%       4.48%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
    0.85%       2.07%       1.19%       0.64%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge       –3.35%       2.86%       4.63%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 5.75% load)
      –8.91%       1.64%       4.01%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
      2.25%       1.19%       0.64%  
Class C   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge     –5.68%       –3.24%       2.37%       4.31%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 1.00% CDSC)
    –6.61%       –3.24%       2.37%       4.31%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
    0.85%       2.07%       1.19%       0.64%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

Unadjusted for Sales Charge       –4.12%       2.07%       3.85%  
Adjusted for the Maximum Sales Charge
(max 1.00% CDSC)
      –4.12%       2.07%       3.85%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
      2.25%       1.19%       0.64%  
Class R   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

No Sales Charges     –5.43%       –2.64%       2.89%       4.84%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
    0.85%       2.07%       1.19%       0.64%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

No Sales Charges       –3.51%       2.61%       4.37%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
      2.25%       1.19%       0.64%  

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     5  


Class R6               6-Month     Life of
Class*
 
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

No Sales Charges         –5.18%       –2.44%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
        0.85%       1.61%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

No Sales Charges           –5.21%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
          1.61%  
Class S   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

No Sales Charges     –5.21%       –2.06%       3.39%       5.32%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
    0.85%       2.07%       1.19%       0.64%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

No Sales Charges       –3.04%       3.11%       4.85%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
      2.25%       1.19%       0.64%  
Institutional Class   6-Month     1-Year     5-Year     10-Year  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 4/30/20

 

No Sales Charges     –5.12%       –2.08%       3.43%       5.41%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
    0.85%       2.07%       1.19%       0.64%  
Average Annual Total Returns as of 3/31/20 (most recent calendar quarter end)

 

No Sales Charges       –3.06%       3.13%       4.93%  
ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch
U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index
      2.25%       1.19%       0.64%  

Performance in the Average Annual Total Returns table(s) above and the Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment line graph that follows is historical and does not guarantee future results. Investment return and principal fluctuate, so your shares may be worth more or less when redeemed. Current performance may differ from performance data shown. Please visit dws.com for the Fund’s most recent month-end performance. Fund performance includes reinvestment of all distributions. Unadjusted returns do not reflect sales charges and would have been lower if they had.

The gross expense ratios of the Fund, as stated in the fee table of the prospectus dated February 1, 2020 are 2.10%, 2.53%, 2.84%, 2.47%, 1.84%, 1.88% and 1.69% for Class A, Class T, Class C, Class R, Class R6, Class S and Institutional Class shares, respectively, and may differ from the expense ratios disclosed in the Financial Highlights tables in this report.

 

6   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Index returns do not reflect any fees or expenses and it is not possible to invest directly into an index.

Performance figures do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares.

Prior to May 8, 2017, this Fund was known as Deutsche Global Equity Fund. The Fund’s investment objective, strategy and portfolio management team also changed on that date. All returns, rankings and ratings prior to May 8, 2017 were achieved with a different objective, strategy and portfolio management. Please see the prospectus for details.

Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only, and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights.

 

Growth of an Assumed $10,000 Investment
(Adjusted for Maximum Sales Charge)

 

LOGO

 

The Fund’s growth of an assumed $10,000 investment is adjusted for the maximum sales charge of 5.75%. This results in a net initial investment of $9,425.

The growth of $10,000 is cumulative.

Performance of other share classes will vary based on the sales charges and the fee structure of those classes.

 

*

Class R6 shares commenced operations on July 1, 2019.

 

 

ICE Bank of America Merrill Lynch U.S. 3-Month Treasury Bill Index tracks the performance of the U.S. dollar denominated U.S. Treasury Bills publicly issued in the U.S. domestic market with a remaining term to final maturity of less than three months.

 

 

Total returns shown for periods less than one year are not annualized.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     7  


    Class A     Class T     Class C     Class R     Class R6     Class S     Institutional
Class
 
Net Asset Value              
4/30/20     $9.35       $9.17     $ 8.77     $ 9.00     $ 9.17     $ 9.14     $ 9.16  
12/2/19 (commencement of operations of Class T)   $     $ 10.08     $     $     $     $     $  
10/31/19   $ 10.16     $     $ 9.48     $ 9.77     $ 9.98     $ 9.95     $ 9.97  
Distribution Information as on 4/30/20

 

       
Income Dividends, Six Months   $ .29     $ .28     $ .19     $ .26     $ .31     $ .32     $ .32  

 

8   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Portfolio Management Team

Henning Potstada, Managing Director

Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2017.

 

Joined DWS in 2006.

Portfolio Manager for Multi Asset: Frankfurt.

MBA, University of Bayreuth, Germany.

Christoph-Arend Schmidt, CFA, Director

Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2017.

 

Joined DWS in 2008.

Portfolio Manager for Multi Asset: Frankfurt.

MBA, University of Bayreuth, Germany.

Stefan Flasdick, Vice President

Portfolio Manager of the Fund. Began managing the Fund in 2017.

 

Joined DWS in 2004 with 11 years of industry experience. Prior to his current role, he served as a portfolio manager in Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management. Previously, he served in Futures & Options Sales for Germany & Austria at JP Morgan in London and Frankfurt. He began his career as a Trainee in Treasury and F&O Sales at BfG Bank / Credit Lyonnais.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     9  


Portfolio Summary   (Unaudited)
Asset Allocation (As a % of Investment Portfolio excluding
Securities Lending Collateral)
   4/30/20      10/31/19  

Common Stocks

     55%        50%  

Cash Equivalents

     13%        11%  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

     11%        11%  

Corporate Bonds

     10%        15%  

Sovereign Bonds

     7%        8%  
Preferred Stocks      2%         

Fixed Income Exchange-Traded Funds

     1%        4%  

Convertible Bonds

     1%        1%  
       100%        100%  
Geographical Diversification (As a % of Investment
Portfolio excluding Exchange Traded Funds, Cash Equivalents and
Securities Lending Collateral)
   4/30/20      10/31/19  

United States

     46%        41%  

Germany

     19%        13%  

France

     9%        11%  

United Kingdom

     4%        5%  

Switzerland

     4%        4%  

Norway

     3%         

Russia

     3%        4%  

Turkey

     3%        6%  

China

     2%        2%  

Taiwan

     2%        2%  

Netherlands

     2%        7%  

Japan

     1%        2%  

Other

     2%        3%  
       100%        100%  
Sector Diversification (As a % of Common Stocks,
Preferred Stocks, Corporate Bonds and Convertible Bonds)
   4/30/20      10/31/19  

Health Care

     26%        19%  

Communication Services

     22%        18%  

Information Technology

     15%        11%  

Consumer Discretionary

     7%        3%  

Financials

     7%        18%  

Consumer Staples

     6%        5%  

Industrials

     5%        9%  

Real Estate

     4%         

Utilities

     4%        2%  

Materials

     2%        3%  

Energy

     2%        12%  
       100%        100%  

 

10   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Five Largest Equity Holdings at April 30, 2020
(13.5% of Net Assets)
  Country   Percent  
  1    

Alphabet, Inc.

 

United States

    3.1
       

Provides Web-based search, maps, hardware products and various software applications

           
  2    

Johnson & Johnson

 

United States

    3.1
       

Provider of health care products

           
  3    

Vonovia SE

 

Germany

    2.9
       

Provider of real estate services

           
  4    

Microsoft Corp.

 

United States

    2.3
       

Develops, manufactures, licenses, sells and supports software products

           
  5    

E.ON SE

 

Germany

    2.1
       

Distributor of electricity to commercial and residential customers

           

 

Five Largest Fixed-Income Long-Term Securities
at April 30, 2020
(10.3% of Net Assets)
  Country   Percent  
  1     U.S. Treasury Note   United States     2.4
        1.625%, 12/31/2021            
  2     U.S. Treasury Notes   United States     2.4
        1.5%, 9/30/2021            
  3     U.S. Treasury Notes   United States     2.0
        2.375%, 5/15/2029            
  4     AbbVie, Inc.   United States     1.9
        2.95%, 11/21/2026            
  5     Norway Government Bond   Norway     1.6
        3.75%, 5/25/2021            

Portfolio holdings and characteristics are subject to change.

For more complete details about the Fund’s investment portfolio, see page 12. A quarterly Fact Sheet is available on dws.com or upon request. Please see the Account Management Resources section on page 57 for contact information.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     11  


Investment Portfolio   as of April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)

 

    Shares     Value ($)  
Common Stocks 53.2%    
Austria 0.1%    

Lenzing AG

    3,053       175,370  

Verbund AG

    945       42,958  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $341,311)

      218,328  
Belgium 0.0%    

bpost SA (Cost $133,105)

    8,908       62,181  
China 1.9%    

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (ADR)*

    9,610       1,947,659  

Tencent Holdings Ltd.

    25,100       1,328,421  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $3,079,631)

      3,276,080  
France 5.6%    

AXA SA

    88,084       1,571,499  

Bureau Veritas SA

    12,950       268,941  

Capgemini SE

    7,409       696,228  

Cie de Saint-Gobain

    25,739       682,749  

EssilorLuxottica SA

    7,391       914,632  

L’Oreal SA

    743       217,033  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    3,876       1,510,921  

Sanofi

    19,615       1,922,728  

TOTAL SA

    26,127       940,955  

Veolia Environnement SA

    32,293       689,838  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $11,038,413)

      9,415,524  
Germany 12.1%    

BASF SE

    18,179       934,094  

Bayer AG (Registered)

    38,928       2,560,734  

Deutsche Telekom AG (Registered)

    146,567       2,136,598  

E.ON SE

    356,983       3,576,352  

Evonik Industries AG

    46,240       1,137,130  

Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA

    25,091       1,088,300  

Infineon Technologies AG

    114,411       2,103,512  

Merck KGaA

    5,511       639,272  

SAP SE

    11,732       1,399,085  

Vonovia SE

    99,890       4,931,816  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $22,236,680)

      20,506,893  
Italy 0.6%    

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA (Cost $1,650,136)

    603,401       938,911  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

12   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


    Shares     Value ($)  
Japan 1.1%    

Panasonic Corp.

    161,800       1,234,685  

Secom Co., Ltd.

    6,600       551,487  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $2,149,385)

      1,786,172  
Korea 0.2%    

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (Cost $351,103)

    8,000       327,723  
Netherlands 1.8%    

ASML Holding NV

    1,497       438,261  

Heineken NV

    7,336       624,652  

Koninklijke Ahold Delhaize NV

    43,169       1,051,278  

Royal Dutch Shell PLC “A”

    59,031       994,785  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $3,471,600)

      3,108,976  
Russia 0.4%    

Sberbank of Russia PJSC (ADR) (Cost $984,741)

    67,484       709,257  
Singapore 0.1%    

Singapore Exchange Ltd. (Cost $126,947)

    20,000       136,724  
Spain 0.1%    

Red Electrica Corp. SA (Cost $168,595)

    8,090       142,017  
Switzerland 3.3%    

Nestle SA (Registered)

    16,102       1,696,417  

Novartis AG (Registered)

    11,270       959,368  

Roche Holding AG (Genusschein)

    6,288       2,189,696  

TE Connectivity Ltd. (a)

    9,750       716,235  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $4,475,417)

      5,561,716  
Taiwan 1.9%    

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

(Cost $3,286,122)

    321,000       3,251,919  
United Kingdom 3.6%    

Compass Group PLC

    43,641       736,890  

Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC

    15,088       1,257,538  

Smith & Nephew PLC

    44,301       868,743  

Vodafone Group PLC

    2,215,476       3,123,587  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $7,329,057)

      5,986,758  
United States 20.4%    

AbbVie, Inc.

    42,047       3,456,263  

Allergan PLC

    6,637       1,243,375  

Alphabet, Inc. “A”*

    3,881       5,226,543  

American Express Co.

    15,583       1,421,949  

Amgen, Inc.

    3,039       726,990  

Apple, Inc.

    3,669       1,077,952  

AT&T, Inc.

    101,742       3,100,079  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     13  


    Shares     Value ($)  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    33,421       1,416,382  

CVS Health Corp.

    22,654       1,394,354  

Johnson & Johnson

    34,346       5,153,274  

MasterCard, Inc. “A”

    3,335       917,025  

Microsoft Corp.

    21,952       3,934,018  

Pfizer, Inc.

    55,157       2,115,822  

Pinterest, Inc. “A”*

    47,739       986,288  

Visa, Inc. “A”

    1,474       263,433  

Walt Disney Co.

    19,234       2,080,157  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $34,843,821)

            34,513,904  

Total Common Stocks (Cost $95,666,064)

      89,943,083  
Preferred Stocks 1.5%    
Germany    

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

    8,706       771,744  

Volkswagen AG

    13,000       1,823,866  

Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $3,415,613)

      2,595,610  
    Principal
Amount ($)(b)
    Value ($)  
Bonds 27.0%    
France 1.3%    

BNP Paribas SA, REG S, 3-month EURIBOR + 0.850%, 0.457%**, 9/22/2022

  EUR   357,000       387,956  

CMA CGM SA:

   

REG S, 5.25%, 1/15/2025

    1,200,000       816,553  

REG S, 6.5%, 7/15/2022

    1,000,000       783,204  

REG S, 7.75%, 1/15/2021

    250,000       227,731  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $2,801,995)

      2,215,444  
Germany 1.7%    

Hapag-Lloyd AG, REG S, 5.125%, 7/15/2024

  EUR   500,000       539,706  

Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau, 1.0%, 10/12/2021

  NOK   23,400,000       2,299,214  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $3,180,804)

      2,838,920  
Norway 2.7%    

Norway Government Bond:

   

REG S, 144A, 3.75%, 5/25/2021

    26,348,000       2,664,028  

Series 475, REG S, 144A, 2.0%, 5/24/2023

    18,746,000       1,921,360  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $5,090,190)

      4,585,388  
Oman 0.6%    

Oman Government International Bond, REG S, 5.625%, 1/17/2028 (Cost $1,093,562)

    1,200,000       913,699  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

14   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


    Principal
Amount ($)(b)
    Value ($)  
Russia 1.7%    

Russian Federal Bond — OFZ:

   

7.0%, 8/16/2023

    100,000,000       1,412,281  

7.6%, 4/14/2021

    100,000,000       1,378,017  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $3,251,661)

      2,790,298  
Turkey 1.9%    

Republic of Turkey:

   

3.25%, 6/14/2025

    200,000       197,253  

4.35%, 11/12/2021

    1,000,000       1,093,334  

5.125%, 3/25/2022

    200,000       197,500  

5.625%, 3/30/2021

    208,000       209,040  

6.25%, 9/26/2022

    200,000       200,421  

7.0%, 6/5/2020

    1,300,000       1,301,882  

7.375%, 2/5/2025

    80,000       81,276  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $3,330,774)

      3,280,706  
United States 17.1%    

AbbVie, Inc., 144A, 2.95%, 11/21/2026

    3,000,000       3,166,335  

Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide, Inc., 4.0%, 4/13/2028

    170,000       188,687  

Coty, Inc.:

   

144A, 6.5%, 4/15/2026

    900,000       756,000  

REG S, 4.0%, 4/15/2023

    1,000,000       921,993  

DISH DBS Corp., 7.75%, 7/1/2026

    40,000       39,400  

Howmet Aerospace, Inc., 5.125%, 10/1/2024

    1,540,000       1,480,926  

Netflix, Inc.:

   

4.625%, 5/15/2029

    185,000       217,971  

6.375%, 5/15/2029

    100,000       117,240  

Sprint Communications, Inc., 7.0%, 8/15/2020

    800,000       807,000  

Sprint Corp., 7.25%, 9/15/2021

    800,000       839,000  

T-Mobile U.S.A., Inc.:

   

6.0%, 3/1/2023

    1,000,000       1,009,650  

6.375%, 3/1/2025

    800,000       821,000  

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., REG S, 3-month EURIBOR + 1.000%, 0.839%**, 7/27/2021

  EUR   352,000       384,593  

U.S. Treasury Notes:

   

1.375%, 9/30/2020

    1,000,000       1,005,391  

1.5%, 9/30/2021

    4,000,000       4,074,844  

1.625%, 12/31/2021

    4,000,000       4,094,687  

1.75%, 10/31/2020

    2,300,000       2,318,418  

2.375%, 5/15/2029

    2,957,000       3,419,262  

2.75%, 4/30/2023

    1,000,000       1,074,648  

2.875%, 10/31/2020

    1,000,000       1,013,750  

VeriSign, Inc., 5.25%, 4/1/2025

    300,000       328,980  

Verizon Communications, Inc., 2.625%, 8/15/2026

    800,000       848,615  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $28,691,060)

            28,928,390  

Total Bonds (Cost $47,440,046)

      45,552,845  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     15  


    Principal
Amount ($)(b)
    Value ($)  
Convertible Bonds 0.5%    
United States 0.5%    

Twitter, Inc., 1.0%, 9/15/2021 (Cost $866,002)

    883,000       856,510  

Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $866,002)

      856,510  
    Shares     Value ($)  
Exchange-Traded Funds 0.7%    

iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (c) (Cost $1,225,800)

    10,000       1,240,000  
Securities Lending Collateral 0.8%    

DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio “DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares”, 0.15% (d) (e) (Cost $1,272,150)

    1,272,150       1,272,150  
Cash Equivalents 13.0%    

DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund, 0.16% (d) (Cost $21,991,727)

    21,991,727       21,991,727  
    % of Net
Assets
    Value ($)  
Total Investment Portfolio (Cost $171,877,402)     96.7       163,451,925  
Other Assets and Liabilities, Net     3.3       5,661,225  

 

 
Net Assets     100.0       169,113,150  

A summary of the Fund’s transactions with affiliated investments during the period ended April 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

Value ($)
at
10/31/2019
  Pur-
chases
Cost
($)
    Sales
Proceeds
($)
    Net
Real-
ized
Gain/
(Loss)
($)
    Net
Change
in
Unreal-
ized
Appreci-
ation
(Depreci-
ation)
($)
    Income
($)
    Capital
Gain
Distri-
butions
($)
    Number of
Shares at
4/30/2020
    Value ($)
at
4/30/2020
 
Securities Lending Collateral 0.8%

 

DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio “DWS Government Cash Institutional Shares”, 0.15% (d) (e)

 

125,775     1,146,375  (f)                        2,002             1,272,150       1,272,150  
Cash Equivalents 13.0%

 

DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund, 0.16% (d)

 

3,541,267     115,029,433       96,578,973                   116,767             21,991,727       21,991,727  
3,667,042     116,175,808       96,578,973                   118,769             23,263,877       23,263,877  

 

*

Non-income producing security.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

16   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


**

Variable or floating rate security. These securities are shown at their current rate as of April 30, 2020. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated within the description above. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but adjust periodically based on current market conditions, prepayment of underlying positions and/or other variables.

 

(a)

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

(b)

Principal amount stated in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted.

 

(c)

All or a portion of these securities were on loan. In addition, “Other Assets and Liabilities, Net” may include pending sales that are also on loan. The value of securities loaned at April 30, 2020 amounted to $1,227,600, which is 0.7% of net assets.

 

(d)

Affiliated fund managed by DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield at period end.

 

(e)

Represents cash collateral held in connection with securities lending. Income earned by the Fund is net of borrower rebates.

 

(f)

Represents the net increase (purchase cost) or decrease (sales proceeds) in the amount invested in cash collateral for the period ended April 30, 2020.

144A: Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers.

ADR: American Depositary Receipt

EURIBOR: Euro Interbank Offered Rate

OFZ: Obigatyi Federal novo Zaima (Federal Loan Obligations)

PJSC: Public Joint Stock Company

REG S: Securities sold under Regulation S may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons, except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.

S&P: Standard & Poor’s

At April 30, 2020, open futures contracts purchased were as follows:

 

Futures   Currency     Expiration
Date
    Contracts     Notional
Amount ($)
    Notional
Value ($)
    Unrealized
Appreciation ($)
 
NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index     USD       6/19/2020       5       816,873       898,850       81,977  

At April 30, 2020, open futures contracts sold were as follows:

 

Futures   Currency     Expiration
Date
    Contracts     Notional
Amount ($)
    Notional
Value ($)
    Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation) ($)
 
10 Year U.S. Treasury Note     USD       6/19/2020       50       6,627,276       6,953,125       (325,849
Mini-DAX Index     EUR       6/19/2020       68       18,177,247       20,214,808       (2,037,561
NASDAQ 100 E-Mini Index     USD       6/19/2020       12       2,126,769       2,157,240       (30,471
S&P 500 E-Mini Index     USD       6/19/2020       110       14,156,469       15,963,200       (1,806,731
U.S. Treasury Long Bond     USD       6/19/2020       11       2,030,809       1,991,344       39,465  
Total net unrealized depreciation

 

    (4,161,147

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     17  


As of April 30, 2020, the Fund had the following open forward foreign currency contracts:

 

Contracts to
Deliver
    In Exchange For     Settlement
Date
    Unrealized
Depreciation ($)
    Counterparty
GBP     6,729,498     USD     8,422,072       5/29/2020       (54,701  

Citigroup, Inc.

EUR     36,724,158     USD     40,001,752       5/29/2020       (265,441  

Bank of America

EUR     1,282,842     USD     1,392,708       5/29/2020       (13,899  

JPMorgan Chase Securities, Inc.

Total unrealized depreciation       (334,041    

 

Currency Abbreviations
EUR Euro
GBP British Pound
NOK Norwegian Krone
USD United States Dollar

For information on the Fund’s policy and additional disclosures regarding futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts, please refer to the Derivatives section of Note B in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

18   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of April 30, 2020 in valuing the Fund’s investments. For information on the Fund’s policy regarding the valuation of investments, please refer to the Security Valuation section of Note A in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Assets   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  
Common Stocks         

Austria

  $     $ 218,328     $      $ 218,328  

Belgium

          62,181              62,181  

China

    1,947,659       1,328,421              3,276,080  

France

          9,415,524              9,415,524  

Germany

          20,506,893              20,506,893  

Italy

          938,911              938,911  

Japan

          1,786,172              1,786,172  

Korea

          327,723              327,723  

Netherlands

          3,108,976              3,108,976  

Russia

    709,257                    709,257  

Singapore

          136,724              136,724  

Spain

          142,017              142,017  

Switzerland

    716,235       4,845,481              5,561,716  

Taiwan

          3,251,919              3,251,919  

United Kingdom

          5,986,758              5,986,758  

United States

    34,513,904                    34,513,904  
Preferred Stocks           2,595,610              2,595,610  
Corporate Bonds           45,552,845              45,552,845  
Convertible Bonds           856,510              856,510  
Exchange-Traded Funds     1,240,000                    1,240,000  
Short-Term Investments (g)     23,263,877                    23,263,877  
Derivatives (h)         

Futures Contracts

    121,442                    121,442  
Total   $ 62,512,374     $ 101,060,993     $      $ 163,573,367  
Liabilities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Total  
Derivatives (h)         

Futures Contracts

  $ (4,200,612   $     $      $ (4,200,612

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

          (334,041            (334,041
Total   $ (4,200,612   $ (334,041   $                 —      $ (4,534,653

 

(g)

See Investment Portfolio for additional detailed categorizations.

 

(h)

Derivatives include unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open futures contracts and forward foreign currency contracts.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     19  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities

as of April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)        
Assets        
Investments in non-affiliated securities, at value (cost $148,613,525) — including $1,227,600 of securities loaned   $ 140,188,048  
Investment in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio (cost $1,272,150)*     1,272,150  
Investment in DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund (cost $21,991,727)     21,991,727  
Foreign currency, at value (cost $1,324,181)     1,361,227  
Deposit with broker for futures contracts     4,110,275  
Receivable for investments sold     951,406  
Receivable for Fund shares sold     55,703  
Dividends receivable     285,175  
Interest receivable     458,847  
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts     46,666  
Foreign taxes recoverable     700,111  
Other assets     72,300  
Total assets     171,493,635  
Liabilities

 

Payable upon return of securities loaned     1,272,150  
Payable for investments purchased     262,434  
Payable for Fund shares redeemed     263,667  
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts     334,041  
Accrued management fee     31,420  
Accrued Directors’s fees     485  
Other accrued expenses and payables     216,288  
Total liabilities     2,380,485  
Net assets, at value   $ 169,113,150  
Net Assets Consist of

 

Distributable earnings (loss)     945,799  
Paid-in capital     168,167,351  
Net assets, at value   $ 169,113,150  

 

*

Represents collateral on securities loaned.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

20   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of April 30, 2020 (Unaudited) (continued)    

 

Net Asset Value

 

Class A

 
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
($38,448,527 ÷ 4,112,157 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 9.35  
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 94.25 of $9.35)   $ 9.92  

Class T

 
Net Asset Value and redemption price per share
($10,365 ÷ 1,130 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 9.17  
Maximum offering price per share (100 ÷ 97.50 of $9.17)   $ 9.41  

Class C

 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price
(subject to contingent deferred sales charge) per share
($10,042,027 ÷ 1,145,628 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 8.77  

Class R

 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($196,915 ÷ 21,869 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 9.00  

Class R6

 

Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share

($43,048 ÷ 4,693 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)

  $ 9.17  

Class S

 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($98,783,909 ÷ 10,812,926 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 9.14  

Institutional Class

 
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share
($21,588,359 ÷ 2,357,651 shares of capital stock outstanding,
$.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized)
  $ 9.16  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     21  


Statement of Operations

 

for the six months ended April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)        
Investment Income        
Income:

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $78,995)   $ 816,514  
Interest     722,493  
Income distributions — DWS Central Cash Management
Government Fund
    116,767  
Securities lending income, net of borrower rebates     2,002  
Total income     1,657,776  
Expenses:

 

Management fee     457,281  
Administration fee     75,361  
Services to shareholders     171,354  
Distribution and service fees     89,321  
Custodian fee     25,858  
Professional fees     55,097  
Reports to shareholders     28,968  
Registration fees     37,778  
Directors’ fees and expenses     4,084  
Other     16,877  
Total expenses before expense reductions     961,979  
Expense reductions     (157,651
Total expenses after expense reductions     804,328  
Net investment income     853,448  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

Net realized gain (loss) from:  
Investments     8,407,507  
Futures     2,729,777  
Forward foreign currency contracts     2,006,595  
Foreign currency     68,911  
Payments by affiliates (see Note H)     36,987  
      13,249,777  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Investments     (22,083,348
Futures     (3,951,402
Forward foreign currency contracts     (299,535
Foreign currency     28,838  
      (26,305,447
Net gain (loss)     (13,055,670
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   $ (12,202,222

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

22   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   Six Months
Ended
April 30, 2020
(Unaudited)
   

Year Ended
October 31,
2019

 
Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)   $ 853,448     $ 586,658  
Net realized gain (loss)     13,249,777       272,375  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     (26,305,447     1,191,988  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     (12,202,222     2,051,021  
Distributions to shareholders:

 

Class A

    (300,181     (590,792

Class T*

    (27      

Class C

    (43,866     (97,035

Class R

    (7,630     (23,266

Class R6

    (323      

Class S

    (177,882     (342,233

Institutional Class

    (518,428     (622,882
Total distributions     (1,048,337     (1,676,208
Fund share transactions:

 

Proceeds from shares sold     10,148,298       15,038,005  
Reinvestment of distributions     1,036,132       1,619,898  
Payments for shares redeemed     (25,399,391     (8,402,578
Net assets acquired in tax-free reorganization**     162,205,267        
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions     147,990,306       8,255,325  
Increase (decrease) in net assets     134,739,747       8,630,138  
Net assets at beginning of period     34,373,403       25,743,265  
Net assets at end of period   $ 169,113,150     $ 34,373,403  

 

*

For the period from December 2, 2019 (commencement of operations of Class T) through April 30, 2020.

 

**

On December 6, 2019, DWS World Dividend Fund was acquired by the Fund through a tax-free reorganization (See Note I)

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     23  


Financial Highlights

 

    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended October 31,  
Class A   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data                                                
Net asset value, beginning of period     $10.16       $10.15       $9.92       $8.61       $8.49       $8.47  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            

Net investment income (loss)a

    .05       .17       .15       .06       .00 ***      .00 *** 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (.57     .44       .08       1.25       .12       .02  

Total from investment operations

    (.52     .61       .23       1.31       .12       .02  
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

    (.29     (.42                        

Net realized gains

          (.18                        

Total distributions

    (.29     (.60                        
Redemption fees                       .00 ***      .00 ***       
Net asset value, end of period     $9.35       $10.16       $10.15       $9.92       $8.61       $8.49  
Total Return (%)b,c     (5.28 )**      6.65       2.32       15.21 e      1.41 d      .24  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period ($ millions)     38       10       10       10       11       15  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.39 *      2.08       2.58       2.63       2.32       2.06  
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%)
    1.19 *      1.30       1.02       1.20       1.40       1.44  
Ratio of net investment income (%)     1.00 *      1.76       1.49       .66       .02       .02  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     123 **      41       80       121       42       88  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.

 

c 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

d 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement by the Advisor for a realized loss on a trade executed incorrectly. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.35% lower.

 

e 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement for commissions paid on trades for portfolio rebalancing related to implementing a new investment strategy. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.33% lower.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

*** 

Amount is less than $.005.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

24   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Class T   Period
Ended
4/30/20a
 
Selected Per Share Data        
Net asset value, beginning of period     $10.08  
Income (loss) from investment operations:  

Net investment incomeb

    .04  

Net realized and unrealized gain

    (.67

Total from investment operations

    (.63
Less distributions from:  

Net investment income

    (.28
Net asset value, end of period     9.17  
Total Return (%)c     (6.47 )** 
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data        
Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)     10  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.26 * 
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     1.18 * 
Ratio of net investment income (%)     .99 * 
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     123 d 

 

a 

For the period from December 2, 2019 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2020.

 

b 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

c 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

d 

Represents the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the period ended April 30, 2020.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     25  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended October 31,  
Class C   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data                                                       
Net asset value, beginning of period     $9.48       $9.48       $9.34       $8.17       $8.12       $8.16  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            

Net investment income (loss)a

    .01       .09       .07       (.01     (.06     (.06

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (.53     .41       .07       1.18       .11       .02  

Total from investment operations

    (.52     .50       .14       1.17       .05       (.04
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

    (.19     (.32                        

Net realized gains

          (.18                        

Total distributions

    (.19     (.50                        
Redemption fees                       .00 ***      .00 ***       
Net asset value, end of period     $8.77       $9.48       $9.48       $9.34       $8.17       $8.12  
Total Return (%)b,c     (5.68 )**      5.85       1.50       14.32 e      .62 d       (.49
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

       
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)     10       2       2       3       3       3  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     2.09 *      2.82       3.32       3.34       3.01       2.79  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     1.94 *      2.05       1.77       1.95       2.15       2.19  
Ratio of net investment income (loss) (%)     .22 *      1.02       .74       (.10     (.76     (.73
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     123 **      41       80       121       42       88  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return does not reflect the effect of any sales charges.

 

c 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

d 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement by the Advisor for a realized loss on a trade executed incorrectly. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.35% lower.

 

e 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement for commissions paid on trades for portfolio rebalancing related to implementing a new investment strategy. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.33% lower.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

*** 

Amount is less than $.005.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

26   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended October 31,  
Class R   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data                                                       
Net asset value, beginning of period     $9.77       $9.77       $9.57       $8.33       $8.24       $8.23  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            

Net investment income (loss)a

    .04       .14       .11       .04       (.02     (.02

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (.55     .42       .09       1.20       .11       .03  

Total from investment operations

    (.51     .56       .20       1.24       .09       .01  
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

    (.26     (.38                        

Net realized gains

          (.18                        

Total distributions

    (.26     (.56                        
Redemption fees                       .00 ***      .00 ***       
Net asset value, end of period     $9.00       $9.77       $9.77       $9.57       $8.33       $8.24  
Total Return (%)b     (5.43 )**      6.35       2.09       14.89 d      1.09 c      .12  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

       
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)     .2       .3       .4       1       1       1  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.82 *      2.45       2.80       2.94       2.63       2.32  
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     1.46 *      1.53       1.27       1.44       1.65       1.69  
Ratio of net investment income (%)     .83 *      1.51       1.13       .44       (.21     (.20
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     123 **      41       80       121       42       88  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

c 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement by the Advisor for a realized loss on a trade executed incorrectly. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.35% lower.

 

d 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement for commissions paid on trades for portfolio rebalancing related to implementing a new investment strategy. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.33% lower.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

***

Amount is less than $.005.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     27  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Period
Ended
 
Class R6   (Unaudited)     10/31/19a  
Selected Per Share Data

 

Net asset value, beginning of period     $9.98       $9.70  
Income (loss) from investment operations:    

Net investment incomeb

    .06       .05  

Net realized and unrealized gain

    (.56     .23  

Total from investment operations

    (.50     .28  
Less distributions from:    

Net investment income

    (.31      
Net asset value, end of period     $9.17       $9.98  
Total Return (%)c     (5.18 )**      2.89 ** 
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period ($ thousands)     43       10  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.10 *      1.82 * 
Ratio of expenses after expense reductions (%)     .93 *      .98 * 
Ratio of net investment income (%)     1.26 *      1.55 * 
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     123 **      41 d 

 

a 

For the period from July 1, 2019 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2019.

 

b 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

c 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

d 

Represents the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate for the year ended October 31, 2019.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

28   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended October 31,  
Class S   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data                                                
Net asset value, beginning of period     $9.95       $9.93       $9.69       $8.39       $8.26       $8.22  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            

Net investment income (loss)a

    .06       .20       .17       .09       .02       .01  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (.55     .43       .07       1.21       .11       .03  

Total from investment operations

    (.49     .63       .24       1.30       .13       .04  
Less distributions from:            

Net investment income

    (.32     (.43                        

Net realized gains

          (.18                        

Total distributions

    (.32     (.61                        
Redemption fees                       .00 ***      .00 ***       
Net asset value, end of period     $9.14       $9.95       $9.93       $9.69       $8.39       $8.26  
Total Return (%)b     (5.21 )**      7.04       2.48       15.49 d      1.57 c      .49  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

       
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)     99       5       5       4       3       4  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.16 *      1.86       2.32       2.41       2.11       1.79  
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%)
    .93 *      .94       .82       .96       1.19       1.29  
Ratio of net investment income (%)     1.21 *      2.12       1.72       .94       .22       .13  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     123 **      41       80       121       42       88  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

c 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement by the Advisor for a realized loss on a trade executed incorrectly. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.35% lower.

 

d 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement for commissions paid on trades for portfolio rebalancing related to implementing a new investment strategy. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.33% lower.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

***

Amount is less than $.005.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     29  


    Six Months
Ended 4/30/20
    Years Ended October 31,  
Institutional Class   (Unaudited)     2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  
Selected Per Share Data                                                
Net asset value, beginning of period     $9.97       $9.96       $9.72       $8.41       $8.28       $8.23  
Income (loss) from investment operations:            

Net investment income (loss)a

    .06       .20       .18       .08       .02       .02  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

    (.55     .43       .06       1.23       .11       .03  

Total from investment operations

    (.49     .63       .24       1.31       .13       .05  
Less distributions from:

 

 

Net investment income

    (.32     (.44                        

Net realized gains

          (.18                        

Total distributions

    (.32     (.62                        
Redemption fees                       .00 ***      .00 ***       
Net asset value, end of period     $9.16       $9.97       $9.96       $9.72       $8.41       $8.28  
Total Return (%)b     (5.12 )**      6.98       2.47       15.58 d      1.57 c      .61  
Ratios to Average Net Assets and Supplemental Data

 

       
Net assets, end of period ($ millions)     22       16       8       2       2       7  
Ratio of expenses before expense reductions (%)     1.08 *      1.67       2.17       2.25       1.90       1.61  
Ratio of expenses after expense
reductions (%)
    .95 *      .97       .77       .94       1.15       1.19  
Ratio of net investment income (%)     1.33 *      2.10       1.84       .93       .24       .27  
Portfolio turnover rate (%)     123 **      41       80       121       42       88  

 

a 

Based on average shares outstanding during the period.

 

b 

Total return would have been lower had certain expenses not been reduced.

 

c 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement by the Advisor for a realized loss on a trade executed incorrectly. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.35% lower.

 

d 

The Fund’s total return includes a reimbursement for commissions paid on trades for portfolio rebalancing related to implementing a new investment strategy. Excluding this reimbursement, total return would have been 0.33% lower.

 

* 

Annualized

 

** 

Not annualized

 

***

Amount is less than $.005.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

 

30   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Notes to Financial Statements   (Unaudited)

A. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

DWS Global Macro Fund (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of Deutsche DWS International Fund, Inc. (the “Corporation”), which is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company organized as a Maryland corporation.

The Fund offers multiple classes of shares which provide investors with different purchase options. Class A shares are subject to an initial sales charge. Class T shares commenced operations on December 2, 2019. Class T shares are subject to an initial sales charge and are only available through certain financial intermediaries. Class T shares are closed to new purchases, except in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or other distributions. Class C shares are not subject to an initial sales charge but are subject to higher ongoing expenses than Class A shares and a contingent deferred sales charge payable upon certain redemptions within one year of purchase. Class C shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the same fund after 10 years, provided that the fund or the financial intermediary through which the shareholder purchased the Class C shares has records verifying that the Class C shares have been held for at least 10 years. Class R shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally available only to certain retirement plans. Class R6 shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally available only to certain retirement plans. Class S shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are only available to a limited group of investors. Institutional Class shares are not subject to initial or contingent deferred sales charges and are generally available only to qualified institutions.

Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and certain fund-level expenses and expense reductions, if any, are borne pro rata on the basis of relative net assets by the holders of all classes of shares, except that each class bears certain expenses unique to that class such as distribution and service fees, services to shareholders and certain other class-specific expenses. Differences in class-level expenses may result in payment of different per share dividends by class. All shares of the Fund have equal rights with respect to voting subject to class-specific arrangements.

The Fund’s financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) which require the use of management estimates. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund qualifies as an

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     31  


investment company under Topic 946 of Accounting Standards Codification of U.S. GAAP. The policies described below are followed consistently by the Fund in the preparation of their financial statements.

Security Valuation. Investments are stated at value determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange on each day the exchange is open for trading.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels. Level 1 includes quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 includes other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds and credit risk). Level 3 includes significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments). The level assigned to the securities valuations may not be an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with investing in those securities.

Equity securities and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the most recent sale price or official closing price reported on the exchange (U.S. or foreign) or over-the-counter market on which they trade. Equity securities or ETFs for which no sales are reported are valued at the calculated mean between the most recent bid and asked quotations on the relevant market or, if a mean cannot be determined, at the most recent bid quotation. Equity securities or ETFs are generally categorized as Level 1. For certain international equity securities, in order to adjust for events which may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the close of the New York Stock Exchange, a fair valuation model may be used. This fair valuation model takes into account comparisons to the valuation of American Depository Receipts (ADRs), exchange-traded funds, futures contracts and certain indices and these securities are categorized as Level 2.

Debt securities are valued at prices supplied by independent pricing services approved by the Fund’s Board. Such services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, prepayment speeds and other data, as well as broker quotes. If the pricing services are unable to provide valuations, debt securities are valued at the average of the most recent reliable bid quotations or evaluated prices, as applicable, obtained from broker-dealers. These securities are generally categorized as Level 2.

Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their net asset value each business day and are categorized as Level 1.

 

32   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Futures contracts are generally valued at the settlement prices established each day on the exchange on which they are traded and are categorized as Level 1.

Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and are categorized as Level 2.

Securities and other assets for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the above valuation procedures are deemed not to reflect fair value are valued in a manner that is intended to reflect their fair value as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Board and are generally categorized as Level 3. In accordance with the Fund’s valuation procedures, factors considered in determining value may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the size of the holding; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities); an analysis of the company’s or issuer’s financial statements; an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold; and with respect to debt securities, the maturity, coupon, creditworthiness, currency denomination and the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded. The value determined under these procedures may differ from published values for the same securities.

Disclosure about the classification of fair value measurements is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio.

Foreign Currency Translations. The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates at period end. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rates on the respective dates of the transactions.

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net gains and losses between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, the acquisition and disposition of foreign currencies, and the difference between the amount of net investment income accrued and the U.S. dollar amount actually received. The portion of both realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed but is included with net realized and unrealized gain/appreciation and loss/depreciation on investments.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     33  


Securities Lending. Deutsche Bank AG, as lending agent, lends securities of the Fund to certain financial institutions under the terms of its securities lending agreement. During the term of the loans, the Fund continues to receive interest and dividends generated by the securities and to participate in any changes in their market value. The Fund requires the borrowers of the securities to maintain collateral with the Fund consisting of either cash or liquid, unencumbered assets having a value at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. When the collateral falls below specified amounts, the lending agent will use its best effort to obtain additional collateral on the next business day to meet required amounts under the securities lending agreement. As of period end, any securities on loan were collateralized by cash. During the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Fund invested the cash collateral into a joint trading account in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio, an affiliated money market fund managed by DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. receives a management/administration fee (0.12% annualized effective rate as of April 30, 2020) on the cash collateral invested in DWS Government & Agency Securities Portfolio. The Fund receives compensation for lending its securities either in the form of fees or by earning interest on invested cash collateral net of borrower rebates and fees paid to a lending agent. Either the Fund or the borrower may terminate the loan at any time, and the borrower, after notice, is required to return borrowed securities within a standard time period. There may be risks of delay and costs in recovery of securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. If the Fund is not able to recover securities lent, the Fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market, incurring the risk that the value of the replacement security is greater than the value of the collateral. The Fund is also subject to all investment risks associated with the reinvestment of any cash collateral received, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and liquidity risk associated with such investments.

As of April 30, 2020, the Fund had securities on loan which were classified as Exchange-Traded Funds in the Investment Portfolio. The value of the related collateral exceeded the value of the securities loaned at period end. As of period end, the remaining contractual maturity of the collateral agreements was overnight and continuous.

Taxes. The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, which are applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income to its shareholders.

Additionally, the Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by the governments of countries in which it invests and are generally based on income and/or capital gains earned or repatriated. Estimated tax liabilities

 

34   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


on certain foreign securities are recorded on an accrual basis and are reflected as components of interest income or net change in unrealized gain/loss on investments. Tax liabilities realized as a result of security sales are reflected as a component of net realized gain/loss on investments.

At October 31, 2019, the Fund had a net tax basis capital loss carryforward of approximately $248,000 of long-term losses, which may be applied against realized net taxable capital gains indefinitely.

At April 30, 2020, the aggregate cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $171,946,211. The net unrealized depreciation for all investments based on tax cost was $8,494,286. This consisted of aggregate gross unrealized appreciation for all investments which there was an excess of value over tax cost of $4,566,367 and aggregate gross unrealized depreciation for all investments in which was an excess of tax cost over value of $13,060,653.

The Fund has reviewed the tax positions for each of the open tax years as of October 31, 2019 and has determined that no provision for income tax and/or uncertain tax positions is required in the Fund’s financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain open, subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

Distribution of Income and Gains. Distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders annually. Effective on or about September 1, 2020, distributions from net investment income of the Fund, if any, will be declared and distributed to shareholders quarterly (see Note L.). Net realized gains from investment transactions, in excess of available capital loss carryforwards, would be taxable to the Fund if not distributed and, therefore, will be distributed to shareholders at least annually. The Fund may also make additional distributions for tax purposes if necessary.

The timing and characterization of certain income and capital gain distributions are determined annually in accordance with federal tax regulations which may differ from accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These differences primarily relate to investments in foreign denominated securities, investments in futures and certain securities sold at a loss. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. Accordingly, the Fund may periodically make reclassifications among certain of its capital accounts without impacting the net asset value of the Fund.

The tax character of current year distributions will be determined at the end of the current fiscal year.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     35  


Expenses. Expenses of the Corporation arising in connection with a specific fund are allocated to that fund. Other Corporation expenses which cannot be directly attributed to a fund are apportioned among the funds in the Corporation based upon the relative net assets or other appropriate measures.

Contingencies. In the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet been made. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

Other. Investment transactions are accounted for a trade date plus one basis for daily net asset value calculations. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are reported on trade date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date net of foreign withholding taxes. Certain dividends from foreign securities may be recorded subsequent to the ex-dividend date as soon as the Fund is informed of such dividends. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis. Proceeds from litigation payments, if any, are included in net realized gain (loss) from investments. All premiums and discounts are amortized/accreted for both tax and financial reporting purposes.

B. Derivative Instruments

Futures Contracts. A futures contract is an agreement between a buyer or seller and an established futures exchange or its clearinghouse in which the buyer or seller agrees to take or make a delivery of a specific amount of a financial instrument at a specified price on a specific date (settlement date). For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Fund entered into futures as a substitute for direct investment in a particular asset class, for duration management, and for hedging purposes.

Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with a financial intermediary cash or securities (“initial margin”) in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the face value indicated in the futures contract. Subsequent payments (“variation margin”) are made or received by the Fund dependent upon the daily fluctuations in the value and are recorded for financial reporting purposes as unrealized gains or losses by the Fund. Gains or losses are realized when the contract expires or is closed. Since all futures contracts are exchange traded, counterparty risk is minimized as the exchange’s clearinghouse acts as the counterparty and guarantees the futures against default.

 

36   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Certain risks may arise upon entering into futures contracts, including the risk that an illiquid market will limit the Fund’s ability to close out a futures contract prior to the settlement date and the risk that the futures contract is not well correlated with the security, index or currency to which it relates. Risk of loss may exceed amounts disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

A summary of the open futures contracts as of April 30, 2020, is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the investment in futures contracts purchased had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from $0 to approximately $899,000, and the investment in futures contracts sold had a total notional value generally indicative of a range from approximately $4,508,000 to $47,280,000.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts. A forward foreign currency contract (“forward currency contract”) is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at the settlement date at a negotiated rate. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts in order to hedge its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates on its foreign currency denominated portfolio holdings, to facilitate transactions in foreign currency denominated securities and for non-hedging purposes to seek to enhance potential gains.

Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and unrealized gain (loss) is recorded daily. On the settlement date of the forward currency contract, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value of the contract at the time it was closed. Certain risks may arise upon entering into forward currency contracts from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The maximum counterparty credit risk to the Fund is measured by the unrealized gain on appreciated contracts. Additionally, when utilizing forward currency contracts to hedge, the Fund gives up the opportunity to profit from favorable exchange rate movements during the term of the contract.

A summary of the open forward currency contracts as of April 30, 2020, is included in a table following the Fund’s Investment Portfolio. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the investment in forward currency contracts short vs. U.S. dollars had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from approximately $10,677,000 to $63,342,000, and the investment in forward currency contracts long vs. U.S. dollars had a total contract value generally indicative of a range from $0 to approximately $978,000.

The following tables summarize the value of the Fund’s derivative instruments held as of April 30, 2020 and the related location in the

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     37  


accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:

 

Asset Derivatives   Future
Contracts
 
Equity Contracts (a)   $ 121,442  

The above derivative is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities accounts:

 

(a)

Includes cumulative appreciation of futures as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Liability Derivatives   Futures
Contracts
    Forward
Contracts
    Total  
Equity Contracts (b)   $ (4,200,612   $     $ (4,200,612
Foreign Exchange Contracts (c)           (334,041     (334,041
    $ (4,200,612   $ (334,041   $ (4,534,653

Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Assets and Liabilities accounts:

 

(b)

Includes cumulative depreciation of futures as disclosed in the Investment Portfolio. Unsettled variation margin is disclosed separately within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

(c)

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency contracts

Additionally, the amount of unrealized and realized gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in Fund earnings during the six months ended April 30, 2020 and the related location in the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following tables by primary underlying risk exposure:

 

Realized Gain (Loss)   Futures
Contracts
    Forward
Contracts
    Total  
Equity Contracts (d)   $ 2,776,588     $     $ 2,776,588  
Interest Rate Contracts (d)     (46,811           (46,811
Foreign Exchange Contracts (d)           2,006,595       2,006,595  
    $ 2,729,777     $ 2,006,595     $ 4,736,372  

Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:

 

(d)

Net realized gain (loss) from futures and forward foreign currency contracts, respectively

 

Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation)
  Futures
Contracts
    Forward
Contracts
    Total  
Equity Contracts (e)   $ (3,665,018   $     $ (3,665,018
Interest Rate Contracts (e)     (286,384           (286,384
Foreign Exchange Contracts (e)           (299,535     (299,535
    $ (3,951,402   $ (299,535   $ (4,250,937

Each of the above derivatives is located in the following Statement of Operations accounts:

 

(e)

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures and forward foreign currency contracts, respectively

 

38   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


As of April 30, 2020, the Fund has transactions subject to enforceable master netting agreements which govern the terms of certain transactions, and reduce the counterparty risk associated with such transactions. Master netting agreements allow a Fund to close out and net total exposure to a counterparty in the event of a deterioration in the credit quality or contractual default with respect to all of the transactions with a counterparty. As defined by the master netting agreement, the Fund may have collateral agreements with certain counterparties to mitigate risk. For financial reporting purposes the Statement of Assets and Liabilities generally shows derivatives assets and liabilities on a gross basis, which reflects the full risks and exposures prior to netting. A reconciliation of the gross amounts on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities to the net amounts by counterparty, including any collateral exposure, is included in the following tables:

 

Counterparty   Gross Amounts
of Liabilities
Presented in the
Statement of
Assets and
Liabilities
    Financial
Instruments
and
Derivatives
Available
for Offset
    Collateral
Pledged
    Net Amount
of Derivative
Liabilities
 
Bank of America   $ 265,441     $     $     $ 265,441  
Citigroup, Inc.     54,701               —               —       54,701  
JPMorgan Chase Securities, Inc.     13,899                   13,899  
    $ 334,041     $     $     $ 334,041  

C. Purchases and Sales of Securities

During the six months ended April 30, 2020, purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, were as follows:

 

     Purchases     Sales  
Non-U.S. Treasury Obligations   $ 116,174,741     $ 146,003,301  
U.S. Treasury Obligations   $ 19,266,765     $ 10,168,542  

D. Related Parties

Management Agreement. Under the Investment Management Agreement with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor”), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group”), the Advisor directs the investments of the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives, policies and restrictions. The Advisor determines the securities, instruments and other contracts relating to investments to be purchased, sold or entered into by the Fund or delegates such responsibility to the Fund’s subadvisor.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     39  


DWS International GmbH, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group, serves as subadvisor to the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement between DIMA and DWS International GmbH, DIMA, not the Fund, compensates DWS International GmbH for the services it provides to the Fund.

Prior to December 9, 2019, under the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund paid a monthly management fee based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the annual rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.60%.

Effective December 9, 2019, under the Investment Management Agreement with the Advisor, the Fund pays a monthly management fee based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly, at the following annual rates:

 

First $2.5 billion of the Fund’s average daily net assets      .600%  
Next $2.5 billion of such net assets      .595%  
Next $2.5 billion of such net assets      .565%  
Next $2.5 billion of such net assets      .555%  
Next $2.5 billion of such net assets      .545%  
Over $12.5 billion of such net assets      .535%  

Accordingly, for the six months ended April 30, 2020, the fee pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement was equivalent to an annualized rate (exclusive of any applicable waivers/reimbursements) of 0.600% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

For the period from October 1, 2019 and for the period from December 2, 2019 (commencement of operations) for Class T shares through December 8, 2019, the Advisor had contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest) of each class as follows:

 

Class A      1.31%  
Class T      1.31%  
Class C      2.06%  
Class R      1.56%  
Class R6      .98%  
Class S      .98%  
Institutional Class      1.06%  

Effective December 9, 2019 through September 30, 2022, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its fees and/or reimburse certain operating

 

40   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to maintain the total annual operating expenses (excluding certain expenses such as extraordinary expenses, taxes, brokerage and interest) of each class as follows:

 

Class A      1.18%  
Class T      1.18%  
Class C      1.93%  
Class R      1.43%  
Class R6      .93%  
Class S      .93%  
Institutional Class      .93%  

For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and for the period from December 2, 2019 (commencement of operations) for Class T shares through April 30, 2020, fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed for each class are as follows:

 

Class A   $ 35,781  
Class T     3  
Class C     7,342  
Class R     464  
Class R6     31  
Class S     101,094  
Institutional Class     12,936  
    $ 157,651  

Administration Fee. Pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement, DIMA provides most administrative services to the Fund. Prior to March 1, 2020, for all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund paid the Advisor an annual fee (“Administration Fee”) of 0.10% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. Effective March 1, 2020, for all services provided under the Administrative Services Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor an annual Administration Fee of 0.097% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, computed and accrued daily and payable monthly. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Administration Fee was $75,361, of which $13,332 is unpaid.

Service Provider Fees. DWS Service Company (“DSC”), an affiliate of the Advisor, is the transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent for the Fund. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DSC and DST Systems, Inc. (“DST”), DSC has delegated certain transfer agent, dividend-paying agent and shareholder service agent functions to DST. DSC compensates DST out of the shareholder servicing fee they receive from the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and for the period from December 2, 2019 (commencement of operations)

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     41  


to April 30, 2020 for Class T shares, the amounts charged to the Fund by DSC were as follows:

 

Services to Shareholders   Total
Aggregated
   

Unpaid at
April 30, 2020

 
Class A   $ 14,474     $ 7,876  
Class T     8       4  
Class C     1,063       585  
Class R     90       38  
Class R6     26       18  
Class S     62,376       37,240  
Institutional Class     568       214  
    $ 78,605     $ 45,975  

In addition, for the six months ended April 30, 2020, the amounts charged to the Fund for recordkeeping and other administrative services provided by unaffiliated third parties, included in the Statement of Operations under “Services to shareholders,” were as follows:

 

Sub-Recordkeeping   Total
Aggregated
 
Class A   $ 19,495  
Class C     5,702  
Class R     240  
Class S     40,095  
Institutional Class     4,878  
    $ 70,410  

Distribution and Service Fees. Under the Fund’s Class C and R 12b-1 Plans, DWS Distributors, Inc. (“DDI”), an affiliate of the Advisor, receives a fee (“Distribution Fee”) of 0.75% of the average daily net assets of Class C shares of the Fund and 0.25% of the average daily net assets of Class R shares. In accordance with the Fund’s Underwriting and Distribution Services Agreement, DDI enters into related selling group agreements with various firms at various rates for sales of Class C and R shares. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Distribution Fee was as follows:

 

Distribution Fee   Total
Aggregated
   

Unpaid at
April 30, 2020

 
Class C   $ 35,235     $ 6,192  
Class R     326       44  
    $ 35,561     $ 6,236  

In addition, DDI provides information and administrative services for a fee (“Service Fee”) to Class A, T, C and R shareholders at an annual rate of

 

42   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets for each such class. DDI in turn has various agreements with financial services firms that provide these services and pays these fees based upon the assets of shareholder accounts the firms service. For the six months ended April 30, 2020 and for the period from December 2, 2019 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2020 for Class T shares, the Service Fee was as follows:

 

Service Fee   Total
Aggregated
   

Unpaid at
April 30, 2020

   

Annualized

Rate

 
Class A   $ 41,707     $ 24,633       .24
Class T     6       6       .15
Class C     11,722       6,323       .25
Class R     325       313       .25
    $ 53,760     $ 31,275          

Underwriting Agreement and Contingent Deferred Sales Charge. DDI is the principal underwriter for the Fund. Underwriting commissions paid in connection with the distribution of Class A shares for the six months ended April 30, 2020 aggregated $2,352.

In addition, DDI receives any contingent deferred sales charge from Class C share redemptions occurring within one year of purchase. There is no such charge upon redemption of any share appreciation or reinvested dividends. The CDSC is 1% of the value of the shares redeemed for Class C. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the CDSC for Class C shares aggregated $242. A deferred sales charge of up to 1% is assessed on certain redemptions of Class A shares.

Typesetting and Filing Service Fees. Under an agreement with the Fund, DIMA is compensated for providing certain pre-press and regulatory filing services to the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the amount charged to the Fund by DIMA included in the Statement of Operations under “Reports to shareholders” aggregated $9,693, out of which $4,834 is unpaid.

Directors’ Fees and Expenses. The Fund paid retainer fees to each Director not affiliated with the Advisor, plus specified amounts to the Board Chairperson and to each committee Chairperson.

Affiliated Cash Management Vehicles. The Fund may invest uninvested cash balances in DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund and DWS ESG Liquidity Fund, affiliated money market funds which are managed by the Advisor. Each affiliated money market fund is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, which governs the quality, maturity, diversity and liquidity of instruments in which a money market fund may invest. DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund seeks to maintain a stable net asset value, and DWS ESG Liquidity Fund maintains a floating net asset value. The Fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of each affiliated money market fund

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     43  


in which it invests. DWS Central Cash Management Government Fund does not pay the Advisor an investment management fee. To the extent that DWS ESG Liquidity Fund pays an investment management fee to the Advisor, the Advisor will waive an amount of the investment management fee payable to the Advisor by the Fund equal to the amount of the investment management fee payable on the Fund’s assets invested in DWS ESG Liquidity Fund.

Security Lending Fees. Deutsche Bank AG serves as lending agent for the Fund. For the six months ended April 30, 2020, the Fund incurred lending agent fees to Deutsche Bank AG for the amount of $151.

E. Line of Credit

The Fund and other affiliated funds (the “Participants”) share in a $350 million revolving credit facility provided by a syndication of banks. The Fund may borrow for temporary or emergency purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests that otherwise might require the untimely disposition of securities. The Participants are charged an annual commitment fee, which is allocated based on net assets, among each of the Participants. Interest is calculated at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.25 percent plus if the one-month LIBOR exceeds the Federal Funds Rate, the amount of such excess. The Fund may borrow up to a maximum of 33 percent of its net assets under the agreement. The Fund had no outstanding loans at April 30, 2020.

F. Concentration of Ownership

From time to time, the Fund may have a concentration of several shareholders, including affiliated DWS Funds, holding a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities of these shareholders could have a material impact on the Fund. As of April 30, 2020, DWS Alternative Asset Allocation VIP held 10% of the total shares outstanding of the Fund.

 

44   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


G. Fund Share Transactions

The following table summarizes share and dollar activity in the Fund:

 

      Six Months Ended
April 30, 2020
    

Year Ended

October 31, 2019

 
      Shares      Dollars      Shares      Dollars  
Shares sold

 

Class A      97,090      $ 954,694        209,617      $ 2,051,773  
Class T**      99        996                
Class C      40,610        380,833        86,841        791,466  
Class R      2,807        26,278        38,373        369,254  
Class R6                    1,031      10,000
Class S      249,946        2,464,587        265,393        2,570,938  
Institutional Class      645,151        6,320,910        963,175        9,244,574  
              $   10,148,298               $   15,038,005  
Shares issued to shareholders in reinvestment of distributions

 

Class A      29,046      $ 290,170        59,410      $ 546,569  
Class T**      3        27                
Class C      4,607        43,308        11,072        95,662  
Class R      792        7,630        2,619        23,206  
Class R6      33        323                
Class S      18,139        176,855        37,493        336,690  
Institutional Class      52,947        517,819        68,641        617,771  
              $ 1,036,132               $ 1,619,898  
Shares redeemed

 

Class A      (434,342    $ (4,253,658      (236,863    $ (2,323,067
Class C      (258,263      (2,368,424      (68,466      (626,213
Class R      (11,428      (109,093      (50,747      (481,879
Class S      (1,387,538      (13,231,870      (298,078      (2,792,720
Institutional Class      (577,428      (5,436,346      (226,301      (2,178,699
              $ (25,399,391             $ (8,402,578

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     45  


      Six Months Ended
April 30, 2020
    

Year Ended

October 31, 2019

 
      Shares      Dollars      Shares      Dollars  
Shares issued in tax-free reorganization***

 

Class A      3,396,515      $ 34,033,489             $  
Class T**      1,028        10,103                
Class C      1,130,373        10,648,072                
Class R6      3,629        35,635                
Class S      11,393,715        111,429,951                
Institutional Class      617,149        6,048,017                
                $  162,205,267               $  
Net increase (decrease)

 

Class A      3,088,309      $ 31,024,695        32,164      $ 275,275  
Class T**      1,130        11,126                
Class C      917,327        8,703,789        29,447        260,915  
Class R      (7,829      (75,185      (9,755      (89,419
Class R6      3,662        35,958        1,031      10,000
Class S      10,274,262        100,839,523        4,808        114,908  
Institutional Class      737,819        7,450,400        805,515        7,683,646  
              $   147,990,306               $     8,255,325  

 

*

For the period from July 1, 2019 (commencement of operations of Class R6) to October 31, 2019.

**

For the period from December 2, 2019 (commencement of operations of Class T) to April 30, 2020.

***

On December 6, 2019, DWS World Dividend Fund was acquired by the Fund through a tax-free reorganization (See Note I)

H. Payments by Affiliates

During the period ended April 30, 2020, the Advisor agreed to reimburse the Fund $36,987 for commission costs incurred in connection with the mergers between DWS World Dividend Fund and DWS Global Macro Fund. The amount reimbursed was 0.02% of the Fund’s average net assets.

I. Acquisition of Assets

On December 6, 2019, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of DWS World Dividend Fund pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by Board of Directors of DWS World Dividend Fund and the Board of Directors of DWS Global Macro Fund in September 2019. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 1,132,549 Class A shares, 336 Class T shares, 357,115 Class C shares, 1,185 Class R6 shares,

 

46   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


3,702,503 Class S shares and 199,422 Institutional Class shares of DWS World Dividend Fund for 3,396,515 Class A shares, 1,028 Class T shares, 1,130,373 Class C shares, 3,629 Class R6 shares, 11,393,715 Class S shares and 617,149 Institutional Class shares of the Fund, respectively, outstanding on December 6, 2019. DWS World Dividend Fund’s net assets at that date, $162,205,267 including $12,347,350 of net unrealized appreciation, were combined with those of the Fund. The aggregate net assets of the Fund immediately before the acquisition were $34,839,714. The combined net assets of the Fund immediately following the acquisition were $197,044,981.

The financial statements reflect the operations of the Funds for the period prior to the acquisition and the combined fund for the period subsequent to the fund merger. Assuming the acquisition having been completed on November 1, 2019, the Fund’s pro forma results of operations for the period ended April 30, 2020 are as follows:

 

Net investment income   $ 964,845  
Net gain (loss) on investments   $ (11,144,908
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   $ (10,180,062

Because the combined investment portfolio has been managed as a single integrated Fund since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of DWS World Dividend Fund that have been included in the Fund’s Statement of Operations since December 6, 2019.

J. Other

A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. The situation is evolving with various cities and countries around the world responding in different ways to address the pandemic. There are direct and indirect economic effects developing for various industries and individual companies throughout the world. The recent pandemic spread of the novel coronavirus and related geopolitical events could lead to increased financial market volatility, disruption to U.S. and world economies and markets and may have significant adverse effects on the Fund and its investments. A prolonged disruption may result in the Fund and its service providers experiencing operational difficulties in implementing their business continuity plans. Management will continue to monitor the impact COVID-19 has on the Fund and reflect the consequences as appropriate in the Fund’s accounting and financial reporting.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     47  


K. Subsequent Event

On June 17, 2020, Deutsche Bank AG (“DB”), an affiliate of DWS Group, resolved with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) charges stemming from alleged violations of various swap data reporting requirements and corresponding supervision and other failures. The matter, which was resolved by the issuance of a federal court order (“Consent Order”), involved unintentional conduct that resulted from a system outage that prevented DB from reporting data in accordance with applicable CFTC requirements for a period of five days in April 2016.

The matter giving rise to the Consent Order did not arise out of any investment advisory, fund management activities or distribution activities of DIMA, DWS Distributors, Inc. or their advisory affiliates (the “DWS Service Providers”). DWS Group, of which the DWS Service Providers are wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a separate publicly traded company but continues to be an affiliate of DB due to, among other things, DB’s 79.49% ownership interest in DWS Group. Under the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as a result of the Consent Order, the DWS Service Providers would not be eligible to continue to provide investment advisory and underwriting services to the Fund absent an order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). DB and the DWS Service Providers are seeking temporary and permanent orders from the SEC to permit the DWS Service Providers to continue to provide investment advisory and underwriting services to the Fund and other registered investment companies notwithstanding the Consent Order. While there can be no assurance that the requested exemptive orders will be granted, the SEC has granted this type of relief in the past. Consistent with their fiduciary and other relationships with the Fund, and in accordance with the desire of the Board of the Fund, the DWS Service Providers continue to provide investment advisory and distribution services to the Fund. Subject to the receipt of the temporary and permanent exemptive orders, the DWS Service Providers have informed the Fund that they do not believe the Consent Order will have any material impact on the Fund or the ability of the Service Providers to provide services for the Fund.

L. Dividend Declaration Schedule Change

Effective on or about September 1, 2020, the Fund intends to pay dividends and distributions of investment income quarterly, specifically, in March, June, September and December.

 

48   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Information About Your Fund’s Expenses

As an investor of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: ongoing expenses and transaction costs. Ongoing expenses include management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees and other Fund expenses. Examples of transaction costs include sales charges (loads) and account maintenance fees, which are not shown in this section. The following tables are intended to help you understand your ongoing expenses (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you compare these expenses with the ongoing expenses of investing in other mutual funds. In the most recent six-month period, the Fund limited these expenses; had it not done so, expenses would have been higher. The example in the table is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the six-month period and held for the entire period (November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020).

The tables illustrate your Fund’s expenses in two ways:

 

Actual Fund Return. This helps you estimate the actual dollar amount of ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) paid on a $1,000 investment in the Fund using the Fund’s actual return during the period. To estimate the expenses you paid over the period, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line under the share class you hold.

 

Hypothetical 5% Fund Return. This helps you to compare your Fund’s ongoing expenses (but not transaction costs) with those of other mutual funds using the Fund’s actual expense ratio and a hypothetical rate of return of 5% per year before expenses. Examples using a 5% hypothetical fund return may be found in the shareholder reports of other mutual funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.

Please note that the expenses shown in these tables are meant to highlight your ongoing expenses only and do not reflect any transaction costs. The “Expenses Paid per $1,000” line of the tables is useful in comparing ongoing expenses only and will not help you determine the relative total expense of owning different funds. Subject to certain exceptions, an account maintenance fee of $20.00 assessed once per calendar year for Classes A, C and S shares may apply for accounts with balances less than $10,000. This fee is not included in these tables. If it was, the estimate of expenses paid for Classes A, C and S shares during the period would be higher, and account value during the period would be lower, by this amount.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     49  


Expenses and Value of a $1,000 Investment
for the six months ended April 30, 2020 (Unaudited)
 
Actual Fund
Return
  Class A     Class T*     Class C     Class R     Class R6     Class S     Institutional
Class
 
Beginning Account Value 11/1/19   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 4/30/20   $ 947.20     $ 935.30     $ 943.20     $ 945.70     $ 948.20     $ 947.90     $ 948.80  
Expenses Paid per $1,000**   $ 5.76     $ 4.71     $ 9.37     $ 7.06     $ 4.50     $ 4.50     $ 4.60  
Hypothetical
5% Fund
Return
  Class A     Class T     Class C     Class R     Class R6     Class S     Institutional
Class
 
Beginning Account Value 11/1/19   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00     $ 1,000.00  
Ending Account Value 4/30/20   $ 1,018.95     $ 1,019.00     $ 1,015.22     $ 1,017.60     $ 1,020.24     $ 1,020.24     $ 1,020.14  
Expenses Paid per $1,000**   $ 5.97     $ 5.92     $ 9.72     $ 7.32     $ 4.67     $ 4.67     $ 4.77  

 

*

For the period from December 2, 2019 (commencement of operations of Class T to April 30, 2020.

 

**

Expenses (hypothetical expenses if Class T had been in existence from December 2, 2019) are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for each share class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182 (the number of days in the most recent six-month period), then divided by 366.

 

Annualized
Expense Ratios
  Class A     Class T     Class C     Class R     Class R6     Class S     Institutional
Class
 
DWS Global Macro Fund     1.19     1.18     1.94     1.46     .93     .93     .95

For more information, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

For an analysis of the fees associated with an investment in the Fund or

similar funds, please refer to tools.finra.org/fund_analyzer/.

 

50   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Liquidity Risk Management

In accordance with Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), your Fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “Program”), and the Board has designated DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA”) as Program administrator. The Program is designed to assess and manage your Fund’s liquidity risk (the risk that the Fund would be unable to meet requests to redeem shares of the Fund without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund). DIMA has designated a committee (the “Committee”) composed of personnel from multiple departments within DIMA and its affiliates that is responsible for the implementation and ongoing administration of the Program, which includes assessing the Fund’s liquidity risk under both normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions. Under the Program, every investment held by a fund is classified on a daily basis into one of four liquidity categories based on estimations of the investment’s ability to be sold during designated timeframes in current market conditions without significantly changing the investment’s market value.

In February 2020, as required by the Program and the Liquidity Rule, DIMA provided the Board with an annual written report (the “Report”) addressing the operation of the Program and assessing the adequacy and effectiveness of its implementation during the period from December 1, 2018 through November 30, 2019 (the “Reporting Period”). During the Reporting Period, your Fund was primarily invested in highly liquid investments (investments that the Fund anticipates can be converted to cash within 3 business days or less in current market conditions without significantly changing their market value). As a result, your Fund is not required to adopt, and has not adopted, a “Highly Liquid Investment Minimum” as defined in the Liquidity Rule. During the Reporting Period, the Fund did not approach the 15% limit imposed by the Liquidity Rule on holdings in illiquid investments (investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in seven days or less in current market conditions without the sale of the investment significantly changing the market value of the investment). Your Fund did not experience any issues meeting investor redemptions at any time during the Reporting Period. In the Report, DIMA stated that it believes the Program has operated adequately and effectively to manage the Fund’s liquidity risk during the Reporting Period. DIMA also reported on a material change made to the Program in May 2019 to address Securities and Exchange Commission guidance relating to extended foreign market holidays.

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     51  


Advisory Agreement Board Considerations and Fee Evaluation

The Board of Directors (hereinafter referred to as the “Board” or “Directors”) approved the renewal of DWS Global Macro Fund’s (the “Fund”) investment management agreement (the “Agreement”) with DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA”) and sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement” and together with the Agreement, the “Agreements”) between DIMA and DWS International GmbH (“DWS International”), an affiliate of DIMA, in September 2019.

In terms of the process that the Board followed prior to approving the Agreements, shareholders should know that:

 

During

the entire process, all of the Fund’s Directors were independent of DIMA and its affiliates (the “Independent Directors”).

 

The

Board met frequently during the past year to discuss fund matters and dedicated a substantial amount of time to contract review matters. Over the course of several months, the Board’s Contract Committee reviewed extensive materials received from DIMA, independent third parties and independent counsel. These materials included an analysis of the Fund’s performance, fees and expenses, and profitability from a fee consultant retained by the Fund’s Independent Directors (the “Fee Consultant”). Based on its evaluation of the information provided, the Contract Committee presented its findings and recommendations to the Board. The Board then reviewed the Contract Committee’s findings and recommendations.

 

The

Board also received extensive information throughout the year regarding performance of the Fund.

 

The

Independent Directors regularly met privately with counsel to discuss contract review and other matters. In addition, the Independent Directors were advised by the Fee Consultant in the course of their review of the Fund’s contractual arrangements and considered a comprehensive report prepared by the Fee Consultant in connection with their deliberations.

 

In

connection with reviewing the Agreements, the Board also reviewed the terms of the Fund’s Rule 12b-1 plan, distribution agreement, administrative services agreement, transfer agency agreement and other material service agreements.

In connection with the contract review process, the Contract Committee and the Board considered the factors discussed below, among others. The Board also considered that DIMA and its predecessors have managed the Fund since its inception, and the Board believes that a long-term

 

52   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


relationship with a capable, conscientious advisor is in the best interests of the Fund. The Board considered, generally, that shareholders chose to invest or remain invested in the Fund knowing that DIMA managed the Fund. DIMA and DWS International are part of DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA (“DWS Group”). DWS Group is a global asset management business that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including research capabilities in many countries throughout the world. In 2018, approximately 20% of DWS Group’s shares were sold in an initial public offering, with Deutsche Bank AG owning the remaining shares.

As part of the contract review process, the Board carefully considered the fees and expenses of each DWS fund overseen by the Board in light of the fund’s performance. In many cases, this led to the negotiation and implementation of expense caps. As part of these negotiations, the Board indicated that it would consider relaxing these caps in future years following sustained improvements in performance, among other considerations.

While shareholders may focus primarily on fund performance and fees, the Fund’s Board considers these and many other factors, including the quality and integrity of DIMA’s and DWS International’s personnel and administrative support services provided by DIMA, such as back-office operations, fund valuations, and compliance policies and procedures.

Nature, Quality and Extent of Services. The Board considered the terms of the Agreements, including the scope of advisory services provided under the Agreements. The Board noted that, under the Agreements, DIMA and DWS International provide portfolio management services to the Fund and that, pursuant to a separate administrative services agreement, DIMA provides administrative services to the Fund. The Board considered the experience and skills of senior management and investment personnel and the resources made available to such personnel. Throughout the course of the year, the Board also received information regarding DIMA’s oversight of fund sub-advisors, including DWS International. The Board reviewed the Fund’s performance over short-term and long-term periods and compared those returns to various agreed-upon performance measures, including market index(es) and a peer universe compiled using information supplied by Morningstar Direct (“Morningstar”), an independent fund data service. The Board also noted that it has put into place a process of identifying “Funds in Review” (e.g., funds performing poorly relative to a peer universe), and receives additional reporting from DIMA regarding such funds and, where appropriate, DIMA’s plans to address underperformance. The Board believes this process is an effective manner of identifying and addressing underperforming funds. Based on the information provided, the Board noted that, for the one-, three- and five-year periods ended December 31, 2018, the Fund’s performance (Class A shares) was in the 1st quartile of

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     53  


the applicable Morningstar universe (the 1st quartile being the best performers and the 4th quartile being the worst performers). The Board also observed that the Fund has outperformed its benchmark in the three- and five-year periods and has underperformed its benchmark in the one-year period ended December 31, 2018.

Fees and Expenses. The Board considered the Fund’s investment management fee schedule, sub-advisory fee schedule, operating expenses and total expense ratios, and comparative information provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and the Fee Consultant regarding investment management fee rates paid to other investment advisors by similar funds (1st quartile being the most favorable and 4th quartile being the least favorable). With respect to management fees paid to other investment advisors by similar funds, the Board noted that the contractual fee rates paid by the Fund, which include a 0.10% fee paid to DIMA under the Fund’s administrative services agreement, were lower than the median (1st quartile) of the applicable Broadridge peer group (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2018). The Board noted that, effective July 1, 2017, DIMA agreed to reduce the Fund’s contractual management fee rate to an annual rate of 0.60%, and further noted the implementation of new management fee breakpoints to be effective upon the merger of DWS World Dividend Fund into the Fund in December 2019. With respect to the sub-advisory fee paid to DWS International, the Board noted that the fee is paid by DIMA out of its fee and not directly by the Fund. The Board noted that the Fund’s Class A shares total (net) operating expenses (excluding 12b-1 fees) were expected to be higher than the median (3rd quartile) of the applicable Broadridge expense universe (based on Broadridge data provided as of December 31, 2018, and analyzing Broadridge expense universe Class A (net) expenses less any applicable 12b-1 fees) (“Broadridge Universe Expenses”). The Board also reviewed data comparing each other operational share class’s total (net) operating expenses to the applicable Broadridge Universe Expenses. The Board noted that the expense limitations agreed to by DIMA were expected to help the Fund’s total (net) operating expenses remain competitive. The Board considered the Fund’s management fee rate as compared to fees charged by DIMA to comparable DWS U.S. registered funds (“DWS Funds”) and considered differences between the Fund and the comparable DWS Funds. The information requested by the Board as part of its review of fees and expenses also included information about institutional accounts (including any sub-advised funds and accounts) and funds offered primarily to European investors (“DWS Europe Funds”) managed by DWS Group. The Board noted that DIMA indicated that DWS Group does not manage any institutional accounts or DWS Europe Funds comparable to the Fund.

 

54   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


On the basis of the information provided, the Board concluded that management fees were reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature, quality and extent of services provided by DIMA and DWS International.

Profitability. The Board reviewed detailed information regarding revenues received by DIMA under the Agreement. The Board considered the estimated costs to DIMA, and pre-tax profits realized by DIMA, from advising the DWS Funds, as well as estimates of the pre-tax profits attributable to managing the Fund in particular. The Board also received information regarding the estimated enterprise-wide profitability of DIMA and its affiliates with respect to all fund services in totality and by fund. The Board and the Fee Consultant reviewed DIMA’s methodology in allocating its costs to the management of the Fund. Based on the information provided, the Board concluded that the pre-tax profits realized by DIMA in connection with the management of the Fund were not unreasonable. The Board also reviewed certain publicly available information regarding the profitability of certain similar investment management firms. The Board noted that, while information regarding the profitability of such firms is limited (and in some cases is not necessarily prepared on a comparable basis), DIMA and its affiliates’ overall profitability with respect to the DWS Funds (after taking into account distribution and other services provided to the funds by DIMA and its affiliates) was lower than the overall profitability levels of most comparable firms for which such data was available.

Economies of Scale. The Board considered whether there are economies of scale with respect to the management of the Fund and whether the Fund benefits from any economies of scale. In this regard, the Board observed that while the Fund’s current investment management fee schedule does not include breakpoints, the Fund’s fee schedule represents an appropriate sharing between the Fund and DIMA of such economies of scale as may exist in the management of the Fund at current asset levels.

Other Benefits to DIMA and Its Affiliates. The Board also considered the character and amount of other incidental or “fall-out” benefits received by DIMA and its affiliates, including any fees received by DIMA for administrative services provided to the Fund, any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for transfer agency services provided to the Fund and any fees received by an affiliate of DIMA for distribution services. The Board also considered benefits to DIMA related to brokerage and soft-dollar allocations, including allocating brokerage to pay for research generated by parties other than the executing broker dealers, which pertain primarily to funds investing in equity securities. In addition, the Board considered the incidental public relations benefits to DIMA related to DWS Funds advertising and cross-selling opportunities among DIMA

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     55  


products and services. The Board considered these benefits in reaching its conclusion that the Fund’s management fees were reasonable.

Compliance. The Board considered the significant attention and resources dedicated by DIMA to its compliance processes in recent years. The Board noted in particular (i) the experience, seniority and time commitment of the individuals serving as DIMA’s and the Fund’s chief compliance officers and (ii) the substantial commitment of resources by DIMA and its affiliates to compliance matters, including the retention of compliance personnel.

Based on all of the information considered and the conclusions reached, the Board determined that the continuation of the Agreements is in the best interests of the Fund. In making this determination, the Board did not give particular weight to any single factor identified above. The Board considered these factors over the course of numerous meetings, certain of which were in executive session with only the Independent Directors and counsel present. It is possible that individual Independent Directors may have weighed these factors differently in reaching their individual decisions to approve the continuation of the Agreements.

 

56   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Account Management Resources

 

For More Information   

The automated telephone system allows you to access personalized account information and obtain information on other DWS funds using either your voice or your telephone keypad. Certain account types within Classes A, C and S also have the ability to purchase, exchange or redeem shares using this system.

 

For more information, contact your financial representative. You may also access our automated telephone system or speak with a Shareholder Service representative by calling:

 

(800) 728-3337

Web Site   

dws.com

 

View your account transactions and balances, trade shares, monitor your asset allocation, subscribe to fund and account updates by e-mail, and change your address, 24 hours a day.

 

Obtain prospectuses and applications, news about DWS funds, insight from DWS economists and investment specialists and access to DWS fund account information.

Written Correspondence   

DWS

 

PO Box 219151

Kansas City, MO 64121-9151

Proxy Voting    The Fund’s policies and procedures for voting proxies for portfolio securities and information about how the Fund voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available on our Web site — dws.com/en-us/resources/proxy-voting — or on the SEC’s Web site — sec.gov. To obtain a written copy of the Fund’s policies and procedures without charge, upon request, call us toll free at (800) 728-3337.
Portfolio Holdings    Following the Fund’s fiscal first and third quarter-end, a complete portfolio holdings listing is filed with the SEC on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT will be available on the SEC’s Web site at sec.gov. The Fund portfolio holdings are also posted on dws.com from time to time. Please see the Fund’s current prospectus for more information.
Principal Underwriter   

If you have questions, comments or complaints, contact:

 

DWS Distributors, Inc.

 

222 South Riverside Plaza

Chicago, IL 60606-5808

(800) 621-1148

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     57  


Investment Management  

DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc. (“DIMA” or the “Advisor”), which is part of the DWS Group GmbH & Co. KGaA ("DWS Group"), is the investment advisor for the Fund. DIMA and its predecessors have more than 90 years of experience managing mutual funds and DIMA provides a full range of investment advisory services to both institutional and retail clients. DIMA is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of DWS Group.

 

DWS Group is a global organization that offers a wide range of investing expertise and resources, including hundreds of portfolio managers and analysts and an office network that reaches the world’s major investment centers. This well-resourced global investment platform brings together a wide variety of experience and investment insight across industries, regions, asset classes and investing styles.

     Class A   Class T   Class C   Class S   Institutional
Class
Nasdaq Symbol   DBISX   DBIUX   DBICX   DBIVX   MGINX
CUSIP Number   25156G 871   25156G 558   25156G 806   25156G 608   25156G 509
Fund Number   499   1799   799   2399   559
For shareholders of Class R and R6          
Automated Information Line  

DWS/Ascensus Plan Access (800) 728-3337

 

24-hour access to your retirement plan account.

Web Site  

dws.com

 

Obtain prospectuses and applications, news about DWS funds, insight from DWS economists and investment specialists and access to DWS fund account information.

 

Log in/register to manage retirement account assets at https://www.mykplan.com/participantsecure_net/login.aspx.

For More Information  

(800) 728-3337

 

To speak with a service representative.

Written Correspondence  

DWS Service Company

 

222 South Riverside Plaza

Chicago, IL 60606-5806

     Class R             Class R6     
Nasdaq Symbol   DBITX    

 

   

 

  DBIWX    

 

CUSIP Number   25156G 707    

 

   

 

  25156G 418    

 

Fund Number   1501    

 

   

 

  1699    

 

 

58   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


Privacy Statement

 

FACTS   What Does DWS Do With Your Personal Information?
Why?   Financial companies choose how they share your personal information. Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some but not all sharing. Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share and protect your personal information. Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.
What?  

The types of personal information we collect and share can include:

 

 Social Security number

 

 Account balances

 

 Purchase and transaction history

 

 Bank account information

 

 Contact information such as mailing address, e-mail address and telephone number

How?   All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business. In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information, the reasons DWS chooses to share and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share your personal
information
  Does DWS share?   Can you limit
this sharing?
For our everyday business purposes —
such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders or legal investigations
  Yes   No
For our marketing purposes — to offer our products and services to you   Yes   No
For joint marketing with other financial companies   No   We do not share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your transactions and experiences   No   We do not share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes — information about your creditworthiness   No   We do not share
For non-affiliates to market to you   No   We do not share

 

Questions?   Call (800) 728-3337 or e-mail us at service@dws.com

 

  DWS Global Macro Fund   |     59  


 

Who we are    
Who is providing this notice?   DWS Distributors, Inc; DWS Investment Management Americas, Inc.; DWS Trust Company; the DWS Funds
What we do    
How does DWS protect my personal information?   To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards, secured files, and secured buildings.
How does DWS collect my personal information?  

We collect your personal information, for example, when you:

 

 open an account

 

 give us your contact information

 

 provide bank account information for ACH or wire transactions

 

 tell us where to send money

 

 seek advice about your investments

Why can’t I limit all sharing?  

Federal law gives you the right to limit only

 

sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes

 

information about your creditworthiness

 

affiliates from using your information to market to you

 

sharing for non-affiliates to market to you

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

Definitions    
Affiliates   Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial or non-financial companies. Our affiliates include financial companies with the DWS or Deutsche Bank (“DB”) name, such as DB AG Frankfurt.
Non-affiliates  

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and non-financial companies.

 

Non-affiliates we share with include account service providers, service quality monitoring services, mailing service providers and verification services to help in the fight against money laundering and fraud.

Joint marketing   A formal agreement between non-affiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you. DWS does not jointly market.

California residents may go to https://fundsus.dws.com/us/en-us/legal-resources/privacy-policy.html to obtain additional information relating to their rights under California state law.

Rev. 12/2019

 

60   |   DWS Global Macro Fund  


LOGO

DGMF-3

(R-027566-9 6/20)

   
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS
   
  Not applicable.
   
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
   
  There were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Fund’s Board.  The primary function of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to identify and recommend individuals for membership on the Board and oversee the administration of the Board Governance Guidelines. Shareholders may recommend candidates for Board positions by forwarding their correspondence by U.S. mail or courier service to Keith R. Fox, DWS Funds Board Chair, c/o Thomas R. Hiller, Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02199-3600.
   
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
   
  (a) The Chief Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on the evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.
   
  (b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.
   
ITEM 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
   
  Not applicable
   
ITEM 13. EXHIBITS
   
  (a)(1) Not applicable
   
  (a)(2) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) is filed and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.
   
  (b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is furnished and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

Registrant: DWS Global Macro Fund, a series of Deutsche DWS International Fund, Inc.
   
   
By:

/s/Hepsen Uzcan

Hepsen Uzcan

President

   
Date: 6/29/2020

 

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/Hepsen Uzcan

Hepsen Uzcan

President

   
Date: 6/29/2020
   
   
   
By:

/s/Diane Kenneally

Diane Kenneally

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

   
Date: 6/29/2020