N-CSRS 1 fp0027808_ncsrs.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811- 07584
 
Rydex Series Funds
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

805 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 600
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

Amy J. Lee
Rydex Series Funds
805 King Farm Boulevard, Suite 600
Rockville, Maryland 20850
(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 1-301-296-5100

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: January 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget ("OMB") control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
 

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The registrant’s semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), is as follows:
 
 

 
6.30.2017
 
Guggenheim Funds Semi-Annual Report
 
Guggenheim Alternative Fund
Guggenheim Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
   
Rydex Commodities Fund
Rydex Commodities Strategy Fund
   
 
GuggenheimInvestments.com
RDXSGIALT-SEMI-0617x1217
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
DEAR SHAREHOLDER
2
ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW
3
ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES
5
ALTERNATIVE FUND
 
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
8
COMMODITIES FUND
 
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
43
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
53
OTHER INFORMATION
76
INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
80
GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY POLICIES
86
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 1
 

 
June 30, 2017
 
Dear Shareholder:
 
Security Investors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) is pleased to present the semi-annual shareholder report for funds (the “Funds”) that are part of the Rydex Series Funds. This report covers performance of the Funds for the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2017.
 
The Investment Adviser is a part of Guggenheim Investments, which represents the investment management businesses of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), a global, diversified financial services firm.
 
Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is the distributor of the Funds. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is affiliated with Guggenheim and the Investment Adviser.
 
We encourage you to read the Economic and Market Overview section of the report, which follows this letter.
 
We are committed to providing innovative investment solutions and appreciate the trust you place in us.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Donald C. Cacciapaglia
President and Chief Executive Officer
July 31, 2017
 
Read a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) carefully before investing. It contains the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information, which should be considered carefully before investing. Obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) at guggenheiminvestments.com or call 800.820.0888.
 
The Funds may not be suitable for all investors. Investing involves risks, including the entire loss of principal amount invested. Certain Funds may be affected by risks that include those associated with sector concentration, international investing, investing in small and/or medium size companies, and/or the Funds’ possible use of investment techniques and strategies such as leverage, derivatives and short sales of securities. Please see each Fund’s prospectus for more information.
 
This material is not intended as a recommendation or as investment advice of any kind, including in connection with rollovers, transfers, and distributions. Such material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. All content has been provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.
 
2 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW (Unaudited)
June 30, 2017
 
First-quarter real gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth came in weak relative to the third and fourth quarters of 2016, at only 1.4% quarter over quarter annualized, consistent with the historical pattern of soft first-quarter data. Tracking estimates point to a rebound in second-quarter growth. There have been concerns about consumer health amid weakness in retail and autos, but we maintain that these are experiencing sector-specific problems. Household balance sheets and consumer spending appear solid overall.
 
The unemployment rate continues to decline to levels not seen since 2001, despite muted economic growth. As of June 2017, the unemployment rate stood at 4.3%, below what the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) forecasted as recently as March to be the cycle low, and we expect it will fall to 3.8% or lower next year. While a tightening labor market has not done much to lift wage growth or inflation in the current cycle, Fed Chair Janet Yellen and many of her colleagues still see a tighter labor market as a reason to continue to remove accommodation.
 
In June the Fed delivered its fourth rate hike since the financial crisis, raising the fed funds rate target range to 1.00–1.25%. It proceeded with the rate hike despite three consecutive months of soft inflation readings. The statement noted that the Fed continues to expect inflation on a 12-month basis to stabilize around the 2% objective over the medium term. This suggests the Fed views recent weakness as transient. As long as the unemployment rate continues to decline, we believe the Fed will feel compelled to continue hiking to stay ahead of potential inflationary pressures, given the lags associated with monetary policy effects.
 
Median Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) projections suggest one additional rate increase in 2017, three in 2018, and three more in 2019. These are not conditioned on expectations for fiscal stimulus, though they do incorporate an expectation that the natural rate of interest will rise somewhat over time, but perhaps not as much as the Fed currently projects. We expect that the Fed will forego a rate hike in September in order to launch the tapering of portfolio reinvestments, but the Fed will pick it up again in December, contingent on steady economic data and supportive financial conditions. Weak oil prices over the second quarter of 2017 should once again boost headline inflation readings in 2018 due to base effects, which, when combined with steady economic growth and falling unemployment, could prompt the Fed to raise rates three or possibly four times in 2018.
 
On its own, the start of Fed balance sheet normalization should not lead to a notable increase in market volatility. The Fed has signaled its intentions well in advance, giving markets time to prepare, and pay-downs will ramp up only gradually over the course of a year.
 
Still, volatility across a range of markets is abnormally low, and asset valuations appear stretched. Markets shrugged off worrisome developments during the second quarter, including declining oil prices, a lack of progress on fiscal legislation in Washington, D.C., and rising geopolitical risks. A near-term pullback in risk assets is possible in the third or fourth quarters, with low volatility and tight spreads making credit markets particularly vulnerable during what is already a seasonally weak period for risk assets. Moves toward a less accommodative stance by the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, and/or the Bank of England may be a catalyst for instability.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 3
 

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW (Unaudited)(concluded)
June 30, 2017
 
For the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, the Standard & Poor’s 500® (“S&P 500®”)* Index returned 9.34%. The MSCI Europe-Australasia-Far East (“EAFE”) Index* returned 13.81%. The return of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index* was 18.43%.
 
In the bond market, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index* posted a 2.27% return for the period, while the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index* returned 4.93%. The return of the Bank of America (“BofA”) Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index* was 0.31% for the six-month period.
 
The opinions and forecasts expressed may not actually come to pass. This information is subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any specific security or strategy.
 
*Index Definitions:
 
The following indices are referenced throughout this report. Indices are unmanaged and not available for direct investment. Index performance does not reflect transaction costs, fees, or expenses.
 
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities or “MBS” (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage, or “ARM”, pass-throughs), asset-backed securities (“ABS”), and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) (agency and non-agency).
 
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index measures the U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield, fixed-rate corporate bond market. Securities are classified as high yield if the middle rating of Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P is Ba1/BB +/BB + or below.
 
BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.
 
MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada.
 
MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets.
 
S&P 500® Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure the performance of the broad economy, representing all major industries and is considered a representation of the U.S. stock market.
 
4 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)
 
All mutual funds have operating expenses, and it is important for our shareholders to understand the impact of costs on their investments. Shareholders of a fund incur two types of costs: (i) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, other distributions, and exchange fees, and (ii) ongoing costs, including management fees, administrative services, and shareholder reports, among others. These ongoing costs, or operating expenses, are deducted from a fund’s gross income and reduce the investment return of the fund.
 
A fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, which is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help investors understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period beginning December 31, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017.
 
The following tables illustrate the Funds’ costs in two ways:
 
Table 1. Based on actual Fund return: This section helps investors estimate the actual expenses paid over the period. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return, and the fifth column shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. Investors may use the information here, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses paid over the period. Simply divide the Fund’s 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 provided under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.”
 
Table 2. Based on hypothetical 5% return: This section is intended to help investors compare a Fund’s cost with those of other mutual funds. The table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid during the period. The example is useful in making comparisons because the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requires all mutual funds to calculate expenses based on the 5% return. Investors can assess a Fund’s costs by comparing this hypothetical example with the hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.
 
The calculations illustrated above assume no shares were bought or sold during the period. Actual costs may have been higher or lower, depending on the amount of investment and the timing of any purchases or redemptions.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 5
 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, and contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) on redemptions, if any. Therefore, the second table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 
More information about the Funds’ expenses, including annual expense ratios for periods up to five years (subject to the Fund’s inception date), can be found in the Consolidated Financial Highlights section of this report. For additional information on operating expenses and other shareholder costs, please refer to the appropriate Fund prospectus.
 
6 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)(concluded)
 
 
Expense
Ratio1
Fund
Return
Beginning
Account Value
December 31,
2016
Ending
Account Value
June 30,
2017
Expenses
Paid During
Period2
Table 1. Based on actual Fund return3
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
A-Class
2.33%
0.12%
$ 1,000.00
$ 1,001.20
$ 11.56
C-Class
3.09%
(0.23%)
1,000.00
997.70
15.31
P-Class
2.32%
0.12%
1,000.00
1,001.20
11.51
Institutional Class
2.08%
0.24%
1,000.00
1,002.40
10.33
Commodities Strategy Fund
A-Class
1.64%
(10.35%)
1,000.00
896.50
7.71
C-Class
2.38%
(10.75%)
1,000.00
892.50
11.17
H-Class
1.66%
(10.38%)
1,000.00
896.20
7.80
Table 2. Based on hypothetical 5% return (before expenses)
     
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
 
A-Class
2.33%
5.00%
$ 1,000.00
$ 1,013.24
$ 11.63
C-Class
3.09%
5.00%
1,000.00
1,009.47
15.40
P-Class
2.32%
5.00%
1,000.00
1,013.29
11.58
Institutional Class
2.08%
5.00%
1,000.00
1,014.48
10.39
Commodities Strategy Fund
 
A-Class
1.64%
5.00%
1,000.00
1,016.66
8.20
C-Class
2.38%
5.00%
1,000.00
1,012.99
11.88
H-Class
1.66%
5.00%
1,000.00
1,016.56
8.30
 
1
 
Annualized and excludes expenses of the underlying funds in which the Funds invest. This ratio represents net expenses which include interest and dividend expenses related to securities sold short. Excluding short interest and dividend expenses, the net expense ratio of the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund would be 1.43%, 2.18%, 1.43% and 1.18% for the A-Class, C-Class, P-Class and Institutional Class, respectively.
2
 
Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, net of any applicable fee waivers, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
3
 
Actual cumulative return at net asset value for the period December 31, 2016 to June 30, 2017.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 7
 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)
June 30, 2017
 
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
OBJECTIVE: Seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation with less risk than traditional equity funds.
 
Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)
 
 
“Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)” excludes any temporary cash investments or investments in Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust mutual funds. Investments in those Funds will significantly increase the portfolio’s exposure to certain other asset categories (and their associated risks), which may cause the Fund to deviate from its principal investment strategy, including: (i) high yield, high risk debt securities rated below the top four long-term rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (also known as “junk bonds”); (ii) securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities; (iii) CLOs and similar investments; and (iv) other short-term fixed income securities.
 
8 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
 
Inception Dates:
A-Class
September 19, 2005
C-Class
September 19, 2005
P-Class
September 19, 2005
Institutional Class
May 3, 2010
 
Ten Largest Holdings (% of Total Net Assets)
NXP Semiconductor N.V.
2.1%
Cabela’s, Inc.
2.1%
VCA, Inc.
1.8%
Mobileye N.V.
1.5%
Alere, Inc.
1.4%
Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.
1.4%
Fortress Investment Group, LLC — Class A
1.1%
Time Warner, Inc.
1.0%
Rice Energy, Inc.
1.0%
Monsanto Co.
0.8%
Top Ten Total
14.2%
 
“Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash or derivative investments.
 
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 9
 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(concluded)
June 30, 2017
 
Average Annual Returns*
Periods Ended June 30, 2017
 
6 month
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
A-Class Shares
0.12%
0.69%
1.69%
(0.68%)
A-Class Shares with sales charge
(4.63%)
(4.11%)
0.70%
(1.16%)
C-Class Shares
(0.23%)
(0.06%)
0.94%
(1.42%)
C-Class Shares with CDSC§
(1.22%)
(1.06%)
0.94%
(1.42%)
P-Class Shares
0.12%
0.69%
1.69%
(0.68%)
HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index
2.56%
6.00%
1.91%
(0.95%)
S&P 500 Index
9.34%
17.90%
14.63%
7.18%
 
 
6 month
1 Year
5 Year
Since Inception (05/03/10)
Institutional Class Shares
0.24%
0.93%
1.94%
2.72%
HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index
2.56%
6.00%
1.91%
0.58%
S&P 500 Index
9.34%
17.90%
14.63%
12.66%
 
*
 
The performance data above represents past performance that is not predictive of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns are historical and include changes in principal and reinvested dividends and capital gains and do not reflect the effect of taxes. The HFRX Global Hedge Fund Index and the S&P 500 Index are unmanaged indices and, unlike the Fund, have no management fees or operating expenses to reduce their reported returns.
 
6 month returns are not annualized.
 
Fund returns are calculated using the maximum sales charge of 4.75%.
§
 
Fund returns include a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
 
10 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
   
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
COMMON STOCKS - 52.5%
 
             
Consumer, Non-cyclical – 11.9%
 
VCA, Inc.*,1
   
16,040
   
$
1,480,651
 
Alere, Inc.*,1
   
22,151
     
1,111,758
 
SciClone Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*,1
   
59,194
     
651,134
 
VWR Corp.*
   
18,893
     
623,658
 
Reynolds American, Inc.1
   
9,137
     
594,269
 
Albany Molecular Research, Inc.*,1
   
26,798
     
581,518
 
Akorn, Inc.*,1
   
11,540
     
387,052
 
PAREXEL International Corp.*
   
3,610
     
313,745
 
CR Bard, Inc.1
   
871
     
275,332
 
MoneyGram International, Inc.*,1
   
15,763
     
271,912
 
Amgen, Inc.1
   
654
     
112,639
 
AbbVie, Inc.1
   
1,537
     
111,448
 
ManpowerGroup, Inc.1
   
993
     
110,868
 
United Rentals, Inc.*,1
   
970
     
109,329
 
Tyson Foods, Inc. — Class A1
   
1,702
     
106,597
 
Johnson & Johnson1
   
804
     
106,361
 
CoreLogic, Inc.*,1
   
2,436
     
105,674
 
Baxter International, Inc.1
   
1,726
     
104,492
 
Teleflex, Inc.1
   
496
     
103,049
 
Procter & Gamble Co.1
   
1,182
     
103,011
 
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.1
   
2,483
     
102,747
 
Biogen, Inc.*,1
   
378
     
102,574
 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.1
   
922
     
102,489
 
Cooper Cos., Inc.1
   
426
     
101,993
 
Danaher Corp.1
   
1,206
     
101,774
 
Ingredion, Inc.1
   
851
     
101,449
 
Euronet Worldwide, Inc.*,1
   
1,135
     
99,165
 
Graham Holdings Co. — Class B1
   
165
     
98,942
 
Bunge Ltd.1
   
1,301
     
97,055
 
Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. — Class A*,1
   
426
     
96,408
 
JM Smucker Co.1
   
804
   
 
95,137
 
Quanta Services, Inc.*,1
   
2,861
     
94,184
 
Molson Coors Brewing Co. — Class B1
   
1,088
     
93,938
 
Spectrum Brands Holdings, Inc.1
   
733
     
91,655
 
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.*,1
   
496
     
89,062
 
United Therapeutics Corp.*,1
   
662
     
85,881
 
KAR Auction Services, Inc.1
   
1,986
     
83,352
 
DaVita, Inc.*,1
   
1,277
     
82,699
 
Pinnacle Foods, Inc.1
   
1,253
     
74,428
 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.1
   
1,017
     
71,983
 
Universal Health Services, Inc. — Class B1
   
544
     
66,412
 
Charles River Laboratories International, Inc.*,1
   
591
     
59,780
 
Post Holdings, Inc.*,1
   
757
     
58,781
 
Pfizer, Inc.1
   
1,655
     
55,591
 
Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings*,1
   
331
     
51,020
 
Anthem, Inc.1
   
236
     
44,399
 
AMERCO1
   
118
     
43,195
 
MEDNAX, Inc.*,1
   
331
     
19,982
 
Conagra Brands, Inc.1
   
449
     
16,056
 
Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc.1
   
165
     
15,033
 
Total System Services, Inc.1
   
213
     
12,407
 
Merck & Co., Inc.1
   
189
     
12,113
 
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.1
   
23
     
1,831
 
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical
     
9,688,012
 
                 
Financial - 9.6%
 
Fortress Investment Group, LLC — Class A1
   
111,623
     
891,895
 
KCG Holdings, Inc. — Class A*,1
   
17,098
     
340,935
 
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 11
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
First South Bancorp, Inc.1
   
16,433
   
$
271,800
 
Xenith Bankshares, Inc.*,1
   
6,914
     
214,749
 
OneBeacon Insurance Group Ltd. — Class A1
   
11,234
     
204,797
 
Park Sterling Corp.1
   
10,532
     
125,120
 
Pacific Continental Corp.1
   
4,638
     
118,501
 
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.1
   
2,209
     
116,127
 
Popular, Inc.1
   
2,767
     
115,412
 
Navient Corp.1
   
6,882
     
114,586
 
Southwest Bancorp, Inc.1
   
4,420
     
112,931
 
E*TRADE Financial Corp.*,1
   
2,956
     
112,417
 
Citigroup, Inc.1
   
1,679
     
112,292
 
Fifth Third Bancorp1
   
4,304
     
111,732
 
Assured Guaranty Ltd.1
   
2,672
     
111,529
 
Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.1
   
3,358
     
110,880
 
State Street Corp.1
   
1,230
     
110,368
 
CNA Financial Corp.1
   
2,246
     
109,493
 
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.1
   
875
     
109,375
 
Morgan Stanley1
   
2,436
     
108,548
 
Regions Financial Corp.1
   
7,401
     
108,351
 
Columbia Property Trust, Inc.1
   
4,824
     
107,960
 
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.1
   
5,864
     
107,134
 
Associated Banc-Corp.1
   
4,186
     
105,487
 
Rayonier, Inc.1
   
3,666
     
105,471
 
Hospitality Properties Trust1
   
3,618
     
105,465
 
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.1
   
828
     
105,396
 
Prudential Financial, Inc.1
   
970
     
104,896
 
Legg Mason, Inc.1
   
2,743
     
104,673
 
Colony NorthStar, Inc. — Class A1
   
7,425
     
104,618
 
Equity Commonwealth*,1
   
3,310
     
104,596
 
Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.1
   
5,581
   
 
104,421
 
Chimera Investment Corp.1
   
5,599
     
104,309
 
Citizens Financial Group, Inc.1
   
2,909
     
103,793
 
American Homes 4 Rent REIT — Class A1
   
4,588
     
103,551
 
American Financial Group, Inc.1
   
1,041
     
103,444
 
Air Lease Corp. — Class A1
   
2,767
     
103,375
 
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. — Class A1
   
804
     
103,226
 
Piedmont Office Realty Trust, Inc. — Class A1
   
4,895
     
103,187
 
RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.1
   
733
     
101,924
 
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.1
   
2,696
     
101,558
 
Liberty Property Trust1
   
2,483
     
101,083
 
Camden Property Trust1
   
1,182
     
101,073
 
Senior Housing Properties Trust1
   
4,919
     
100,544
 
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.1
   
449
     
99,633
 
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.1
   
780
     
97,399
 
Everest Re Group Ltd.1
   
378
     
96,235
 
Brandywine Realty Trust1
   
5,320
     
93,260
 
Lincoln National Corp.1
   
1,348
     
91,098
 
Old Republic International Corp.1
   
4,634
     
90,502
 
Prologis, Inc.1
   
1,537
     
90,130
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.1
   
922
     
84,271
 
Validus Holdings Ltd.1
   
1,560
     
81,073
 
Principal Financial Group, Inc.1
   
1,206
     
77,268
 
Genworth Financial, Inc. — Class A*,1
   
19,752
     
74,465
 
Ally Financial, Inc.1
   
3,097
     
64,727
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. — Class B*,1
   
378
     
64,022
 
 
12 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
    
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Capital One Financial Corp.1
   
733
   
$
60,560
 
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.1
   
1,064
     
54,285
 
SunTrust Banks, Inc.1
   
899
     
50,991
 
Zions Bancorporation1
   
1,135
     
49,838
 
Paragon Commercial Corp.*,1
   
900
     
47,223
 
Fidelity & Guaranty Life1
   
1,517
     
47,103
 
Bank of America Corp.1
   
1,466
     
35,565
 
Corporate Office Properties Trust1
   
993
     
34,785
 
Lazard Ltd. — Class A1
   
686
     
31,782
 
LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.1
   
591
     
25,094
 
Two Harbors Investment Corp.1
   
2,341
     
23,199
 
CIT Group, Inc.1,2
   
449
     
21,866
 
Northern Trust Corp.1
   
213
     
20,706
 
Annaly Capital Management, Inc.1
   
1,632
     
19,666
 
Kilroy Realty Corp.1
   
236
     
17,735
 
Empire State Realty Trust, Inc. — Class A1
   
378
     
7,851
 
CoreCivic, Inc.1
   
284
     
7,833
 
Total Financial
           
7,783,187
 
                 
Consumer, Cyclical - 9.0%
 
Cabela’s, Inc.*,1
   
28,125
     
1,671,187
 
Mobileye N.V.*
   
19,834
     
1,245,576
 
Staples, Inc.
   
60,856
     
612,819
 
West Marine, Inc.
   
33,858
     
435,075
 
Kate Spade & Co.*
   
17,975
     
332,358
 
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. — Class A1
   
1,963
     
123,355
 
PVH Corp.1
   
970
     
111,065
 
Extended Stay America, Inc.1
   
5,652
     
109,423
 
Penske Automotive Group, Inc.1
   
2,483
     
109,029
 
International Game Technology plc1
   
5,841
     
106,890
 
Kohl’s Corp.1
   
2,743
     
106,072
 
Whirlpool Corp.1
   
544
     
104,241
 
Carnival Corp.1
   
1,585
     
103,929
 
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.1
   
2,578
   
 
102,682
 
Gap, Inc.1
   
4,659
     
102,451
 
MGM Resorts International1
   
3,239
     
101,348
 
Best Buy Co., Inc.1
   
1,726
     
98,952
 
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.1
   
899
     
98,198
 
Lear Corp.1
   
686
     
97,467
 
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.1
   
1,277
     
96,643
 
Dolby Laboratories, Inc. — Class A1
   
1,939
     
94,933
 
Ford Motor Co.1
   
8,465
     
94,723
 
Copa Holdings S.A. — Class A1
   
804
     
94,069
 
Liberty Interactive Corporation QVC Group — Class A*,1
   
3,712
     
91,092
 
Coach, Inc.1
   
1,915
     
90,656
 
Foot Locker, Inc.1
   
1,797
     
88,556
 
General Motors Co.1
   
2,483
     
86,731
 
Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.1
   
2,648
     
80,499
 
Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.1
   
2,081
     
78,058
 
Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.*,1
   
2,152
     
78,010
 
Target Corp.1
   
1,324
     
69,232
 
WESCO International, Inc.*,1
   
1,111
     
63,660
 
Darden Restaurants, Inc.1
   
662
     
59,871
 
Mohawk Industries, Inc.*,1
   
236
     
57,039
 
GameStop Corp. — Class A1
   
2,365
     
51,108
 
CalAtlantic Group, Inc.1
   
1,206
     
42,632
 
Urban Outfitters, Inc.*,1
   
2,246
     
41,641
 
PACCAR, Inc.1
   
567
     
37,445
 
United Continental Holdings, Inc.*,1
   
473
     
35,593
 
Spirit Airlines, Inc.*,1
   
591
     
30,525
 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.1
   
378
     
29,601
 
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 13
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Dillard’s, Inc. — Class A1
   
284
   
$
16,384
 
Macy’s, Inc.1
   
663
     
15,408
 
Copart, Inc.*,1
   
378
     
12,017
 
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.1
   
94
     
3,286
 
AutoNation, Inc.*,1
   
48
     
2,024
 
Total Consumer, Cyclical
           
7,313,553
 
                 
Technology - 7.7%
 
NXP Semiconductor N.V.*
   
15,457
     
1,691,778
 
Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.1
   
87,805
     
1,107,220
 
Xcerra Corp.*,1
   
37,417
     
365,564
 
Lattice Semiconductor Corp.*,1
   
50,078
     
333,519
 
Dell Technologies Incorporated Class V — Class V*,1
   
5,216
     
318,750
 
ARI Network Services, Inc.*,1
   
44,958
     
316,954
 
NeuStar, Inc. — Class A*,1
   
4,595
     
153,243
 
Oracle Corp.1
   
2,270
     
113,817
 
CA, Inc.1
   
3,263
     
112,476
 
Black Knight Financial Services, Inc. — Class A*,1
   
2,625
     
107,494
 
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.1
   
1,182
     
100,943
 
Amdocs Ltd.1
   
1,560
     
100,558
 
Synopsys, Inc.*,1
   
1,372
     
100,060
 
Citrix Systems, Inc.*,1
   
1,253
     
99,714
 
Microsoft Corp.1
   
1,443
     
99,466
 
Activision Blizzard, Inc.1
   
1,726
     
99,366
 
Cadence Design Systems, Inc.*,1
   
2,956
     
98,996
 
Intel Corp.1
   
2,838
     
95,754
 
Leidos Holdings, Inc.1
   
1,844
     
95,316
 
Applied Materials, Inc.1
   
2,223
     
91,832
 
ON Semiconductor Corp.*,1
   
6,503
     
91,302
 
International Business Machines Corp.1
   
567
   
 
87,222
 
Lam Research Corp.1
   
615
     
86,979
 
Apple, Inc.1
   
567
     
81,659
 
DST Systems, Inc.1
   
1,182
     
72,929
 
DXC Technology Co.1
   
780
     
59,842
 
Akamai Technologies, Inc.*,1
   
1,041
     
51,852
 
SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc.1
   
1,253
     
48,128
 
Xerox Corp.1
   
1,324
     
38,039
 
Teradyne, Inc.1
   
875
     
26,276
 
HP, Inc.1
   
1,489
     
26,028
 
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.1
   
993
     
16,474
 
Nuance Communications, Inc.*,1
   
165
     
2,873
 
Total Technology
           
6,292,423
 
                 
Communications - 4.2%
 
Time Warner, Inc.1
   
8,085
     
811,816
 
West Corp.1,2
   
27,515
     
641,650
 
Level 3 Communications, Inc.*,1
   
6,121
     
362,975
 
Tribune Media Co. — Class A1
   
4,621
     
188,399
 
General Communication, Inc. — Class A*,1
   
4,056
     
148,612
 
Lumos Networks Corp.*,1
   
7,594
     
135,705
 
eBay, Inc.*,1
   
2,932
     
102,385
 
Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.1
   
3,595
     
99,761
 
Cisco Systems, Inc.1
   
3,168
     
99,158
 
Comcast Corp. — Class A1
   
2,483
     
96,638
 
Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. — Class A1
   
1,348
     
92,082
 
Symantec Corp.1
   
3,075
     
86,869
 
Juniper Networks, Inc.1
   
2,956
     
82,413
 
TEGNA, Inc.1
   
5,675
     
81,777
 
 
14 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
T-Mobile US, Inc.*,1
   
922
   
$
55,892
 
Liberty Broadband Corp. — Class C*,1
   
615
     
53,351
 
Liberty Media Corporation-Liberty SiriusXM — Class A*,1
   
1,253
     
52,601
 
Liberty Media Corporation-Liberty SiriusXM — Class C*,1
   
1,253
     
52,250
 
John Wiley & Sons, Inc. — Class A1
   
851
     
44,890
 
Alphabet, Inc. — Class A*,1
   
48
     
44,625
 
Alphabet, Inc. — Class C*,1
   
48
     
43,619
 
Liberty Ventures*,1
   
115
     
6,013
 
Total Communications
           
3,383,481
 
                 
Industrial – 3.7%
 
Trinity Industries, Inc.1
   
4,020
     
112,681
 
Oshkosh Corp.1
   
1,585
     
109,175
 
Owens Corning1
   
1,631
     
109,148
 
WestRock Co.1
   
1,915
     
108,505
 
FedEx Corp.1
   
497
     
108,013
 
Arrow Electronics, Inc.*,1
   
1,372
     
107,592
 
Cummins, Inc.1
   
662
     
107,389
 
Corning, Inc.1
   
3,547
     
106,587
 
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. — Class A1
   
1,821
     
105,509
 
Timken Co.1
   
2,270
     
104,988
 
Eaton Corp. plc1
   
1,348
     
104,915
 
Waste Management, Inc.1
   
1,419
     
104,084
 
Ingersoll-Rand plc1
   
1,135
     
103,728
 
Textron, Inc.1
   
2,200
     
103,620
 
Norfolk Southern Corp.1
   
851
     
103,567
 
Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.1
   
733
     
103,156
 
L3 Technologies, Inc.1
   
615
     
102,754
 
Republic Services, Inc. — Class A1
   
1,608
     
102,478
 
Regal Beloit Corp.1
   
1,253
   
 
102,182
 
Sonoco Products Co.1
   
1,963
     
100,937
 
Ryder System, Inc.1
   
1,372
     
98,757
 
Jabil, Inc.1
   
3,287
     
95,948
 
Carlisle Companies, Inc.1
   
993
     
94,732
 
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.1
   
496
     
92,335
 
Colfax Corp.*,1
   
2,057
     
80,984
 
USG Corp.*,1
   
2,507
     
72,753
 
Garmin Ltd.1
   
1,372
     
70,013
 
AGCO Corp.1
   
922
     
62,134
 
Packaging Corporation of America1
   
473
     
52,687
 
Deere & Co.1
   
378
     
46,717
 
Kirby Corp.*,1
   
686
     
45,859
 
AECOM*,1
   
1,017
     
32,880
 
Terex Corp.1
   
686
     
25,725
 
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.1
   
378
     
20,559
 
Energizer Holdings, Inc.1
   
307
     
14,742
 
PerkinElmer, Inc.1
   
165
     
11,243
 
Boeing Co.1
   
48
     
9,492
 
Total Industrial
           
3,038,568
 
                 
Energy - 2.5%
 
Rice Energy, Inc.*,1
   
29,314
     
780,633
 
ONEOK Partners, LP1
   
2,732
     
139,523
 
TerraForm Global, Inc. — Class A*,1
   
27,467
     
138,708
 
Valero Energy Corp.1
   
1,655
     
111,646
 
Williams Companies, Inc.1
   
3,618
     
109,553
 
Kinder Morgan, Inc.1
   
5,533
     
106,012
 
Marathon Petroleum Corp.1
   
1,963
     
102,724
 
Transocean Ltd.*,1
   
11,587
     
95,361
 
Chevron Corp.1
   
851
     
88,785
 
Dril-Quip, Inc.*,1
   
1,088
     
53,094
 
Rowan Companies plc — Class A*,1
   
5,084
     
52,060
 
CONSOL Energy, Inc.*,1
   
3,027
     
45,223
 
Antero Resources Corp.*,1
   
1,679
     
36,283
 
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 15
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.1
   
1,443
   
$
29,134
 
Targa Resources Corp.1
   
638
     
28,838
 
Energen Corp.*,1
   
473
     
23,352
 
Murphy Oil Corp.1
   
899
     
23,041
 
Nabors Industries Ltd.1
   
2,696
     
21,945
 
Baker Hughes, Inc.1
   
305
     
16,626
 
Devon Energy Corp.1
   
402
     
12,852
 
WPX Energy, Inc.*,1
   
496
     
4,791
 
Total Energy
           
2,020,184
 
                 
Basic Materials - 2.0%
 
Monsanto Co.1
   
5,548
     
656,661
 
Steel Dynamics, Inc.1
   
3,027
     
108,397
 
Westlake Chemical Corp.1
   
1,631
     
107,989
 
Eastman Chemical Co.1
   
1,277
     
107,255
 
Cabot Corp.1
   
1,963
     
104,883
 
Nucor Corp.1
   
1,750
     
101,273
 
Domtar Corp.1
   
2,554
     
98,125
 
Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.1
   
1,324
     
96,400
 
Mosaic Co.1
   
2,980
     
68,033
 
Albemarle Corp.1
   
544
     
57,414
 
Platform Specialty Products Corp.*,1
   
4,493
     
56,971
 
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. — Class A1
   
591
     
49,874
 
United States Steel Corp.1
   
284
     
6,288
 
Total Basic Materials
           
1,619,563
 
                 
Utilities - 1.8%
 
WGL Holdings, Inc.1
   
4,721
     
393,873
 
Hawaiian Electric Industries, Inc.1
   
3,122
     
101,091
 
Ameren Corp.1
   
1,821
     
99,555
 
Consolidated Edison, Inc.1
   
1,230
     
99,409
 
PG&E Corp.1
   
1,489
     
98,825
 
Pinnacle West Capital Corp.1
   
1,159
     
98,700
 
UGI Corp.1
   
2,034
     
98,466
 
Avangrid, Inc.1
   
2,223
     
98,145
 
Edison International1
   
1,253
   
 
97,972
 
DTE Energy Co.1
   
922
     
97,538
 
SCANA Corp.1
   
1,443
     
96,695
 
AES Corp.1
   
7,875
     
87,491
 
Delta Natural Gas Company, Inc.1
   
1,120
     
34,126
 
Duke Energy Corp.1
   
48
     
4,012
 
Total Utilities
           
1,505,898
 
                 
Diversified - 0.1%
 
Leucadia National Corp.1
   
4,280
     
111,965
 
                 
Total Common Stocks
               
(Cost $38,734,822)
           
42,756,834
 
                 
MUTUAL FUNDS - 0.0%**
 
Guggenheim Strategy Fund I3
   
1,031
     
25,857
 
Guggenheim Strategy Fund II3
   
247
     
6,165
 
Total Mutual Funds
               
(Cost $31,740)
           
32,022
 
                 
CLOSED-END FUNDS - 9.5%
 
Dividend and Income Fund
   
29,666
     
366,374
 
Altaba, Inc.
   
6,627
     
361,038
 
Boulder Growth & Income Fund, Inc.
   
36,991
     
359,182
 
Central Securities Corp.
   
14,316
     
356,897
 
RMR Real Estate Income Fund
   
16,152
     
352,921
 
General American Investors Company, Inc.
   
9,950
     
341,783
 
Adams Diversified Equity Fund, Inc.
   
21,618
     
308,921
 
GDL Fund
   
24,445
     
250,806
 
Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.
   
14,324
     
181,915
 
Liberty All Star Equity Fund
   
24,869
     
140,757
 
Aberdeen Chile Fund, Inc.
   
18,272
     
129,366
 
 
16 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Tri-Continental Corp.
   
5,282
   
$
128,617
 
Adams Natural Resources Fund, Inc.
   
5,331
     
99,690
 
Eagle Growth & Income Opportunities Fund2
   
5,250
     
90,458
 
Morgan Stanley Asia-Pacific Fund, Inc.
   
5,421
     
89,989
 
Aberdeen Greater China Fund, Inc.
   
6,568
     
75,335
 
Nuveen New Jersey Quality Municipal Income Fund
   
5,303
     
72,651
 
CBRE Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund
   
8,987
     
69,380
 
Latin American Discovery Fund, Inc.
   
6,528
     
68,413
 
Templeton Dragon Fund, Inc.
   
3,325
     
67,065
 
Japan Smaller Capitalization Fund, Inc.
   
5,540
     
63,599
 
Gabelli Healthcare & WellnessRx Trust
   
5,831
     
63,266
 
Central Europe Russia and Turkey Fund, Inc.
   
2,881
     
63,094
 
Mexico Equity & Income Fund, Inc.
   
5,371
     
61,337
 
Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund3
   
5,543
     
61,084
 
Royce Micro-Capital Trust, Inc.
   
6,851
     
59,262
 
BlackRock Resources & Commodities Strategy Trust
   
7,331
     
58,721
 
Aberdeen Singapore Fund, Inc.
   
5,114
     
56,459
 
Wells Fargo Multi-Sector Income Fund2
   
4,194
     
55,990
 
Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Securities & Income Fund3
   
4,934
     
55,754
 
Templeton Emerging Markets Income Fund
   
4,893
   
 
54,899
 
Legg Mason BW Global Income Opportunities Fund, Inc.
   
4,070
     
53,846
 
Aberdeen Japan Equity Fund, Inc.
   
6,299
     
53,542
 
Royce Value Trust, Inc.
   
3,659
     
53,388
 
Mexico Fund, Inc.
   
2,962
     
51,243
 
Franklin Universal Trust
   
7,022
     
50,348
 
Macquarie Global Infrastructure Total Return Fund, Inc.
   
1,996
     
49,820
 
Western Asset Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.
   
3,159
     
49,186
 
New Germany Fund, Inc.2
   
2,841
     
47,246
 
Morgan Stanley India Investment Fund, Inc.
   
1,437
     
46,516
 
Alpine Total Dynamic Dividend Fund
   
5,256
     
45,675
 
Neuberger Berman High Yield Strategies Fund, Inc.
   
3,811
     
45,313
 
China Fund, Inc.
   
2,414
     
45,118
 
Korea Fund, Inc.
   
1,111
     
44,484
 
AllianzGI Equity & Convertible Income Fund
   
2,110
     
41,673
 
Sprott Focus Trust, Inc.
   
5,621
     
41,483
 
Clough Global Opportunities Fund
   
3,834
     
40,640
 
Neuberger Berman Real Estate Securities Income Fund, Inc.
   
7,519
     
40,603
 
Taiwan Fund, Inc.
   
2,028
     
40,134
 
Voya Asia Pacific High Dividend Equity Income Fund
   
3,756
     
39,513
 
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Fund, Inc.
   
2,444
     
39,471
 
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 17
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Lazard Global Total Return and Income Fund, Inc.
   
2,304
   
$
37,670
 
India Fund, Inc.
   
1,393
     
37,555
 
Cohen & Steers REIT and Preferred Income Fund, Inc.
   
1,801
     
37,425
 
Delaware Enhanced Global Dividend & Income Fund
   
3,193
     
36,400
 
Virtus Total Return Fund, Inc.
   
2,925
     
35,802
 
Ellsworth Growth and Income Fund Ltd.
   
3,860
     
35,203
 
European Equity Fund, Inc.
   
3,798
     
34,828
 
LMP Capital and Income Fund, Inc.
   
2,445
     
34,768
 
Invesco High Income Trust II
   
2,294
     
34,226
 
Lazard World Dividend & Income Fund, Inc.
   
3,093
     
34,085
 
Western Asset Global High Income Fund, Inc.
   
3,344
     
33,641
 
Morgan Stanley Emerging Markets Debt Fund, Inc.
   
3,386
     
33,488
 
Duff & Phelps Global Utility Income Fund, Inc.
   
1,995
     
33,117
 
Liberty All Star Growth Fund, Inc.
   
6,709
     
33,007
 
Gabelli Global Utility & Income Trust
   
1,626
     
32,910
 
Nuveen Real Asset Income and Growth Fund
   
1,866
     
32,823
 
Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, Inc.
   
1,989
     
32,520
 
New Ireland Fund, Inc.
   
2,339
     
32,419
 
Delaware Investments Dividend & Income Fund, Inc.
   
3,044
     
31,840
 
Aberdeen Latin America Equity Fund, Inc.
   
1,369
   
 
31,733
 
Aberdeen Emerging Markets Smaller Company Opportunities Fund, Inc.
   
2,298
     
31,689
 
Cohen & Steers Global Income Builder, Inc.
   
3,292
     
31,340
 
Bancroft Fund Ltd.
   
1,442
     
31,176
 
BlackRock Corporate High Yield Fund, Inc.
   
2,813
     
30,830
 
Voya Global Advantage and Premium Opportunity Fund
   
2,832
     
30,614
 
Diversified Real Asset Income Fund
   
1,736
     
30,293
 
BlackRock Credit Allocation Income Trust
   
2,248
     
30,236
 
Templeton Emerging Markets Fund/United States
   
2,008
     
29,939
 
Prudential Global Short Duration High Yield Fund, Inc.
   
1,968
     
29,244
 
Western Asset High Income Opportunity Fund, Inc.
   
5,719
     
28,995
 
Nuveen AMT-Free Quality Municipal Income Fund
   
2,095
     
28,681
 
Alpine Global Dynamic Dividend Fund
   
2,775
     
28,388
 
Eaton Vance Limited Duration Income Fund
   
2,012
     
28,369
 
AllianzGI NFJ Dividend Interest & Premium Strategy Fund
   
2,131
     
27,895
 
Cohen & Steers Infrastructure Fund, Inc.
   
1,179
     
27,860
 
BlackRock Debt Strategies Fund, Inc.
   
2,387
     
27,546
 
 
18 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Western Asset High Yield Defined Opportunity Fund, Inc.
   
1,799
   
$
27,489
 
Voya Global Equity Dividend and Premium Opportunity Fund
   
3,620
     
27,367
 
First Trust Enhanced Equity Income Fund
   
1,861
     
27,264
 
Tekla Healthcare Opportunities Fund
   
1,438
     
26,373
 
First Trust Strategic High Income Fund II
   
1,931
     
26,358
 
BlackRock Enhanced Global Dividend Trust
   
1,979
     
26,222
 
MFS Charter Income Trust
   
3,025
     
26,136
 
Nuveen Global High Income Fund
   
1,509
     
25,457
 
Clough Global Equity Fund
   
1,982
     
25,013
 
BlackRock Multi-Sector Income Trust
   
1,373
     
24,892
 
BlackRock Enhanced Equity Dividend Trust
   
2,817
     
24,790
 
MFS Multimarket Income Trust
   
3,981
     
24,682
 
Avenue Income Credit Strategies Fund
   
1,735
     
24,134
 
Advent Claymore Convertible Securities and Income Fund II3
   
3,826
     
23,836
 
Voya Emerging Markets High Income Dividend Equity Fund
   
2,711
     
23,803
 
Putnam High Income Securities Fund
   
2,695
     
23,689
 
Blackrock Science & Technology Trust2
   
1,064
     
23,631
 
Wells Fargo Income Opportunities Fund
   
2,693
     
23,052
 
BlackRock Enhanced International Dividend Trust
   
3,625
   
 
22,765
 
Wells Fargo Global Dividend Opportunity Fund
   
3,707
     
22,687
 
Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Total Return Strategy Fund
   
1,752
     
22,601
 
Cohen & Steers MLP Income and Energy Opportunity Fund, Inc.
   
2,018
     
21,915
 
Clough Global Dividend and Income Fund
   
1,631
     
21,758
 
BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund, Inc.
   
1,454
     
21,650
 
Franklin Limited Duration Income Trust
   
1,798
     
21,270
 
Nuveen Tax-Advantaged Dividend Growth Fund
   
1,304
     
20,981
 
Eaton Vance Tax-Advantaged Global Dividend Income Fund
   
1,226
     
20,928
 
Nuveen Multi-Market Income Fund, Inc.
   
2,775
     
20,813
 
First Trust Aberdeen Emerging Opportunity Fund
   
1,289
     
20,701
 
Gabelli Dividend & Income Trust
   
948
     
20,685
 
ClearBridge American Energy MLP Fund, Inc.
   
2,289
     
20,578
 
Voya Infrastructure Industrials and Materials Fund2
   
1,302
     
20,350
 
Principal Real Estate Income Fund
   
1,118
     
20,225
 
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 19
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Advent Claymore Convertible Securities and Income Fund3
   
1,237
   
$
19,978
 
Asia Tigers Fund, Inc.
   
1,716
     
19,888
 
Advent/Claymore Enhanced Growth & Income Fund3
   
2,266
     
19,828
 
Asia Pacific Fund, Inc.
   
1,534
     
19,819
 
Western Asset Global Corporate Defined Opportunity Fund, Inc.
   
1,109
     
19,751
 
Cushing Renaissance Fund
   
1,109
     
19,396
 
Calamos Global Dynamic Income Fund
   
2,260
     
19,278
 
Cohen & Steers Closed-End Opportunity Fund, Inc.
   
1,478
     
19,244
 
First Trust Aberdeen Global Opportunity Income Fund
   
1,648
     
19,199
 
First Trust High Income Long/Short Fund
   
1,113
     
19,188
 
Nuveen Dow 30sm Dynamic Overwrite Fund
   
1,122
     
18,535
 
AllianzGI Diversified Income & Convertible Fund
   
877
     
18,382
 
Calamos Strategic Total Return Fund
   
1,555
     
18,256
 
Gabelli Multimedia Trust, Inc.
   
2,025
     
18,104
 
Macquarie/First Trust Global Infrastructure/Utilities Dividend & Income Fund
   
1,322
     
17,212
 
First Trust Dynamic Europe Equity Income Fund2
   
901
     
16,948
 
MFS Intermediate High Income Fund
   
5,718
   
 
16,010
 
KKR Income Opportunities Fund
   
898
     
15,706
 
Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund3
   
830
     
6,864
 
Total Closed-End Funds
               
(Cost $6,811,283)
           
7,758,501
 
                 
   
Face Amount
         
                 
U.S. TREASURY BILLS†† - 11.4%
 
U.S. Treasury Bill
               
0.95% due 09/21/171,4
 
$
8,000,000
     
7,982,696
 
0.91% due 08/03/174,5
   
1,300,000
     
1,299,046
 
Total U.S. Treasury Bills
               
(Cost $9,280,493)
           
9,281,742
 
                 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS††,6 - 23.6%
 
HSBC Securities, Inc. issued 06/30/17 at 0.99% due 07/03/17
   
7,332,546
     
7,332,546
 
RBC Capital Markets LLC issued 06/30/17 at 1.01% due 07/03/17
   
6,722,488
     
6,722,488
 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch issued 06/30/17 at 1.08% due 07/03/17
   
5,204,675
     
5,204,675
 
Total Repurchase Agreements
         
(Cost $19,259,709)
           
19,259,709
 
 
20 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
SECURITIES LENDING COLLATERAL†,7 - 0.2%
 
First American Government Obligations Fund — Class Z, 0.84%8
   
136,560
   
$
136,560
 
Total Securities Lending Collateral
         
(Cost $136,560)
           
136,560
 
Total Investments – 97.2%
               
(Cost $74,254,607)
         
$
79,225,368
 
                 
COMMON STOCKS SOLD SHORT - (31.0)%
 
   
Basic Materials - (1.1)%
 
Freeport-McMoRan, Inc.*
   
747
     
(8,971
)
Tahoe Resources, Inc.
   
1,395
     
(12,025
)
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
   
457
     
(12,778
)
Valvoline, Inc.
   
618
     
(14,659
)
Royal Gold, Inc.
   
393
     
(30,721
)
Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.
   
626
     
(41,260
)
FMC Corp.
   
728
     
(53,180
)
Praxair, Inc.
   
410
     
(54,346
)
NewMarket Corp.
   
121
     
(55,718
)
Compass Minerals International, Inc.
   
1,035
     
(67,586
)
Sherwin-Williams Co.
   
197
     
(69,139
)
Newmont Mining Corp.
   
2,257
     
(73,104
)
PPG Industries, Inc.
   
667
     
(73,343
)
Southern Copper Corp.
   
2,134
     
(73,900
)
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.*
   
2,307
     
(73,916
)
RPM International, Inc.
   
1,374
     
(74,952
)
WR Grace & Co.
   
1,046
     
(75,322
)
Total Basic Materials
           
(864,920
)
                 
Utilities - (1.4)%
 
MDU Resources Group, Inc.
   
24
     
(629
)
NextEra Energy, Inc.
   
145
     
(20,319
)
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
   
337
     
(20,685
)
Vectren Corp.
   
466
     
(27,233
)
American Water Works Co., Inc.
   
451
     
(35,155
)
Entergy Corp.
   
505
   
 
(38,769
)
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.
   
1,251
     
(53,806
)
Calpine Corp.*
   
4,953
     
(67,014
)
Southern Co.
   
1,447
     
(69,282
)
Sempra Energy
   
644
     
(72,611
)
Dominion Energy, Inc.
   
948
     
(72,645
)
Alliant Energy Corp.
   
1,824
     
(73,270
)
NiSource, Inc.
   
2,903
     
(73,620
)
American Electric Power Company, Inc.
   
1,061
     
(73,708
)
PPL Corp.
   
1,937
     
(74,884
)
Atmos Energy Corp.
   
916
     
(75,982
)
Aqua America, Inc.
   
2,283
     
(76,024
)
FirstEnergy Corp.
   
2,625
     
(76,545
)
National Fuel Gas Co.
   
1,374
     
(76,724
)
NRG Energy, Inc.
   
4,538
     
(78,144
)
Total Utilities
           
(1,157,049
)
   
Energy - (2.4)%
 
Cimarex Energy Co.
   
73
     
(6,863
)
Noble Corporation plc
   
2,621
     
(9,488
)
RPC, Inc.
   
505
     
(10,206
)
Laredo Petroleum, Inc.*
   
1,324
     
(13,928
)
Apache Corp.
   
482
     
(23,102
)
National Oilwell Varco, Inc.
   
1,202
     
(39,594
)
Schlumberger Ltd.
   
638
     
(42,006
)
Range Resources Corp.
   
1,973
     
(45,714
)
Continental Resources, Inc.*
   
1,570
     
(50,758
)
Weatherford International plc*
   
16,335
     
(63,216
)
Halliburton Co.
   
1,644
     
(70,215
)
Newfield Exploration Co.*
   
2,478
     
(70,524
)
Hess Corp.
   
1,619
     
(71,026
)
Chesapeake Energy Corp.*
   
14,516
     
(72,145
)
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
   
1,227
     
(73,460
)
Cheniere Energy, Inc.*
   
1,526
     
(74,331
)
Superior Energy Services, Inc.*
   
7,212
     
(75,221
)
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 21
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
First Solar, Inc.*
   
2,008
   
$
(80,079
)
Southwestern Energy Co.*
   
13,269
     
(80,676
)
Kosmos Energy Ltd.*
   
12,838
     
(82,292
)
Gulfport Energy Corp.*
   
5,739
     
(84,650
)
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. — Class A
   
3,532
     
(88,583
)
ONEOK, Inc.
   
2,691
     
(140,363
)
Equities Corp.
   
10,132
     
(593,633
)
Total Energy
           
(1,962,073
)
                 
Technology - (2.6)%
 
Paychex, Inc.
   
97
     
(5,523
)
Fiserv, Inc.*
   
97
     
(11,867
)
Pitney Bowes, Inc.
   
786
     
(11,869
)
CSRA, Inc.
   
828
     
(26,289
)
Inovalon Holdings, Inc. — Class A*
   
2,453
     
(32,257
)
Autodesk, Inc.*
   
337
     
(33,976
)
Atlassian Corporation plc — Class A*
   
1,186
     
(41,723
)
NVIDIA Corp.
   
356
     
(51,463
)
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
   
1,347
     
(60,480
)
Dun & Bradstreet Corp.
   
565
     
(61,105
)
Ultimate Software Group, Inc.*
   
297
     
(62,388
)
VeriFone Systems, Inc.*
   
3,626
     
(65,631
)
Western Digital Corp.
   
764
     
(67,690
)
Splunk, Inc.*
   
1,190
     
(67,699
)
Broadcom Ltd.
   
296
     
(68,983
)
Tyler Technologies, Inc.*
   
394
     
(69,214
)
Workday, Inc. — Class A*
   
718
     
(69,646
)
Salesforce.com, Inc.*
   
813
     
(70,406
)
Fortinet, Inc.*
   
1,942
     
(72,708
)
Cypress Semiconductor Corp.
   
5,372
     
(73,328
)
ServiceNow, Inc.*
   
692
     
(73,352
)
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. — Class A
   
1,110
     
(73,704
)
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.
   
981
     
(74,124
)
Tableau Software, Inc. — Class A*
   
1,214
   
 
(74,382
)
Guidewire Software, Inc.*
   
1,088
     
(74,756
)
athenahealth, Inc.*
   
544
     
(76,459
)
Manhattan Associates, Inc.*
   
1,594
     
(76,608
)
Zynga, Inc. — Class A*
   
21,327
     
(77,630
)
Red Hat, Inc.*
   
812
     
(77,749
)
VMware, Inc. — Class A*
   
5,195
     
(454,200
)
Total Technology
           
(2,157,209
)
                 
Communications - (2.7)%
 
GoDaddy, Inc. — Class A*
   
49
     
(2,079
)
United States Cellular Corp.*
   
124
     
(4,752
)
Zillow Group, Inc. — Class A*
   
193
     
(9,426
)
Verizon Communications, Inc.
   
424
     
(18,936
)
Netflix, Inc.*
   
151
     
(22,561
)
News Corp. — Class A
   
2,165
     
(29,661
)
Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. — Class A
   
1,063
     
(34,973
)
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. — Class A
   
1,349
     
(38,231
)
Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. — Class B
   
1,398
     
(38,962
)
DISH Network Corp. — Class A*
   
633
     
(39,727
)
Expedia, Inc.
   
272
     
(40,514
)
Sprint Corp.*
   
6,639
     
(54,506
)
Arista Networks, Inc.*
   
398
     
(59,616
)
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc.*
   
2,069
     
(63,932
)
TripAdvisor, Inc.*
   
1,692
     
(64,634
)
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.
   
410
     
(68,134
)
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.*
   
520
     
(69,581
)
Pandora Media, Inc.*
   
8,070
     
(71,984
)
 
22 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
VeriSign, Inc.*
   
786
   
$
(73,067
)
Motorola Solutions, Inc.
   
845
     
(73,295
)
Twitter, Inc.*
   
4,199
     
(75,036
)
CDW Corp.
   
1,205
     
(75,349
)
AMC Networks, Inc. — Class A*
   
1,423
     
(76,002
)
Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc. — Class A
   
18,419
     
(89,332
)
Groupon, Inc. — Class A*
   
25,066
     
(96,253
)
CenturyLink, Inc.
   
8,744
     
(208,807
)
AT&T, Inc.
   
9,379
     
(353,870
)
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR*
   
2,659
     
(374,654
)
Total Communications
           
(2,227,874
)
                 
Consumer, Cyclical - (3.6)%
 
JetBlue Airways Corp.*
   
120
     
(2,740
)
Watsco, Inc.
   
24
     
(3,701
)
Yum! Brands, Inc.
   
148
     
(10,916
)
Home Depot, Inc.
   
73
     
(11,198
)
Skechers U.S.A., Inc. — Class A*
   
433
     
(12,774
)
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
   
221
     
(13,669
)
BorgWarner, Inc.
   
344
     
(14,572
)
Costco Wholesale Corp.
   
97
     
(15,513
)
American Airlines Group, Inc.
   
337
     
(16,958
)
Leggett & Platt, Inc.
   
369
     
(19,384
)
Tupperware Brands Corp.
   
289
     
(20,296
)
Las Vegas Sands Corp.
   
421
     
(26,898
)
CarMax, Inc.*
   
491
     
(30,962
)
VF Corp.
   
722
     
(41,587
)
Toro Co.
   
650
     
(45,039
)
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
   
859
     
(46,163
)
Dollar General Corp.
   
687
     
(49,526
)
Mattel, Inc.
   
2,306
     
(49,648
)
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. — Class A*
   
125
     
(52,013
)
Michaels Companies, Inc.*
   
2,821
     
(52,245
)
WW Grainger, Inc.
   
297
     
(53,617
)
AutoZone, Inc.*
   
97
   
 
(55,335
)
HD Supply Holdings, Inc.*
   
1,824
     
(55,869
)
Vista Outdoor, Inc.*
   
2,652
     
(59,697
)
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
   
540
     
(62,959
)
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.*
   
295
     
(64,528
)
Dollar Tree, Inc.*
   
932
     
(65,165
)
Marriott International, Inc. — Class A
   
667
     
(66,907
)
Starbucks Corp.
   
1,182
     
(68,922
)
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*
   
1,178
     
(70,291
)
Dunkin’ Brands Group, Inc.
   
1,286
     
(70,884
)
Tractor Supply Co.
   
1,324
     
(71,774
)
TJX Cos., Inc.
   
1,006
     
(72,603
)
Fastenal Co.
   
1,668
     
(72,608
)
Madison Square Garden Co. — Class A*
   
369
     
(72,656
)
Wynn Resorts Ltd.
   
543
     
(72,827
)
Visteon Corp.*
   
714
     
(72,871
)
Choice Hotels International, Inc.
   
1,141
     
(73,309
)
Delphi Automotive plc
   
838
     
(73,451
)
L Brands, Inc.
   
1,374
     
(74,045
)
Hanesbrands, Inc.
   
3,200
     
(74,112
)
Lowe’s Cos., Inc.
   
957
     
(74,196
)
Genuine Parts Co.
   
810
     
(75,136
)
McDonald’s Corp.
   
491
     
(75,202
)
WABCO Holdings, Inc.*
   
590
     
(75,231
)
Six Flags Entertainment Corp.
   
1,276
     
(76,062
)
Newell Brands, Inc.
   
1,427
     
(76,516
)
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. — Class A*
   
2,738
     
(77,266
)
Under Armour, Inc. — Class C*
   
3,998
     
(80,600
)
Tesla, Inc.*
   
223
     
(80,639
)
Tempur Sealy International, Inc.*
   
1,570
     
(83,822
)
NIKE, Inc. — Class B
   
1,423
     
(83,956
)
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 23
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.*
   
4,317
   
$
(87,419
)
Total Consumer, Cyclical
           
(2,906,277
)
                 
Industrial - (4.0)%
 
Crown Holdings, Inc.*
   
97
     
(5,787
)
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.
   
193
     
(12,591
)
Kansas City Southern
   
121
     
(12,663
)
Honeywell International, Inc.
   
121
     
(16,128
)
Emerson Electric Co.
   
319
     
(19,019
)
Silgan Holdings, Inc.
   
655
     
(20,816
)
Trimble, Inc.*
   
866
     
(30,890
)
Cognex Corp.
   
406
     
(34,469
)
General Electric Co.
   
1,564
     
(42,244
)
Pentair plc
   
674
     
(44,848
)
Fluor Corp.
   
1,011
     
(46,284
)
Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.
   
529
     
(48,716
)
Zebra Technologies Corp. — Class A*
   
504
     
(50,662
)
Orbital ATK, Inc.
   
523
     
(51,442
)
Covanta Holding Corp.
   
4,450
     
(58,740
)
Johnson Controls International plc
   
1,371
     
(59,447
)
Snap-on, Inc.
   
385
     
(60,830
)
Middleby Corp.*
   
529
     
(64,279
)
CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
   
962
     
(66,070
)
TransDigm Group, Inc.
   
247
     
(66,411
)
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
   
747
     
(68,261
)
Roper Technologies, Inc.
   
297
     
(68,764
)
Stericycle, Inc.*
   
908
     
(69,299
)
Hubbell, Inc.
   
613
     
(69,373
)
Graco, Inc.
   
643
     
(70,267
)
HEICO Corp.
   
981
     
(70,475
)
Vulcan Materials Co.
   
566
     
(71,701
)
3M Co.
   
345
     
(71,826
)
Flowserve Corp.
   
1,559
     
(72,384
)
Welbilt, Inc.*
   
3,883
     
(73,195
)
AMETEK, Inc.
   
1,209
     
(73,229
)
United Parcel Service, Inc. — Class B
   
663
   
 
(73,321
)
Fitbit, Inc. — Class A*
   
14,013
     
(74,409
)
Donaldson Company, Inc.
   
1,638
     
(74,595
)
Rockwell Collins, Inc.
   
712
     
(74,817
)
Landstar System, Inc.
   
875
     
(74,900
)
IDEX Corp.
   
667
     
(75,378
)
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
   
466
     
(75,473
)
BWX Technologies, Inc.
   
1,566
     
(76,343
)
AptarGroup, Inc.
   
883
     
(76,697
)
Lennox International, Inc.
   
418
     
(76,762
)
Cree, Inc.*
   
3,115
     
(76,785
)
Sealed Air Corp.
   
1,717
     
(76,853
)
Ball Corp.
   
1,822
     
(76,907
)
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.*
   
1,677
     
(77,142
)
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
   
1,374
     
(77,604
)
Allegion plc
   
965
     
(78,281
)
National Instruments Corp.
   
1,952
     
(78,509
)
Xylem, Inc.
   
1,426
     
(79,043
)
Avnet, Inc.
   
2,036
     
(79,160
)
KBR, Inc.
   
5,317
     
(80,924
)
Wabtec Corp.
   
886
     
(81,070
)
Acuity Brands, Inc.
   
418
     
(84,971
)
Total Industrial
           
(3,291,054
)
                 
Consumer, Non-cyclical - (5.7)%
 
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.*
   
217
     
(4,757
)
Brown-Forman Corp. — Class A
   
124
     
(6,113
)
General Mills, Inc.
   
173
     
(9,584
)
Hormel Foods Corp.
   
369
     
(12,587
)
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.*
   
145
     
(13,169
)
Alkermes plc*
   
251
     
(14,550
)
S&P Global, Inc.
   
145
     
(21,169
)
Stryker Corp.
   
169
     
(23,454
)
Align Technology, Inc.*
   
193
     
(28,973
)
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
   
289
     
(29,611
)
 
24 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Philip Morris International, Inc.
   
265
   
$
(31,124
)
McKesson Corp.
   
193
     
(31,756
)
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc.*
   
3,108
     
(35,742
)
Bruker Corp.
   
1,275
     
(36,771
)
Square, Inc. — Class A*
   
1,673
     
(39,249
)
Illumina, Inc.*
   
229
     
(39,736
)
Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
   
850
     
(43,240
)
Premier, Inc. — Class A*
   
1,240
     
(44,640
)
Nielsen Holdings plc
   
1,179
     
(45,580
)
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.*
   
49
     
(45,833
)
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
   
360
     
(46,393
)
AmerisourceBergen Corp. — Class A
   
504
     
(47,643
)
Hain Celestial Group, Inc.*
   
1,443
     
(56,017
)
Macquarie Infrastructure Corp.
   
829
     
(64,994
)
Kimberly-Clark Corp.
   
505
     
(65,201
)
CoStar Group, Inc.*
   
248
     
(65,373
)
Moody’s Corp.
   
554
     
(67,411
)
Campbell Soup Co.
   
1,300
     
(67,795
)
IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.*
   
420
     
(67,796
)
Endo International plc*
   
6,076
     
(67,869
)
McCormick & Co., Inc.
   
707
     
(68,940
)
Brown-Forman Corp. — Class B
   
1,428
     
(69,401
)
Tenet Healthcare Corp.*
   
3,632
     
(70,243
)
Hershey Co.
   
659
     
(70,757
)
Mondelez International, Inc. — Class A
   
1,639
     
(70,788
)
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.*
   
491
     
(70,807
)
Kellogg Co.
   
1,020
     
(70,849
)
Rollins, Inc.
   
1,752
     
(71,324
)
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc.*
   
3,153
     
(71,479
)
WEX, Inc.*
   
687
     
(71,633
)
Blue Buffalo Pet Products, Inc.*
   
3,149
     
(71,829
)
Henry Schein, Inc.*
   
393
   
 
(71,927
)
Clorox Co.
   
540
     
(71,950
)
Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
   
595
     
(72,037
)
Gartner, Inc.*
   
589
     
(72,747
)
Edgewell Personal Care Co.*
   
957
     
(72,751
)
Monster Beverage Corp.*
   
1,475
     
(73,278
)
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. — Class A
   
764
     
(73,329
)
Coca-Cola Co.
   
1,647
     
(73,868
)
Sabre Corp.
   
3,426
     
(74,584
)
Western Union Co.
   
3,924
     
(74,752
)
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.*
   
1,909
     
(74,814
)
Coty, Inc. — Class A
   
3,998
     
(75,002
)
DexCom, Inc.*
   
1,031
     
(75,418
)
Ecolab, Inc.
   
571
     
(75,800
)
TreeHouse Foods, Inc.*
   
933
     
(76,217
)
Allergan plc
   
319
     
(77,546
)
Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.*
   
1,697
     
(78,062
)
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.*
   
663
     
(78,393
)
Verisk Analytics, Inc. — Class A*
   
932
     
(78,633
)
RR Donnelley & Sons Co.
   
6,278
     
(78,726
)
Morningstar, Inc.
   
1,006
     
(78,810
)
Perrigo Company plc
   
1,046
     
(78,994
)
MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.
   
393
     
(79,032
)
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
   
2,846
     
(79,375
)
Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
   
1,545
     
(79,490
)
Brookdale Senior Living, Inc. — Class A*
   
5,448
     
(80,140
)
Acadia Healthcare Co., Inc.*
   
1,743
     
(86,069
)
Becton Dickinson and Co.
   
445
     
(86,824
)
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 25
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*
   
1,091
   
$
(87,018
)
Juno Therapeutics, Inc.*
   
3,253
     
(97,232
)
British American Tobacco plc ADR
   
4,806
     
(329,403
)
Total Consumer, Non-cyclical
     
(4,614,401
)
                 
Financial - (7.5)%
 
MetLife, Inc.
   
73
     
(4,011
)
Invesco Ltd.
   
169
     
(5,947
)
Loews Corp.
   
152
     
(7,115
)
People’s United Financial, Inc.
   
517
     
(9,130
)
M&T Bank Corp.
   
73
     
(11,822
)
DDR Corp.
   
1,375
     
(12,471
)
Sun Communities, Inc.
   
145
     
(12,715
)
Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.
   
121
     
(14,577
)
Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.
   
172
     
(18,125
)
Comerica, Inc.
   
324
     
(23,730
)
SLM Corp.*
   
2,473
     
(28,440
)
New York Community Bancorp, Inc.
   
2,406
     
(31,591
)
Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.
   
385
     
(33,241
)
Santander Consumer USA Holdings, Inc.*
   
2,767
     
(35,307
)
Howard Hughes Corp.*
   
289
     
(35,501
)
Raymond James Financial, Inc.
   
509
     
(40,832
)
SBA Communications Corp. REIT*
   
306
     
(41,279
)
Taubman Centers, Inc.
   
698
     
(41,566
)
Federated Investors, Inc. — Class B
   
1,636
     
(46,217
)
TowneBank
   
1,580
     
(48,664
)
Synchrony Financial
   
1,829
     
(54,541
)
Huntington Bancshares, Inc.
   
4,234
     
(57,244
)
GGP, Inc.
   
2,503
     
(58,971
)
Chubb Ltd.
   
433
     
(62,950
)
LendingClub Corp.*
   
11,426
     
(62,957
)
Equity Residential
   
962
   
 
(63,328
)
White Mountains Insurance Group Ltd.
   
74
     
(64,279
)
T. Rowe Price Group, Inc.
   
890
     
(66,047
)
Mastercard, Inc. — Class A
   
567
     
(68,862
)
TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
   
1,612
     
(69,300
)
Essex Property Trust, Inc.
   
272
     
(69,977
)
UDR, Inc.
   
1,823
     
(71,042
)
CyrusOne, Inc. REIT
   
1,282
     
(71,472
)
Signature Bank*
   
499
     
(71,621
)
American Tower Corp. REIT — Class A
   
542
     
(71,717
)
Public Storage
   
344
     
(71,734
)
Aon plc
   
543
     
(72,192
)
Markel Corp.*
   
74
     
(72,214
)
BlackRock, Inc. — Class A
   
172
     
(72,655
)
Life Storage, Inc.
   
981
     
(72,692
)
Mercury General Corp.
   
1,349
     
(72,846
)
SVB Financial Group*
   
418
     
(73,480
)
Iron Mountain, Inc.
   
2,143
     
(73,633
)
Alleghany Corp.*
   
124
     
(73,755
)
Visa, Inc. — Class A
   
787
     
(73,805
)
Equinix, Inc. REIT
   
172
     
(73,816
)
American International Group, Inc.
   
1,190
     
(74,399
)
CubeSmart
   
3,115
     
(74,885
)
Crown Castle International Corp.
   
748
     
(74,935
)
Brown & Brown, Inc.
   
1,742
     
(75,028
)
Arthur J Gallagher & Co.
   
1,316
     
(75,341
)
Simon Property Group, Inc.
   
466
     
(75,380
)
U.S. Bancorp
   
1,452
     
(75,388
)
Boston Properties, Inc.
   
613
     
(75,411
)
Healthcare Trust of America, Inc. — Class A
   
2,425
     
(75,442
)
Macerich Co.
   
1,300
     
(75,478
)
Starwood Property Trust, Inc.
   
3,385
     
(75,790
)
 
26 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
   
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
Realty Income Corp.
   
1,374
   
$
(75,817
)
Weyerhaeuser Co. REIT
   
2,264
     
(75,844
)
TFS Financial Corp.
   
4,930
     
(76,267
)
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
   
980
     
(76,401
)
BOK Financial Corp.
   
910
     
(76,558
)
Erie Indemnity Co. — Class A
   
613
     
(76,668
)
Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
   
1,352
     
(76,834
)
Regency Centers Corp.
   
1,227
     
(76,859
)
Voya Financial, Inc.
   
2,085
     
(76,916
)
ProAssurance Corp.
   
1,269
     
(77,155
)
First Republic Bank
   
772
     
(77,277
)
Paramount Group, Inc.
   
4,832
     
(77,312
)
Federal Realty Investment Trust
   
613
     
(77,477
)
BankUnited, Inc.
   
2,306
     
(77,735
)
Forest City Realty Trust, Inc. — Class A
   
3,220
     
(77,827
)
Progressive Corp.
   
1,770
     
(78,039
)
SEI Investments Co.
   
1,452
     
(78,089
)
Cincinnati Financial Corp.
   
1,080
     
(78,246
)
Extra Space Storage, Inc.
   
1,006
     
(78,468
)
Nasdaq, Inc.
   
1,104
     
(78,925
)
FNF Group
   
1,772
     
(79,439
)
Western Alliance Bancorporation*
   
1,621
     
(79,753
)
Hanover Insurance Group, Inc.
   
908
     
(80,476
)
American Express Co.
   
956
     
(80,533
)
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.
   
1,227
     
(80,884
)
Bank of Hawaii Corp.
   
981
     
(81,394
)
Wells Fargo & Co.
   
1,472
     
(81,564
)
Charles Schwab Corp.
   
1,938
     
(83,256
)
Simmons First National Corp. — Class A
   
1,725
     
(91,253
)
Columbia Banking System, Inc.
   
2,982
     
(118,833
)
South State Corp.
   
1,474
     
(126,322
)
Union Bankshares Corp.
   
6,467
     
(219,231
)
Carolina Financial Corp.
   
8,545
   
 
(276,172
)
Total Financial
           
(6,140,712
)
                 
Total Common Stocks Sold Short
         
(Proceeds $24,662,093)
           
(25,321,569
)
                 
EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS SOLD SHORT - (10.4)%
 
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust
   
247
     
(59,725
)
VanEck Vectors Russia ETF
   
5,570
     
(106,777
)
iShares MSCI United Kingdom ETF
   
3,294
     
(109,789
)
iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF
   
942
     
(117,863
)
iShares MSCI Australia ETF
   
5,468
     
(118,546
)
VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF
   
5,774
     
(127,490
)
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF
   
1,072
     
(127,589
)
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
1,425
     
(127,723
)
iShares Russell 1000 Value ETF
   
1,112
     
(129,470
)
iShares iBoxx $ Investment Grade Corporate Bond ETF
   
1,262
     
(152,084
)
Utilities Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
3,109
     
(161,544
)
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
3,031
     
(166,523
)
iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF
   
2,469
     
(167,423
)
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF
   
4,641
     
(192,091
)
iShares China Large-Capital ETF
   
4,956
     
(196,803
)
Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
3,687
     
(198,397
)
Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
3,701
     
(202,519
)
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 27
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
iShares MSCI Taiwan Capped ETF
   
6,420
   
$
(229,579
)
iShares MSCI Japan ETF
   
4,679
     
(251,028
)
iShares 7-10 Year Treasury Bond ETF
   
2,442
     
(260,342
)
Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
4,094
     
(278,842
)
iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF
   
2,755
     
(301,700
)
iShares MSCI Mexico Capped ETF
   
6,003
     
(323,802
)
PowerShares QQQ Trust Series 1
   
2,526
     
(347,679
)
iShares TIPS Bond ETF
   
3,131
     
(355,149
)
Financial Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
17,923
     
(442,160
)
iShares MSCI EAFE ETF
   
6,837
     
(445,772
)
Health Care Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
6,055
     
(479,798
)
Energy Select Sector SPDR Fund
   
8,496
     
(551,561
)
iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF
   
3,914
     
(551,561
)
SPDR Bloomberg Barclays High Yield Bond ETF
   
15,456
     
(574,963
)
iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF
   
7,586
     
(605,135
)
Total Exchange-Traded Funds Sold Short
         
(Proceeds $8,083,181)
           
(8,461,427
)
Total Securities Sold Short- (41.4)%
         
(Proceeds $32,745,274)
         
$
(33,782,996
)
Other Assets & Liabilities, net – 44.2%
     
36,008,961
 
Total Net Assets - 100.0%
         
$
81,451,333
 
 
  
 
Contracts
   
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
             
COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED
 
August 2017 LME Lead
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $629,681)
   
11
   
$
30,801
 
September 2017 Copper
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $407,175)
   
6
     
16,607
 
August 2017 Lean Hogs
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $234,500)
   
7
     
8,798
 
August 2017 Gold 100 oz.
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $372,420)
   
3
     
4,109
 
August 2017 LME Zinc
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $137,868)
   
2
     
707
 
August 2017 Live Cattle
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $465,100)
   
10
     
(11,142
)
(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $2,246,744)
         
$
49,880
 
                 
CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED
 
September 2017 Australian Dollar
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $921,360)
   
12
   
$
11,630
 
September 2017 Euro FX
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $429,975)
   
3
     
414
 
(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $1,351,335)
         
$
12,044
 
 
28 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Contracts
   
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
             
INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED
 
September 2017 U.S.
Treasury 10 Year Note
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $125,516)
   
1
   
$
(353
)
September 2017 U.S.
Treasury Ultra Long Bond
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $166,031)
   
1
     
(2,642
)
September 2017 U.S.
Treasury 5 Year Note
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,178,281)
   
10
     
(3,783
)
September 2017 U.S.
Treasury Long Bond
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $461,438)
   
3
     
(6,286
)
September 2017 Euro - Schatz
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,193,890)
   
25
     
(8,609
)
September 2017 Australian Government 10 Year Bond Futures Contracts†† (Aggregate Value of Contracts $1,089,347)
   
11
     
(19,266
)
September 2017 Euro - Bund
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,108,646)
   
6
     
(21,277
)
September 2017 U.S.
Treasury 5 Year Note
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,956,364)
   
12
     
(45,026
)
(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $9,279,513)
         
$
(107,242
)
             
EQUITY FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED
 
September 2017 Dow
Jones Industrial Average Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,490,790)
   
14
   
 
12,223
 
September 2017 Tokyo
Stock Price Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,005,779)
   
7
     
10,764
 
July 2017 Hang Seng Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,639,945)
   
10
     
5,836
 
July 2017 MSCI Taiwan
Stock Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,117,370)
   
29
     
5,370
 
September 2017 Nikkei
225 (OSE) Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $714,146)
   
4
     
3,633
 
September 2017 Russell
2000 Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $424,230)
   
6
     
1,030
 
September 2017 S&P
MidCap 400 Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $174,580)
   
1
     
968
 
September 2017 SPI 200 Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $217,739)
   
2
     
(1,784
)
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 29
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Contracts
   
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
             
July 2017 Amsterdam Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $465,334)
   
4
   
$
(9,473
)
July 2017 IBEX 35 Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $598,098)
   
5
     
(16,524
)
September 2017 FTSE 100 Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $756,536)
   
8
     
(19,557
)
September 2017 DAX Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $706,282)
   
2
     
(28,398
)
September 2017 NASDAQ-100 Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,130,700)
   
10
     
(40,372
)
October 2017 CBOE Volatility Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $893,420)
   
62
     
(81,054
)
August 2017 CBOE Volatility Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,194,740)
   
94
     
(141,909
)
(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $12,529,689)
         
$
(299,247
)
             
EQUITY FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD SHORT
 
September 2017 CBOE Volatility Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,887,840)
   
138
   
 
305,915
 
July 2017 CBOE Volatility Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $292,560)
   
24
     
67,026
 
September 2017 S&P 500 Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $5,568,301)
   
46
     
21,067
 
July 2017 CAC 40 10 Euro Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $58,772)
   
1
     
1,853
 
July 2017 H-Shares Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $261,521)
   
4
     
(142
)
(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $8,068,994)
         
$
395,719
 
                 
INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD SHORT
 
September 2017 Canadian
Government 10 Year Bond
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $541,088)
   
5
   
$
9,973
 
September 2017 Euro - Bobl
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $902,433)
   
6
     
217
 
(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $1,443,521)
         
$
10,190
 
 
30 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Contracts
   
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
             
CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD SHORT
 
September 2017 Japanese Yen
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $780,456)
   
7
   
$
6,606
 
September 2017 Canadian Dollar
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $231,660)
   
3
     
(3,743
)
(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $1,012,116)
         
$
2,863
 
                 
COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD SHORT
 
October 2017 Sugar #11
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $541,352)
   
35
   
$
16,634
 
September 2017 Silver
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $581,525)
   
7
     
13,206
 
September 2017 Coffee ‘C’
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $236,156)
   
5
     
4,145
 
December 2017 Cotton #2
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $480,830)
   
14
     
3,583
 
August 2017 Natural Gas
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $151,500)
   
5
     
1,542
 
August 2017 NY Harbor ULSD
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $62,378)
   
1
     
(1,283
)
August 2017 LME Primary Aluminum
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $191,410)
   
4
     
(3,763
)
August 2017 WTI Crude
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $138,510)
   
3
   
 
(6,642
)
September 2017 Corn
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $247,000)
   
13
     
(6,934
)
August 2017 Low Sulphur
Gas Oil
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $220,500)
   
5
     
(7,217
)
August 2017 LME Nickel
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $168,687)
   
3
     
(8,567
)
September 2017 Brent Crude
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $195,520)
   
4
     
(8,783
)
August 2017 Gasoline RBOB
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $254,470)
   
4
     
(10,457
)
September 2017 Wheat
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $78,863)
   
3
     
(11,348
)
September 2017 Hard Red
Winter Wheat
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $105,650)
   
4
     
(14,697
)
November 2017 Soybean
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $857,250)
   
18
     
(19,612
)
(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $4,511,601)
         
$
(60,193
)
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 31
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
     
 
Units
   
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
             
OTC EQUITY INDEX SWAP AGREEMENTS††
 
Goldman Sachs
International
September 2017
Goldman Sachs Multi-
Hedge Strategies Long
Index Swap 1.20%9,
Terminating 09/15/17
(Notional Value
$9,678,570)
   
66,124
   
$
72,721
 
Goldman Sachs
International
September 2017
Goldman Sachs Multi-
Hedge Strategies Short
Index Swap 0.50%10,
Terminating 09/15/17
(Notional Value
$3,757,172)
   
28,707
   
$
(66,669
)
 
32 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
SECTOR DIVERSIFICATION
 
Goldman Sachs Multi-Hedge Strategies Long Index Swap9
 
Sector
% of Index
Technology
26.0%
Consumer Discretionary
20.5%
Industrials
16.9%
Health Care
11.8%
Financials
10.7%
Materials
5.8%
Communications
4.3%
Energy
1.9%
Consumer Staples
1.7%
Utilities
0.4%
Total
100.0%
 
Goldman Sachs Multi-Hedge Strategies Short Index Swap10
 
Sector
% of Index
Consumer Discretionary
20.9%
Energy
19.1%
Financials
17.4%
Consumer Staples
11.2%
Health Care
10.0%
Industrials
9.9%
Communications
4.1%
Materials
3.1%
Technology
2.7%
Utilities
1.6%
Total
100.0%
 
*
 
Non-income producing security.
**
 
Less than 0.1% of net assets.
 
Value determined based on Level 1 inputs, unless otherwise noted — See Note 4.
††
 
Value determined based on Level 2 inputs — See Note 4.
1
 
All or a portion of this security is pledged as short security collateral at June 30, 2017.
2
 
All or portion of this security is on loan at June 30, 2017 — See Note 6.
3
 
Affiliated issuer — See Note 10.
4
 
Zero coupon rate security. Rate indicated is the effective yield at the time of purchase.
5
 
All or a portion of this security is pledged as futures collateral at June 30, 2017.
6
 
Repurchase Agreements — See Note 5.
7
 
Securities lending collateral — See Note 6.
8
 
Rate indicated is the 7 day yield as of June 30, 2017.
9
 
Customized basket of 193 exchange-traded equity securities. Total return based on Goldman Sachs Multi-Hedge
Strategies Long Index +/- financing at a variable rate. Rate indicated is the rate effective at June 30, 2017.
10
 
Customized basket of 148 exchange-traded equity securities. Total return based on Goldman Sachs Multi-Hedge
Strategies Short Index +/- financing at a variable rate. Rate indicated is the rate effective at June 30, 2017.
   
ADR — American Depositary Receipt
   
plc — Public Limited Company
   
REIT — Real Estate Investment Trust
     
   
See Sector Classification in Other Information section.
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 33
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(concluded)
June 30, 2017
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at June 30, 2017 (See Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):
 
Investments in Securities (Assets)
 
Level 1
   
Level 1 - Other*
   
Level 2
   
Level 2 - Other*
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Closed-End Funds
 
$
7,758,501
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
7,758,501
 
Commodity Futures Contracts
   
     
100,132
     
     
     
     
100,132
 
Common Stocks
   
42,756,834
     
     
     
     
     
42,756,834
 
Currency Futures Contracts
   
     
18,650
     
     
     
     
18,650
 
Equity Futures Contracts
   
     
413,599
     
     
22,086
     
     
435,685
 
Equity Index Swap Agreements
   
     
     
     
72,721
     
     
72,721
 
Interest Rate Futures Contracts
   
     
     
     
10,190
     
     
10,190
 
Mutual Funds
   
32,022
     
     
     
     
     
32,022
 
Repurchase Agreements
   
     
     
19,259,709
     
     
     
19,259,709
 
Securities Lending Collateral
   
136,560
     
     
     
     
     
136,560
 
U.S. Treasury Bills
   
     
     
9,281,742
     
     
     
9,281,742
 
Total Assets
 
$
50,683,917
   
$
532,381
   
$
28,541,451
   
$
104,997
   
$
   
$
79,862,746
 
                                                 
Investments in Securities (Liabilities)
 
Level 1
   
Level 1 - Other*
   
Level 2
   
Level 2 - Other*
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Commodity Futures Contracts
 
$
   
$
110,445
   
$
   
$
   
$
   
$
110,445
 
Common Stocks
   
25,321,569
     
     
     
     
     
25,321,569
 
Currency Futures Contracts
   
     
3,743
     
     
     
     
3,743
 
Equity Futures Contracts
   
     
263,335
     
     
75,878
     
     
339,213
 
Equity Index Swap Agreements
   
     
     
     
66,669
     
     
66,669
 
Exchange-Traded Funds
   
8,461,427
     
     
     
     
     
8,461,427
 
Interest Rate Futures Contracts
   
     
13,064
     
     
94,178
     
     
107,242
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
33,782,996
   
$
390,587
   
$
   
$
236,725
   
$
   
$
34,410,308
 
 
*
 
Other financial instruments include futures contracts and/or swaps, which are reported as unrealized gain/loss at period end.
 
Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment’s valuation changes. Transfers between valuation levels, if any, are in comparison to the valuation levels at the end of the previous fiscal year, and are effective using the fair value as of the end of the previous fiscal period.
 
For the period ended June 30, 2017, there were no transfers between levels.
 
34 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited)
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
June 30, 2017
 
Assets:
 
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value - including $132,181 of securities loaned (cost $54,780,503)
 
$
59,746,293
 
Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $214,395)
   
219,366
 
Repurchase agreements, at value (cost $19,259,709)
   
19,259,709
 
Total investments (cost $74,254,607)
   
79,225,368
 
Segregated cash with broker
   
37,508,974
 
Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements
   
72,721
 
Cash
   
67,173
 
Receivables:
 
Securities sold
   
75,159
 
Fund shares sold
   
63,821
 
Dividends
   
52,461
 
Interest
   
546
 
Securities lending income
   
563
 
Total assets
   
117,066,786
 
         
Liabilities:
 
Securities sold short, at value (proceeds $32,745,274)
   
33,782,996
 
Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements
   
66,669
 
Segregated cash due to broker
   
10,940
 
Payable for:
 
Securities purchased
   
1,301,389
 
Variation margin
   
152,637
 
Return of securities loaned
   
136,560
 
Management fees
   
77,394
 
Distribution and service fees
   
12,937
 
Fund shares redeemed
   
8,881
 
Miscellaneous
   
65,050
 
Total liabilities
   
35,615,453
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
   
 
Net assets
 
$
81,451,333
 
         
Net assets consist of:
 
Paid in capital
 
$
89,794,716
 
Accumulated net investment loss
   
(3,991,255
)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency
   
(8,294,970
)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments and foreign currency
   
3,942,842
 
Net assets
 
$
81,451,333
 
         
A-Class:
 
Net assets
 
$
11,449,727
 
Capital shares outstanding
   
474,890
 
Net asset value per share
 
$
24.11
 
Maximum offering price per share (Net asset value divided by 95.25%)
 
$
25.31
 
         
C-Class:
 
Net assets
 
$
8,515,160
 
Capital shares outstanding
   
386,532
 
Net asset value per share
 
$
22.03
 
         
P-Class:
 
Net assets
 
$
16,570,042
 
Capital shares outstanding
   
686,823
 
Net asset value per share
 
$
24.13
 
         
Institutional Class:
 
Net assets
 
$
44,916,404
 
Capital shares outstanding
   
1,828,691
 
Net asset value per share
 
$
24.56
 
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 35
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
Period Ended June 30, 2017
 
Investment Income:
 
Dividends from securities of unaffiliated issuers (net of foreign withholding tax of $751)
 
$
723,500
 
Interest
   
51,246
 
Dividends from securities of affiliated issuers
   
26,061
 
Income from securities lending, net
   
6,699
 
Total investment income
   
807,506
 
         
Expenses:
 
Management fees
   
509,653
 
Distribution and service fees:
 
A-Class
   
14,096
 
C-Class
   
42,753
 
P-Class
   
27,127
 
Short sales dividend expense
   
381,411
 
Registration fees
   
56,542
 
Trustees’ fees*
   
7,622
 
Custodian fees
   
1,235
 
Miscellaneous
   
(53,395
)
Total expenses
   
987,044
 
Less:
 
Expenses waived by Adviser
   
(21,399
)
Net expenses
   
965,645
 
Net investment loss
   
(158,139
)
         
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investments in unaffiliated issuers
 
$
4,517,554
 
Investments in affiliated issuers
   
(123,265
)
Swap agreements
   
191,090
 
Futures contracts
   
(338,224
)
Foreign currency
   
1,916
 
Securities sold short
   
(2,853,858
)
Options written
   
1,607
 
Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency
   
1,396,820
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments in unaffiliated issuers
   
(352,064
)
Investments in affiliated issuers
   
128,679
 
Securities sold short
   
(443,586
)
Swap agreements
   
135,180
 
Futures contracts
   
(658,406
)
Options written
   
26,345
 
Foreign currency
   
(346
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency
   
(1,164,198
)
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments and foreign currency
   
232,622
 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
 
$
74,483
 
 
*
 
Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
 
36 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Period Ended
June 30,
2017
(Unaudited)
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:
           
Net investment loss
 
$
(158,139
)
 
$
(1,220,398
)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency
   
1,396,820
     
(286,300
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency
   
(1,164,198
)
   
714,838
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
   
74,483
     
(791,860
)
                 
Distributions to shareholders from:
               
Net investment income
               
A-Class
   
     
(18,960
)
C-Class
   
     
(13,563
)
P-Class
   
     
(47,562
)
Institutional Class
   
     
(80,274
)
Total distributions to shareholders
   
     
(160,359
)
                 
Capital share transactions:
               
Proceeds from sale of shares
               
A-Class
   
1,436,016
     
4,253,544
 
C-Class
   
1,409,067
     
5,080,618
 
P-Class
   
2,023,962
     
29,060,073
 
Institutional Class
   
12,405,572
     
22,680,675
 
Distributions reinvested
               
A-Class
   
     
17,082
 
C-Class
   
     
11,255
 
P-Class
   
     
45,475
 
Institutional Class
   
     
76,006
 
Cost of shares redeemed
               
A-Class
   
(2,403,039
)
   
(7,364,993
)
C-Class
   
(1,467,896
)
   
(5,699,800
)
P-Class
   
(16,216,940
)
   
(47,382,265
)
Institutional Class
   
(18,007,294
)
   
(21,871,294
)
Net decrease from capital share transactions
   
(20,820,552
)
   
(21,093,624
)
Net decrease in net assets
   
(20,746,069
)
   
(22,045,843
)
                 
Net assets:
               
Beginning of period
   
102,197,402
     
124,243,245
 
End of period
 
$
81,451,333
   
$
102,197,402
 
Accumulated net investment loss at end of period
 
$
(3,991,255
)
 
$
(3,833,116
)
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 37
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
  
 
Period Ended
June 30,
2017
(Unaudited)
   
Year Ended
December 31,
2016
 
Capital share activity:
           
Shares sold
           
A-Class
   
59,573
     
176,821
 
C-Class
   
63,972
     
228,850
 
P-Class
   
84,064
     
1,203,802
 
Institutional Class
   
507,996
     
926,919
 
Shares issued from reinvestment of distributions
               
A-Class
   
     
710
 
C-Class
   
     
510
 
P-Class
   
     
1,890
 
Institutional Class
   
     
3,106
 
Shares redeemed
               
A-Class
   
(99,981
)
   
(307,132
)
C-Class
   
(66,636
)
   
(257,538
)
P-Class
   
(675,524
)
   
(1,971,217
)
Institutional Class
   
(736,169
)
   
(896,437
)
Net decrease in shares
   
(862,705
)
   
(889,716
)
 
38 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.
 
A-Class
 
Period
Ended
June 30,
2017 a
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2016
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2015
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2014
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2013
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2012
 
Per Share Data
                                   
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
24.08
   
$
24.22
   
$
23.94
   
$
23.03
   
$
22.68
   
$
22.21
 
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
Net investment income (loss)b
   
(.05
)
   
(.24
)
   
(.23
)
   
(.26
)
   
(.18
)
   
(.35
)
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)
   
.08
     
.14
     
.51
     
1.36
     
.53
     
.82
 
Total from investment operations
   
.03
     
(.10
)
   
.28
     
1.10
     
.35
     
.47
 
Less distributions from:
 
Net investment income
   
     
(.04
)
   
     
(.19
)
   
     
 
Total distributions
   
     
(.04
)
   
     
(.19
)
   
     
 
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
24.11
   
$
24.08
   
$
24.22
   
$
23.94
   
$
23.03
   
$
22.68
 
 
Total Returnc
   
0.12
%
   
(0.43
%)
   
1.21
%
   
4.73
%
   
1.54
%
   
2.02
%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
 
$
11,450
   
$
12,407
   
$
15,620
   
$
11,620
   
$
18,307
   
$
27,700
 
Ratios to average net assets:
 
Net investment income (loss)
   
(0.42
%)
   
(1.00
%)
   
(0.96
%)
   
(1.13
%)
   
(0.79
%)
   
(1.54
%)
Total expensesd
   
2.38
%
   
2.54
%
   
2.72
%
   
2.86
%
   
2.74
%
   
3.09
%
Net expensese,f
   
2.33
%
   
2.49
%
   
2.65
%
   
2.81
%
   
2.69
%
   
3.05
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
65
%
   
123
%
   
163
%
   
304
%
   
302
%
   
465
%
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 39
 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
 
This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.
 
C-Class
 
Period
Ended
June 30,
2017 a
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2016
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2015
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2014
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2013
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2012
 
Per Share Data
                                   
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
22.08
   
$
22.38
   
$
22.29
   
$
21.62
   
$
21.45
   
$
21.17
 
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
Net investment income (loss)b
   
(.13
)
   
(.39
)
   
(.39
)
   
(.40
)
   
(.35
)
   
(.50
)
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)
   
.08
     
.13
     
.48
     
1.26
     
.52
     
.78
 
Total from investment operations
   
(.05
)
   
(.26
)
   
.09
     
.86
     
.17
     
.28
 
Less distributions from:
 
Net investment income
   
     
(.04
)
   
     
(.19
)
   
     
 
Total distributions
   
     
(.04
)
   
     
(.19
)
   
     
 
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
22.03
   
$
22.08
   
$
22.38
   
$
22.29
   
$
21.62
   
$
21.45
 
 
Total Returnc
   
(0.23
%)
   
(1.18
%)
   
0.45
%
   
3.97
%
   
0.79
%
   
1.23
%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
 
$
8,515
   
$
8,595
   
$
9,342
   
$
9,627
   
$
12,705
   
$
16,780
 
Ratios to average net assets:
 
Net investment income (loss)
   
(1.17
%)
   
(1.76
%)
   
(1.73
%)
   
(1.84
%)
   
(1.60
%)
   
(2.33
%)
Total expensesd
   
3.14
%
   
3.30
%
   
3.47
%
   
3.62
%
   
3.50
%
   
3.85
%
Net expensese,f
   
3.09
%
   
3.25
%
   
3.40
%
   
3.57
%
   
3.45
%
   
3.81
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
65
%
   
123
%
   
163
%
   
304
%
   
302
%
   
465
%
 
40 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.
 
P-Class
 
Period
Ended
June 30,
2017 a
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2016
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2015
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2014
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2013
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2012
 
Per Share Data
                                   
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
24.10
   
$
24.24
   
$
23.96
   
$
23.04
   
$
22.69
   
$
22.23
 
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
Net investment income (loss)b
   
(.05
)
   
(.24
)
   
(.23
)
   
(.25
)
   
(.19
)
   
(.36
)
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)
   
.08
     
.14
     
.51
     
1.36
     
.54
     
.82
 
Total from investment operations
   
.03
     
(.10
)
   
.28
     
1.11
     
.35
     
.46
 
Less distributions from:
 
Net investment income
   
     
(.04
)
   
     
(.19
)
   
     
 
Total distributions
   
     
(.04
)
   
     
(.19
)
   
     
 
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
24.13
   
$
24.10
   
$
24.24
   
$
23.96
   
$
23.04
   
$
22.69
 
 
Total Returnc
   
0.12
%
   
(0.47
%)
   
1.21
%
   
4.77
%
   
1.54
%
   
2.02
%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
 
$
16,570
   
$
30,801
   
$
49,539
   
$
36,411
   
$
50,990
   
$
66,818
 
Ratios to average net assets:
 
Net investment income (loss)
   
(0.42
%)
   
(1.00
%)
   
(0.95
%)
   
(1.09
%)
   
(0.82
%)
   
(1.59
%)
Total expensesd
   
2.37
%
   
2.52
%
   
2.72
%
   
2.87
%
   
2.75
%
   
3.07
%
Net expensese,f
   
2.32
%
   
2.47
%
   
2.65
%
   
2.82
%
   
2.71
%
   
3.03
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
65
%
   
123
%
   
163
%
   
304
%
   
302
%
   
465
%
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 41
 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (concluded)
MULTI-HEDGE STRATEGIES FUND
 
This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.
 
Institutional Class
 
Period
Ended
June 30,
2017 a
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2016
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2015
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2014
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2013
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2012
 
Per Share Data
                                   
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
24.50
   
$
24.58
   
$
24.24
   
$
23.26
   
$
22.84
   
$
22.32
 
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
Net investment income (loss)b
   
(.02
)
   
(.18
)
   
(.18
)
   
(.18
)
   
(.13
)
   
(.33
)
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)
   
.08
     
.14
     
.52
     
1.35
     
.55
     
.85
 
Total from investment operations
   
.06
     
(.04
)
   
.34
     
1.17
     
.42
     
.52
 
Less distributions from:
 
Net investment income
   
     
(.04
)
   
     
(.19
)
   
     
 
Total distributions
   
     
(.04
)
   
     
(.19
)
   
     
 
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
24.56
   
$
24.50
   
$
24.58
   
$
24.24
   
$
23.26
   
$
22.84
 
 
Total Returnc
   
0.24
%
   
(0.18
%)
   
1.44
%
   
4.98
%
   
1.84
%
   
2.28
%
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
 
$
44,916
   
$
50,395
   
$
49,742
   
$
42,204
   
$
25,435
   
$
14,130
 
Ratios to average net assets:
 
Net investment income (loss)
   
(0.18
%)
   
(0.74
%)
   
(0.71
%)
   
(0.79
%)
   
(0.54
%)
   
(1.46
%)
Total expensesd
   
2.13
%
   
2.30
%
   
2.47
%
   
2.67
%
   
2.56
%
   
3.05
%
Net expensese,f
   
2.08
%
   
2.25
%
   
2.40
%
   
2.62
%
   
2.51
%
   
3.01
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
65
%
   
123
%
   
163
%
   
304
%
   
302
%
   
465
%
 
a
 
Unaudited figures for the period ended June 30, 2017. Percentage amounts for the period, except total return and portfolio turnover rate, have been annualized.
b
 
Net investment income (loss) per share was computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
c
 
Total return does not reflect the impact of any applicable sales charges and has not been annualized.
d
 
Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
e
 
Net expense information reflects the expense ratios after expense waivers.
f
 
Excluding interest and dividend expense related to short sales, the net expense ratios for the period ended June 30, 2017 and years ended December 31 would be:
 
 
06/30/17
12/31/16
12/31/15
12/31/14
12/31/13
12/31/12
 
A-Class
1.43%
1.43%
1.44%
1.42%
1.40%
1.40%
 
C-Class
2.18%
2.18%
2.19%
2.17%
2.15%
2.15%
 
P-Class
1.43%
1.43%
1.45%
1.42%
1.40%
1.40%
 
Institutional Class
1.18%
1.18%
1.19%
1.17%
1.15%
1.15%
 
42 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)
June 30, 2017
 
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
OBJECTIVE: Seeks to provide investment results that correlate, before fees and expenses, to the performance of a benchmark for commodities. The Fund’s current benchmark is the S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index® (“GSCI” or the “underlying index”).
 
Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)
 
 
“Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)” excludes any temporary cash investments or investments in Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust mutual funds. Investments in those Funds will significantly increase the portfolio’s exposure to certain other asset categories (and their associated risks), which may cause the Fund to deviate from its principal investment strategy, including: (i) high yield, high risk debt securities rated below the top four long-term rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (also known as “junk bonds”); (ii) securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities; (iii) CLOs and similar investments; and (iv) other short-term fixed income securities.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 43
 

PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(concluded)
June 30, 2017
 
Inception Dates:
A-Class
May 25, 2005
C-Class
May 25, 2005
H-Class
May 25, 2005
 
The Fund invests principally in derivative investments such as commodity-linked futures contracts.
 
Largest Holdings (% of Total Net Assets)
Guggenheim Strategy Fund I
36.2%
Guggenheim Strategy Fund II
36.2%
Total
72.4%
 
“Largest Holdings” exclude any temporary cash or derivative investments.
 
Average Annual Returns*
Periods Ended June 30, 2017
 
6 month
1 Year
5 Year
10 Year
A-Class Shares
(10.35%)
(9.02%)
(15.05%)
(11.42%)
A-Class Shares with sales charge
(14.61%)
(13.33%)
(15.88%)
(11.85%)
C-Class Shares
(10.75%)
(9.86%)
(15.68%)
(12.07%)
C-Class Shares with CDSC§
(11.65%)
(10.76%)
(15.68%)
(12.07%)
H-Class Shares
(10.38%)
(8.97%)
(15.05%)
(11.41%)
S&P 500 Index
9.34%
17.90%
14.63%
7.18%
S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index
(10.23%)
(9.02%)
(13.69%)
(9.67%)
 
*
 
The performance data above represents past performance that is not predictive of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns are historical and include changes in principal and reinvested dividends and capital gains and do not reflect the effect of taxes. The S&P GSCI and the S&P 500 Index are unmanaged indices and, unlike the Fund, have no management fees or operating expenses to reduce their reported returns.
 
6 month returns are not annualized.
 
Fund returns are calculated using the maximum sales charge of 4.75%.
§
 
Fund returns include a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.
 
44 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)
June 30, 2017
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
 
  
 
Shares
   
Value
 
             
MUTUAL FUNDS - 72.4%
 
Guggenheim Strategy Fund I1
   
42,150
   
$
1,056,696
 
Guggenheim Strategy Fund II1
   
42,234
     
1,056,266
 
Total Mutual Funds
               
(Cost $2,097,592)
           
2,112,962
 
                 
   
Face Amount
         
                 
U.S. TREASURY BILLS†† - 6.8%
 
U.S. Treasury Bill
               
0.91% due 08/03/172,3
 
$
200,000
     
199,853
 
Total U.S. Treasury Bills
               
(Cost $199,830)
           
199,853
 
                 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS††,4 - 17.9%
 
RBC Capital Markets LLC issued 06/30/17 at 1.01% due 07/03/17
   
216,846
     
216,846
 
HSBC Securities, Inc. issued 06/30/17 at 0.99% due 07/03/17
   
163,807
     
163,807
 
 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch issued 06/30/17 at 1.08% due 07/03/17
   
140,959
   
 
140,959
 
Total Repurchase Agreements
         
(Cost $521,612)
           
521,612
 
                 
Total Investments - 97.1%
               
(Cost $2,819,034)
         
$
2,834,427
 
Other Assets & Liabilities, net - 2.9%
     
85,655
 
Total Net Assets - 100.0%
         
$
2,920,082
 
               
  
 
Contracts
   
Unrealized
Gain
 
                 
COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED
 
July 2017 Goldman Sachs
Commodity Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,893,850)
   
31
   
$
148,704
 
 
 
Value determined based on Level 1 inputs — See Note 4.
††
 
Value determined based on Level 2 inputs — See Note 4.
1
 
Affiliated issuer — See Note 10.
2
 
All or a portion of this security is pledged as futures collateral at June 30, 2017.
3
 
Zero coupon rate security. Rate indicated is the effective yield at the time of purchase.
4
 
Repurchase Agreements — See Note 5.
     
   
See Sector Classification in Other Information section.
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 45
 

CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(concluded)
June 30, 2017
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
 
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at June 30, 2017 (See Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):
 
Investments in Securities (Assets)
 
Level 1
   
Level 1 -
Other*
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Commodity Futures Contracts
 
$
   
$
148,704
   
$
   
$
   
$
148,704
 
Mutual Funds
   
2,112,962
     
     
     
     
2,112,962
 
Repurchase Agreements
   
     
     
521,612
     
     
521,612
 
U.S. Treasury Bills
   
199,853
     
     
     
     
199,853
 
Total Assets
 
$
2,312,815
   
$
148,704
   
$
521,612
   
$
   
$
2,983,131
 
 
*
 
Other financial instruments include futures contracts which are reported as unrealized gain/loss at period end.
 
Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment’s valuation changes. Transfers between valuation levels, if any, are in comparison to the valuation levels at the end of the previous fiscal year, and are effective using the fair value as of the end of the previous fiscal period.
 
For the period ended June 30, 2017, there were no transfers between levels.
 
46 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited)
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
June 30, 2017
 
Assets:
 
Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value (cost $199,830)
 
$
199,853
 
Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $2,097,592)
   
2,112,962
 
Repurchase agreements, at value (cost $521,612)
   
521,612
 
Total investments (cost $2,819,034)
   
2,834,427
 
Cash
   
4
 
Receivables:
 
Variation margin
   
69,750
 
Fund shares sold
   
31,276
 
Dividends
   
3,419
 
Interest
   
15
 
Total assets
   
2,938,891
 
         
Liabilities:
 
Payable for:
 
Management fees
   
4,628
 
Fund shares redeemed
   
4,012
 
Distribution and service fees
   
1,731
 
Transfer agent and administrative fees
   
1,543
 
Portfolio accounting fees
   
617
 
Miscellaneous
   
6,278
 
Total liabilities
   
18,809
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 13)
   
 
Net assets
 
$
2,920,082
 
         
Net assets consist of:
 
Paid in capital
 
$
26,107,433
 
Accumulated net investment loss
   
(2,788,312
)
Accumulated net realized loss on investments
   
(20,563,136
)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments
   
164,097
 
Net assets
 
$
2,920,082
 
         
A-Class:
 
Net assets
 
$
868,485
 
Capital shares outstanding
   
11,298
 
Net asset value per share
 
$
76.87
 
Maximum offering price per share (Net asset value divided by 95.25%)
 
$
80.70
 
         
C-Class:
 
Net assets
 
$
307,308
 
Capital shares outstanding
   
4,398
 
Net asset value per share
 
$
69.87
 
         
H-Class:
 
Net assets
 
$
1,744,289
 
Capital shares outstanding
   
22,681
 
Net asset value per share
 
$
76.91
 
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 47
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
Period Ended June 30, 2017
 
Investment Income:
 
Dividends from securities of affiliated issuers
 
$
26,872
 
Interest
   
10,831
 
Total investment income
   
37,703
 
         
Expenses:
 
Management fees
   
28,654
 
Transfer agent and administrative fees
   
8,218
 
Distribution and service fees:
 
A-Class
   
1,365
 
C-Class
   
1,886
 
H-Class
   
6,381
 
Registration fees
   
3,947
 
Portfolio accounting fees
   
3,287
 
Trustees’ fees*
   
534
 
Custodian fees
   
493
 
Miscellaneous
   
4,638
 
Total expenses
   
59,403
 
Less:
 
Expenses waived by Adviser
   
(3,605
)
Net expenses
   
55,798
 
Net investment loss
   
(18,095
)
         
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investments in affiliated issuers
 
$
2,817
 
Futures contracts
   
(666,018
)
Net realized loss
   
(663,201
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments in unaffiliated issuers
   
(22
)
Investments in affiliated issuers
   
4,366
 
Futures contracts
   
(50,336
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
   
(45,992
)
Net realized and unrealized loss
   
(709,193
)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
 
$
(727,288
)
 
*
 
Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.
 
48 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
 
  
 
Period
Ended
June 30,
2017
(Unaudited)
   
Year
Ended
December 31,
2016
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:
           
Net investment loss
 
$
(18,095
)
 
$
(66,729
)
Net realized loss on investments
   
(663,201
)
   
(1,105,014
)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
   
(45,992
)
   
268,384
 
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
   
(727,288
)
   
(903,359
)
                 
Capital share transactions:
               
Proceeds from sale of shares
               
A-Class
   
43,350,652
     
112,059,540
 
C-Class
   
45,737
     
273,332
 
H-Class
   
63,595,577
     
139,296,552
 
Cost of shares redeemed
               
A-Class
   
(43,007,757
)
   
(111,853,025
)
C-Class
   
(176,332
)
   
(323,925
)
H-Class
   
(68,903,577
)
   
(139,483,654
)
Net decrease from capital share transactions
   
(5,095,700
)
   
(31,180
)
Net decrease in net assets
   
(5,822,988
)
   
(934,539
)
                 
Net assets:
               
Beginning of period
   
8,743,070
     
9,677,609
 
End of period
 
$
2,920,082
   
$
8,743,070
 
Accumulated net investment loss at end of period
 
$
(2,788,312
)
 
$
(2,770,217
)
                 
Capital share activity:
               
Shares sold
               
A-Class
   
560,583
     
1,420,897
*
C-Class
   
591
     
3,655
*
H-Class
   
840,460
     
1,729,009
*
Shares redeemed
               
A-Class
   
(559,489
)
   
(1,418,693
)*
C-Class
   
(2,348
)
   
(4,539
)*
H-Class
   
(903,843
)
   
(1,753,049
)*
Net decrease in shares
   
(64,046
)
   
(22,720
)
 
*
 
Capital share activity for the period presented through December 31, 2016 has been restated to reflect a 1:12 reverse share split effective October 28, 2016 — See Note 12.
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 49
 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.
 
A-Class
 
Period
Ended
June 30,
2017 a
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2016f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2015f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2014f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2013f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2012f
 
Per Share Data
                                   
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
85.75
   
$
77.58
   
$
118.46
   
$
179.18
   
$
185.89
   
$
194.11
 
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
Net investment income (loss)b
   
(.18
)
   
(.09
)
   
(1.32
)
   
(1.80
)
   
(2.76
)
   
(2.76
)
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)
   
(8.70
)
   
8.26
     
(39.56
)
   
(58.92
)
   
(3.95
)
   
(.54
)
Total from investment operations
   
(8.88
)
   
8.17
     
(40.88
)
   
(60.72
)
   
(6.71
)
   
(3.30
)
Less distributions from:
 
Net investment income
   
     
     
     
     
     
(4.92
)
Total distributions
   
     
     
     
     
     
(4.92
)
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
76.87
   
$
85.75
   
$
77.58
   
$
118.46
   
$
179.18
   
$
185.89
 
 
Total Returnc
   
(10.35
%)
   
10.59
%
   
(34.55
%)
   
(33.89
%)
   
(3.62
%)
   
(1.63
%)
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
 
$
868
   
$
875
   
$
621
   
$
3,419
   
$
1,990
   
$
5,840
 
Ratios to average net assets:
 
Net investment income (loss)
   
(0.44
%)
   
(1.02
%)
   
(1.26
%)
   
(1.03
%)
   
(1.50
%)
   
(1.40
%)
Total expensesd
   
1.74
%
   
1.77
%
   
1.75
%
   
1.64
%
   
1.63
%
   
1.59
%
Net expensese
   
1.64
%
   
1.65
%
   
1.62
%
   
1.56
%
   
1.53
%
   
1.49
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
     
208
%
   
486
%
   
238
%
   
     
 
 
50 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.
 
C-Class
 
Period
Ended
June 30,
2017 a
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2016f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2015f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2014f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2013f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2012f
 
Per Share Data
                                   
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
78.32
   
$
71.38
   
$
109.79
   
$
167.19
   
$
174.69
   
$
184.06
 
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
Net investment income (loss)b
   
(.41
)
   
(.11
)
   
(1.92
)
   
(2.76
)
   
(3.84
)
   
(3.96
)
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)
   
(8.04
)
   
7.05
     
(36.49
)
   
(54.64
)
   
(3.66
)
   
(.49
)
Total from investment operations
   
(8.45
)
   
6.94
     
(38.41
)
   
(57.40
)
   
(7.50
)
   
(4.45
)
Less distributions from:
 
Net investment income
   
     
     
     
     
     
(4.92
)
Total distributions
   
     
     
     
     
     
(4.92
)
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
69.87
   
$
78.32
   
$
71.38
   
$
109.79
   
$
167.19
   
$
174.69
 
 
Total Returnc
   
(10.75
%)
   
9.66
%
   
(34.97
%)
   
(34.31
%)
   
(4.33
%)
   
(2.38
%)
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
 
$
307
   
$
482
   
$
502
   
$
1,135
   
$
1,947
   
$
2,575
 
Ratios to average net assets:
 
Net investment income (loss)
   
(1.12
%)
   
(1.48
%)
   
(1.95
%)
   
(1.77
%)
   
(2.25
%)
   
(2.15
%)
Total expensesd
   
2.51
%
   
2.51
%
   
2.49
%
   
2.39
%
   
2.39
%
   
2.34
%
Net expensese
   
2.38
%
   
2.38
%
   
2.35
%
   
2.32
%
   
2.28
%
   
2.24
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
     
208
%
   
486
%
   
238
%
   
     
 
 
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 51
 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)(concluded)
COMMODITIES STRATEGY FUND
 
This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.
 
H-Class
 
Period
Ended
June 30,
2017 a
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2016f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2015f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2014f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2013f
   
Year
Ended
Dec. 31,
2012f
 
Per Share Data
                                   
Net asset value, beginning of period
 
$
85.82
   
$
77.69
   
$
118.68
   
$
179.41
   
$
185.95
   
$
194.10
 
Income (loss) from investment operations:
 
Net investment income (loss)b
   
(.22
)
   
(.07
)
   
(1.32
)
   
(1.80
)
   
(2.76
)
   
(2.76
)
Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)
   
(8.69
)
   
8.20
     
(39.67
)
   
(58.93
)
   
(3.78
)
   
(.47
)
Total from investment operations
   
(8.91
)
   
8.13
     
(40.99
)
   
(60.73
)
   
(6.54
)
   
(3.23
)
Less distributions from:
 
Net investment income
   
     
     
     
     
     
(4.92
)
Total distributions
   
     
     
     
     
     
(4.92
)
Net asset value, end of period
 
$
76.91
   
$
85.82
   
$
77.69
   
$
118.68
   
$
179.41
   
$
185.95
 
 
Total Returnc
   
(10.38
%)
   
10.52
%
   
(34.58
%)
   
(33.85
%)
   
(3.55
%)
   
(1.57
%)
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Net assets, end of period (in thousands)
 
$
1,744
   
$
7,386
   
$
8,555
   
$
8,160
   
$
12,042
   
$
23,671
 
Ratios to average net assets:
 
Net investment income (loss)
   
(0.53
%)
   
(0.87
%)
   
(1.33
%)
   
(1.05
%)
   
(1.50
%)
   
(1.40
%)
Total expensesd
   
1.77
%
   
1.74
%
   
1.75
%
   
1.65
%
   
1.63
%
   
1.60
%
Net expensese
   
1.66
%
   
1.62
%
   
1.63
%
   
1.57
%
   
1.53
%
   
1.49
%
Portfolio turnover rate
   
     
208
%
   
486
%
   
238
%
   
     
 
 
a
 
Unaudited figures for the period ended June 30, 2017. Percentage amounts for the period, except total return and portfolio turnover rate, have been annualized.
b
 
Net investment income (loss) per share was computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
c
 
Total return does not reflect the impact of any applicable sales charges and has not been annualized.
d
 
Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
e
 
Net expense information reflects the expense ratios after expense waivers.
f
 
Reverse share split — Per share amounts for the periods presented through December 31, 2016 have been restated to reflect a 1:12 reverse share split effective October 28, 2016 — See Note 12.
 
52 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
 
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
 
Organization
 
The Rydex Series Funds (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (”1940 Act”), as an open-ended investment company of the series type. Each series, in effect, is representing a separate Fund. The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of no par value shares. The Trust accounts for the assets of each fund separately.
 
The Trust offers a combination of seven separate classes of shares: Investor Class shares, A-Class shares, C-Class shares, H-Class shares, P-Class shares, Institutional Class shares and Money Market Class shares. Sales of shares of each Class are made without a front-end sales charge at the net asset value per share (“NAV”), with the exception of A-Class shares. A-Class shares are sold at the NAV, plus the applicable front-end sales charge. The sales charge varies depending on the amount purchased, but will not exceed 4.75%. A-Class share purchases of $1 million or more are exempt from the front-end sales charge but have a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. C-Class shares have a 1% CDSC if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Institutional Class shares are offered primarily for direct investment by institutions such as pension and profit sharing plans, endowments, foundations and corporations. Institutional Class shares require a minimum initial investment of $2 million and a minimum account balance of $1 million. At June 30, 2017, the Trust consisted of forty-nine funds.
 
This report covers the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Commodities Strategy Fund (the “Funds”), each a non-diversified investment company. Only A-Class, C-Class, H-Class, P-Class and Institutional Class had been issued by the Funds.
 
Security Investors, LLC, which operates under the name Guggenheim Investments (“GI”), provides advisory services. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (“GFD”) acts as principal underwriter for the Trust. GI and GFD are affiliated entities.
 
Consolidation of Subsidiary
 
Each of the consolidated financial statements of the Funds includes the accounts of a wholly-owned and controlled Cayman Islands subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”). Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation for the Funds.
 
Each Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in its Subsidiary which acts as an investment vehicle in order to effect certain investments consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 53
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
A summary of each Fund’s investment in its respective Subsidiary is as follows:
 
Fund
Commencement
Date of
Subsidiary
 
Subsidiary
Net Assets at
June 30,
2017
   
% of Net Assets
of the Fund at
June 30, 2017
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
09/18/09
 
$
3,448,859
     
4.2
%
Commodities Strategy Fund
09/08/09
   
693,544
     
23.8
%
 
Significant Accounting Policies
 
The Funds operate as investment companies and, accordingly, follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.
 
The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and are consistently followed by the Trust. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All time references are based on Eastern Time.
 
The NAV of each Class of the Funds is calculated by dividing the market value of the Fund’s securities and other assets, less all liabilities, attributable to the Class by the number of outstanding shares of the Class.
 
A. The Board of Trustees of the Funds (the “Board”) has adopted policies and procedures for the valuation of the Funds’ investments (the “Valuation Procedures”). Pursuant to the Valuation Procedures, the Board has delegated to a valuation committee, consisting of representatives from Guggenheim’s investment management, fund administration, legal and compliance departments (the “Valuation Committee”), the day-to-day responsibility for implementing the Valuation Procedures, including, under most circumstances, the responsibility for determining the fair value of the Funds’ securities and/or other assets.
 
Valuations of the Funds’ securities are supplied primarily by pricing services appointed pursuant to the processes set forth in the Valuation Procedures. The Valuation Committee convenes monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review the valuation of all assets which have been fair valued for reasonableness. The Funds’ officers, through the Valuation Committee and consistent with the monitoring and review responsibilities set forth in the Valuation Procedures, regularly review procedures used and valuations provided by the pricing services.
 
If the pricing service cannot or does not provide a valuation for a particular investment or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is fair valued by the Valuation Committee.
 
54 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Open-end investment companies (“mutual funds”) are valued at their NAV as of the close of business, on the valuation date. Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and closed-end investment companies (“CEFs”) are valued at the last quoted sales price.
 
U.S. Government securities are valued by either independent pricing services, the last traded fill price, or at the reported bid price at the close of business.
 
Repurchase agreements are valued at amortized cost, provided such amounts approximate market value.
 
Equity securities listed on an exchange (New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or American Stock Exchange) are valued at the last quoted sales price as of the close of business on the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. on the valuation date. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ market system are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price on the valuation date, which may not necessarily represent the last sale price. If there has been no sale on such exchange or NASDAQ on a given day, the security is valued at the closing bid price on that day.
 
Generally, trading in foreign securities markets is substantially completed each day at various times prior to the close of the NYSE. The values of foreign securities are determined as of the close of such foreign markets or the close of the NYSE, if earlier. All investments quoted in foreign currencies are valued in U.S. dollars on the basis of the foreign currency exchange rates prevailing at the close of business. Investments in foreign securities may involve risks not present in domestic investments. The Valuation Committee will determine the current value of such foreign securities by taking into consideration certain factors which may include those discussed above, as well as the following factors, among others: the value of the securities traded on other foreign markets, ADR trading, closed-end fund trading, foreign currency exchange activity, and the trading prices of financial products that are tied to foreign securities. In addition, the Board has authorized the Valuation Committee and GI to use prices and other information supplied by a third party pricing vendor in valuing foreign securities.
 
Listed options are valued at the Official Settlement Price listed by the exchange, usually as of 4:00 p.m. Long options are valued using the bid price and short options are valued using the ask price. In the event that a settlement price is not available, fair valuation is enacted. Over-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued using the average bid price (for long options) or average ask price (for short options) obtained from one or more security dealers.
 
The value of futures contracts is accounted for using the unrealized gain or loss on the contracts that is determined by marking the contracts to their current realized settlement prices. Financial futures contracts are valued at the 4:00 p.m. price on the valuation date. In the event that the exchange for a specific futures contract closes earlier than 4:00 p.m., the futures contract is valued at the Official Settlement Price of the exchange. However, the underlying securities from which the futures contract value is derived are monitored until 4:00 p.m. to determine if fair valuation would provide a more accurate valuation.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 55
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
The values of OTC swap agreements entered into by a Fund are accounted for using the unrealized gains or losses on the agreements that are determined by marking the agreements to the last quoted value of the index that the swaps pertain to at the close of the NYSE. The swaps’ values are then adjusted to include dividends accrued, financing charges and/or interest associated with the swap agreements.
 
Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are fair- valued as determined in good faith by GI under the direction of the Board using methods established or ratified by the Board. Valuations in accordance with these methods are intended to reflect each security’s (or asset’s) “fair value.” Each such determination is based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to market prices; sale prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices based on inputs such as prices of securities with comparable maturities and characteristics, or based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over Treasuries, and other information analysis.
 
In connection with futures contracts and other derivative investments, such factors may include obtaining information as to how (a) these contracts and other derivative investments trade in the futures or other derivative markets, respectively, and (b) the securities underlying these contracts and other derivative investments trade in the cash market.
 
B. Certain U.S. Government and Agency Obligations are traded on a discount basis; the interest rates shown on the Schedules of Investments reflect the effective rates paid at the time of purchase by the Funds. Other securities bear interest at the rates shown, payable at fixed dates through maturity.
 
C. When a Fund engages in a short sale of a security, an amount equal to the proceeds is reflected as an asset and an equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the market value of the short sale. The Fund maintains a segregated account of cash and/or securities as collateral for short sales.
 
Fees, if any, paid to brokers to borrow securities in connection with short sales are recorded as interest expense. In addition, the Fund must pay out the dividend rate of the equity or coupon rate of the obligation to the lender and record this as an expense. Short dividend or interest expense is a cost associated with the investment objective of short sales transactions, rather than an operational cost associated with the day-to-day management of any mutual fund. The Fund may also receive rebate income from the broker resulting from the investment of the proceeds from securities sold short.
 
D. Upon the purchase of an option, the premium paid is recorded as an investment, the value of which is marked-to-market daily. If a purchased option expires, the Fund realizes a loss in the amount of the cost of the option. When the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction, it realizes a gain or loss depending on whether the proceeds from the closing sale transaction are greater or less than the cost of the option. If the Fund exercises a put option, it realizes a gain or loss
 
56 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
from the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds from such sale will be decreased by the premium originally paid. When the Fund exercises a call option, the cost of the security purchased by the Fund upon exercise increases by the premium originally paid.
 
When the Fund writes (sells) an option, an amount equal to the premium received is entered in that Fund’s accounting records as an asset and equivalent liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current value of the option written. When a written option expires, or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it realizes a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing purchase transaction exceeds the premium received when the option was sold).
 
E. Upon entering into a futures contract, a Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the transaction is affected. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed, 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 at the time it was closed.
 
F. Swap agreements are marked-to-market daily and the change, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. Payments received or made as a result of an agreement or termination of an agreement are recognized as realized gains or losses.
 
G. The accounting records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, and certain expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Funds. Foreign investments may also subject the Funds to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation, or other political, social or economic developments, all of which could affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.
 
The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.
 
Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales of foreign currencies and currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions. Net unrealized exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at the fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 57
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
H. Security transactions are recorded on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded using the identified cost basis. Proceeds from lawsuits related to investment holdings are recorded as realized gains in the respective Fund. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of applicable taxes withheld by foreign countries. Taxable non-cash dividends are recorded as dividend income. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is accrued on a daily basis. Dividend income from REITs is recorded based on the income included in the distributions received from the REIT investments using published REIT classifications, including some management estimates when actual amounts are not available. Distributions received in excess of this estimated amount are recorded as a reduction of the cost of investments or reclassified to capital gains. The actual amounts of income, return of capital, and capital gains are only determined by each REIT after its fiscal year-end, and may differ from the estimated amounts.
 
I. Distributions of net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Dividends are reinvested in additional shares unless shareholders request payment in cash. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.
 
J. Interest and dividend income, most expenses, all realized gains and losses, and all unrealized gains and losses are allocated to the classes based upon the value of the outstanding shares in each Class. Certain costs, such as distribution and service fees are charged directly to specific classes. In addition, certain expenses have been allocated to the individual Funds in the Trust on a pro rata basis upon the respective aggregate net assets of each Fund included in the Trust.
 
K. The Funds may leave cash overnight in their cash account with the custodian. Periodically, a Fund may have cash due to the custodian bank as an overdraft balance. A fee is incurred on this overdraft, calculated by multiplying the overdraft by a rate based on the federal funds rate, which was 1.06% at June 30, 2017.
 
L. Under the Funds’ organizational documents, the Trustees and Officers are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, throughout the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds and/or their affiliates that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expect the risk of loss to be remote.
 
2. Financial Instruments and Derivatives
 
As part of their investment strategy, the Funds utilize short sales and a variety of derivative instruments. These investments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Valuation and accounting treatment of these instruments can be found under Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 of these Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements.
 
58 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Short Sales
 
A short sale is a transaction in which a Fund sells a security it does not own. If the security sold short decreases in price between the time the Fund sells the security and closes its short position, the Fund will realize a gain on the transaction. Conversely, if the security increases in price during the period, the Fund will realize a loss on the transaction. The risk of such price increases is the principal risk of engaging in short sales.
 
Derivatives
 
Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more other assets, such as securities, currencies, commodities or indices. Derivative instruments may be used to increase investment flexibility (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining exposure to certain other assets), for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. Derivative instruments may also be used to mitigate certain investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. U.S. GAAP requires disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why a Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund’s financial position and results of operations. The Funds may utilize derivatives for the following purposes:
 
Duration: the use of an instrument to manage the interest rate risk of a portfolio.
 
Hedge: an investment made in order to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in a security, by taking an offsetting position to protect against broad market moves.
 
Income: the use of any instrument that distributes cash flows typically based upon some rate of interest.
 
Index Exposure: the use of an instrument to obtain exposure to a listed or other type of index.
 
Leverage: gaining total exposure to equities or other assets on the long and short sides at greater than 100% of invested capital.
 
Liquidity: the ability to buy or sell exposure with little price/market impact.
 
Speculation: the use of an instrument to express macro-economic and other investment views.
 
For any Fund whose investment strategy consistently involves applying leverage, the value of the Fund’s shares will tend to increase or decrease more than the value of any increase or decrease in the underlying index or other asset. In addition, because an investment in derivative instruments generally requires a small investment relative to the amount of investment exposure assumed, an opportunity for increased net income is created; but, at the same time, leverage risk will increase. The Fund’s use of leverage, through borrowings or instruments such as derivatives, may cause the Fund to be more volatile and riskier than if they had not been leveraged.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 59
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Options Written
 
The risk in writing a call option is that a Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security increases and the option is exercised. The risk in writing a put option is that a Fund may incur a loss if the market price of the underlying security decreases and the option is exercised.
 
In addition, there may be an imperfect correlation between the movement in prices of options and the underlying securities where a Fund may not be able to enter into a closing transaction because of an illiquid secondary market; or, for OTC options, a Fund may be at risk because of the counterparty’s inability to perform.
 
The following tables represent the Funds’ use and activity of options written for the period ended June 30, 2017:
 
Fund
Use
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
Hedge, Income
 
Written Call Options
     
   
Multi-Hedge Strategies
 
   
 
Number of Contracts
   
Premium
Amount
 
Balance at December 31, 2016
   
130
   
$
530
 
Options Written
   
145
     
1,077
 
Options terminated in closing purchase transactions
   
(65
)
   
(617
)
Options expired
   
(210
)
   
(990
)
Options exercised
   
     
 
Balance at June 30, 2017
   
   
$
 
 
Futures
 
A futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities or other instruments at a set price for delivery at a future date. There are significant risks associated with a Fund’s use of futures contracts, including (i) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the underlying asset and the prices of futures contracts; (ii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract; (iii) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (iv) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts. When investing in futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to a Fund because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. Cash deposits are shown as segregated cash with broker on the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities; securities held as collateral are noted on the Consolidated Schedules of Investments.
 
60 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
The following table represents the Funds’ use and volume of futures on a quarterly basis:
 
      
                   Average Notional
 
Fund
Use
 
Long
   
Short
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
Duration, Hedge, Index exposure, Leverage, Liquidity, Speculation
 
$
29,594,735
   
$
16,380,237
 
Commodities Strategy Fund
Index exposure, Liquidity
   
4,607,956
     
 
 
Swaps
 
A swap is an agreement that obligates two parties to exchange a series of cash flows at specified intervals based upon or calculated by reference to changes in specified prices or rates for a specified amount of an underlying asset. A Fund utilizing OTC swaps bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty or if the underlying asset declines in value. Certain standardized swaps are subject to mandatory central clearing. Central clearing generally reduces counterparty credit risk and increases liquidity, but central clearing does not make swap transactions risk-free. Additionally, there is no guarantee that a Fund or an underlying fund could eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party.
 
Total return swaps involve commitments where single or multiple cash flows are exchanged based on the price of an underlying reference asset (such as index or basket) or a fixed or variable interest rate. Index swaps will usually be computed based on the current index value as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE or other exchange, with the swap value being adjusted to include dividends accrued, financing charges and/or interest associated with the swap agreement. A fund utilizing a total return index swap bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty or if the underlying index declines in value.
 
The following table represents the Funds’ use and volume of total return swaps on a quarterly basis:
 
      
                   Average Notional
 
Fund
Use
 
Long
   
Short
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
Hedge, Index exposure, Leverage, Liquidity, Speculation
 
$
9,846,191
   
$
3,821,744
 
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 61
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Derivative Investment Holdings Categorized by Risk Exposure
 
The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2017:
 
Derivative Investment Type
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Equity/Currency/Interest Rate/Commodity contracts
Variation margin
Variation margin
Equity contracts
Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements
Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements
 
The following table sets forth the fair value of the Funds’ derivative investments categorized by primary risk exposure at June 30, 2017:
 
Asset Derivative Investments Value
Fund
 
Futures Equity Contracts*
   
Swaps Equity Contracts
   
Futures Currency Contracts*
   
Futures Interest Rate Contracts*
   
Futures Commodity Contracts*
   
Total Value at
June 30,
2017
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
 
$
435,685
   
$
72,721
   
$
18,650
   
$
10,190
   
$
100,132
   
$
637,378
 
Commodities Strategy Fund
   
     
     
     
     
148,704
     
148,704
 
 
Liability Derivative Investments Value
Fund
 
Futures Equity Contracts*
   
Swaps Equity Contracts
   
Futures Currency Contracts*
   
Futures Interest Rate Contracts*
   
Futures Commodity Contracts*
   
Total Value at June 30, 2017
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
 
$
339,213
   
$
66,669
   
$
3,743
   
$
107,242
   
$
110,445
   
$
627,312
 
 
*
 
Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported on the Consolidated Schedules of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
 
62 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Funds’ Consolidated Statements of Operations for the period ended June 30, 2017:
 
Derivative Investment Type
Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives
Equity/Currency/Interest Rate/Commodity contracts
Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts
Equity contracts
Net realized gain (loss) on swap agreements
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements
Equity contracts
Net realized gain (loss) on options written
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on options written
 
The following is a summary of the Funds’ realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivative investments recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations categorized by primary risk exposure for the period ended June 30, 2017:
 
Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Fund
 
Futures Equity Contracts
   
Swaps Equity Contracts
   
Futures Currency Contracts
   
Futures Interest Rate Contracts
   
Futures Commodity Contracts
   
Options Written Equity Contracts
   
Total
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
 
$
284,011
   
$
191,090
   
$
(91,650
)
 
$
(12,398
)
 
$
(518,187
)
 
$
1,607
   
$
(145,527
)
Commodities Strategy Fund
   
     
     
     
     
(666,018
)
   
     
(666,018
)
 
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Fund
 
Futures Equity Contracts
   
Swaps Equity Contracts
   
Futures Currency Contracts
   
Futures Interest Rate Contracts
   
Futures Commodity Contracts
   
Options Written Equity Contracts
   
Total
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
 
$
(329,484
)
 
$
135,180
   
$
(69,170
)
 
$
(214,779
)
 
$
(44,973
)
 
$
26,345
   
$
(496,881
)
Commodities Strategy Fund
   
     
     
     
     
(50,336
)
   
     
(50,336
)
 
In conjunction with the use of short sales and derivative instruments, the Funds are required to maintain collateral in various forms. The Funds use, where appropriate, depending on the financial instrument utilized and the broker involved, margin deposits at the broker, cash and/or securities segregated at the custodian bank, discount notes or the repurchase agreements allocated to the Funds.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 63
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
The Trust has established counterparty credit guidelines and enters into transactions only with financial institutions of investment grade or better. The Trust monitors the counterparty credit risk.
 
3. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates
 
Under the terms of an investment advisory contract, the Funds pay GI investment advisory fees calculated at the annualized rates below, based on the average daily net assets of the Funds:
 
Fund
Management Fees
(as a % of Net Assets)
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
1.15%
Commodities Strategy Fund
0.75%
 
GI has contractually agreed to waive the management fee it receives from each Subsidiary in an amount equal to the management fee paid to GI by the Subsidiary. This undertaking will continue in effect for so long as the Funds invest in the Subsidiaries, and may not be terminated by GI unless GI obtains the prior approval of the Funds’ Board of Trustees for such termination. For the period ended June 30, 2017, Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Commodities Strategy Fund waived $21,356 and $3,605, respectively, related to investments in the Subsidiary.
 
As part of its agreement with the Trust, GI will pay all expenses of the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except interest expense, taxes (expected to be de minimis), brokerage commissions and other expenses connected with execution of portfolio transactions, short dividend expenses, subsidiary expenses and extraordinary expenses.
 
GI engages external service providers to perform other necessary services for the Trust, such as audit and accounting related services, legal services, custody, printing and mailing, etc., on a pass-through basis. Such expenses are allocated to various Funds within the complex based on relative net assets.
 
The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan applicable to A-Class shares, H-Class and P-Class shares for which GFD and other firms that provide distribution and/or shareholder services (“Service Providers”) may receive compensation. If a Service Provider provides distribution services, the Funds will pay distribution fees to GFD at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. GFD, in turn, will pay the Service Provider out of its fees. GFD may, at its discretion, retain a portion of such payments to compensate itself for distribution services.
 
The Trust has adopted a separate Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan applicable to its C-Class shares that allows the Funds to pay annual distribution and service fees of 1.00% of the Funds’ C-Class shares average daily net assets. The annual 0.25% service fee compensates a shareholder’s financial adviser for providing ongoing services to the shareholder. The annual
 
64 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
distribution fee of 0.75% reimburses GFD for paying the shareholder’s financial adviser an ongoing sales commission. GFD advances the first year’s service and distribution fees to the financial adviser. GFD retains the service and distribution fees on accounts with no authorized dealer of record.
 
If a Fund invests in an affiliated fund, the investing Fund’s adviser has agreed to waive fees at the investing fund level. Fee waivers will be calculated at the investing Fund level without regard to any expense cap, if any, in effect for the investing Fund. Fees waived under this arrangement are not subject to reimbursement to GI. For the period ended June 30, 2017, the Multi–Hedge Strategies Fund waived $43 related to investments in affiliated funds.
 
For the period ended June 30, 2017, GFD retained sales charges of $103,978 relating to sales of A-Class shares of the Trust.
 
Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are also officers of GI and GFD.
 
MUFG Investor Services (US), LLC (“MUIS”) acts as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent. As administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent, MUIS is responsible for maintaining the books and records of the Trust’s securities and cash. For providing the aforementioned services, MUIS is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage of the Funds’ average daily net assets subject to certain minimum monthly fees and out of pocket expenses.
 
4. Fair Value Measurement
 
In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that the Funds would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the types of inputs used to value assets and liabilities and requires corresponding disclosure. The hierarchy and the corresponding inputs are summarized below:
 
Level 1 —
quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
 
Level 2 —
significant other observable inputs (for example quoted prices for securities that are similar based on characteristics such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
 
Level 3 —
significant unobservable inputs based on the best information available under the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, which may include assumptions.
 
The types of inputs available depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of security and the characteristics of the markets in which it trades, if any. Fair valuation determinations that rely on fewer or no observable inputs require greater judgment. Accordingly, fair value determinations for Level 3 securities require the greatest amount of judgment.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 65
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The suitability of the techniques and sources employed to determine fair valuation are regularly monitored and subject to change.
 
5. Repurchase Agreements
 
The Trust, along with other affiliated trusts, transfers uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which is invested in one or more repurchase agreements collateralized by obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies. The joint account includes other Funds in the Guggenheim complex not covered in this report. The collateral is in the possession of the Funds’ custodian and is evaluated to ensure that its market value exceeds, at a minimum, 102% of the original face amount of the repurchase agreements. Each Fund holds a pro rata share of the collateral based on the dollar amount of the repurchase agreement entered into by each Fund.
 
At June 30, 2017, the repurchase agreements in the joint account were as follows:
 
Counterparty and Terms of Agreement
 
Face
Value
   
Repurchase
Price
 
Collateral
 
Par
Value
   
Fair
Value
 
HSBC Securities, Inc.
0.99%
Due 07/03/17
 
$
66,081,561
   
$
66,087,012
 
U.S. Treasury Strips
0.00%
11/15/42
 
$
140,899,200
   
$
67,403,238
 
RBC Capital Markets LLC
1.01%
Due 07/03/17
   
64,247,471
     
64,252,879
 
U.S. TIP Notes
0.13%
04/15/19 - 04/15/20
   
62,569,400
     
65,532,506
 
Bank of America Merrill Lynch
1.08%
Due 07/03/17
   
44,188,662
     
44,192,639
 
U.S. Treasury Bond
3.00%
05/15/47
   
43,303,110
     
45,072,474
 
 
In the event of counterparty default, the Funds have the right to collect the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is potential loss to the Funds in the event the Funds are delayed or prevented from exercising their rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the Funds seek to assert their rights. The Funds’ investment adviser, acting under the supervision of the Board, reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Funds enter into repurchase agreements to evaluate potential risks.
 
6. Portfolio Securities Loaned
 
The Funds may lend their securities to approved brokers to earn additional income. Security lending income shown on the Consolidated Statements of Operations is shown net of rebates paid to the borrowers and earnings on cash collateral investments shared with the lending agent. Within this arrangement, the Funds act as the lender, U.S. Bank acts as the lending agent, and
 
66 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
other approved registered broker dealers act as the borrowers. The Funds receive cash collateral, valued at 102% of the value of the securities on loan. Under the terms of the Funds’ securities lending agreement with U.S. Bank, cash collateral and proceeds are invested in the First American Government Obligations Fund — Class Z. The Funds bear the risk of loss on cash collateral investments. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than the value of loaned securities, as determined at the close of fund business each day; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the Funds the next business day. Although the collateral mitigates the risk, the Funds could experience a delay in recovering its securities and a possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return the securities. The Funds have the right under the securities lending agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand.
 
At June 30, 2017, the Funds participated in securities lending as follows:
 
   
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
   
Securities Lending Collateral
  
Fund
 
Value of
Securities
Loaned
   
Collateral
Received(a)
   
Net
Amount
   
Cash
Collateral
Invested
   
Cash
Collateral
Uninvested
   
Total
Collateral
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
 
$
132,181
   
$
(132,181
)
 
$
   
$
136,560
   
$
   
$
136,560
 
 
(a)
 
Actual collateral received by the Fund is greater than the amount shown due to overcollateralization.
 
In the event of counterparty default, the Funds have the right to collect the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is potential loss to the Funds in the event the Funds are delayed or prevented from exercising their rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the Funds seek to assert their rights. GI, acting under the supervision of the Board, reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers to evaluate potential risks.
 
7. Offsetting
 
In the normal course of business, the Funds enter into transactions subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or other similar arrangements. Generally, the right to offset in those agreements allows the Funds to counteract the exposure to a specific counterparty with collateral received from or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the arrangements. These arrangements provide for the right to liquidate upon the occurrence of an event of default, credit event upon merger or additional termination event.
 
In order to better define their contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Funds mitigate their counterparty risk, the Funds may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with their derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 67
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
a Fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives, including foreign exchange contracts, and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of a default (close-out netting) or similar event, including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty.
 
For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the Funds and the counterparty. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Funds and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, are reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as segregated cash with broker/receivable for variation margin, or payable for swap settlement/variation margin. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty must exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold (e.g., $300,000) before a transfer is required to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Funds from their counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Funds bear the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. The Funds attempt to mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that they believe to be of good standing and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties.
 
For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
 
The following tables present derivative financial instruments and secured financing transactions that are subject to enforceable netting arrangements and offset in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities in conformity with U.S. GAAP:
 
         
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
   
Net Amount
of Assets Presented
on the
   
Gross Amounts Not Offset
in the Consolidated
Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
     
Fund
Instrument
 
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets1
   
Consolidated
Statements
of Assets and
Liabilities
   
Consolidated
Statements
of Assets and
Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments
   
Cash
Collateral Received
   
Net
Amount
 
Multi-Hedge
Strategies Fund
Swap equity contracts
 
$
72,721
   
$
   
$
72,721
   
$
   
$
   
$
72,721
 
 
68 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
         
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
   
Net Amount
of Liabilities
Presented
on the
   
Gross Amounts Not Offset
in the Consolidated
Statements of
Assets and Liabilities
     
Fund
Instrument
 
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities1
   
Consolidated Statements
of Assets and
Liabilities
   
Consolidated
Statements
of Assets and
Liabilities
   
Financial Instruments
   
Cash Collateral Pledged
   
Net
Amount
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
Swap equity contracts
 
$
66,669
   
$
   
$
66,669
   
$
   
$
66,669
   
$
 
 
1
 
Exchange-traded futures are excluded from these reported amounts.
 
8. Federal Income Tax Information
 
The Funds intend to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and will distribute substantially all taxable net investment income and capital gains sufficient to relieve the Funds from all, or substantially all, federal income, excise and state income taxes. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income tax is required.
 
Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Funds’ tax returns are evaluated to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken, or to be taken, on federal income tax returns for all open tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Funds’ consolidated financial statements. The Funds’ federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years after they are filed.
 
The Funds intend to invest up to 25% of their assets in the respective Subsidiary which is expected to provide the Funds with exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Funds have received a private letter ruling from the IRS that concludes that the income the Funds receive from the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income for purposes of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Subsidiary will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless it is deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 69
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
At June 30, 2017, the cost of securities for federal income tax purposes, the aggregate gross unrealized gain for all securities for which there was an excess of value over tax cost, and the aggregate gross unrealized loss for all securities for which there was an excess of tax cost over value were as follows:
 
Fund
 
Tax
Cost
   
Tax
Unrealized
Gain
   
Tax
Unrealized
Loss
   
Net
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
 
$
74,320,528
   
$
5,648,510
   
$
(743,670
)
 
$
4,904,840
 
Commodities Strategy Fund
   
3,125,122
     
     
(290,695
)
   
(290,695
)
 
9. Securities Transactions
 
For the period ended June 31, 2017, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding government securities, short-term investments and derivatives, were as follows:
 
Fund
 
Purchases
   
Sales
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
 
$
68,892,659
   
$
82,353,645
 
Commodities Strategy Fund
   
     
800,000
 
 
The Funds are permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of the Trust. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common Trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price to save costs, where permissible. For the period ended June 30, 2017, the Funds did not engage in purchases and sales of securities, pursuant to Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.
 
10. Affiliated Transactions
 
Investments representing 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a portfolio company of a fund, or control of or by, or common control under GI, result in that portfolio company being considered an affiliated company of such fund, as defined in the 1940 Act.
 
The Funds may invest in the Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust consisting of Guggenheim Strategy Fund I, Guggenheim Strategy Fund II, Guggenheim Strategy Fund III, and Guggenheim Variable Insurance Strategy Fund III (collectively, the “Cash Management Funds”), open-end management investment companies managed by GI. The Cash Management Funds, which launched on March 11, 2014, are offered as cash management options only to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by GI and/or its affiliates, and are not available to the public. The Cash Management Funds pay no investment management fees. The Cash Management
 
70 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Funds’ annual report on Form N-CSR dated September 30, 2016, is available publicly or upon request. This information is available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1601445/000089180416001923/gug65857-ncsr.htm.
 
Transactions during the period ended June 30, 2017, in which the portfolio company is an “affiliated person,” were as follows:
 
Affiliated issuers by Fund
 
Value
12/31/16
   
Additions
   
Reductions
   
Value
06/30/17
   
Shares
06/30/17
   
Investment
Income
   
Realized
Gain (Loss)
 
Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund
                   
Advent Claymore Convertible Securities and Income Fund
 
$
8,837
   
$
12,255
   
$
(1,901
)
 
$
19,978
     
1,237
   
$
298
   
$
(123
)
Advent Claymore Convertible Securities and Income Fund II
   
202,831
     
     
(189,822
)
   
23,836
     
3,826
     
8,668
     
(20,896
)
Advent/Claymore Enhanced Growth & Income Fund
   
60,763
     
     
(44,138
)
   
19,828
     
2,266
     
2,821
     
(5,118
)
Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Income Fund
   
     
     
(4
)
   
6,864
     
830
     
199
     
 
Guggenheim Enhanced Equity Strategy Fund
   
8,366
     
     
(9,045
)
   
     
     
     
682
 
Guggenheim Equal Weight Enhanced Equity Income Fund
   
7,956
     
     
(1,469
)
   
     
     
213
     
57
 
Guggenheim Strategy Fund I
   
25,559
     
227
     
     
25,857
     
1,031
     
227
     
 
Guggenheim Strategy Fund II
   
6,081
     
69
     
     
6,165
     
247
     
69
     
 
Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Opportunities & Income Fund
   
441,333
     
     
(376,253
)
   
61,084
     
5,543
     
7,292
     
(53,599
)
Western Asset/Claymore Inflation-Linked Securities & Income Fund
   
400,480
     
     
(338,175
)
   
55,754
     
4,934
     
6,274
     
(44,268
)
   
$
1,162,206
   
$
12,551
   
$
(960,807
)
 
$
219,366
           
$
26,061
   
$
(123,265
)
                                                         
Commodities Strategy Fund
                                                 
Guggenheim Strategy Fund I
 
$
1,452,887
   
$
   
$
(400,000
)
 
$
1,056,696
     
42,150
   
$
11,724
   
$
1,337
 
Guggenheim Strategy Fund II
   
1,452,892
     
     
(400,000
)
   
1,056,266
     
42,234
     
15,148
     
1,480
 
   
$
2,905,779
   
$
   
$
(800,000
)
 
$
2,112,962
           
$
26,872
   
$
2,817
 
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 71
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
11. Line of Credit
 
The Trust, along with other affiliated trusts, secured an uncommitted $75,000,000 line of credit from U.S. Bank, N.A., which expires June 11, 2018. This line of credit is reserved for emergency or temporary purposes. Borrowings, if any, under this arrangement bear interest equal to the Prime Rate, minus 2%, which shall be paid monthly, averaging 1.92% for the period ended June 30, 2017. The Funds did not have any borrowings outstanding under this agreement at June 30, 2017. The Funds did not have any borrowings outstanding under this agreement at June 30, 2017, and did not participate in borrowing during the period.
 
12. Share Splits
 
Share splits occurred for the following Fund at the close of business:
 
Fund
Effective Date
Split Type
Commodities Strategy Fund
October 28, 2016
One-for-twelve Reverse Share Split
 
The effect of this transaction was to divide the number of outstanding shares of the Commodities Strategy Fund by its reverse split ratio, resulting in a corresponding increase in the NAV. The share transactions presented in the Consolidated Statement of Changes in net assets and the per share data in the Consolidated Financial Highlights for each of the periods presented prior to the effective date, have been restated to reflect the share split. There was no change in net assets, results of operations or total return as a result of this transaction.
 
13. Legal Proceedings
 
Tribune Company
 
Rydex Series Funds has been named as a defendant and a putative member of the proposed defendant class of shareholders in the case entitled Kirschner v. FitzSimons, No. 12-2652 (S.D.N.Y.) (formerly Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Tribune Co. v. FitzSimons, Adv. Pro. No. 10-54010 (Bankr. D. Del.)) (the “FitzSimons action”), as a result of ownership by certain series of the Rydex Series Funds of shares in the Tribune Company (“Tribune”) in 2007, when Tribune effected a leveraged buyout transaction (“LBO”) by which Tribune converted to a privately-held company. In his complaint, the plaintiff has alleged that, in connection with the LBO, Tribune insiders and shareholders were overpaid for their Tribune stock using financing that the insiders knew would, and ultimately did, leave Tribune insolvent. The plaintiff has asserted claims against certain insiders, major shareholders, professional advisers, and others involved in the LBO. The plaintiff is also attempting to obtain from former Tribune shareholders, including the Rydex Series Funds, the proceeds they received in connection with the LBO.
 
72 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
In June 2011, a group of Tribune creditors filed multiple actions against former Tribune shareholders involving state law constructive fraudulent conveyance claims arising out of the 2007 LBO (the “SLCFC actions”). Rydex Series Funds has been named as a defendant in one or more of these suits. In those actions, the creditors seek to recover from Tribune’s former shareholders the proceeds received in connection with the 2007 LBO.
 
The FitzSimons action and the SLCFC actions have been consolidated with the majority of the other Tribune LBO-related lawsuits in a multidistrict litigation proceeding captioned In re Tribune Company Fraudulent Conveyance Litig., No. 11-md-2696 (S.D.N.Y.) (the “MDL Proceeding”).
 
On September 23, 2013, the District Court granted the defendants’ omnibus motion to dismiss the SLCFC actions, on the basis that the creditors lacked standing. On September 30, 2013, the creditors filed a notice of appeal of the September 23 order. On October 28, 2013, the defendants filed a joint notice of cross-appeal of that same order.
 
On May 23, 2014, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the FitzSimons action, including a global motion to dismiss Count I, which is the claim brought against former Tribune shareholders for intentional fraudulent conveyance under U.S. federal law. On January 6, 2017, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted the shareholder defendants’ motion to dismiss the intentional fraudulent conveyance claim in the FitzSimons action. In dismissing the intentional fraudulent conveyance claim, the Court denied the plaintiff’s request to amend the complaint. The plaintiff requested that the Court direct entry of a final judgment in order to make the order immediately appealable. On February 23, 2017, the Court issued an order stating that it intends to permit an interlocutory appeal of the dismissal order, but will wait to do so until it has resolved outstanding motions to dismiss filed by other defendants. Accordingly, the timing of the appeal is uncertain.
 
On March 29, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its opinion on the appeal of the SLCFC actions. The appeals court affirmed the district court’s dismissal of those lawsuits, but on different grounds than the district court. The appeals court held that while the plaintiffs have standing under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, their claims were preempted by Section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code—the statutory safe harbor for settlement payments. On April 12, 2016, the Plaintiffs in the SLCFC actions filed a petition seeking rehearing en banc before the appeals court. On July 22, 2016, the appeals court denied the petition. On September 9, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the Second Circuit’s decision that the safe harbor of Section 546(e) applied to their claims. The shareholder defendants, including the Funds, filed a joint brief in opposition to the petition for certiorari on October 24, 2016. The Supreme Court has not yet granted or denied the petition for certiorari.
 
None of these lawsuits alleges any wrongdoing on the part of Rydex Series Funds. The following series of Rydex Series Funds held shares of Tribune and tendered these shares as part of Tribune’s LBO: Nova Fund, S&P 500® Pure Value Fund, Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund, S&P 500® Fund, Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Hedged Equity Fund (the “Funds”). The value of the proceeds
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 73
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
received by the foregoing Funds was $28,220, $109,242, $9,860, $3,400, $1,181,160, and $10,880, respectively. At this stage of the proceedings, Rydex Series Funds is not able to make a reliable predication as to the outcome of these lawsuits or the effect, if any, on a Fund’s net asset value.
 
Lyondell Chemical Company
 
In December 2011, Rydex Series Funds was named as a defendant in Weisfelner, as Trustee of the LB Creditor Trust, v. Fund 1 (In re Lyondell Chemical Co.), Adv. Pro. No. 10-4609 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.) (the “Creditor Trust Action”). Its funds may also be putative members of the proposed defendant classes in Weisfelner, as Trustee of the LB Litigation Trust v. A. Holmes & H. Holmes TTEE (In re Lyondell Co.), Adv. Pro. No. 10-5525 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.) (the “Litigation Trust Action”) and Weisfelner, as Trustee of the LB Creditor Trust, v. Reichman (In re Lyondell Chemical Co.), Adv. Pro. No. 12-1570 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.) (“Reichman”).
 
Similar to the claims made in the Tribune matter, the Weisfelner complaints seek to have set aside and recovered as fraudulent transfers from former Lyondell Chemical Company (“Lyondell”) shareholders the consideration paid to them pursuant to the cash out merger of Lyondell shareholders in connection with the combination of Lyondell and Basell AF in 2007. Lyondell filed for bankruptcy in 2008. The Creditor Trust Action and Reichman allege claims against the former Lyondell shareholders under state law for both constructive fraudulent transfer and intentional fraudulent transfer. The Litigation Trust Action alleges a claim against the former Lyondell shareholders under federal law for intentional fraudulent transfer.
 
On April 7, 2014, the plaintiff filed a Third Amended Complaint in the Creditor Trust Action, a Second Amended Complaint in the Litigation Trust Action, and an Amended Complaint in Reichman.
 
On May 8, 2014, the plaintiff in the Litigation Trust Action filed a motion to certify a defendant class generally comprised of all former Lyondell shareholders that received proceeds in exchange for their shares in the 2007 merger transaction.
 
On July 30, 2014, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss these lawsuits. The Bankruptcy Court held oral argument on the motion to dismiss and on the motion for class certification on January 14 and January 15, 2015. On September 15, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court denied the motion for class certification without prejudice to the plaintiff’s right to file a renewed motion. On November 18, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the intentional fraudulent transfer claims in the Creditor Trust Action, the Litigation Trust Action, and in Reichman, but denied the motion to dismiss the constructive fraudulent transfer claims in the Creditor Trust Action and in Reichman. The Bankruptcy Court entered final judgment dismissing the Litigation Trust Action, but the plaintiff appealed the dismissal to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
 
74 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(concluded)
 
On May 4, 2016, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, for a stay of, the Creditor Trust Action and Reichman in light of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit’s opinion in the appeal of the Tribune SLCFC actions. On July 20, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court issued a report and recommendation granting the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has not yet accepted the Bankruptcy Court’s recommendation or entered a final judgment. On May 30, 2017, the shareholder defendants filed a motion to remand the proceedings in the Creditor Trust and Reichman Actions to the Bankruptcy Court, for consideration of the collateral estoppel ground for dismissal raised by the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling in the Blavatnik Action. The District Court has not yet ruled on the motion to remand
 
On July 27, 2016, the District Court reversed the Bankruptcy Court and reinstated the federal law intentional fraudulent transfer claim in the Litigation Trust Action and remanded to the Bankruptcy Court for further proceedings. The District Court found that the fraudulent intent that mattered was that of Lyondell’s CEO, not its board, because the CEO’s intent could be imputed to Lyondell under Delaware law agency principles. The District Court did note, however, that plaintiff faces a high standard for proving “actual intent” to harm creditors, and that it remains to be seen whether plaintiff will be able to make this showing. On August 11, 2016, the shareholder defendants filed a motion for reconsideration and/or to certify an interlocutory appeal of the District Court’s opinion. On October 5, 2016, the District Court denied the motion for reconsideration and/or to certify an interlocutory appeal. In light of this ruling, the federal intentional fraudulent conveyance claim will move forward before the Bankruptcy Court, but a schedule for that case has not yet been set. On April 21, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court issued an Opinion and Order After Trial in a related Lyondell litigation (the “Blavatnik Action”) rejecting claims for intentional fraudulent transfer and constructive fraudulent transfer in connection with the 2007 LBO. Based on this related ruling in the Blavatnik Action, the shareholder defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Litigation Trust Action on the grounds of collateral estoppel on May 30, 2017. The Bankruptcy Court has not yet ruled on this new motion to dismiss.
 
These lawsuits do not allege any wrongdoing on the part of Rydex Series Funds. The following series of Rydex Series Funds received cash proceeds from the cash out merger in the following amounts: Basic Materials Fund - $1,725,168; Long Short Equity Fund f/k/a U.S. Long Short Momentum Fund - $2,193,600; Global 130/30 Strategy Fund - $37,920; Hedged Equity Fund - $1,440; and Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund - $1,116,480. At this stage of the proceedings, Rydex Series Funds is not able to make a reliable predication as to the outcome of these lawsuits or the effect, if any, on a Fund’s net asset value.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 75
 

OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)
 
Proxy Voting Information
 
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held in the Funds’ portfolios is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 800.820.0888. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.
 
Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800.820.0888. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.
 
Sector Classification
 
Information in the Schedule of Investments is categorized by sectors using sector-level Classifications defined by the Bloomberg Industry Classification System, a widely recognized industry classification system provider. Each Fund’s registration statement has investment policies relating to concentration in specific sectors/industries. For purposes of these investment policies, the Funds usually classify sectors/industries based on industry-level Classifications used by widely recognized industry classification system providers such as Bloomberg Industry Classification System, Global Industry Classification Standards and Barclays Global Classification Scheme.
 
Quarterly Portfolio Schedules Information
 
The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which are available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. The Funds’ Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and that information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330. Copies of the portfolio holdings are also available to shareholders, without charge and upon request, by calling 800.820.0888.
 
Board Considerations in Approving the Continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement
 
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Rydex Series Funds (the “Trust”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons,” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, of the Trust (“Independent Trustees”), attended an in-person meeting held on May 25, 2017, called for the purpose of, among other things, the consideration of, and voting on, the approval and continuation of the investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and Security Investors, LLC (the “Advisor”) applicable to the Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Commodities Strategy Fund, each a series of the Trust (each, a “Fund” and, collectively, the “Funds”). The Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period based on the Board’s review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by the Advisor. The Board had previously considered information pertaining to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement at an in-person meeting held on April 26, 2017 (together, with the May 25 meeting, the “Meetings”). The Board
 
76 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)(continued)
 
considered the materials provided by the Advisor and the review conducted at the April 26 meeting to be an integral part of the Trustees’ deliberations and their process in considering the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement.
 
Prior to reaching the conclusion to approve the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees requested and obtained from the Advisor such information as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, the Board received a memorandum from the independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees regarding the Board’s fiduciary responsibilities under state and federal law with respect to the Board’s consideration of the renewal or approval of investment advisory agreements and participated in question and answer sessions with representatives of the Advisor. The Independent Trustees also carefully considered information that they had received throughout the year as part of their regular oversight of the Funds. At the Meetings, the Board obtained and reviewed a wide variety of information, including certain comparative information regarding the Funds’ fees, expenses, and performance relative to the fees, expenses, and performance of other comparable funds (the “FUSE reports”). The Independent Trustees carefully evaluated this information, met in executive session outside the presence of fund management, and were advised by independent legal counsel with respect to their deliberations.
 
At the Meetings, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated a number of factors, including among others: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the Advisor’s investment advisory and other services; (b) the Advisor’s substantial commitment to the recruitment and retention of high quality personnel; (c) a comparison of the Funds’ advisory fees to the advisory fees charged to comparable funds or accounts, giving special attention to the existence of economies of scale and the absence of breakpoints in these fees and the Advisor’s rationale for not providing for breakpoints at this point in time; (d) each Fund’s overall fees and operating expenses compared with those of similar funds; (e) the level of the Advisor’s profitability from its Fund-related operations; (f) the Advisor’s compliance processes and systems; (g) the Advisor’s compliance policies and procedures; (h) the Advisor’s reputation, expertise and resources in the financial markets; (i) Fund performance compared with that of similar funds and/or appropriate benchmarks; (j) other benefits to the Advisor and/or its affiliates from their relationship to the Funds; and (k) the Advisor’s maintenance of operational resources necessary to manage the Funds in a professional manner consistent with the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders. In its deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any particular factor or factors that was controlling, noting that each Trustee could attribute different weights to the various factors considered.
 
Based on the Board’s deliberations at the Meetings, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, unanimously: (a) concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are fair and reasonable; (b) concluded that the Advisor’s fees for each Fund are reasonable in light of, and not so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to, the services that it provides to such Fund; and (c) agreed to approve and continue the Investment Advisory Agreement based upon the following considerations, among others:
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 77
 

OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by the Advisor. The Board evaluated, among other things, the Advisor’s business, financial resources, quality and quantity of personnel, experience, past performance, the variety and complexity of its investment strategies (including the extent to which the Funds use derivatives), Fund risk management process, brokerage practices, and the adequacy of its compliance systems and processes, proxy voting policies and practices, and cybersecurity programs. The Board reviewed the scope of services to be provided by the Advisor under the Investment Advisory Agreement and noted that there would be no significant differences between the scope of services required to be provided by the Advisor for the past year and the scope of services required to be provided during the upcoming year. The Board also considered the Advisor’s representations to the Board that the Advisor would continue to provide investment and related services that were of materially the same quality and quantity as services provided to the Funds in the past, and whether these services are appropriate in scope and extent in light of the Funds’ operations, the competitive landscape of the investment company business and investor needs. Based on the foregoing, the Trustees determined that the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement would enable shareholders of the Funds to receive high quality services at a cost that was appropriate and reasonable.
 
Fund Expenses and Performance of the Funds and the Advisor. The Board reviewed statistical information provided by the Advisor regarding the expense ratio components and performance of each Fund. The Advisor engaged FUSE Research Network LLC (“FUSE”), an independent, third party research provider, to prepare reports to help the Board compare the Funds’ fees, expenses, and total return performance with those of a peer group and peer universe of funds selected by FUSE. In the reports, each Fund’s expense ratio components, including actual advisory fees, waivers/reimbursements, and gross and net total expenses, are compared to those of other funds with shared key characteristics (e.g., asset size, fee structure, sector or industry investment focus) determined by FUSE to comprise a Fund’s applicable peer group. The Board considered the Advisor’s representation that it found the peer groups compiled by FUSE to be appropriate, but also acknowledged the existence of certain differences between the Funds and their peer funds (e.g., specific differences in principal investment strategies, and, if applicable, tradability) that should be reviewed in context. With respect to tradability, in particular, the Board considered that non-tradable funds incur lower expense ratios than tradable funds because non-tradable funds experience less shareholder activity and lower transaction volumes than tradable funds. The statistical information related to the performance of each Fund included three-month and one-, three-, and five-year performance for the Fund compared to that of its peers. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the proposed advisory fees paid by the Funds are reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by the Advisor.
 
Costs of Services Provided to the Funds and Profits Realized by the Advisor and its Affiliates. The Board reviewed information about the profitability of the Funds to the Advisor based on the advisory fees payable under the current Investment Advisory Agreement for the last calendar year. The Board analyzed the Funds’ expenses, including the investment advisory fees paid to the Advisor, and reviewed the FUSE reports. The Board also reviewed information regarding the
 
78 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)(concluded)
 
direct revenue received by the Advisor and ancillary revenue, if any, received by the Advisor and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Funds by the Advisor and/or its affiliates. The Board also discussed the Advisor’s profit margin, including the expense allocation methodology used in the Advisor’s profitability analysis. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the profit to the Advisor on the fees paid by the Funds is not excessive in view of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Advisor.
 
Economies of Scale. The Board considered the absence of breakpoints in the Advisor’s fee schedule and reviewed information regarding the extent to which economies of scale or other efficiencies may result from increases in the Funds’ asset levels. In light of the relatively small size of many of the Funds and the fact that the size of individual Funds in the complex often increase and decrease significantly due to the unlimited trading that is permitted among most of the Funds in the complex, the Board concluded that the Funds have not yet achieved sufficient asset levels to realize meaningful economies of scale. The Board noted that it intends to continue to monitor fees as each Fund grows in size and assess whether fee breakpoints may be warranted.
 
Other Benefits to the Advisor and/or its Affiliates. In addition to evaluating the Advisor’s services, the Board considered the nature and amount of other benefits to be received by the Advisor and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Funds, including any intangible benefits to the Advisor. In particular, the Board considered the nature, extent, quality, and cost of certain distribution and shareholder services performed by the Advisor’s affiliate, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC, under the distribution agreement and the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. In light of the costs of providing services pursuant to the separate agreements as well as the Advisor’s and its affiliate’s commitment to the Funds, the Board concluded the ancillary benefits the Advisor and its affiliates received were reasonable.
 
On the basis of the information provided to it and its evaluation of that information, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement were reasonable, and that approval of the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Funds and their shareholders.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 79
 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)
 
A Board of Trustees oversees the Trust, as well as other trusts of GI, in which its members have no stated term of service, and continue to serve after election until resignation. The Statement of Additional Information includes further information about Fund Trustees and Officers, and can be obtained without charge by visiting guggenheiminvestments.com or by calling 800.820.0888.
 
Name, Address*
and Year of Birth
of Trustee
Position(s) Held with the
Trust, Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee***
Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee****
INTERESTED TRUSTEE
     
Donald C. Cacciapaglia**
(1951)
President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee from 2012 to present.
Current: President and CEO, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); Vice Chairman, Guggenheim Investments (2010-present).
 
Former: Chairman and CEO, Channel Capital Group, Inc. (2002-2010).
233
Clear Spring Life Insurance Company (2015-present); Guggenheim Partners Japan, Ltd. (2014-present); Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC (2014-present); Delaware Life (2013-present); Guggenheim Life and Annuity Company (2011-present); Paragon Life Insurance Company of Indiana (2011-present).
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
     
Angela Brock-Kyle*****
(1959)
Trustee, Member of the Audit Committee; Member of the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee; and Member of the Governance Committee from August 2016 to present.
Current: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, B.O.A.R.D.S (consulting firm).
 
Former: Senior Leader, TIAA (financial services firm) (1987-2012).
133
Infinity Property & Casualty Corporation (2014-present).
 
80 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Name, Address*
and Year of Birth
of Trustee
Position(s) Held with the
Trust, Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee***
Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee****
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued
Corey A. Colehour
(1945)
Trustee from 1993 to present; Member of the Audit Committee from 1994 to present; Member of the Governance Committee from 2014 to present; and Member of the Investment and Performance Committee from 2014 to present.
Retired.
133
None.
J. Kenneth Dalton
(1941)
Trustee from 1995 to present; Chairman and Member of the Audit Committee from 1997 to present; and Member of the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee from 2010 to present.
Retired.
133
Epiphany Funds (3) (2009-present).
John O. Demaret
(1940)
Vice Chairman of the Board from 2014 to present (Chairman of the Board from 2006 to 2014); Trustee and Member of the Audit Committee from 1997 to present; Chairman (since 2014) and Member of the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee from 2010 to present; Chairman and Member of the Investment and Performance Committee from 2014 to present; and Member of the Nominating Committee from 2014 to present.
Retired.
133
None.
Werner E. Keller
(1940)
Chairman of the Board from 2014 to present (Vice Chairman of the Board from 2010 to 2014); Trustee and Member of the Audit Committee from 2005 to present; and Member of the Investment and Performance Committee from 2014 to present.
Current: Founder and President, Keller Partners, LLC (investment research firm) (2005-present).
133
None.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 81
 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Name, Address*
and Year of Birth
of Trustee
Position(s) Held with the
Trust, Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years
Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustee***
Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee****
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - concluded
Thomas F. Lydon, Jr. (1960)
Trustee and Member of the Audit Committee from 2005 to present; Member of the Nominating Committee from 2005 to present; and Chairman and Member of the Governance Committee from 2007 to present.
Current: President, Global Trends Investments (registered investment adviser) (1996-present).
133
US Global Investors (GROW) (1995-present).
Patrick T. McCarville (1942)
Trustee from 1997 to present; Member of the Audit Committee from 1997 to present; Chairman and Member of the Nominating Committee from 2004 to present; Member of the Governance Committee from 2007 to present; and Member of the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee from 2014 to present.
Retired.
 
Former: Chief Executive Officer, Par Industries, Inc., d/b/a Par Leasing (1977-2010).
133
None.
Sandra G. Sponem*****
(1958)
Trustee, Member of the Audit Committee, Member of the Investment and Performance Committee, and Member of the Nominating Committee from November 2016 to present.
Current: Retired
 
Former: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, M.A. Mortenson Companies, Inc. (general contracting firm) (2007-2017).
133
None.
 
 
82 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Name, Address*
and Year of Birth
Position(s) Held with the
Trust, Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
OFFICERS
   
Michael P. Byrum (1970)
Vice President (1999-present)
Current: Senior Vice President, Security Investors, LLC (2010-present); President and Chief Investment Officer, Rydex Holdings, LLC (2008-present); Director and Chairman, Advisory Research Center, Inc. (2006-present); Manager, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC (2005-present).
 
Former: Vice President, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2009); Director (2009-2010) and Secretary (2002-2010), Rydex Fund Services, LLC; Director (2008-2010), Chief Investment Officer (2006-2010), President (2004-2010) and Secretary (2002-2010), Rydex Advisors, LLC; Director (2008-2010), Chief Investment Officer (2006-2010), President (2004-2010) and Secretary (2002-2010), Rydex Advisors II, LLC.
Joanna M. Catalucci (1966)
AML Officer (2016-present)
Current: Chief Compliance Officer, certain funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2014-present); AML Officer, certain funds in the Fund Complex (2016-present).
 
Former: Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2008-2012); Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and certain affiliates (2010-2012); Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, Rydex Advisors, LLC and certain affiliates (2010-2011).
James M. Howley (1972)
Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)
Current: Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2004-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2006-present).
 
Former: Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc. (1996-2004).
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 83
 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)
 
Name, Address*
and Year of Birth
Position(s) Held with the
Trust, Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
OFFICERS - continued
 
Keith D. Kemp
(1960)
Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)
Current: Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2010-present); Managing Director of Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (2015-present); Chief Financial Officer, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC (2016-present).
 
Former: Managing Director and Director, Transparent Value, LLC (2010-2016); Director, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (2010-2015); Chief Operating Officer, Macquarie Capital Investment Management (2007-2009).
Amy J. Lee
(1961)
Vice President (2009-present) and Secretary (2012-present)
Current: Chief Legal Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2013-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present).
 
Former: Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company and Security Benefit Corporation (2004-2012).
Glenn McWhinnie (1969)
Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)
Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2009-present).
 
Former: Tax Compliance Manager, Ernst & Young LLP (1996-2009).
Elisabeth Miller
(1968)
Chief Compliance Officer (2012-present)
Current: CCO, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); CCO, Security Investors, LLC (2012-present); CCO, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (2012-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Vice President, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (March 2014-present).
 
Former: CCO, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2009-March 2014); Senior Manager, Security Investors, LLC (2004-2009); Senior Manager, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2004-2009).
Adam J. Nelson
(1979)
Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)
Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2015-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2015-present).
 
Former: Assistant Vice President and Fund Administration Director, State Street Corporation (2013-2015); Fund Administration Assistant Director, State Street (2011-2013); Fund Administration Manager, State Street (2009-2011).
 
84 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(concluded)
 
Name, Address*
and Year of Birth
Position(s) Held with the
Trust, Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
OFFICERS - concluded
 
Kimberly J. Scott
(1974)
Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)
Current: Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present).
 
Former: Financial Reporting Manager, Invesco, Ltd. (2010-2011); Vice President/Assistant Treasurer of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2009-2010); Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2005-2009).
John L. Sullivan
(1955)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (2016-present)
Current: CFO, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2010-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2010-present).
 
Former: Managing Director and CCO, each of the funds in the Van Kampen Investments fund complex (2004-2010); Managing Director and Head of Fund Accounting and Administration, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2002-2004); CFO and Treasurer, Van Kampen Funds (1996-2004).
 
*
 
All Trustees and Officers may be reached c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.
**
 
Mr. Cacciapaglia is an “interested” person of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act by virtue of his affiliation with the Adviser’s parent company.
***
 
The “Fund Complex” includes all closed-end and open-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by the Adviser and any funds that have an investment adviser or servicing agent that is an affiliated person of the Adviser. Information provided is as of the date of this report.
****
 
Certain of the Trustees may serve as directors on the boards of companies not required to be disclosed above, including certain non-profit companies and charitable foundations.
*****
 
Mses. Brock-Kyle and Sponem commenced serving as independent Trustees effective August 18, 2016.
 
 
THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 85
 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY POLICIES (Unaudited)
 
Guggenheim Investments as used herein refers to Guggenheim Partners, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC and Security Investors, LLC as well as the funds in the Guggenheim Funds complex (the “funds”).
 
Our Commitment to You
 
When you become a Guggenheim Investments investor, you entrust us with not only your hard-earned money but also with personal and financial information about you. We recognize that your relationship with us is based on trust and that you expect us to act responsibly and in your best interests. Because we have access to personal information about you, we hold ourselves to high standards in its safekeeping and use. This means, most importantly, that we do not sell client or account information to anyone—whether you are a current or former Guggenheim Investments client.
 
The Information We Collect About You and How We Collect It
 
In the course of doing business with shareholders and investors, we collect nonpublic personal information about you. You typically provide personal information when you complete a Guggenheim Investments account application or when you request a transaction that involves Rydex and Guggenheim Funds or one of the Guggenheim affiliated companies. “Nonpublic personal information” is personally identifiable information about you. For example it includes your name and address, Social Security or taxpayer identification number, assets, income, account balance, bank account information and investment activity (e.g. purchase and redemption history).
 
How We Share Your Personal Information
 
As a matter of policy, we do not disclose your nonpublic personal information to nonaffiliated third parties except as required or permitted by law. As emphasized above, we do not sell information about current or former clients or their accounts to third parties. Nor do we share such information, except when necessary to complete transactions at your request or to make you aware of related investment products and services that we offer. Additional details about how we handle your personal information are provided below.
 
To complete certain transactions or account changes that you direct, it may be necessary to provide your personal information to companies, individuals or groups that are not affiliated with Guggenheim Investments. For example if you ask to transfer assets from another financial institution to Guggenheim Investments, we will need to provide certain information about you to that company to complete the transaction. In connection with servicing your accounts or to alert you to other Guggenheim Investments investment products and services, we may share your information within the Guggenheim Investments family of affiliated companies. This would include, for example, sharing your information within Guggenheim Investments so we can make you aware of new funds or the services offered through another Guggenheim Investments
 
86 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT
 
 

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY POLICIES (Unaudited)(concluded)
 
affiliated company. In certain instances, we may contract with nonaffiliated companies to perform services for us. Where necessary, we will disclose information we have about you to these third parties. In all such cases, we provide the third party with only the information necessary to carry out its assigned responsibilities and only for that purpose. And we require these third parties to treat your personal information with the same high degree of confidentiality that we do. In certain instances, we may share information with other financial institutions regarding individuals and entities in response to the U.S.A. Patriot Act. Finally we will share personal information about you if we are compelled by law to do so, if you direct us to do so with your consent, or in other circumstances as permitted by law.
 
How We Safeguard Your Personal Information
 
We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information. Within Guggenheim Investments, access to such information is limited to those who need it to perform their jobs such as servicing your account, resolving problems or informing you of new products and services.
 
 
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6.30.2017

 

Guggenheim Funds Semi-Annual Report

 

Guggenheim Alternative Fund

Guggenheim Managed Futures Strategy Fund

   

 

GuggenheimInvestments.com

RMFSF-SEMI-0617x1217

 


 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

DEAR SHAREHOLDER

2

ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW

3

ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES

5

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

8

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

25

OTHER INFORMATION

42

INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS

46

GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY POLICIES

52

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 1

 


June 30, 2017

 

Dear Shareholder:

 

Security Investors, LLC (the “Investment Adviser”) is pleased to present the semi-annual shareholder report for the Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) that is part of the Rydex Series Funds. This report covers performance of the Fund for the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2017.

 

The Investment Adviser is a part of Guggenheim Investments, which represents the investment management businesses of Guggenheim Partners, LLC (“Guggenheim”), a global, diversified financial services firm.

 

Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is the distributor of the Funds. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC is affiliated with Guggenheim and the Investment Adviser.

 

We encourage you to read the Economic and Market Overview section of the report, which follows this letter.

 

We are committed to providing innovative investment solutions and appreciate the trust you place in us.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Donald C. Cacciapaglia
President and Chief Executive Officer
July 31, 2017

 

Read a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) carefully before investing. It contains the investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses and other information, which should be considered carefully before investing. Obtain a prospectus and summary prospectus (if available) at guggenheiminvestments.com or call 800.820.0888.

 

The Fund may not be suitable for all investors. Investing involves risks, including the entire loss of principal amount invested. Certain Funds may be affected by risks that include those associated with sector concentration, international investing, investing in small and/or medium size companies, and/or the Funds’ possible use of investment techniques and strategies such as leverage, derivatives and short sales of securities. Please see each Fund’s prospectus for more information.

 

This material is not intended as a recommendation or as investment advice of any kind, including in connection with rollovers, transfers, and distributions. Such material is not provided in a fiduciary capacity, may not be relied upon for or in connection with the making of investment decisions, and does not constitute a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell securities. All content has been provided for informational or educational purposes only and is not intended to be and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and/or a legal opinion. Always consult a financial, tax and/or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

 

2 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW (Unaudited)

June 30, 2017

 

First-quarter real gross domestic product (“GDP”) growth came in weak relative to the third and fourth quarters of 2016, at only 1.4% quarter over quarter annualized, consistent with the historical pattern of soft first-quarter data. Tracking estimates point to a rebound in second-quarter growth. There have been concerns about consumer health amid weakness in retail and autos, but we maintain that these are experiencing sector-specific problems. Household balance sheets and consumer spending appear solid overall.

 

The unemployment rate continues to decline to levels not seen since 2001, despite muted economic growth. As of June 2017, the unemployment rate stood at 4.3%, below what the U.S. Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) forecasted as recently as March to be the cycle low, and we expect it will fall to 3.8% or lower next year. While a tightening labor market has not done much to lift wage growth or inflation in the current cycle, Fed Chair Janet Yellen and many of her colleagues still see a tighter labor market as a reason to continue to remove accommodation.

 

In June the Fed delivered its fourth rate hike since the financial crisis, raising the fed funds rate target range to 1.00–1.25%. It proceeded with the rate hike despite three consecutive months of soft inflation readings. The statement noted that the Fed continues to expect inflation on a 12-month basis to stabilize around the 2% objective over the medium term. This suggests the Fed views recent weakness as transient. As long as the unemployment rate continues to decline, we believe the Fed will feel compelled to continue hiking to stay ahead of potential inflationary pressures, given the lags associated with monetary policy effects.

 

Median Federal Open Market Committee (“FOMC”) projections suggest one additional rate increase in 2017, three in 2018, and three more in 2019. These are not conditioned on expectations for fiscal stimulus, though they do incorporate an expectation that the natural rate of interest will rise somewhat over time, but perhaps not as much as the Fed currently projects. We expect that the Fed will forego a rate hike in September in order to launch the tapering of portfolio reinvestments, but the Fed will pick it up again in December, contingent on steady economic data and supportive financial conditions. Weak oil prices over the second quarter of 2017 should once again boost headline inflation readings in 2018 due to base effects, which, when combined with steady economic growth and falling unemployment, could prompt the Fed to raise rates three or possibly four times in 2018.

 

On its own, the start of Fed balance sheet normalization should not lead to a notable increase in market volatility. The Fed has signaled its intentions well in advance, giving markets time to prepare, and pay-downs will ramp up only gradually over the course of a year.

 

Still, volatility across a range of markets is abnormally low, and asset valuations appear stretched. Markets shrugged off worrisome developments during the second quarter, including declining oil prices, a lack of progress on fiscal legislation in Washington, D.C., and rising geopolitical risks. A near-term pullback in risk assets is possible in the third or fourth quarters, with low volatility and tight spreads making credit markets particularly vulnerable during what is already a seasonally weak period for risk assets. Moves toward a less accommodative stance by the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, and/or the Bank of England may be a catalyst for instability.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 3

 


ECONOMIC AND MARKET OVERVIEW (Unaudited)(concluded)

June 30, 2017

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, the Standrd & Poor’s 500® (“S&P 500®”)* Index returned 9.34%. The MSCI Europe-Australasia-Far East (“EAFE”) Index* returned 13.81%. The return of the MSCI Emerging Markets Index* was 18.43%.

 

In the bond market, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index* posted a 2.27% return for the period, while the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index* returned 4.93%. The return of the Bank of America (“BofA”) Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index* was 0.31% for the six-month period.

 

The opinions and forecasts expressed may not actually come to pass. This information is subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions, and should not be construed as a recommendation of any specific security or strategy.

 

*Index Definitions:

 

The following indices are referenced throughout this report. Indices are unmanaged and not available for direct investment. Index performance does not reflect transaction costs, fees, or expenses.

 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a broad-based flagship benchmark that measures the investment grade, U.S. dollar-denominated, fixed-rate taxable bond market, including U.S. Treasuries, government-related and corporate securities, mortgage-backed securities or “MBS” (agency fixed-rate and hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage, or “ARM”, pass-throughs), asset-backed securities (“ABS”), and commercial mortgage-backed securities (“CMBS”) (agency and non-agency).

 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield Index measures the U.S. dollar-denominated, high yield, fixed-rate corporate bond market. Securities are classified as high yield if the middle rating of Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P is Ba1/BB +/BB + or below.

 

BofA Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged market index of U.S. Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income.

 

MSCI EAFE Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada.

 

MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure equity market performance in the global emerging markets.

 

S&P 500® Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure the performance of the broad economy, representing all major industries and is considered a representation of the U.S. stock market.

 

4 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)

 

All mutual funds have operating expenses, and it is important for our shareholders to understand the impact of costs on their investments. Shareholders of a fund incur two types of costs: (i) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, reinvested dividends, other distributions, and exchange fees, and (ii) ongoing costs, including management fees, administrative services, and shareholder reports, among others. These ongoing costs, or operating expenses, are deducted from a fund’s gross income and reduce the investment return of the fund.

 

A fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets, which is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help investors understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in a fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period beginning December 31, 2016 and ending June 30, 2017.

 

The following tables illustrate the Fund’s costs in two ways:

 

Table 1. Based on actual Fund return: This section helps investors estimate the actual expenses paid over the period. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the Fund’s actual return, and the fifth column shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the Fund. Investors may use the information here, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses paid over the period. Simply divide the Fund’s 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 provided under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.”

 

Table 2. Based on hypothetical 5% return: This section is intended to help investors compare a Fund’s cost with those of other mutual funds. The table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses paid during the period. The example is useful in making comparisons because the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) requires all mutual funds to calculate expenses based on the 5% return. Investors can assess a Fund’s costs by comparing this hypothetical example with the hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

The calculations illustrated above assume no shares were bought or sold during the period. Actual costs may have been higher or lower, depending on the amount of investment and the timing of any purchases or redemptions.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 5

 


ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) on purchase payments, and contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) on redemptions, if any. Therefore, the second table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

More information about the Fund’s expenses, including annual expense ratios for periods up to five years (subject to the Fund’s inception date), can be found in the Consolidated Financial Highlights section of this report. For additional information on operating expenses and other shareholder costs, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.

 

6 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


ABOUT SHAREHOLDERS’ FUND EXPENSES (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

Expense
Ratio
1

Fund
Return

Beginning
Account Value
December 31,
2016

Ending
Account Value
June 30,
2017

Expenses
Paid During
Period
2

Table 1. Based on actual Fund return3

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

A-Class

1.72%

(1.18%)

$ 1,000.00

$ 988.20

$ 8.48

C-Class

2.47%

(1.51%)

1,000.00

984.90

12.16

P-Class

1.71%

(0.96%)

1,000.00

990.40

8.44

Institutional Class

1.52%

(1.10%)

1,000.00

989.00

7.50

Table 2. Based on hypothetical 5% return (before expenses)

     

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

A-Class

1.72%

5.00%

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,016.27

$ 8.60

C-Class

2.47%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,012.55

12.33

P-Class

1.71%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,016.31

8.55

Institutional Class

1.52%

5.00%

1,000.00

1,017.26

7.60

 

1

Annualized and excludes expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

2

Expenses are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, net of any applicable fee waivers, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

3

Actual cumulative return at net asset value for the period December 31, 2016 to June 30, 2017.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 7

 


PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)

June 30, 2017

 

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

OBJECTIVE: Seeks to achieve absolute returns.

 

Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)

 

 

“Consolidated Holdings Diversification (Market Exposure as % of Net Assets)” excludes any temporary cash investments or investments in Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust mutual funds. Investments in those Funds will significantly increase the portfolio’s exposure to certain other asset categories (and their associated risks), which may cause the Fund to deviate from its principal investment strategy, including: (i) high yield, high risk debt securities rated below the top four long-term rating categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (also known as “junk bonds”); (ii) securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities; (iii) CLOs and similar investments; and (iv) other short-term fixed income securities.

 

Inception Dates:

A-Class

March 2, 2007

C-Class

March 2, 2007

P-Class

March 2, 2007

Institutional Class

May 3, 2010

 

The Fund invests principally in derivative investments such as futures contracts.

 

Largest Holdings (% of Total Net Assets)

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III

28.4%

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II

17.6%

Guggenheim Strategy Fund I

16.6%

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration ETF

10.2%

Total

72.8%

   

“Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash or derivative investments.

 

8 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


PERFORMANCE REPORT AND FUND PROFILE (Unaudited)(concluded)

June 30, 2017

 

Average Annual Returns*

Periods Ended June 30, 2017

 

6 month

1 Year

5 Year

10 Year

A-Class Shares

(1.18%)

(7.75%)

(1.26%)

(1.85%)

A-Class Shares with sales charge

(5.86%)

(12.12%)

(2.21%)

(2.33%)

C-Class Shares

(1.51%)

(8.41%)

(2.00%)

(2.59%)

C-Class Shares with CDSC§

(2.49%)

(9.28%)

(2.00%)

(2.59%)

P-Class Shares

(0.96%)

(7.55%)

(1.21%)

(1.83%)

Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

0.31%

0.49%

0.17%

0.58%

         

6 month

1 Year

5 Year

Since Inception
(05/03/10)

Institutional Class Shares

(1.10%)

(7.53%)

(1.02%)

(2.99%)

Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index

0.31%

0.49%

0.17%

0.16%

 

*

The performance data above represents past performance that is not predictive of future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Returns are historical and include changes in principal and reinvested dividends and capital gains and do not reflect the effect of taxes. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch 3-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index and, unlike the Fund, has no management fees or operating expenses to reduce its reported return.

6 month returns are not annualized.

Fund returns are calculated using the maximum sales charge of 4.75%.

§

Fund returns include a CDSC of 1% if redeemed within 12 months of purchase.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 9

 


CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)

June 30, 2017

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

              

 


Shares

   

Value

 
             

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS - 10.2%

 

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration ETF1

   

108,400

   

$

5,452,520

 

Total Exchange-Traded Funds

         

(Cost $5,429,550)

           

5,452,520

 
                 

MUTUAL FUNDS - 62.6%

 

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III1

   

609,446

     

15,242,254

 

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II1

   

377,765

     

9,447,897

 

Guggenheim Strategy Fund I1

   

354,389

     

8,884,521

 

Total Mutual Funds

               

(Cost $33,519,441)

           

33,574,672

 
                 
   

Face
Amount

         
                 

U.S. TREASURY BILLS†† - 10.4%

 

U.S. Treasury Bill

               

0.91% due 08/03/172,3

 

$

5,600,000

     

5,595,890

 

Total U.S. Treasury Bills

               

(Cost $5,595,252)

           

5,595,890

 
                 

REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS††,4 - 13.0%

 

HSBC Securities, Inc.
issued 06/30/17 at 0.99%
due 07/03/17

   

2,650,272

     

2,650,272

 

RBC Capital Markets LLC
issued 06/30/17 at 1.01%
due 07/03/17

   

2,429,773

     

2,429,773

 

Bank of America Merrill Lynch
issued 06/30/17 at 1.08%
due 07/03/17

   

1,881,175

     

1,881,175

 

Total Repurchase Agreements

         

(Cost $6,961,220)

           

6,961,220

 
                 

Total Investments - 96.2%

               

(Cost $51,505,463)

         

$

51,584,302

 

Other Assets & Liabilities, net - 3.8%

     

2,042,327

 

Total Net Assets - 100.0%

         

$

53,626,629

 

 

  

 

Contracts

   

Unrealized
Gain (Loss)

 
             

CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED

 

September 2017 New Zealand Dollar
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $5,855,200)

   

80

   

$

89,989

 

September 2017 Euro FX
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $8,742,825)

   

61

     

68,558

 

September 2017 Australian Dollar
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $4,299,680)

   

56

     

33,623

 

September 2017 British Pound
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,508,264)

   

43

     

7,293

 

September 2017 Canadian Dollar
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,853,280)

   

24

     

2,682

 

September 2017 Mexican Peso
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $4,083,000)

   

150

     

(42,999

)

(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $28,342,249)

         

$

159,146

 
                 

COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED

 

August 2017 LME Lead
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $686,926)

   

12

   

$

44,824

 

September 2017 Copper
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $475,039)

   

7

     

22,342

 

August 2017 Lean Hogs
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $536,000)

   

16

     

20,428

 

 

10 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 


CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

June 30, 2017

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

   

 

Contracts

   

Unrealized
Gain (Loss)

 
             

August 2017 Cattle Feeder
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $815,100)

   

11

   

$

18,694

 

August 2017 Gold 100 oz.
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $620,700)

   

5

     

8,265

 

September 2017 Wheat
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $52,575)

   

2

     

6,008

 

September 2017 Hard Red Winter Wheat
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $52,825)

   

2

     

5,231

 

August 2017 Gasoline RBOB
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $63,617)

   

1

     

4,646

 

August 2017 NY Harbor ULSD
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $62,378)

   

1

     

1,244

 

August 2017 LME Primary Aluminum
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $191,410)

   

4

     

951

 

August 2017 LME Zinc
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $68,934)

   

1

     

182

 

August 2017 Live Cattle
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,395,300)

   

30

     

(28,767

)

(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $5,020,804)

         

$

104,048

 
                 

INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED

 

September 2017 Euro - BTP Italian Government Bond
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $16,353,420)

   

106

   

 

119,569

 

September 2017 Euro - OATS
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,728,567)

   

22

     

(8,467

)

September 2017 Canadian Government 10 Year Bond
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $432,870)

   

4

     

(9,012

)

September 2017 Australian Government 3 Year Bond
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,886,850)

   

22

     

(9,170

)

September 2017 U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $4,477,469)

   

38

     

(11,470

)

September 2017 Euro - Schatz
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $5,621,245)

   

44

     

(14,050

)

September 2017 U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,388,922)

   

27

     

(17,557

)

September 2017 U.S. Treasury Long Bond
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,076,251)

   

20

     

(30,925

)

 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 11

 


CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

June 30, 2017

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

  

 

Contracts

   

Unrealized
Gain (Loss)

 
             

September 2017 U.S. Treasury Ultra Long Bond
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,158,406)

   

13

   

$

(31,327

)

September 2017 Euro - Bund
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $12,379,885)

   

67

     

(52,388

)

September 2017 U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $4,727,879)

   

29

     

(101,401

)

September 2017 Australian Government 10 Year Bond
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $5,446,737)

   

55

     

(101,490

)

(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $63,678,501)

         

$

(267,688

)

                 

EQUITY FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED

 

September 2017 Tokyo Stock Price Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,298,924)

   

16

   

$

22,447

 

September 2017 Dow Jones Industrial Average Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,514,004)

   

33

     

20,614

 

July 2017 Hang Seng Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $4,099,861)

   

25

     

11,392

 

September 2017 Russell 2000 Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $919,165)

   

13

   

 

5,788

 

September 2017 S&P MidCap 400 Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $872,900)

   

5

     

4,731

 

July 2017 MSCI Taiwan Stock Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,157,680)

   

56

     

4,097

 

September 2017 Nikkei 225 (OSE) Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,428,293)

   

8

     

1,608

 

July 2017 H-Shares Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $326,901)

   

5

     

(1,178

)

September 2017 S&P/TSX 60 IX Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $273,886)

   

2

     

(3,266

)

September 2017 MSCI Emerging Markets Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,109,790)

   

22

     

(3,318

)

September 2017 S&P 500 Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,057,850)

   

17

     

(3,760

)

September 2017 FTSE MIB Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $234,472)

   

2

     

(4,412

)

 

12 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 


CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

June 30, 2017

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

  

 

Contracts

   

Unrealized
Gain (Loss)

 
             

September 2017 SPI 200 Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $653,217)

   

6

   

$

(7,191

)

September 2017 MSCI EAFE Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,700,010)

   

18

     

(8,448

)

July 2017 OMX Stockholm 30 Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $380,622)

   

20

     

(10,324

)

July 2017 CAC 40 10 Euro Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $940,354)

   

16

     

(22,197

)

September 2017 NASDAQ-100 Index
Mini Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,052,890)

   

27

     

(37,937

)

July 2017 Amsterdam Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,745,004)

   

15

     

(48,453

)

September 2017 Euro STOXX 50 Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,692,986)

   

43

     

(51,826

)

September 2017 FTSE 100 Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,553,308)

   

27

     

(55,628

)

July 2017 IBEX 35 Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,272,771)

   

19

     

(58,599

)

September 2017 DAX Index
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,471,987)

   

7

   

 

(64,923

)

(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $36,756,875)

         

$

(310,783

)

                 

INTEREST RATE FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD SHORT

 

September 2017 Australian Government 3 Year Bond
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $8,490,823)

   

99

   

$

40,932

 

September 2017 Australian Government 10 Year Bond
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,782,569)

   

18

     

31,894

 

September 2017 Canadian Government 10 Year Bond
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $12,228,581)

   

113

     

19,358

 

September 2017 U.S. Treasury 2 Year Note
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $4,322,500)

   

20

     

4,188

 

September 2017 Euro - Bobl
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,609,731)

   

24

     

2,041

 

September 2017 U.S. Treasury 10 Year Note
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $8,409,547)

   

67

     

1,229

 

 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 13

 


CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

June 30, 2017

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

    

 

Contracts

   

Unrealized
Gain (Loss)

 
             

September 2017 U.S. Treasury 5 Year Note
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $163,030)

   

1

   

$

526

 

September 2017 Euro - Schatz
Futures Contracts††
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $4,215,934)

   

33

     

(163

)

(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $43,222,715)

         

$

100,005

 
                 

CURRENCY FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD SHORT

 

September 2017 Japanese Yen
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $6,689,626)

   

60

   

$

115,773

 

September 2017 Canadian Dollar
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $3,320,460)

   

43

     

(52,885

)

(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $10,010,086)

         

$

62,888

 
                 

EQUITY FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD SHORT††

 

July 2017 H-Shares Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $326,901)

   

5

   

$

(139

)

September 2017 FTSE/JSE TOP 40 Index
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $487,968)

   

14

     

(250

)

(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $814,869)

         

$

(389

)

                 

COMMODITY FUTURES CONTRACTS SOLD SHORT

 

September 2017 Silver
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $830,750)

   

10

   

 

24,823

 

October 2017 Sugar #11
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,005,368)

   

65

     

20,492

 

September 2017 Coffee ‘C’
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $708,469)

   

15

     

11,516

 

September 2017 Cocoa
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $559,990)

   

29

     

11,228

 

December 2017 Cotton #2
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $583,865)

   

17

     

5,907

 

October 2017 Platinum
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $277,860)

   

6

     

3,832

 

September 2017 Corn
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $437,000)

   

23

     

780

 

August 2017 LME Primary Aluminum
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $47,853)

   

1

     

(899

)

August 2017 Lean Hogs
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $67,000)

   

2

     

(3,387

)

August 2017 Natural Gas
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $575,700)

   

19

     

(3,671

)

 

14 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 


CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

June 30, 2017

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

     

 

Contracts

   

Unrealized
Loss

 
             

August 2017 Gasoline RBOB
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $445,322)

   

7

   

$

(15,814

)

August 2017 WTI Crude
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $784,890)

   

17

     

(18,606

)

September 2017 Brent Crude
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $977,600)

   

20

     

(18,921

)

September 2017 Wheat
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $184,013)

   

7

     

(22,815

)

December 2017 Soybean Meal
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,644,590)

   

53

     

(23,234

)

August 2017 LME Nickel
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $506,061)

   

9

     

(24,197

)

September 2017 Hard Red Winter Wheat
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $237,713)

   

9

   

 

(28,247

)

December 2017 Soybean
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $800,400)

   

40

     

(32,307

)

August 2017 NY Harbor ULSD
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $686,162)

   

11

     

(36,305

)

August 2017 Low Sulphur Gas Oil
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $1,102,500)

   

25

     

(41,442

)

November 2017 Soybean
Futures Contracts
(Aggregate Value of
Contracts $2,524,125)

   

53

     

(48,463

)

(Total Aggregate Value of Contracts $14,987,231)

         

$

(239,730

)

 

Value determined based on Level 1 inputs, unless otherwise noted — See Note 4.

††

Value determined based on Level 2 inputs — See Note 4.

1

Affiliated issuer — See Note 9.

2

All or a portion of this security is pledged as futures collateral at June 30, 2017.

3

Zero coupon rate security. Rate indicated is the effective yield at the time of purchase.

4

Repurchase Agreements — See Note 5.

   
 

See Sector Classification in Other Information section.

 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 15

 


CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS (Unaudited)(concluded)

June 30, 2017

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments at June 30, 2017 (See Note 4 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements):

 

Investments in Securities (Assets)

 

Level 1

   

Level 1 - Other*

   

Level 2

   

Level 2 - Other*

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Commodity Futures Contracts

 

$

   

$

211,393

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

211,393

 

Currency Futures Contracts

   

     

317,918

     

     

     

     

317,918

 

Equity Futures Contracts

   

     

35,230

     

     

35,447

     

     

70,677

 

Exchange-Traded Funds

   

5,452,520

     

     

     

     

     

5,452,520

 

Interest Rate Futures Contracts

   

     

5,417

     

     

214,320

     

     

219,737

 

Mutual Funds

   

33,574,672

     

     

     

     

     

33,574,672

 

Repurchase Agreements

   

     

     

6,961,220

     

     

     

6,961,220

 

U.S. Treasury Bills

   

     

     

5,595,890

     

     

     

5,595,890

 

Total Assets

 

$

39,027,192

   

$

569,958

   

$

12,557,110

   

$

249,767

   

$

   

$

52,404,027

 
                                                 

Investments in Securities (Liabilities)

 

Level 1

   

Level 1 - Other*

   

Level 2

   

Level 2 - Other*

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Commodity Futures Contracts

 

$

   

$

347,075

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

347,075

 

Currency Futures Contracts

   

     

95,884

     

     

     

     

95,884

 

Equity Futures Contracts

   

     

53,463

     

     

328,386

     

     

381,849

 

Interest Rate Futures Contracts

   

     

91,279

     

     

296,141

     

     

387,420

 

Total Liabilities

 

$

   

$

587,701

   

$

   

$

624,527

   

$

   

$

1,212,228

 

 

*

Other financial instruments include futures contracts, which are reported as unrealized gain/loss at period end.

 

Transfers between investment levels may occur as the markets fluctuate and/or the availability of data used in an investment’s valuation changes. Transfers between valuation levels, if any, are in comparison to the valuation levels at the end of the previous fiscal year, and are effective using the fair value as of the end of the previous fiscal period.

 

For the period ended June 30, 2017, there were no transfers between levels.

 

16 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (Unaudited)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

June 30, 2017

 

Assets:

 

Investments in affiliated issuers, at value (cost $38,948,991)

 

$

39,027,192

 

Investments in unaffiliated issuers, at value  (cost $5,595,252)

   

5,595,890

 

Repurchase agreements, at value  (cost $6,961,220)

   

6,961,220

 

Total investments  (cost $51,505,463)

   

51,584,302

 

Segregated cash with broker

   

2,881,632

 

Receivables:

 

Fund shares sold

   

21,185

 

Dividends

   

64,782

 

Interest

   

197

 

Securities lending income

   

513

 

Total assets

   

54,552,611

 
         

Liabilities:

 

Segregated cash due to broker

   

39,840

 

Overdraft due to custodian bank

   

26,221

 

Payable for:

 

Variation margin

   

672,835

 

Securities purchased

   

68,303

 

Management fees

   

40,645

 

Fund shares redeemed

   

19,660

 

Distribution and service fees

   

15,199

 

Transfer agent and administrative fees

   

11,538

 

Portfolio accounting fees

   

4,616

 

Miscellaneous

   

27,125

 

Total liabilities

   

925,982

 

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 11)

   

 

Net assets

 

$

53,626,629

 
         

Net assets consist of:

 

Paid in capital

 

$

155,705,332

 

Accumulated net investment loss

   

(13,352,892

)

Accumulated net realized loss on investments and foreign currency

   

(88,412,374

)

Net unrealized depreciation on investments and foreign currency

   

(313,437

)

Net assets

 

$

53,626,629

 
         

A-Class:

 

Net assets

 

$

13,158,036

 

Capital shares outstanding

   

711,190

 

Net asset value per share

 

$

18.50

 

Maximum offering price per share (Net asset value divided by 95.25%)

 

$

19.42

 
         

C-Class:

 

Net assets

 

$

8,732,061

 

Capital shares outstanding

   

513,637

 

Net asset value per share

 

$

17.00

 
         

P-Class:

 

Net assets

 

$

22,516,292

 

Capital shares outstanding

   

1,214,243

 

Net asset value per share

 

$

18.54

 
         

Institutional Class:

 

Net assets

 

$

9,220,240

 

Capital shares outstanding

   

488,709

 

Net asset value per share

 

$

18.87

 

 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 17

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

Period Ended June 30, 2017

 

Investment Income:

 

Dividends from securities of affiliated issuers

 

$

608,106

 

Dividends from securities of unaffiliated issuers

   

134,625

 

Interest

   

58,325

 

Income from securities lending, net

   

10,686

 

Total investment income

   

811,742

 
         

Expenses:

 

Management fees

   

416,125

 

Transfer agent and administrative fees

   

109,542

 

Distribution and service fees:

 

A-Class

   

21,172

 

C-Class

   

49,816

 

P-Class

   

65,853

 

Portfolio accounting fees

   

43,817

 

Registration fees

   

64,706

 

Legal fees

   

53,343

 

Trustees’ fees*

   

9,132

 

Custodian fees

   

6,782

 

Tax expense

   

209

 

Interest expense

   

15

 

Miscellaneous

   

(34,154

)

Total expenses

   

806,358

 

Less:

 

Expenses waived by Adviser

   

(27,171

)

Net expenses

   

779,187

 

Net investment income

   

32,555

 
         

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss):

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

 

$

(577

)

Investments in affiliated issuers

   

316,030

 

Futures contracts

   

3,095,810

 

Foreign currency

   

725

 

Securities sold short

   

3

 

Net realized gain on investments and foreign currency

   

3,411,991

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments in unaffiliated issuers

   

55,451

 

Investments in affiliated issuers

   

(189,444

)

Futures contracts

   

(3,309,133

)

Foreign currency

   

(2,484

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency

   

(3,445,610

)

Net realized and unrealized loss on investments and foreign currency

   

(33,619

)

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

 

$

(1,064

)

 

*

Relates to Trustees not deemed “interested persons” within the meaning of Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act.

 

18 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

Period Ended
June 30,
2017
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2016

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations:

           

Net investment income (loss)

 

$

32,555

   

$

(205,432

)

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

   

3,411,991

     

(27,908,873

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency

   

(3,445,610

)

   

(575,770

)

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations on investments and foreign currency

   

(1,064

)

   

(28,690,075

)

                 

Distributions to shareholders from:

               

Net investment income

               

A-Class

   

     

(835,216

)

C-Class

   

     

(642,841

)

P-Class

   

     

(4,344,074

)

Institutional Class

   

     

(320,377

)

Total distributions to shareholders

   

     

(6,142,508

)

                 

Capital share transactions:

               

Proceeds from sale of shares

               

A-Class

   

1,092,506

     

11,456,330

 

C-Class

   

52,936

     

640,671

 

P-Class

   

7,626,753

     

35,495,477

 

Institutional Class

   

5,137,844

     

2,088,056

 

Distributions reinvested

               

A-Class

   

     

793,205

 

C-Class

   

     

623,208

 

P-Class

   

     

4,259,964

 

Institutional Class

   

     

320,377

 

Cost of shares redeemed

               

A-Class

   

(10,650,288

)

   

(12,534,971

)

C-Class

   

(2,448,213

)

   

(7,812,593

)

P-Class

   

(63,230,673

)

   

(101,986,446

)

Institutional Class

   

(1,941,593

)

   

(3,737,316

)

Net decrease from capital share transactions

   

(64,360,728

)

   

(70,394,038

)

Net decrease in net assets

   

(64,361,792

)

   

(105,226,621

)

                 

Net assets:

               

Beginning of period

   

117,988,421

     

223,215,042

 

End of period

 

$

53,626,629

   

$

117,988,421

 

Accumulated net investment loss at end of period

 

$

(13,352,892

)

 

$

(13,385,447

)

 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 19

 


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (concluded)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

 

Period Ended
June 30,
2017
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
December 31,
2016

 

Capital share activity:

           

Shares sold

           

A-Class

   

57,293

     

576,626

 

C-Class

   

2,487

     

31,071

 

P-Class

   

403,886

     

1,641,302

 

Institutional Class

   

266,950

     

96,780

 

Shares issued from reinvestment of distributions

               

A-Class

   

     

42,720

 

C-Class

   

     

36,360

 

P-Class

   

     

229,476

 

Institutional Class

   

     

16,860

 

Shares redeemed

               

A-Class

   

(560,980

)

   

(603,653

)

C-Class

   

(140,409

)

   

(398,335

)

P-Class

   

(3,350,607

)

   

(4,824,503

)

Institutional Class

   

(100,828

)

   

(174,306

)

Net decrease in shares

   

(3,422,208

)

   

(3,329,602

)

 

20 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

A-Class

 

Period Ended
June 30,
2017
a

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2016

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2015

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2014

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2013

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2012

 

Per Share Data

                                   

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

18.71

   

$

23.21

   

$

24.12

   

$

22.15

   

$

21.23

   

$

23.95

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)b

   

.01

     

c 

   

(.14

)

   

.02

     

(.19

)

   

(.39

)

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

   

(.22

)

   

(3.53

)

   

(.15

)

   

2.23

     

1.11

     

(2.33

)

Total from investment operations

   

(.21

)

   

(3.53

)

   

(.29

)

   

2.25

     

.92

     

(2.72

)

Less distributions from:

 

Net investment income

   

     

(.97

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.28

)

   

     

 

Total distributions

   

     

(.97

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.28

)

   

     

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

18.50

   

$

18.71

   

$

23.21

   

$

24.12

   

$

22.15

   

$

21.23

 

   

 

Total Returnd

   

(1.18

%)

   

(15.18

%)

   

(1.06

%)

   

10.06

%

   

4.33

%

   

(11.32

%)

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

 

$

13,158

   

$

22,734

   

$

27,828

   

$

27,514

   

$

76,900

   

$

145,950

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

0.10

%

   

(0.02

%)

   

(0.57

%)

   

0.07

%

   

(0.89

%)

   

(1.71

%)

Total expensese

   

1.79

%

   

1.84

%

   

1.77

%

   

1.74

%

   

1.74

%

   

1.96

%

Net expensesf

   

1.72

%

   

1.76

%

   

1.69

%

   

1.68

%

   

1.67

%

   

1.89

%

Portfolio turnover rate

   

12

%

   

16

%

   

24

%

   

83

%

   

102

%

   

172

%

 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 21

 


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

C-Class

 

Period Ended
June 30,
2017
a

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2016

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2015

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2014

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2013

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2012

 

Per Share Data

                                   

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

17.26

   

$

21.65

   

$

22.71

   

$

21.04

   

$

20.31

   

$

23.09

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)b

   

(.06

)

   

(.16

)

   

(.30

)

   

(.15

)

   

(.33

)

   

(.53

)

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

   

(.20

)

   

(3.26

)

   

(.14

)

   

2.10

     

1.06

     

(2.25

)

Total from investment operations

   

(.26

)

   

(3.42

)

   

(.44

)

   

1.95

     

.73

     

(2.78

)

Less distributions from:

 

Net investment income

   

     

(.97

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.28

)

   

     

 

Total distributions

   

     

(.97

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.28

)

   

     

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

17.00

   

$

17.26

   

$

21.65

   

$

22.71

   

$

21.04

   

$

20.31

 

   

 

Total Returnd

   

(1.51

%)

   

(15.81

%)

   

(1.84

%)

   

9.22

%

   

3.59

%

   

(12.04

%)

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

 

$

8,732

   

$

11,245

   

$

21,272

   

$

24,066

   

$

29,637

   

$

49,378

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

(0.69

%)

   

(0.81

%)

   

(1.32

%)

   

(0.72

%)

   

(1.63

%)

   

(2.45

%)

Total expensese

   

2.53

%

   

2.61

%

   

2.52

%

   

2.50

%

   

2.48

%

   

2.70

%

Net expensesf

   

2.47

%

   

2.54

%

   

2.44

%

   

2.43

%

   

2.42

%

   

2.64

%

Portfolio turnover rate

   

12

%

   

16

%

   

24

%

   

83

%

   

102

%

   

172

%

 

22 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (continued)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

P-Class

 

Period Ended
June 30,
2017
a

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2016

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2015

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2014

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2013

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2012

 

Per Share Data

                                   

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

18.71

   

$

23.20

   

$

24.11

   

$

22.15

   

$

21.23

   

$

23.95

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)b

   

(.01

)

   

(.01

)

   

(.14

)

   

c 

   

(.20

)

   

(.38

)

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

   

(.16

)

   

(3.51

)

   

(.15

)

   

2.24

     

1.12

     

(2.34

)

Total from investment operations

   

(.17

)

   

(3.52

)

   

(.29

)

   

2.24

     

.92

     

(2.72

)

Less distributions from:

 

Net investment income

   

     

(.97

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.28

)

   

     

 

Total distributions

   

     

(.97

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.28

)

   

     

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

18.54

   

$

18.71

   

$

23.20

   

$

24.11

   

$

22.15

   

$

21.23

 

   

 

Total Returnd

   

(0.96

%)

   

(15.18

%)

   

(1.06

%)

   

10.06

%

   

4.33

%

   

(11.32

%)

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

 

$

22,516

   

$

77,859

   

$

165,086

   

$

180,872

   

$

191,400

   

$

501,109

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

(0.11

%)

   

(0.07

%)

   

(0.57

%)

   

0.01

%

   

(0.94

%)

   

(1.70

%)

Total expensese

   

1.77

%

   

1.87

%

   

1.77

%

   

1.75

%

   

1.75

%

   

1.95

%

Net expensesf

   

1.71

%

   

1.79

%

   

1.69

%

   

1.68

%

   

1.68

%

   

1.89

%

Portfolio turnover rate

   

12

%

   

16

%

   

24

%

   

83

%

   

102

%

   

172

%

 

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 23

 


CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (concluded)

MANAGED FUTURES STRATEGY FUND

 

This table is presented to show selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and to assist shareholders in evaluating a Fund’s performance for the periods presented.

 

Institutional Class

 

Period Ended
June 30,
2017
a

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2016

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2015

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2014

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2013

   

Year Ended
Dec. 31,
2012

 

Per Share Data

                                   

Net asset value, beginning of period

 

$

19.07

   

$

23.56

   

$

24.41

   

$

22.36

   

$

21.38

   

$

24.06

 

Income (loss) from investment operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)b

   

.21

     

.04

     

(.08

)

   

.05

     

(.19

)

   

(.33

)

Net gain (loss) on investments (realized and unrealized)

   

(.41

)

   

(3.56

)

   

(.15

)

   

2.28

     

1.17

     

(2.35

)

Total from investment operations

   

(.20

)

   

(3.52

)

   

(.23

)

   

2.33

     

.98

     

(2.68

)

Less distributions from:

 

Net investment income

   

     

(.97

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.28

)

   

     

 

Total distributions

   

     

(.97

)

   

(.62

)

   

(.28

)

   

     

 

Net asset value, end of period

 

$

18.87

   

$

19.07

   

$

23.56

   

$

24.41

   

$

22.36

   

$

21.38

 

    

 

Total Returnd

   

(1.10

%)

   

(14.95

%)

   

(0.80

%)

   

10.28

%

   

4.63

%

   

(11.14

%)

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (in thousands)

 

$

9,220

   

$

6,151

   

$

9,029

   

$

11,007

   

$

2,464

   

$

45,700

 

Ratios to average net assets:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

2.17

%

   

0.20

%

   

(0.32

%)

   

0.21

%

   

(0.86

%)

   

(1.45

%)

Total expensese

   

1.59

%

   

1.61

%

   

1.52

%

   

1.50

%

   

1.52

%

   

1.70

%

Net expensesf

   

1.52

%

   

1.54

%

   

1.44

%

   

1.44

%

   

1.45

%

   

1.64

%

Portfolio turnover rate

   

12

%

   

16

%

   

24

%

   

83

%

   

102

%

   

172

%

 

a

Unaudited figures for the period ended June 30, 2017. Percentage amounts for the period, except total return and portfolio turnover rate, have been annualized.

b

Net investment income (loss) per share was computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.

c

Net investment income is less than $0.01 per share.

d

Total return does not reflect the impact of any applicable sales charges and has not been annualized.

e

Does not include expenses of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.

f

Net expense information reflects the expense ratios after expense waivers.

 

24 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

SEE NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies

 

Organization

 

The Rydex Series Funds (the “Trust”), a Delaware statutory trust, is registered with the SEC under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (”1940 Act”), as an open-ended investment company of the series type. Each series, in effect, is representing a separate Fund. The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of no par value shares. The Trust accounts for the assets of each fund separately.

 

The Trust offers a combination of seven separate classes of shares: Investor Class shares, A-Class shares, C-Class shares, H-Class shares, P-Class shares, Institutional Class shares and Money Market Class shares. Sales of shares of each Class are made without a front-end sales charge at the net asset value per share (“NAV”), with the exception of A-Class shares. A-Class shares are sold at the NAV, plus the applicable front-end sales charge. The sales charge varies depending on the amount purchased, but will not exceed 4.75%. A-Class share purchases of $1 million or more are exempt from the front-end sales charge but have a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. C-Class shares have a 1% CDSC if shares are redeemed within 12 months of purchase. Institutional Class shares are offered primarily for direct investment by institutions such as pension and profit sharing plans, endowments, foundations and corporations. Institutional Class shares require a minimum initial investment of $2 million and a minimum account balance of $1 million. At June 30, 2017, the Trust consisted of forty-nine funds (the “Funds”).

 

This report covers the Managed Futures Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), a non-diversified investment company. Only A-Class, C-Class, P-Class and Institutional Class shares had been issued by the Fund.

 

Security Investors, LLC which operates under the name Guggenheim Investments (“GI”), provides advisory services. Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (“GFD”) acts as principal underwriter for the Trust. GI and GFD are affiliated entities.

 

Consolidation of Subsidiary

 

The consolidated financial statements of the Fund include the accounts of a wholly-owned and controlled Cayman Islands subsidiary (the “Subsidiary”). Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation for the Fund.

 

The Fund may invest up to 25% of its total assets in its Subsidiary which acts as an investment vehicle in order to effect certain investments consistent with the Fund’s investment objectives and policies.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 25

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

A summary of the Fund’s investment in its Subsidiary is as follows:

 

Fund

Commencement
Date of
Subsidiary

 

Subsidiary
Net Assets at
June 30, 2017

   

% of Net Assets
of the Fund at
June 30, 2017

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

05/01/08

 

$

6,031,949

     

11.2

%

 

Significant Accounting Policies

 

The Fund operates as an investment company and, accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies.

 

The following significant accounting policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and are consistently followed by the Trust. This requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates. All time references are based on Eastern Time.

 

The NAV of each Class of the Fund is calculated by dividing the market value of the Fund’s securities and other assets, less all liabilities, attributable to the Class by the number of outstanding shares of the Class.

 

A. The Board of Trustees of the Fund (the “Board”) has adopted policies and procedures for the valuation of the Fund’s investments (the “Valuation Procedures”). Pursuant to the Valuation Procedures, the Board has delegated to a valuation committee, consisting of representatives from Guggenheim’s investment management, fund administration, legal and compliance departments (the “Valuation Committee”), the day-to-day responsibility for implementing the Valuation Procedures, including, under most circumstances, the responsibility for determining the fair value of the Fund’s securities and/or other assets.

 

Valuations of the Fund’s securities are supplied primarily by pricing services appointed pursuant to the processes set forth in the Valuation Procedures. The Valuation Committee convenes monthly, or more frequently as needed, to review the valuation of all assets which have been fair valued for reasonableness. The Fund’s officers, through the Valuation Committee and consistent with the monitoring and review responsibilities set forth in the Valuation Procedures, regularly review procedures used and valuations provided by the pricing services.

 

If the pricing service cannot or does not provide a valuation for a particular investment or such valuation is deemed unreliable, such investment is fair valued by the Valuation Committee.

 

Open-end investment companies (“mutual funds”) are valued at their NAV as of the close of business, on the valuation date. Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the last quoted sales price.

 

26 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

U.S. Government securities are valued by either independent pricing services, the last traded fill price, or at the reported bid price at the close of business.

 

Repurchase agreements are valued at amortized cost, provided such amounts approximate market value.

 

The value of futures contracts is accounted for using the unrealized gain or loss on the contracts that is determined by marking the contracts to their current realized settlement prices. Financial futures contracts are valued at the 4:00 p.m. price on the valuation date. In the event that the exchange for a specific futures contract closes earlier than 4:00 p.m., the futures contract is valued at the Official Settlement Price of the exchange. However, the underlying securities from which the futures contract value is derived are monitored until 4:00 p.m. to determine if fair valuation would provide a more accurate valuation.

 

Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are fair-valued as determined in good faith by GI under the direction of the Board using methods established or ratified by the Board. Valuations in accordance with these methods are intended to reflect each security’s (or asset’s) “fair value.” Each such determination is based on a consideration of all relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. Examples of such factors may include, but are not limited to market prices; sale prices; broker quotes; and models which derive prices based on inputs such as prices of securities with comparable maturities and characteristics, or based on inputs such as anticipated cash flows or collateral, spread over Treasuries, and other information analysis. In connection with futures contracts and other derivative investments, such factors may include obtaining information as to how (a) these contracts and other derivative investments trade in the futures or other derivative markets, respectively, and (b) the securities underlying these contracts and other derivative investments trade in the cash market.

 

B. Certain U.S. Government and Agency Obligations are traded on a discount basis; the interest rates shown on the Schedule of Investments reflect the effective rates paid at the time of purchase by the Fund. Other securities bear interest at the rates shown, payable at fixed dates through maturity.

 

C. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund deposits and maintains as collateral such initial margin as required by the exchange on which the transaction is affected. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay to the broker an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses. When the contract is closed, 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 at the time it was closed.

 

D. The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, and certain expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 27

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

transactions. Changes in the relationship of these foreign currencies to the U.S. dollar can significantly affect the value of the investments and earnings of the Fund. Foreign investments may also subject the Fund to foreign government exchange restrictions, expropriation, taxation, or other political, social or economic developments, all of which could affect the market and/or credit risk of the investments.

 

The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments.

 

Reported net realized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from sales of foreign currencies and currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions. Net unrealized exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities other than investments in securities at the fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

E. Security transactions are recorded on the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions are recorded using the identified cost basis. Proceeds from lawsuits related to investment holdings are recorded as realized gains in the Fund. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, net of applicable taxes withheld by foreign countries. Taxable non-cash dividends are recorded as dividend income. Interest income, including amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is accrued on a daily basis.

 

F. Distributions of net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Dividends are reinvested in additional shares unless shareholders request payment in cash. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date and are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

 

G. Interest and dividend income, most expenses, all realized gains and losses, and all unrealized gains and losses are allocated to the classes based upon the value of the outstanding shares in each Class. Certain costs, such as distribution and service fees are charged directly to specific classes. In addition, certain expenses have been allocated to the individual Funds in the Trust on a pro rata basis upon the respective aggregate net assets of each Fund included in the Trust.

 

H. The Fund may leave cash overnight in its cash account with the custodian. Periodically, the Fund may have cash due to the custodian bank as an overdraft balance. A fee is incurred on this overdraft, calculated by multiplying the overdraft by a rate based on the federal funds rate, which was 1.06% at June 30, 2017.

 

I. Under the Fund’s organizational documents, its Trustees and Officers are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, throughout the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum

 

28 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund and/or its affiliates that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

2. Financial Instruments and Derivatives

 

As part of its investment strategy, the Fund utilizes a variety of derivative instruments. These investments involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and risks in excess of the amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Valuation and accounting treatment of these instruments can be found under Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 of these Consolidated Notes to Financial Statements.

 

Derivatives

 

Derivatives are instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more other assets, such as securities, currencies, commodities or indices. Derivative instruments may be used to increase investment flexibility (including to maintain cash reserves while maintaining exposure to certain other assets), for risk management (hedging) purposes, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs and to pursue higher investment returns. Derivative instruments may also be used to mitigate certain investment risks, such as foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. U.S. GAAP requires disclosures to enable investors to better understand how and why the Fund uses derivative instruments, how these derivative instruments are accounted for and their effects on the Fund’s financial position and results of operations. The Fund may utilize derivatives for the following purposes:

 

Hedge: an investment made in order to reduce the risk of adverse price movements in a security, by taking an offsetting position to protect against broad market moves.

 

Leverage: gaining total exposure to equities or other assets on the long and short sides at greater than 100% of invested capital.

 

Liquidity: the ability to buy or sell exposure with little price/market impact

 

Speculation: the use of an instrument to express macro-economic and other investment views.

 

For any Fund whose investment strategy consistently involves applying leverage, the value of the Fund’s shares will tend to increase or decrease more than the value of any increase or decrease in the underlying index or other asset. In addition, because an investment in derivative instruments generally requires a small investment relative to the amount of investment exposure assumed, an opportunity for increased net income is created; but, at the same time, leverage risk will increase. The Fund’s use of leverage, through borrowings or instruments such as derivatives, may cause the Fund to be more volatile and riskier than if they had not been leveraged.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 29

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Futures

 

A futures contract is an agreement to purchase (long) or sell (short) an agreed amount of securities or other instruments at a set price for delivery at a future date. There are significant risks associated with a Fund’s use of futures contracts, including (i) there may be an imperfect or no correlation between the changes in market value of the underlying asset and the prices of futures contracts; (ii) there may not be a liquid secondary market for a futures contract; (iii) trading restrictions or limitations may be imposed by an exchange; and (iv) government regulations may restrict trading in futures contracts. When investing in futures, there is minimal counterparty credit risk to a Fund because futures are exchange-traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange-traded futures, guarantees against default. Cash deposits are shown as segregated cash with broker on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities; securities held as collateral are noted on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments.

 

The following table represents the Fund’s use and volume of futures on a quarterly basis:

      

                      Average Notional

 

Fund

Use

 

Long

   

Short

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

Hedge, Leverage, Liquidity, Speculation

 

$

232,034,441

   

$

136,728,146

 
 

Derivative Investment Holdings Categorized by Risk Exposure

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of June 30, 2017:

 

Derivative Investment Type

Asset Derivatives

Liability Derivatives

Equity/Interest Rate/Currency/Commodity contracts

Variation margin

 

The following table sets forth the fair value of the Fund’s derivative investments categorized by primary risk exposure at June 30, 2017:

 

Asset Derivative Investments Value

 

Fund

 

Futures
Equity
Contracts*

   

Futures
Currency
Contracts*

   

Futures
Interest Rate
Contracts*

   

Futures
Commodity
Contracts*

   

Total Value at
June 30, 2017

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

$

70,677

   

$

317,918

   

$

219,737

   

$

211,393

   

$

819,725

 

 

30 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Liability Derivative Investments Value

 

Fund

 

Futures
Equity
Contracts*

   

Futures
Currency
Contracts*

   

Futures
Interest Rate
Contracts*

   

Futures
Commodity
Contracts*

   

Total Value at
June 30, 2017

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

$

381,849

   

$

95,884

   

$

387,420

   

$

347,075

   

$

1,212,228

 

 

*

Includes cumulative appreciation (depreciation) of futures contracts as reported on the Consolidated Schedules of Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

 

The following is a summary of the location of derivative investments on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Operations for the period ended June 30, 2017:

 

Derivative Investment Type

Location of Gain (Loss) on Derivatives

Equity/Interest Rate/Currency/Commodity contracts

Net realized gain (loss) on futures contracts

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts

 

The following is a summary of the Fund’s realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on derivative investments recognized on the Consolidated Statement of Operations categorized by primary risk exposure for the period ended June 30, 2017:

 

Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Investments Recognized on the Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

Fund

 

Futures
Equity
Contracts

   

Futures
Currency
Contracts

   

Futures
Interest Rate
Contracts

   

Futures
Commodity
Contracts

   

Total

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

$

6,351,053

   

$

(790,817

)

 

$

(166,318

)

 

$

(2,298,108

)

 

$

3,095,810

 

 

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivative
Investments Recognized on the Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

Fund

 

Futures
Equity
Contracts

   

Futures
Currency
Contracts

   

Futures
Interest Rate
Contracts

   

Futures
Commodity
Contracts

   

Total

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

$

(1,086,867

)

 

$

(293,303

)

 

$

(1,797,897

)

 

$

(131,066

)

 

$

(3,309,133

)

 

In conjunction with the use of derivative instruments, the Fund is required to maintain collateral in various forms. The Fund uses, where appropriate, depending on the financial instrument utilized and the broker involved, margin deposits at the broker, cash and/or securities segregated at the custodian bank, discount notes or the repurchase agreements allocated to the Fund.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 31

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

The Trust has established counterparty credit guidelines and enters into transactions only with financial institutions of investment grade or better. The Trust monitors the counterparty credit risk.

 

3. Fees and Other Transactions with Affiliates

 

Under the terms of an investment advisory contract, the Fund pays GI investment advisory fees calculated at an annualized rate of 0.90% of the average daily net assets of the Fund.

 

GI has contractually agreed to waive the management fee it receives from the Subsidiary in an amount equal to the management fee paid to GI by the Subsidiary. This undertaking will continue in effect for so long as the Fund invests in the Subsidiary, and may not be terminated by GI unless GI obtains the prior approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees for such termination. For the period ended June 30, 2017, Managed Future Strategy Fund waived $21,788 related to investments in the Subsidiary.

 

GI engages external service providers to perform other necessary services for the Trust, such as audit and accounting related services, legal services, custody, printing and mailing, etc., on a pass-through basis. Such expenses are allocated to various Funds within the complex based on relative net assets.

 

The Trust has adopted a Distribution Plan applicable to A-Class shares for which GFD and other firms that provide distribution and/or shareholder services (“Service Providers”) may receive compensation. If a Service Provider provides distribution services, the Fund will pay distribution fees to GFD at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. GFD, in turn, will pay the Service Providers out of its fees. GFD may, at its discretion, retain a portion of such payments to compensate itself for distribution services.

 

The Trust has adopted a separate Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan applicable to its C-Class shares that allows the Fund to pay annual distribution and service fees of 1.00% of the Fund’s C-Class shares average daily net assets. The annual 0.25% service fee compensates a shareholder’s financial adviser for providing ongoing services to the shareholder. The annual distribution fee of 0.75% reimburses GFD for paying the shareholder’s financial adviser an ongoing sales commission. GFD advances the first year’s service and distribution fees to the financial adviser. GFD retains the service and distribution fees on accounts with no authorized dealer of record.

 

If a Fund invests in an affiliated fund, the investing Fund’s adviser has agreed to waive fees at the investing fund level. Fee waivers will be calculated at the investing Fund level without regard to any expense cap, if any, in effect for the investing Fund. Fees waived under this arrangement are not subject to reimbursement to GI. For the period ended June 30, 2017, the Fund waived $5,383 related to investments in affiliated funds.

 

For the period ended June 30, 2017, GFD retained sales charges of $103,978 relating to sales of A-Class shares of the Trust.

 

32 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Certain trustees and officers of the Trust are also officers of GI and GFD.

 

MUFG Investor Services (US), LLC (“MUIS”) acts as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent. As administrator, transfer agent and accounting agent, MUIS is responsible for maintaining the books and records of the Trust’s securities and cash. For providing the aforementioned services, MUIS is entitled to receive a monthly fee equal to an annual percentage of the Funds’ average daily net assets subject to certain minimum monthly fees and out of pocket expenses.

 

4. Fair Value Measurement

 

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an investment or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction with an independent buyer in the principal market, or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the investment or liability. U.S. GAAP establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the types of inputs used to value assets and liabilities and requires corresponding disclosure. The hierarchy and the corresponding inputs are summarized below:

 

Level 1 —

quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

 

Level 2 —

significant other observable inputs (for example quoted prices for securities that are similar based on characteristics such as interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

 

Level 3 —

significant unobservable inputs based on the best information available under the circumstances, to the extent observable inputs are not available, which may include assumptions.

 

The types of inputs available depend on a variety of factors, such as the type of security and the characteristics of the markets in which it trades, if any. Fair valuation determinations that rely on fewer or no observable inputs require greater judgment. Accordingly, fair value determinations for Level 3 securities require the greatest amount of judgment.

 

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The suitability of the techniques and sources employed to determine fair valuation are regularly monitored and subject to change.

 

5. Repurchase Agreements

 

The Funds transfer uninvested cash balances into a single joint account, the daily aggregate balance of which is invested in one or more repurchase agreements collateralized by obligations of the U.S. Treasury and U.S. government agencies. The joint account includes other Funds in the Guggenheim complex not covered in this report. The collateral is in the possession of the Funds’ custodian and is evaluated to ensure that its market value exceeds, at a minimum, 102% of the original face amount of the repurchase agreements. Each Fund holds a pro rata share of the collateral based on the dollar amount of the repurchase agreement entered into by each Fund.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 33

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

At June 30, 2017, the repurchase agreements in the joint account were as follows:

 

Counterparty and
Terms of Agreement

   

Face
Value

   

Repurchase
Price

   

Collateral

   

Par
Value

   

Fair
Value

 

HSBC Securities, Inc.

0.99%

Due 07/03/17

   

$

66,081,561

   

$

66,087,012

   

U.S. Treasury Strips

0.00%

11/15/42

   

$

140,899,200

   

$

67,403,238

 

RBC Capital Markets LLC

1.01%

Due 07/03/17

     

60,583,669

     

60,588,768

   

U.S. TIP Notes

0.13%

04/15/20

     

58,993,200

     

61,795,377

 

Bank of America

Merrill Lynch

1.08%

Due 07/03/17

     

44,188,662

     

44,192,639

   

U.S. Treasury Bond

3.00%

05/15/47

     

43,303,110

     

45,072,474

 

 

In the event of counterparty default, the Funds have the right to collect the collateral to offset losses incurred. There is potential loss to the Funds in the event the Funds are delayed or prevented from exercising their rights to dispose of the collateral securities, including the risk of a possible decline in the value of the underlying securities during the period while the Funds seek to assert their rights. GI acting under the supervision of the Board, reviews the value of the collateral and the creditworthiness of those banks and dealers with which the Funds enter into repurchase agreements to evaluate potential risks.

 

6. Offsetting

 

In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into transactions subject to enforceable master netting arrangements or other similar arrangements. Generally, the right to off set in those agreements allows the Fund to counteract the exposure to a specific counterparty with collateral received from or delivered to that counterparty based on the terms of the arrangements. These arrangements provide for the right to liquidate upon the occurrence of an event of default, credit event upon merger or additional termination event. In order to better define their contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Fund mitigate its counterparty risk, the Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with their derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between a Fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives, including foreign exchange contracts, and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of a default (close-out netting) or similar event, including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark-to-market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by the

 

34 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Fund and the counterparty. For financial reporting purposes, cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of the Fund and cash collateral received from the counterparty, if any, are reported separately on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as segregated cash with broker/receivable for variation margin, or payable for swap settlement/variation margin. Generally, the amount of collateral due from or to a counterparty must exceed a minimum transfer amount threshold (e.g., $300,000) before a transfer is required to be made. To the extent amounts due to the Fund from its counterparties are not fully collateralized, contractually or otherwise, the Fund bears the risk of loss from counterparty nonperformance. The Fund attempts to mitigate counterparty risk by only entering into agreements with counterparties that they believe to be of good standing and by monitoring the financial stability of those counterparties. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not off set derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

7. Portfolio Securities Loaned

 

During the period ended June 30, 2017, the Fund lent its securities to approved brokers to earn additional income. Security lending income shown on the Consolidated Statement of Operations is net of rebates paid to borrowers and earnings on cash collateral investments shared with the lending agent. As of June 30, 2017, the Fund had ceased participation in securities lending.

 

8. Federal Income Tax Information

 

The Fund intends to comply with the provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and will distribute substantially all taxable net investment income and capital gains sufficient to relieve the Fund from all, or substantially all, federal income, excise and state income taxes. Therefore, no provision for federal or state income tax is required.

 

Tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns are evaluated to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken, or to be taken, on federal income tax returns for all open tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the Fund’s consolidated financial statements. The Fund’s federal tax returns are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years after they are filed.

 

The Fund intends to invest up to 25% of its assets in the Subsidiary which is expected to provide the Fund with exposure to the commodities markets within the limitations of the federal tax requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code. The Fund has received a private letter ruling from the IRS that concludes that the income the Fund receives from the Subsidiary will constitute qualifying income for purposes of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 35

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

The Subsidiary will be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. A foreign corporation, such as the Subsidiary, will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income taxation unless it is deemed to be engaged in a U.S. trade or business.

 

At June 30, 2017, the cost of securities for federal income tax purposes, the aggregate gross unrealized gain for all securities for which there was an excess of value over tax cost, and the aggregate gross unrealized loss for all securities for which there was an excess of tax cost over value were as follows:

 

Fund

 

Tax
Cost

   

Tax
Unrealized
Gain

   

Tax
Unrealized
Loss

   

Net
Unrealized
Loss

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

$

61,182,772

   

$

   

$

(9,598,470

)

 

$

(9,598,470

)

 

9. Securities Transactions

 

For the period ended June 30, 2017, the cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of investment securities, excluding government securities, short-term investments and derivatives, were as follows:

 

Fund

 

Purchases

   

Sales

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

$

6,544,311

   

$

79,300,000

 

 

The Fund is permitted to purchase or sell securities from or to certain affiliated funds under specified conditions outlined in procedures adopted by the Board of the Trust. The procedures have been designed to ensure that any purchase or sale of securities by a Fund from or to another fund or portfolio that is or could be considered an affiliate by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common Trustees and/or common officers complies with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. Further, as defined under these procedures, each transaction is effected at the current market price to save costs, where permissible. For the period ended June 30, 2017, the Fund did not engage in purchases and sales of securities, pursuant to Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.

 

10. Affiliated Transactions

 

Investments representing 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of a portfolio company of a fund, or control of or by, or common control under GI, result in that portfolio company being considered an affiliated company of such fund, as defined in the 1940 Act.

 

The Fund may invest in the Guggenheim Strategy Funds Trust consisting of Guggenheim Strategy Fund I, Guggenheim Strategy Fund II, Guggenheim Strategy Fund III, and Guggenheim Variable Insurance Strategy Fund III (collectively, the “Cash Management Funds”), open-end management investment companies managed by GI. The Cash Management Funds, which launched on March 11, 2014, are offered as cash management options only to mutual funds,

 

36 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

trusts, and other accounts managed by GI and/or its affiliates, and are not available to the public. The Cash Management Funds pay no investment management fees. The Cash Management Funds’ annual report on Form N-CSR dated September 30, 2016, is available publicly or upon request. This information is available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1601445/000089180416001923/gugg65857-ncsr.htm.

 

Transactions during the period ended June 30, 2017, in which the portfolio company is an “affiliated person,” were as follows:

 

Affiliated issuer

 

Value
12/31/16

   

Additions

   

Reductions

   

Value
06/30/17

   

Shares
06/30/17

   

Investment
Income

   

Realized
Gain

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

                   

Guggenheim Ultra Short Duration ETF

 

$

5,433,008

   

$

   

$

   

$

5,452,520

     

108,400

   

$

31,024

   

$

 

Guggenheim Strategy Fund I

   

26,828,893

     

5,362,388

     

(31,200,000

)

   

8,884,521

     

354,389

     

139,411

     

215,505

 

Guggenheim Strategy Fund II

   

26,527,725

     

922,502

     

(25,900,000

)

   

9,447,897

     

377,765

     

175,169

     

78,311

 

Guggenheim Strategy Fund III

   

27,274,077

     

259,422

     

(22,200,000

)

   

15,242,254

     

609,446

     

262,502

     

22,214

 
   

$

86,063,703

   

$

6,544,312

   

$

(79,300,000

)

 

$

39,027,192

           

$

608,106

   

$

316,030

 

 

10. Line of Credit

 

The Trust, along with other affiliated trusts, secured an uncommitted $75,000,000 line of credit from U.S. Bank, N.A., which expires June 11, 2018. This line of credit is reserved for emergency or temporary purposes. Borrowings, if any, under this arrangement bear interest equal to the Prime Rate, minus 2%, which shall be paid monthly, averaging 1.92% for the period ended June 30, 2017. The Fund did not have any borrowings outstanding under this agreement at June 30, 2017.

 

The average daily balance borrowed for the period ended June 30, 2017, was as follows:

 

Fund

 

Average
Daily
Balance

 

Managed Futures Strategy Fund

 

$

1,657

 

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 37

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

11. Legal Proceedings

 

Tribune Company

 

Rydex Series Funds has been named as a defendant and a putative member of the proposed defendant class of shareholders in the case entitled Kirschner v. FitzSimons, No. 12-2652 (S.D.N.Y.) (formerly Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Tribune Co. v. FitzSimons, Adv. Pro. No. 10-54010 (Bankr. D. Del.)) (the “FitzSimons action”), as a result of ownership by certain series of the Rydex Series Funds of shares in the Tribune Company (“Tribune”) in 2007, when Tribune effected a leveraged buyout transaction (“LBO”) by which Tribune converted to a privately-held company. In his complaint, the plaintiff has alleged that, in connection with the LBO, Tribune insiders and shareholders were overpaid for their Tribune stock using financing that the insiders knew would, and ultimately did, leave Tribune insolvent. The plaintiff has asserted claims against certain insiders, major shareholders, professional advisers, and others involved in the LBO. The plaintiff is also attempting to obtain from former Tribune shareholders, including the Rydex Series Funds, the proceeds they received in connection with the LBO.

 

In June 2011, a group of Tribune creditors filed multiple actions against former Tribune shareholders involving state law constructive fraudulent conveyance claims arising out of the 2007 LBO (the “SLCFC actions”). Rydex Series Funds has been named as a defendant in one or more of these suits. In those actions, the creditors seek to recover from Tribune’s former shareholders the proceeds received in connection with the 2007 LBO.

 

The FitzSimons action and the SLCFC actions have been consolidated with the majority of the other Tribune LBO-related lawsuits in a multidistrict litigation proceeding captioned In re Tribune Company Fraudulent Conveyance Litig., No. 11-md-2696 (S.D.N.Y.) (the “MDL Proceeding”).

 

On September 23, 2013, the District Court granted the defendants’ omnibus motion to dismiss the SLCFC actions, on the basis that the creditors lacked standing. On September 30, 2013, the creditors filed a notice of appeal of the September 23 order. On October 28, 2013, the defendants filed a joint notice of cross-appeal of that same order.

 

On May 23, 2014, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the FitzSimons action, including a global motion to dismiss Count I, which is the claim brought against former Tribune shareholders for intentional fraudulent conveyance under U.S. federal law. On January 6, 2017, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York granted the shareholder defendants’ motion to dismiss the intentional fraudulent conveyance claim in the FitzSimons action. In dismissing the intentional fraudulent conveyance claim, the Court denied the plaintiff’s request to amend the complaint. The plaintiff requested that the Court direct entry of a final judgment in order to make the order immediately appealable. On February 23, 2017, the Court issued an order stating that it

 

38 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

intends to permit an interlocutory appeal of the dismissal order, but will wait to do so until it has resolved outstanding motions to dismiss filed by other defendants. Accordingly, the timing of the appeal is uncertain.

 

On March 29, 2016, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its opinion on the appeal of the SLCFC actions. The appeals court affirmed the district court’s dismissal of those lawsuits, but on different grounds than the district court. The appeals court held that while the plaintiffs have standing under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, their claims were preempted by Section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code—the statutory safe harbor for settlement payments. On April 12, 2016, the Plaintiffs in the SLCFC actions filed a petition seeking rehearing en banc before the appeals court. On July 22, 2016, the appeals court denied the petition. On September 9, 2016, the plaintiffs filed a petition for writ of certiorari in the U.S. Supreme Court challenging the Second Circuit’s decision that the safe harbor of Section 546(e) applied to their claims. The shareholder defendants, including the Funds, filed a joint brief in opposition to the petition for certiorari on October 24, 2016. The Supreme Court has not yet granted or denied the petition for certiorari.

 

None of these lawsuits alleges any wrongdoing on the part of Rydex Series Funds. The following series of Rydex Series Funds held shares of Tribune and tendered these shares as part of Tribune’s LBO: Nova Fund, S&P 500® Pure Value Fund, Multi-Cap Core Equity Fund, S&P 500® Fund, Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund and Hedged Equity Fund (the “Funds”). The value of the proceeds received by the foregoing Funds was $28,220, $109,242, $9,860, $3,400, $1,181,160, and $10,880, respectively. At this stage of the proceedings, Rydex Series Funds is not able to make a reliable predication as to the outcome of these lawsuits or the effect, if any, on a Fund’s net asset value.

 

Lyondell Chemical Company

 

In December 2011, Rydex Series Funds was named as a defendant in Weisfelner, as Trustee of the LB Creditor Trust, v. Fund 1 (In re Lyondell Chemical Co.), Adv. Pro. No. 10-4609 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.) (the “Creditor Trust Action”). Its funds may also be putative members of the proposed defendant classes in Weisfelner, as Trustee of the LB Litigation Trust v. A. Holmes & H. Holmes TTEE (In re Lyondell Co.), Adv. Pro. No. 10-5525 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.) (the “Litigation Trust Action”) and Weisfelner, as Trustee of the LB Creditor Trust, v. Reichman (In re Lyondell Chemical Co.), Adv. Pro. No. 12-1570 (Bankr. S.D.N.Y.) (“Reichman”).

 

Similar to the claims made in the Tribune matter, the Weisfelner complaints seek to have set aside and recovered as fraudulent transfers from former Lyondell Chemical Company (“Lyondell”) shareholders the consideration paid to them pursuant to the cash out merger of Lyondell shareholders in connection with the combination of Lyondell and Basell AF in 2007. Lyondell filed for bankruptcy in 2008. The Creditor Trust Action and Reichman allege claims against the former Lyondell shareholders under state law for both constructive fraudulent transfer and intentional fraudulent transfer. The Litigation Trust Action alleges a claim against the former Lyondell shareholders under federal law for intentional fraudulent transfer.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 39

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

On April 7, 2014, the plaintiff filed a Third Amended Complaint in the Creditor Trust Action, a Second Amended Complaint in the Litigation Trust Action, and an Amended Complaint in Reichman.

 

On May 8, 2014, the plaintiff in the Litigation Trust Action filed a motion to certify a defendant class generally comprised of all former Lyondell shareholders that received proceeds in exchange for their shares in the 2007 merger transaction.

 

On July 30, 2014, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss these lawsuits. The Bankruptcy Court held oral argument on the motion to dismiss and on the motion for class certification on January 14 and January 15, 2015. On September 15, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court denied the motion for class certification without prejudice to the plaintiff’s right to file a renewed motion. On November 18, 2015, the Bankruptcy Court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss the intentional fraudulent transfer claims in the Creditor Trust Action, the Litigation Trust Action, and in Reichman, but denied the motion to dismiss the constructive fraudulent transfer claims in the Creditor Trust Action and in Reichman. The Bankruptcy Court entered final judgment dismissing the Litigation Trust Action, but the plaintiff appealed the dismissal to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

 

On May 4, 2016, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss, or in the alternative, for a stay of, the Creditor Trust Action and Reichman in light of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit’s opinion in the appeal of the Tribune SLCFC actions. On July 20, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court issued a report and recommendation granting the defendants’ motion to dismiss. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has not yet accepted the Bankruptcy Court’s recommendation or entered a final judgment. On May 30, 2017, the shareholder defendants filed a motion to remand the proceedings in the Creditor Trust and Reichman Actions to the Bankruptcy Court, for consideration of the collateral estoppel ground for dismissal raised by the Bankruptcy Court’s ruling in the Blavatnik Action. The District Court has not yet ruled on the motion to remand

 

On July 27, 2016, the District Court reversed the Bankruptcy Court and reinstated the federal law intentional fraudulent transfer claim in the Litigation Trust Action and remanded to the Bankruptcy Court for further proceedings. The District Court found that the fraudulent intent that mattered was that of Lyondell’s CEO, not its board, because the CEO’s intent could be imputed to Lyondell under Delaware law agency principles. The District Court did note, however, that plaintiff faces a high standard for proving “actual intent” to harm creditors, and that it remains to be seen whether plaintiff will be able to make this showing. On August 11, 2016, the shareholder defendants filed a motion for reconsideration and/or to certify an interlocutory appeal of the District Court’s opinion. On October 5, 2016, the District Court denied the motion for reconsideration and/or to certify an interlocutory appeal. In light of this ruling, the federal intentional fraudulent conveyance claim will move forward before the Bankruptcy Court, but a schedule for that case has not yet been set. On April 21, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court issued an Opinion and Order After Trial in a related Lyondell litigation (the “Blavatnik Action”) rejecting

 

40 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

claims for intentional fraudulent transfer and constructive fraudulent transfer in connection with the 2007 LBO. Based on this related ruling in the Blavatnik Action, the shareholder defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Litigation Trust Action on the grounds of collateral estoppel on May 30, 2017. The Bankruptcy Court has not yet ruled on this new motion to dismiss.

 

These lawsuits do not allege any wrongdoing on the part of Rydex Series Funds. The following series of Rydex Series Funds received cash proceeds from the cash out merger in the following amounts: Basic Materials Fund - $1,725,168; Long Short Equity Fund f/k/a U.S. Long Short Momentum Fund - $2,193,600; Global 130/30 Strategy Fund - $37,920; Hedged Equity Fund - $1,440; and Multi-Hedge Strategies Fund - $1,116,480. At this stage of the proceedings, Rydex Series Funds is not able to make a reliable predication as to the outcome of these lawsuits or the effect, if any, on a Fund’s net asset value.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 41

 


OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)

 

Proxy Voting Information

 

A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to securities held in the Funds’ portfolios is available, without charge and upon request, by calling 800.820.0888. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling 800.820.0888. This information is also available from the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov.

 

Sector Classification

 

Information in the Schedule of Investments is categorized by sectors using sector-level Classifications defined by the Bloomberg Industry Classification System, a widely recognized industry classification system provider. Each Fund’s registration statement has investment policies relating to concentration in specific sectors/industries. For purposes of these investment policies, the Fund usually classifies sectors/industries based on industry-level Classifications used by widely recognized industry classification system providers such as Bloomberg Industry Classification System, Global Industry Classification Standards and Barclays Global Classification Scheme.

 

Quarterly Portfolio Schedules Information

 

The Trust files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q, which are available on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Forms N-Q may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC, and that information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330. Copies of the portfolio holdings are also available to shareholders, without charge and upon request, by calling 800.820.0888.

 

Board Considerations in Approving the Continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement

 

The Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Rydex Series Funds (the “Trust”), including the Trustees who are not “interested persons,” as defined by the Investment Company Act of 1940, of the Trust (“Independent Trustees”), attended an in-person meeting held on May 25, 2017, called for the purpose of, among other things, the consideration of, and voting on, the approval and continuation of the investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and Security Investors, LLC (the “Advisor”) applicable to the Managed Futures Strategy Fund, a series of the Trust (the “Fund”). The Board unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement for an additional one-year period based on the Board’s review of qualitative and quantitative information provided by the Advisor. The Board had previously considered information pertaining to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement at an in-person meeting held on April 26, 2017 (together, with the May 25 meeting,

 

42 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)(continued)

 

the “Meetings”). The Board considered the materials provided by the Advisor and the review conducted at the April 26 meeting to be an integral part of the Trustees’ deliberations and their process in considering the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement.

 

Prior to reaching the conclusion to approve the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Independent Trustees requested and obtained from the Advisor such information as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, the Board received a memorandum from the independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees regarding the Board’s fiduciary responsibilities under state and federal law with respect to the Board’s consideration of the renewal or approval of investment advisory agreements and participated in question and answer sessions with representatives of the Advisor. The Independent Trustees also carefully considered information that they had received throughout the year as part of their regular oversight of the Fund. At the Meetings, the Board obtained and reviewed a wide variety of information, including certain comparative information regarding the Fund’s fees, expenses, and performance relative to the fees, expenses, and performance of other comparable funds (the “FUSE reports”). The Independent Trustees carefully evaluated this information, met in executive session outside the presence of fund management, and were advised by independent legal counsel with respect to their deliberations.

 

At the Meetings, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, evaluated a number of factors, including among others: (a) the nature, extent and quality of the Advisor’s investment advisory and other services; (b) the Advisor’s substantial commitment to the recruitment and retention of high quality personnel; (c) a comparison of the Fund’s advisory fees to the advisory fees charged to comparable funds or accounts, giving special attention to the existence of economies of scale and the absence of breakpoints in these fees and the Advisor’s rationale for not providing for breakpoints at this point in time; (d) the Fund’s overall fees and operating expenses compared with those of similar funds; (e) the level of the Advisor’s profitability from its Fund-related operations; (f) the Advisor’s compliance processes and systems; (g) the Advisor’s compliance policies and procedures; (h) the Advisor’s reputation, expertise and resources in the financial markets; (i) Fund performance compared with that of similar funds and/or appropriate benchmarks; (j) other benefits to the Advisor and/or its affiliates from their relationship to the Fund; and (k) the Advisor’s maintenance of operational resources necessary to manage the Fund in a professional manner consistent with the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders. In its deliberations, the Trustees did not identify any particular factor or factors that was controlling, noting that each Trustee could attribute different weights to the various factors considered.

 

Based on the Board’s deliberations at the Meetings, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, unanimously: (a) concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement are fair and reasonable; (b) concluded that the Advisor’s fees for the Fund are reasonable in light of, and not so disproportionately large as to bear no reasonable relationship to, the services that it provides to such Fund; and (c) agreed to approve and continue the Investment Advisory Agreement based upon the following considerations, among others:

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 43

 


OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services Provided by the Advisor. The Board evaluated, among other things, the Advisor’s business, financial resources, quality and quantity of personnel, experience, past performance, the variety and complexity of its investment strategies (including the extent to which the Fund uses derivatives), Fund risk management process, brokerage practices, and the adequacy of its compliance systems and processes, proxy voting policies and practices, and cybersecurity programs. The Board reviewed the scope of services to be provided by the Advisor under the Investment Advisory Agreement and noted that there would be no significant differences between the scope of services required to be provided by the Advisor for the past year and the scope of services required to be provided during the upcoming year. The Board also considered the Advisor’s representations to the Board that the Advisor would continue to provide investment and related services that were of materially the same quality and quantity as services provided to the Fund in the past, and whether these services are appropriate in scope and extent in light of the Fund’s operations, the competitive landscape of the investment company business and investor needs. Based on the foregoing, the Trustees determined that the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement would enable shareholders of the Fund to receive high quality services at a cost that was appropriate and reasonable.

 

Fund Expenses and Performance of the Fund and the Advisor. The Board reviewed statistical information provided by the Advisor regarding the expense ratio components and performance of the Fund. The Advisor engaged FUSE Research Network LLC (“FUSE”), an independent, third party research provider, to prepare reports to help the Board compare the Fund’s fees, expenses, and total return performance with those of a peer group and peer universe of funds selected by FUSE. In the reports, the Fund’s expense ratio components, including actual advisory fees, waivers/reimbursements, and gross and net total expenses, are compared to those of other funds with shared key characteristics (e.g., asset size, fee structure, sector or industry investment focus) determined by FUSE to comprise the Fund’s applicable peer group. The Board considered the Advisor’s representation that it found the peer group compiled by FUSE to be appropriate, but also acknowledged the existence of certain differences between the Fund and its peer funds (e.g., specific differences in principal investment strategies) that should be reviewed in context. The statistical information related to the performance of the Fund included three-month and one-, three-, and five-year performance for the Fund compared to that of its peers. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the proposed advisory fees paid by the Fund are reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services provided by the Advisor.

 

Costs of Services Provided to the Fund and Profits Realized by the Advisor and its Affiliates. The Board reviewed information about the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor based on the advisory fees payable under the current Investment Advisory Agreement for the last calendar year. The Board analyzed the Fund’s expenses, including the investment advisory fees paid to the Advisor, and reviewed the FUSE reports. The Board also reviewed information regarding the direct revenue received by the Advisor and ancillary revenue, if any, received by the Advisor and/or its affiliates in connection with the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor and/or its affiliates. The Board also discussed the Advisor’s profit margin, including the expense allocation

 

44 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


OTHER INFORMATION (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

methodology used in the Advisor’s profitability analysis. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the profit to the Advisor on the fees paid by the Fund is not excessive in view of the nature and quality of the services provided by the Advisor.

 

Economies of Scale. The Board considered the absence of breakpoints in the Advisor’s fee schedule and reviewed information regarding the extent to which economies of scale or other efficiencies may result from increases in the Fund’s asset levels. In light of the relatively small size of the Fund, the Board concluded that the Fund has not yet achieved sufficient asset levels to realize meaningful economies of scale. The Board noted that it intends to continue to monitor fees as the Fund grows in size and assess whether fee breakpoints may be warranted.

 

Other Benefits to the Advisor and/or its Affiliates. In addition to evaluating the Advisor’s services, the Board considered the nature and amount of other benefits to be received by the Advisor and its affiliates as a result of their relationship with the Fund, including any intangible benefits to the Advisor. In particular, the Board considered the nature, extent, quality, and cost of certain distribution and shareholder services performed by the Advisor’s affiliate, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC, under the distribution agreement and the Distribution and Shareholder Services Plan pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. In light of the costs of providing services pursuant to the separate agreements as well as the Advisor’s and its affiliate’s commitment to the Fund, the Board concluded the ancillary benefits the Advisor and its affiliates received were reasonable.

 

On the basis of the information provided to it and its evaluation of that information, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, concluded that the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement were reasonable, and that approval of the continuation of the Investment Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 45

 


INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)

 

A Board of Trustees oversees the Trust, as well as other trusts of GI, in which its members have no stated term of service, and continue to serve after election until resignation. The Statement of Additional Information includes further information about Fund Trustees and Officers, and can be obtained without charge by visiting guggenheiminvestments.com or by calling 800.820.0888.

 

Name, Address*

and Year of Birth

of Trustee

Position(s) Held with the

Trust, Term of Office and

Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Trustee***

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee****

INTERESTED TRUSTEE

     

Donald C. Cacciapaglia**

(1951)

President, Chief Executive Officer and Trustee from 2012 to present.

 

Current: President and CEO, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); Vice Chairman, Guggenheim Investments (2010-present).

 

Former: Chairman and CEO, Channel Capital Group, Inc. (2002-2010).

233

Clear Spring Life Insurance Company (2015-present); Guggenheim Partners Japan, Ltd. (2014-present); Guggenheim Partners Investment Management Holdings, LLC (2014-present); Delaware Life (2013-present); Guggenheim Life and Annuity Company (2011-present); Paragon Life Insurance Company of Indiana (2011-present).

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES

     

Angela Brock-Kyle*****

(1959)

Trustee, Member of the Audit Committee; Member of the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee; and Member of the Governance Committee from August 2016 to present.

Current: Founder and Chief Executive Officer, B.O.A.R.D.S (consulting firm).

 

Former: Senior Leader, TIAA (financial services firm) (1987-2012).

133

Infinity Property & Casualty Corporation (2014-present).

 

46 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*

and Year of Birth

of Trustee

Position(s) Held with the
Trust, Term of Office and
Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Trustee***

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee****

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - continued

Corey A. Colehour

(1945)

Trustee from 1993 to present; Member of the Audit Committee from 1994 to present; Member of the Governance Committee from 2014 to present; and Member of the Investment and Performance Committee from 2014 to present.

Retired.

133

None.

J. Kenneth Dalton

(1941)

Trustee from 1995 to present; Chairman and Member of the Audit Committee from 1997 to present; and Member of the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee from 2010 to present.

Retired.

133

Epiphany Funds (3) (2009-present).

John O. Demaret

(1940)

Vice Chairman of the Board from 2014 to present (Chairman of the Board from 2006 to 2014); Trustee and Member of the Audit Committee from 1997 to present; Chairman (since 2014) and Member of the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee from 2010 to present; Chairman and Member of the Investment and Performance Committee from 2014 to present; and Member of the Nominating Committee from 2014 to present.

Retired.

133

None.

Werner E. Keller

(1940)

Chairman of the Board from 2014 to present (Vice Chairman of the Board from 2010 to 2014); Trustee and Member of the Audit Committee from 2005 to present; and Member of the Investment and Performance Committee from 2014 to present.

Current: Founder and President, Keller Partners, LLC (investment research firm) (2005-present).

133

None.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 47

 


INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*

and Year of Birth

of Trustee

Position(s) Held with the
Trust, Term of Office and
Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

Number of

Portfolios in

Fund Complex

Overseen by

Trustee***

Other
Directorships
Held by
Trustee****

INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES - concluded

Thomas F. Lydon, Jr.

(1960)

Trustee and Member of the Audit Committee from 2005 to present; Member of the Nominating Committee from 2005 to present; and Chairman and Member of the Governance Committee from 2007 to present.

Current: President, Global Trends Investments (registered investment adviser) (1996-present).

133

US Global Investors (GROW) (1995-present).

Patrick T. McCarville

(1942)

Trustee from 1997 to present; Member of the Audit Committee from 1997 to present; Chairman and Member of the Nominating Committee from 2004 to present; Member of the Governance Committee from 2007 to present; and Member of the Compliance and Risk Oversight Committee from 2014 to present.

Retired.

 

Former: Chief Executive Officer, Par Industries, Inc., d/b/a Par Leasing (1977-2010).

 

133

None.

Sandra G. Sponem*****

(1958)

Trustee, Member of the Audit Committee, Member of the Investment and Performance Committee, and Member of the Nominating Committee from November 2016 to present.

Current: Retired

 

Former: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, M.A. Mortenson Companies, Inc. (general contracting firm) (2007-2017).

133

None.

 

48 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*
and Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with the

Trust, Term of Office and

Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

OFFICERS

   

Michael P. Byrum

(1970)

Vice President (1999-present)

Current: Senior Vice President, Security Investors, LLC (2010-present); President and Chief Investment Officer, Rydex Holdings, LLC (2008-present); Director and Chairman, Advisory Research Center, Inc. (2006-present); Manager, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC (2005-present).

 

Former: Vice President, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2009); Director (2009-2010) and Secretary (2002-2010), Rydex Fund Services, LLC; Director (2008-2010), Chief Investment Officer (2006-2010), President (2004-2010) and Secretary (2002-2010), Rydex Advisors, LLC; Director (2008-2010), Chief Investment Officer (2006-2010), President (2004-2010) and Secretary (2002-2010), Rydex Advisors II, LLC.

Joanna M. Catalucci

(1966)

AML Officer (2016-present)

Current: Chief Compliance Officer, certain funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2014-present); AML Officer, certain funds in the Fund Complex (2016-present).

 

Former: Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2008-2012); Senior Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer, Security Investors, LLC and certain affiliates (2010-2012); Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Vice President, Rydex Advisors, LLC and certain affiliates (2010-2011).

James M. Howley

(1972)

Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)

Current: Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2004-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2006-present).

 

Former: Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc. (1996-2004).

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 49

 


INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(continued)

 

Name, Address*

and Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with the

Trust, Term of Office and

Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

OFFICERS - continued

 

Keith D. Kemp

(1960)

Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)

Current: Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2010-present); Managing Director of Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (2015-present); Chief Financial Officer, Guggenheim Specialized Products, LLC (2016-present).

 

Former: Managing Director and Director, Transparent Value, LLC (2010-2016); Director, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC (2010-2015); Chief Operating Officer, Macquarie Capital Investment Management (2007-2009).

Amy J. Lee

(1961)

Vice President (2009-present) and Secretary (2012-present)

Current: Chief Legal Officer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2013-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present).

 

Former: Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, Security Benefit Life Insurance Company and Security Benefit Corporation (2004-2012).

Glenn McWhinnie

(1969)

Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)

Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2009-present).

 

Former: Tax Compliance Manager, Ernst & Young LLP (1996-2009).

Elisabeth Miller

(1968)

Chief Compliance Officer (2012-present).

Current: CCO, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present); CCO, Security Investors, LLC (2012-present); CCO, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC (2012-present); Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Vice President, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC (March 2014-present).

 

Former: CCO, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2009-March 2014); Senior Manager, Security Investors, LLC (2004-2009); Senior Manager, Guggenheim Distributors, LLC (2004-2009).

Adam J. Nelson

(1979)

Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)

Current: Vice President, Guggenheim Investments (2015-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2015-present).

 

Former: Assistant Vice President and Fund Administration Director, State Street Corporation (2013-2015); Fund Administration Assistant Director, State Street (2011-2013); Fund Administration Manager, State Street (2009-2011).

 

50 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


INFORMATION ON BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

Name, Address*

and Year of Birth

Position(s) Held with the

Trust, Term of Office and

Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)
During Past 5 Years

OFFICERS - concluded

 

Kimberly J. Scott

(1974)

 

Assistant Treasurer (2016-present)

Current: Director, Guggenheim Investments (2012-present); Assistant Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2012-present).

 

Former: Financial Reporting Manager, Invesco, Ltd. (2010-2011); Vice President/Assistant Treasurer of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2009-2010); Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments, Inc./Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2005-2009).

John L. Sullivan

(1955)

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (2016-present)

Current: CFO, Chief Accounting Officer and Treasurer, certain other funds in the Fund Complex (2010-present); Senior Managing Director, Guggenheim Investments (2010-present).

 

Former: Managing Director and CCO, each of the funds in the Van Kampen Investments fund complex (2004-2010); Managing Director and Head of Fund Accounting and Administration, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2002-2004); CFO and Treasurer, Van Kampen Funds (1996-2004).

 

*

All Trustees and Officers may be reached c/o Guggenheim Investments, 227 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606.

**

Mr. Cacciapaglia is an “interested” person of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act by virtue of his affiliation with the Adviser’s parent company.

***

The “Fund Complex” includes all closed-end and open-end funds (including all of their portfolios) advised by the Adviser and any funds that have an investment adviser or servicing agent that is an affiliated person of the Adviser. Information provided is as of the date of this report.

****

Certain of the Trustees may serve as directors on the boards of companies not required to be disclosed above, including certain non-profit companies and charitable foundations.

*****

Mses. Brock-Kyle and Sponem commenced serving as independent Trustees effective August 18, 2016.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 51

 


GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY POLICIES (Unaudited)

 

Guggenheim Investments as used herein refers to Guggenheim Partners, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Investment Advisors, LLC, Guggenheim Partners Investment Management, LLC, Guggenheim Funds Distributors, LLC and Security Investors, LLC as well as the funds in the Guggenheim Funds complex (the “funds”).

 

Our Commitment to You

 

When you become a Guggenheim Investments investor, you entrust us with not only your hard-earned money but also with personal and financial information about you. We recognize that your relationship with us is based on trust and that you expect us to act responsibly and in your best interests. Because we have access to personal information about you, we hold ourselves to high standards in its safekeeping and use. This means, most importantly, that we do not sell client or account information to anyone—whether you are a current or former Guggenheim Investments client.

 

The Information We Collect About You and How We Collect It

 

In the course of doing business with shareholders and investors, we collect nonpublic personal information about you. You typically provide personal information when you complete a Guggenheim Investments account application or when you request a transaction that involves Rydex and Guggenheim Funds or one of the Guggenheim affiliated companies. “Nonpublic personal information” is personally identifiable information about you. For example it includes your name and address, Social Security or taxpayer identification number, assets, income, account balance, bank account information and investment activity (e.g. purchase and redemption history).

 

How We Share Your Personal Information

 

As a matter of policy, we do not disclose your nonpublic personal information to nonaffiliated third parties except as required or permitted by law. As emphasized above, we do not sell information about current or former clients or their accounts to third parties. Nor do we share such information, except when necessary to complete transactions at your request or to make you aware of related investment products and services that we offer. Additional details about how we handle your personal information are provided below.

 

To complete certain transactions or account changes that you direct, it may be necessary to provide your personal information to companies, individuals or groups that are not affiliated with Guggenheim Investments. For example if you ask to transfer assets from another financial institution to Guggenheim Investments, we will need to provide certain information about you to that company to complete the transaction. In connection with servicing your accounts or to alert you to other Guggenheim Investments investment products and services, we may share your information within the Guggenheim Investments family of affiliated companies. This would include, for example, sharing your information within Guggenheim Investments so we can make you aware of new funds or the services offered through another Guggenheim Investments

 

52 | THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT

 

 


GUGGENHEIM INVESTMENTS PRIVACY POLICIES (Unaudited)(concluded)

 

affiliated company. In certain instances, we may contract with nonaffiliated companies to perform services for us. Where necessary, we will disclose information we have about you to these third parties. In all such cases, we provide the third party with only the information necessary to carry out its assigned responsibilities and only for that purpose. And we require these third parties to treat your personal information with the same high degree of confidentiality that we do. In certain instances, we may share information with other financial institutions regarding individuals and entities in response to the U.S.A. Patriot Act. Finally we will share personal information about you if we are compelled by law to do so, if you direct us to do so with your consent, or in other circumstances as permitted by law.

 

How We Safeguard Your Personal Information

 

We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect your personal information. Within Guggenheim Investments, access to such information is limited to those who need it to perform their jobs such as servicing your account, resolving problems or informing you of new products and services.

 

 

THE GUGGENHEIM FUNDS SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT | 53

 


 

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Item 2. Code of Ethics.

Not applicable at this time.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable at this time.

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable at this time.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Investments.

The Schedule of Investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The registrant has not made any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s Board of Trustees.
 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

(a) The registrant’s President (principal executive officer) and Treasurer (principal financial officer) have evaluated the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures within 90 days of this filing and have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in this Form N-CSR was recorded, processed, summarized, and reported timely.
 
 (b) The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer are aware of no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
 
Item 12. Exhibits.
 
(a)(1) Not applicable.
 
(a)(2) Separate certifications by the President (principal executive officer) and Treasurer (principal financial officer) of the registrant as required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) are attached.
 
(b)   A certification by the registrant’s President (principal executive officer) and Treasurer (principal financial officer) as required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) is attached.
 

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

(Registrant)
Rydex Series Funds
 
     
By (Signature and Title)*
/s/ Amy J. Lee
 
Amy J. Lee, Vice President
     
Date
September 8, 2017
 
 
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 (Signature and Title)*
/s/ Amy J. Lee  
 
Amy J. Lee, Vice President
 
Date
September 8, 2017
 
     
By (Signature and Title)*
/s/ John L. Sullivan  
 
John L. Sullivan, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
 
     
Date
September 8, 2017
 
 
*
Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.