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: 811-07173
| T. Rowe Price Personal Strategy Funds, Inc. |
| (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter) |
| 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
| David Oestreicher |
| 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202 |
| (Name and address of agent for service) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including
area code: (410) 345-2000
Date of fiscal year end:
May 31
Date of reporting period: November 30, 2013
Item 1. Report to Shareholders
 |
Personal Strategy Balanced Fund |
November 30, 2013 |
The views and opinions in this report were current as of November 30, 2013. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the fund’s future investment intent. The report is certified under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires mutual funds and other public companies to affirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the information in their financial reports is fairly and accurately stated in all material respects.
REPORTS ON THE WEB
Sign up for our E-mail Program, and you can begin to receive updated fund reports and prospectuses online rather than through the mail. Log in to your account at troweprice.com for more information.
Manager’s Letter
Fellow Shareholders
U.S. stocks produced strong returns in the past six months, despite rising concerns about less accommodative Federal Reserve policies, uncertain U.S. fiscal policies, political turmoil in the Middle East, and rising tensions in Asia. Stocks in non-U.S. developed markets rose and performed mostly in line with U.S. shares, while emerging markets stocks lagged. Investment-grade bonds were mostly down for the period as interest rates moved higher, but returns for high yield bonds were positive as higher coupons helped to offset the adverse impact of rising rates. Non-U.S. developed bond markets delivered favorable returns for the six-month period, while emerging markets bonds declined. The Personal Strategy Funds generated strong results and outpaced their respective benchmarks over the reporting period.
MARKET ENVIRONMENT
Global markets generated solid returns in the past six months amid improving economic conditions and continued accommodative monetary policies from central banks. Economic conditions improved throughout the period. In the U.S., unemployment fell to a five-year low of 7.0% in November as the economy added 203,000 jobs. The 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to about 2.8%, and gross domestic product (GDP) growth was measured at an annualized rate of 3.6% in the third quarter, revised upward from 2.8% previously. Corporate earnings were mostly positive during the period.
The eurozone continues to recover slowly from the sovereign debt crisis, but some of the underlying causes and symptoms of that crisis—very high levels of national debt and debilitating levels of unemployment, especially among young workers—have gone unaddressed. The European Central Bank cut its main lending rate by 0.25% to 0.50% just before the start of our reporting period, and again in November to 0.25%, in an effort to stimulate stronger growth. Despite the region’s economic malaise, the German market returned more than 19% in the six months through November 30. Some markets in the peripheral eurozone countries fared even better.
Japan continued to implement aggressive monetary policies in an effort to increase growth and inflation. Japanese stocks slowed their advance at the beginning of our reporting period, ultimately returning just over 10% in U.S. dollar terms for the last six months.
China is undergoing a slowdown of its own making as its government tries to steer the economy toward more balanced and sustainable growth after three decades of torrid expansion. Indian stocks retreated as the country’s currency repeatedly hit record lows over the summer despite central bank efforts to defend the rupee and stanch capital outflows. India recovered late in the period, aided by the new central bank governor and recent reforms.
Among major U.S. stock market indexes, small-cap stocks considerably outperformed mid- and large-caps for the period, and growth shares led value stocks across all market capitalizations. Non-U.S. developed market stocks also generated strong results, led by developed Europe. Emerging markets trailed developed markets, with most producing low-single-digit gains. Emerging Europe posted the strongest results.
Most U.S. bond markets produced negative returns during our reporting period. Treasuries declined the most as long-term yields moved higher. High yield securities performed best, strongly outperforming their higher-quality counterparts; investment-grade corporates delivered a negative return. Asset- and agency mortgage-backed securities produced slim gains, while emerging markets retreated.
PORTFOLIO REVIEW AND POSITIONING
Stocks
An overweight to stocks versus bonds helped performance
over the six-month reporting period. The domestic large-cap growth stock
portfolio was among the funds’ best performers. Information technology stocks
were particularly strong, led by Google, MasterCard, and
Baidu, China’s dominant Internet search firm. The industrials and business
services sector also generated strong results, with aircraft maker
Boeing and Danaher, a manufacturer of diversified products, among the
sector’s biggest contributors. The funds’ U.S. large-cap value stock portfolio
posted strong gains, outperforming the broader equity markets. Pharmaceutical
giants Pfizer and Merck were standout performers,
as was diversified financial company JPMorgan Chase. Our non-U.S.
developed market allocation posted double-digit gains—led by Vodafone, the
U.K.-based mobile telecommunication services giant; German pharmaceutical leader
Bayer AG; and Japan’s Softbank, a leading information
technology company—although our emerging markets equity allocation lagged.
(Please refer to the portfolio of investments for a complete list of holdings
and the amount each represents in the portfolio.)
We continue to favor stocks versus bonds in the context of an improving economy but reduced the size of our overweight during the reporting period as stocks are no longer as cheap following recent market strength. The current low-yield environment and prospects for upward pressure on interest rates provide a less favorable foundation for future bond returns. Continued monetary easing from central banks around the world has helped to reduce some of the downside risk, but challenges persist, including uncertainty around U.S. fiscal policy as well as low growth and high unemployment in Europe. U.S. corporate balance sheets and profit margins are healthy, while earnings and revenue growth appear consistent with modest economic growth. Stocks offer dividend yields that, in many cases, are competitive with bond yields, which remain low given a modest inflationary climate.
We started the reporting period modestly overweight to non-U.S. equities over domestic stocks, and we increased our overweight toward the end of the period. Outside the U.S., we favor emerging markets over developed markets, although we trimmed our overweight to emerging market equities in light of slowing growth and the potential for Fed tapering to weigh on emerging markets currencies. Emerging markets valuations are attractive relative to developed markets, though considerable disparity exists in the strength of various emerging markets economies, with commodity producers challenged by weaker demand. European economic growth remains sluggish, hindered by debt loads, high unemployment, and deflation worries, as well as persistent challenges in the eurozone periphery. In Japan, although fiscal and monetary policies have revived consumer spending and economic output, sustainability will depend on the passage of structural reforms.
We favor domestic large-cap stocks over small-caps, as small-cap valuations appear richly priced. Within U.S. equities, we favor growth stocks over value stocks; however, we have trimmed our overweight to growth. While the current low level of economic growth favors growth stocks, which tend to be less reliant on a strong economy to generate earnings, a gradually improving economy has moderated the positive outlook for growth stocks relative to value stocks.
We are underweight real assets stocks versus global equities as the prospects for muted global economic growth may weigh on commodity prices in conjunction with an increase in global energy production capacity improving supply. We also expect demand for commodities from China to remain subdued as it shifts its growth model away from industrial production and exports to domestic consumption. Although gradual economic improvement supports real estate fundamentals, current valuations are still expensive relative to the broad equity market. Over the long term, we continue to believe that exposure to real assets equities, such as real estate, energy, and natural resources, as well as metals, should expand the funds’ broad diversification and position them to perform well under a variety of market conditions, including periods of rising inflation.
Bonds
Overall returns for our fixed income allocation declined
for the past six months in an environment of rising interest rates. Non-U.S.
bonds outpaced U.S. bonds with returns supported by currencies as the euro
strengthened against the U.S. dollar. Among other diversifying sectors, high
yield bonds made a relatively strong contribution to performance, while emerging
markets bonds weighed on overall returns.
We continue to be overweight to high yield versus investment-grade bonds. High yield debt remains attractive versus other fixed income sectors in this low-yield environment, particularly in light of our expectations for a gradually improving economy. In addition, many high yield issuers have improved their financial condition significantly since the 2008 global financial crisis, taking advantage of low interest rates to refinance debt and extend maturities. Also, the tendency for high yield debt to be less sensitive to changes in interest rates is appealing given that interest rates are near historical lows.
At the end of the third quarter, we moved from a modest overweight to emerging markets debt versus investment-grade bonds to a neutral allocation. While valuations are attractive, emerging market bonds are susceptible to capital outflows as interest rates rise and many emerging economies continue to struggle in containing inflationary pressures. We currently favor U.S. investment-grade bonds versus non-U.S. dollar-denominated debt based largely on the prospects for a stronger U.S. dollar, supported by expectations for improving growth and the potential for higher rates in the U.S. as Fed tapering begins.
PERFORMANCE COMPARISON
Personal Strategy Income Fund
As shown in the Performance Comparison table, for the six-month period ended November 30, 2013, the Personal Strategy Income Fund outperformed its combined index portfolio, Morningstar benchmark, and Lipper peer group index.
Security selection was the primary contributor to the fund’s outperformance versus its combined index portfolio over the past six months, and the portfolio’s overweight to equities was an additional positive contributor. Stock selection among the portfolio’s U.S. large-cap holdings was particularly strong among both growth and value names. Solid returns among our non-U.S. developed equity holdings also benefited from favorable security selection, including contributions from several stocks mentioned earlier, such as Vodafone, Bayer AG, and Softbank. Within fixed income, our allocations to diversifying sectors, particularly high yield bonds and non-U.S. bonds, were positive contributors to performance. Our overweight position to equities relative to bonds helped relative performance, as equities outperformed fixed income over the six months, though our underweight to small-cap equities relative to large-caps, as well as our inclusion of real assets equities, weighed on results. Security selection within the investment-grade bond portfolio also weighed on relative performance as the portfolio underperformed its benchmark, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Please see the Portfolio Review and Positioning section for more information.
The fund’s target allocation to equities was 42% at the end of the current reporting period versus 44% on May 31, 2013. The target allocation to bonds and cash was 58% at the end of the period versus 56% six months ago. The actual allocations may differ from the target allocations due to investment time horizon, market conditions, trading environment, and other factors.
Personal Strategy Balanced Fund
As shown in the Performance Comparison table, for the six-month period ended November 30, 2013, the Personal Strategy Balanced Fund outpaced its combined index portfolio, Morningstar benchmark, and Lipper peer group index.
Security selection was the primary contributor to the fund’s outperformance versus its combined index portfolio over the past six months, and the portfolio’s overweight to equities was an additional positive contributor. Stock selection among the portfolio’s U.S. large-cap holdings was particularly strong among both growth and value names. Solid returns among our non-U.S. developed equity holdings also benefited from favorable security selection, including contributions from several stocks mentioned earlier, such as Vodafone, Bayer AG, and Softbank. Within fixed income, our allocations to diversifying sectors, particularly high yield bonds and non-U.S. bonds, were positive contributors to performance. Our overweight position to equities relative to bonds helped relative performance, as equities outperformed fixed income over the six months, though our underweight to small-cap equities relative to large-caps, as well as our inclusion of real assets equities, weighed on results. Security selection within the investment-grade bond portfolio also weighed on relative performance as the portfolio underperformed its benchmark, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Please see the Portfolio Review and Positioning section for more information.
The fund’s target allocation to equities was 62% at the end of the current reporting period versus 64% on May 31, 2013. The target allocation to bonds and cash was 38% versus 36% six months ago. The actual allocations may differ from the target allocations due to investment time horizon, market conditions, trading environment, and other factors.
Personal Strategy Growth Fund
As shown in the Performance Comparison table, for the six-month period ended November 30, 2013, the Personal Strategy Growth Fund outpaced its combined index portfolio, Morningstar benchmark, and Lipper peer group index.
Security selection was the primary contributor to the fund’s outperformance versus its combined index portfolio over the past six months, and the portfolio’s overweight to equities was an additional positive contributor. Stock selection among the portfolio’s U.S. large-cap holdings was particularly strong among both growth and value names. Solid returns among our non-U.S. developed equity holdings also benefited from favorable security selection, including contributions from several stocks mentioned earlier, such as Vodafone, Bayer AG, and Softbank. Within fixed income, our allocations to diversifying sectors, particularly high yield bonds and non-U.S. bonds, were positive contributors to performance. Our overweight position to equities relative to bonds helped relative performance, as equities outperformed fixed income over the six months, though our underweight to small-cap equities relative to large-caps as well as our inclusion of real assets equities, weighed on results. Security selection within the investment-grade bond portfolio also weighed on relative performance as the portfolio underperformed its benchmark, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Please see the Portfolio Review and Positioning section for more information.
The fund’s target allocation to equities was 82% at the end of the current reporting period versus 84% on May 31, 2013. The target allocation to bonds and cash was 18% versus 16% six months ago. The actual allocations may differ from the target allocations due to investment time horizon, market conditions, trading environment, and other factors.
OUTLOOK
Our expectations for global growth in the coming quarters remain modest. The U.S. economy is gradually recovering, as indicated by positive data on job growth and the unemployment rate, as well as housing, and has been further supported by subdued energy prices. Fiscal headwinds manifested in tax increases and spending cuts earlier in the year have abated. Although Fed policy is keeping interest rates at low levels, there is likely to be upward pressure on interest rates as the Fed begins reducing the amount of their asset purchases. U.S. corporate balance sheets and profit margins remain healthy. Earnings and revenue growth in the low- to mid-single-digit percentages are consistent with modest economic growth. Equity valuations are reasonable relative to historical levels based on several measures, including price-to-earnings and price-to-free cash flow.
Non-U.S. developed economies are slowly improving, though they are heavily reliant on fiscal and monetary policy support. While the eurozone emerged from recession at midyear, the macroeconomic environment in Europe remains challenging and economic growth remains sluggish amid persistent challenges in the eurozone periphery. Much of Europe faces headwinds, including high debt loads and unemployment, as well as heightened deflationary fears with inflation trending below 1% and likely to remain muted through 2014.
In Japan, the central bank continues to move aggressively to bolster the country’s economy, and Japanese GDP growth is expected to remain positive into 2014. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s bold economic experiment dubbed Abenomics—and its “three arrows” of aggressive monetary easing, fiscal stimulus, and structural reform—is aimed at ending Japan’s 20 years of low inflation, or cycle of stagnant wages and prices.
Many emerging markets economies are facing slower growth and appear vulnerable to the prospect of rising U.S. rates. We believe that the worst of China’s economic slowdown has passed, and we are starting to see better numbers as the country charts a path toward more sustainable growth rates. Demand for commodities, though, is expected to remain subdued as China shifts its growth model away from industrial production and exports toward domestic consumption. Countries with meaningful current account deficits are particularly vulnerable to potentially higher U.S. interest rates, which would make current emerging markets rates less attractive, and lower commodity prices could pressure the current accounts of net commodity-exporting countries even further.
While we expect central bank monetary policies to remain accommodative for some time, uncertainty about the impact of the Fed’s tapering may periodically elevate market volatility. However, we believe that our highly diversified portfolios and careful focus on fundamental research can enhance our ability to produce good long-term returns for our shareholders.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles Shriver
Portfolio manager and chairman of the funds’
Investment
Advisory Committee
December 19, 2013
The committee chairman has day-to-day responsibility for managing the portfolios and works with committee members in developing and executing the funds’ investment programs.
RISKS OF INVESTING
As with all stock and bond mutual funds, each fund’s share price can fall because of weakness in the stock or bond markets, a particular industry, or specific holdings. Stock markets can decline for many reasons, including adverse political or economic developments, changes in investor psychology, or heavy institutional selling. The prospects for an industry or company may deteriorate because of a variety of factors, including disappointing earnings or changes in the competitive environment. In addition, the investment manager’s assessment of companies held in a fund may prove incorrect, resulting in losses or poor performance even in rising markets.
Bonds are subject to interest rate risk, the decline in bond prices that usually accompanies a rise in interest rates, and credit risk, the chance that any fund holding could have its credit rating downgraded or that a bond issuer will default (fail to make timely payments of interest or principal), potentially reducing the fund’s income level and share price. High yield corporate bonds could have greater price declines than funds that invest primarily in high-quality bonds. Companies issuing high yield bonds are not as strong financially as those with higher credit ratings, so the bonds are usually considered speculative investments.
Funds that invest overseas may carry more risk than funds that invest strictly in U.S. assets. Risks can result from varying stages of economic and political development; differing regulatory environments, trading days, and accounting standards; and higher transaction costs of non-U.S. markets. Non-U.S. investments are also subject to currency risk, or a decline in the value of a foreign currency versus the U.S. dollar, which reduces the dollar value of securities denominated in that currency.
GLOSSARY
Barclays Global Aggregate ex USD Bond Index: Tracks the performance of government, corporate, agency, and mortgage-related bonds in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, and Canada.
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index: An unmanaged index that tracks investment-grade bonds, including corporate, government, and mortgage-backed securities.
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index: An unmanaged index that tracks short-term U.S. government debt instruments.
Combined index portfolios: Unmanaged portfolios composed of the following underlying indexes as of November 30, 2013:
- Personal Strategy Income—40% stocks (28% Russell 3000 Index, 12% MSCI
All Country World Index ex USA), 40% bonds
(Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index), and 20% money market securities (Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill
Index).
- Personal Strategy Balanced—60% stocks (42% Russell 3000 Index, 18% MSCI
All Country World Index ex USA), 30% bonds
(Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index), and 10% money market securities (Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill
Index).
- Personal Strategy Growth—80% stocks (56% Russell 3000 Index, 24% MSCI All Country World Index ex USA) and 20% bonds (Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index).
Credit Suisse High Yield Index: Tracks the performance of domestic noninvestment-grade corporate bonds.
Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Conservative Funds Index: A peer group benchmark that measures the performance of similar funds with a mix of between 20% and 40% equities, with the remainder invested in bonds and short-term investments.
Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Growth Funds Index: A peer group benchmark that measures the performance of similar funds with a mix of between 60% and 80% equities, with the remainder invested in bonds and short-term investments.
Lipper Mixed-Asset Target Allocation Moderate Funds Index: A peer group benchmark that measures the performance of similar funds with a mix of between 40% and 60% equities, with the remainder invested in bonds and short-term investments.
Morningstar Moderate Target Risk Index: Represents a portfolio of global equities (fixed at 60%), bonds, and other asset classes.
Morningstar Moderately Aggressive Target Risk Index: Represents a portfolio of global equities (fixed at 80%), bonds, and other asset classes.
Morningstar Moderately Conservative Target Risk Index: Represents a portfolio of global equities (fixed at 40%), bonds, and other asset classes.
MSCI All Country World Index ex USA: An index that measures equity market performance of developed and emerging countries, excluding the U.S.
MSCI Emerging Markets Index: A capitalization-weighted index of stocks from emerging market countries that only includes securities that may be traded by foreign investors.
Russell 3000 Index: An index that tracks the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. companies, representing approximately 98% of the investable U.S. equity market.
S&P 500 Index: An index that tracks the stocks of 500 primarily large-cap U.S. companies.
Note: Russell Investment Group is the source and owner of the trademarks, service marks, and copyrights related to the Russell indexes. Russell® is a trademark of Russell Investment Group.
Note: MSCI makes no express or implied warranties or representations and shall have no liability whatsoever with respect to any MSCI data contained herein. The MSCI data may not be further redistributed or used as a basis for other indices or any securities or financial products. This report is not approved, reviewed, or produced by MSCI.
Performance and Expenses
| Growth of $10,000 |
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which may include a broad-based market index and a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.
| Growth of $10,000 |
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which may include a broad-based market index and a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.
| Growth of $10,000 |
This chart shows the value of a hypothetical $10,000 investment in the fund over the past 10 fiscal year periods or since inception (for funds lacking 10-year records). The result is compared with benchmarks, which may include a broad-based market index and a peer group average or index. Market indexes do not include expenses, which are deducted from fund returns as well as mutual fund averages and indexes.
| Fund Expense Example |
As a mutual fund shareholder, you may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other fund expenses. The following example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the most recent six-month period and held for the entire period.
Actual
Expenses
The first line of the
following table (Actual) provides information about actual account values and
expenses based on the fund’s actual returns. You may use the information on this
line, together with your account balance, to estimate the expenses that you paid
over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an
$8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the
number on the first line under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to
estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for
Comparison Purposes
The information
on the second line of the table (Hypothetical) is based on hypothetical account
values and expenses derived from the fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed
5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the fund’s actual return). You
may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund with other funds by
contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that
appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account
values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account
balance or expenses you paid for the period.
Note: T. Rowe Price charges an annual account service fee of $20, generally for accounts with less than $10,000. The fee is waived for any investor whose T. Rowe Price mutual fund accounts total $50,000 or more; accounts electing to receive electronic delivery of account statements, transaction confirmations, prospectuses, and shareholder reports; or accounts of an investor who is a T. Rowe Price Preferred Services, Personal Services, or Enhanced Personal Services client (enrollment in these programs generally requires T. Rowe Price assets of at least $100,000). This fee is not included in the accompanying table. If you are subject to the fee, keep it in mind when you are estimating the ongoing expenses of investing in the fund and when comparing the expenses of this fund with other funds.
You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as redemption fees or sales loads. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. To the extent a fund charges transaction costs, however, the total cost of owning that fund is higher.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
Unaudited
| Notes to Financial Statements |
T. Rowe Price Personal Strategy Funds, Inc. (the corporation), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). The Personal Strategy Balanced Fund (the fund) is a diversified, open-end management investment company established by the corporation. The fund commenced operations on July 29, 1994. The fund seeks the highest total return over time consistent with an emphasis on both capital growth and income. The fund pursues this objective by investing in a diversified portfolio typically consisting of approximately 60% stocks, 30% bonds, and 10% money market securities.
NOTE 1 - SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Preparation The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 (ASC 946). The accompanying financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), including but not limited to ASC 946. GAAP requires the use of estimates made by management. Management believes that estimates and valuations are appropriate; however, actual results may differ from those estimates, and the valuations reflected in the accompanying financial statements may differ from the value ultimately realized upon sale or maturity.
Investment Transactions, Investment Income, and Distributions Income and expenses are recorded on the accrual basis. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized for financial reporting purposes. Paydown gains and losses are recorded as an adjustment to interest income. Inflation adjustments to the principal amount of inflation-indexed bonds are reflected as interest income. Dividends received from mutual fund investments are reflected as dividend income; capital gain distributions are reflected as realized gain/loss. Dividend income and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income tax-related interest and penalties, if incurred, would be recorded as income tax expense. Investment transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Realized gains and losses are reported on the identified cost basis. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income distributions are declared and paid quarterly. Capital gain distributions, if any, are generally declared and paid by the fund annually.
Currency Translation Assets, including investments, and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar values each day at the prevailing exchange rate, using the mean of the bid and asked prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as quoted by a major bank. Purchases and sales of securities, income, and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on realized and unrealized security gains and losses is reflected as a component of security gains and losses.
Rebates Subject to best execution, the fund may direct certain security trades to brokers who have agreed to rebate a portion of the related brokerage commission to the fund in cash. Commission rebates are reflected as realized gain on securities in the accompanying financial statements and totaled $9,000 for the six months ended November 30, 2013.
New Accounting Guidance On June 1, 2013, the fund adopted new accounting guidance, issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, that requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. Adoption had no effect on the fund’s net assets or results of operations.
NOTE 2 - VALUATION
The fund’s financial instruments are valued, and its net asset value (NAV) per share is computed at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), normally 4 p.m. ET, each day the NYSE is open for business.
Fair Value The fund’s financial instruments are reported at fair value, which GAAP defines as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The T. Rowe Price Valuation Committee (the Valuation Committee) has been established by the fund’s Board of Directors (the Board) to ensure that financial instruments are appropriately priced at fair value in accordance with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee develops and oversees pricing-related policies and procedures and approves all fair value determinations. Specifically, the Valuation Committee establishes procedures to value securities; determines pricing techniques, sources, and persons eligible to effect fair value pricing actions; oversees the selection, services, and performance of pricing vendors; oversees valuation-related business continuity practices; and provides guidance on internal controls and valuation-related matters. The Valuation Committee reports to the fund’s Board; is chaired by the fund’s treasurer; and has representation from legal, portfolio management and trading, operations, and risk management.
Various valuation techniques and inputs are used to determine the fair value of financial instruments. GAAP establishes the following fair value hierarchy that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value:
Level 1 – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical financial instruments that the fund can access at the reporting date
Level 2 – inputs other than Level 1 quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly (including, but not limited to, quoted prices for similar financial instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar financial instruments in inactive markets, interest rates and yield curves, implied volatilities, and credit spreads)
Level 3 – unobservable inputs
Observable inputs are developed using market data, such as publicly available information about actual events or transactions, and reflect the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. Unobservable inputs are those for which market data are not available and are developed using the best information available about the assumptions that market participants would use to price the financial instrument. GAAP requires valuation techniques to maximize the use of relevant observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. When multiple inputs are used to derive fair value, the financial instrument is assigned to the level within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value of the financial instrument. Input levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with financial instruments at that level but rather the degree of judgment used in determining those values.
Valuation Techniques Equity securities listed or regularly traded on a securities exchange or in the over-the-counter (OTC) market are valued at the last quoted sale price or, for certain markets, the official closing price at the time the valuations are made. OTC Bulletin Board securities are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices. A security that is listed or traded on more than one exchange is valued at the quotation on the exchange determined to be the primary market for such security. Listed securities not traded on a particular day are valued at the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for domestic securities and the last quoted sale or closing price for international securities.
For valuation purposes, the last quoted prices of non-U.S. equity securities may be adjusted to reflect the fair value of such securities at the close of the NYSE. If the fund determines that developments between the close of a foreign market and the close of the NYSE will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all of its portfolio securities, the fund will adjust the previous quoted prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the NYSE. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust quoted prices to reflect fair value, the fund reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. The fund may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the fund is open. The fund uses outside pricing services to provide it with quoted prices and information to evaluate or adjust those prices. The fund cannot predict how often it will use quoted prices and how often it will determine it necessary to adjust those prices to reflect fair value. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the fund routinely compares quoted prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets, and adjusted prices.
Actively traded domestic equity securities generally are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Non-U.S. equity securities generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy despite the availability of quoted prices because, as described above, the fund evaluates and determines whether those quoted prices reflect fair value at the close of the NYSE or require adjustment. OTC Bulletin Board securities, certain preferred securities, and equity securities traded in inactive markets generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Debt securities generally are traded in the OTC market. Securities with remaining maturities of one year or more at the time of acquisition are valued at prices furnished by dealers who make markets in such securities or by an independent pricing service, which considers the yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type, as well as prices quoted by dealers who make markets in such securities. Generally, debt securities are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however, to the extent the valuations include significant unobservable inputs, the securities would be categorized in Level 3.
Investments in mutual funds are valued at the mutual fund’s closing NAV per share on the day of valuation and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Financial futures contracts are valued at closing settlement prices and are categorized in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Swaps are valued at prices furnished by independent swap dealers or by an independent pricing service and generally are categorized in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy; however, if unobservable inputs are significant to the valuation, the swap would be categorized in Level 3. Assets and liabilities other than financial instruments, including short-term receivables and payables, are carried at cost, or estimated realizable value, if less, which approximates fair value.
Thinly traded financial instruments and those for which the above valuation procedures are inappropriate or are deemed not to reflect fair value are stated at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee. The objective of any fair value pricing determination is to arrive at a price that could reasonably be expected from a current sale. Financial instruments fair valued by the Valuation Committee are primarily private placements, restricted securities, warrants, rights, and other securities that are not publicly traded.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Valuation Committee regularly makes good faith judgments to establish and adjust the fair valuations of certain securities as events occur and circumstances warrant. For instance, in determining the fair value of an equity investment with limited market activity, such as a private placement or a thinly traded public company stock, the Valuation Committee considers a variety of factors, which may include, but are not limited to, the issuer’s business prospects, its financial standing and performance, recent investment transactions in the issuer, new rounds of financing, negotiated transactions of significant size between other investors in the company, relevant market valuations of peer companies, strategic events affecting the company, market liquidity for the issuer, and general economic conditions and events. In consultation with the investment and pricing teams, the Valuation Committee will determine an appropriate valuation technique based on available information, which may include both observable and unobservable inputs. The Valuation Committee typically will afford greatest weight to actual prices in arm’s length transactions, to the extent they represent orderly transactions between market participants; transaction information can be reliably obtained; and prices are deemed representative of fair value. However, the Valuation Committee may also consider other valuation methods such as market-based valuation multiples; a discount or premium from market value of a similar, freely traded security of the same issuer; or some combination. Fair value determinations are reviewed on a regular basis and updated as information becomes available, including actual purchase and sale transactions of the issue. Because any fair value determination involves a significant amount of judgment, there is a degree of subjectivity inherent in such pricing decisions and fair value prices determined by the Valuation Committee could differ from those of other market participants. Depending on the relative significance of unobservable inputs, including the valuation technique(s) used, fair valued securities may be categorized in Level 2 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Valuation Inputs The following table summarizes the fund’s financial instruments, based on the inputs used to determine their fair values on November 30, 2013:
There were no material transfers between Levels 1 and 2 during the six months.
Following is a reconciliation of the fund’s Level 3 holdings for the six months ended November 30, 2013. Gain (loss) reflects both realized and change in unrealized gain/loss on Level 3 holdings during the period, if any, and is included on the accompanying Statement of Operations. The change in unrealized gain/loss on Level 3 instruments held at November 30, 2013, totaled $9,000 for the six months ended November 30, 2013. Transfers into and out of Level 3 are reflected at the value of the financial instrument at the beginning of the period. During the six months, transfers out of Level 3 were because observable market data became available for the security.
NOTE 3 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
During the six months ended November 30, 2013, the fund invested in derivative instruments. As defined by GAAP, a derivative is a financial instrument whose value is derived from an underlying security price, foreign exchange rate, interest rate, index of prices or rates, or other variable; it requires little or no initial investment and permits or requires net settlement. The fund invests in derivatives only if the expected risks and rewards are consistent with its investment objectives, policies, and overall risk profile, as described in its prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The fund may use derivatives for a variety of purposes, such as seeking to hedge against declines in principal value, increase yield, invest in an asset with greater efficiency and at a lower cost than is possible through direct investment, or to adjust credit exposure. The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and potentially much greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the instruments on which the derivatives are based. The fund at all times maintains sufficient cash reserves, liquid assets, or other SEC-permitted asset types to cover its settlement obligations under open derivative contracts.
The fund values its derivatives at fair value, as described in Note 2, and recognizes changes in fair value currently in its results of operations. Accordingly, the fund does not follow hedge accounting, even for derivatives employed as economic hedges. Generally, the fund accounts for its derivatives on a gross basis. It does not offset the fair value of derivative liabilities against the fair value of derivative assets on its financial statements, nor does it offset the fair value of derivative instruments against the right to reclaim or obligation to return collateral.
The following table summarizes the fair value of the fund’s derivative instruments held as of November 30, 2013, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities, presented by primary underlying risk exposure:
Additionally, the amount of gains and losses on derivative instruments recognized in fund earnings during the six months ended November 30, 2013, and the related location on the accompanying Statement of Operations is summarized in the following table by primary underlying risk exposure:
Counterparty Risk and Collateral The fund invests in derivatives in various markets, which expose it to differing levels of counterparty risk. Counterparty risk on exchange-traded and centrally cleared derivative contracts, such as futures, exchange-traded options, and centrally cleared swaps, is minimal because the clearinghouse provides protection against counterparty defaults. For futures and centrally cleared swaps, the fund is required to deposit collateral in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value (margin requirement), and the margin requirement must be maintained over the life of the contract. Each clearing broker, in its sole discretion, may adjust the margin requirements applicable to the fund.
Derivatives, such as bilateral swaps, forward currency exchange contracts, and options, that are transacted and settle directly with a counterparty (bilateral derivatives) expose the fund to greater counterparty risk. To mitigate this risk, the fund has entered into master netting arrangements (MNAs) with certain counterparties that permit net settlement under specified conditions and, for certain counterparties, also provide collateral agreements. MNAs may be in the form of International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreements (ISDAs) or foreign exchange letter agreements (FX letters).
MNAs govern the ability to offset amounts the fund owes a counterparty against amounts the counterparty owes the fund (net settlement). Both ISDAs and FX letters generally allow net settlement in the event of contract termination and permit termination by either party prior to maturity upon the occurrence of certain stated events, such as failure to pay or bankruptcy. In addition, ISDAs specify other events, the occurrence of which would allow one of the parties to terminate. For example, a downgrade in credit rating of a counterparty would allow the fund to terminate while a decline in the fund’s net assets of more than a certain percentage would allow the counterparty to terminate. Upon termination, all bilateral derivatives with that counterparty would be liquidated and a net amount settled. ISDAs typically include collateral agreements whereas FX letters do not. Collateral requirements are determined based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on all bilateral derivatives with each counterparty, subject to minimum transfer amounts that typically range from $100,000 to $250,000. Any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is transferred the next business day.
Collateral may be in the form of cash or debt securities issued by the U.S. government or related agencies. Cash and currencies posted by the fund are reflected as cash deposits in the accompanying financial statements and generally are restricted from withdrawal by the fund; securities posted by the fund are so noted in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments; both remain in the fund’s assets. Collateral pledged by counterparties is not included in the fund’s assets because the fund does not obtain effective control over those assets. For bilateral derivatives, collateral posted or received by the fund is held in a segregated account by the fund’s custodian. As of November 30, 2013, no collateral was pledged by counterparties to the fund for bilateral derivatives. As of November 30, 2013, cash of $87,000 and securities valued at $783,000 had been posted by the fund for exchange-traded and/or centrally cleared derivatives.
Futures Contracts The fund is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses futures contracts to help manage such risk. The fund may enter into futures contracts to manage exposure to interest rates, security prices, foreign currencies, and credit quality; as an efficient means of adjusting exposure to all or part of a target market; to enhance income; as a cash management tool; or to adjust credit exposure. A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another of a specified amount of a particular underlying financial instrument at an agreed-upon price, date, time, and place. The fund currently invests only in exchange-traded futures, which generally are standardized as to maturity date, underlying financial instrument, and other contract terms. Payments are made or received by the fund each day to settle daily fluctuations in the value of the contract (variation margin), which reflect changes in the value of the underlying financial instrument. Variation margin is recorded as unrealized gain or loss until the contract is closed. The value of a futures contract included in net assets is the amount of unsettled variation margin; net variation margin receivable is reflected as an asset and net variation margin payable is reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Risks related to the use of futures contracts include possible illiquidity of the futures markets, contract prices that can be highly volatile and imperfectly correlated to movements in hedged security values and/or interest rates, and potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment. During the six months ended November 30, 2013, the fund’s exposure to futures, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally between 1% and 3% of net assets.
Swaps The fund is subject to credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives and uses swap contracts to help manage such risk. The fund may use swaps in an effort to manage exposure to changes in interest rates, inflation rates, and credit quality; to adjust overall exposure to certain markets; to enhance total return or protect the value of portfolio securities; to serve as a cash management tool; or to adjust credit exposure. Swap agreements are executed in the OTC market and can be settled either directly with the counterparty (bilateral swap) or through a central clearinghouse (centrally cleared swap). Fluctuations in the fair value of a contract are reflected in unrealized gain or loss and are reclassified to realized gain or loss upon contract termination or cash settlement. Net periodic receipts or payments required by a contract increase or decrease, respectively, the value of the contract until the contractual payment date, at which time such amounts are reclassified from unrealized to realized gain or loss. For bilateral swaps, cash payments are made or received by the fund on a periodic basis in accordance with contract terms; unrealized gain on contracts and premiums paid are reflected as assets, and unrealized loss on contracts and premiums received are reflected as liabilities on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For centrally cleared swaps, payments are made or received by the fund each day to settle the daily fluctuation in the value of the contract (variation margin). Accordingly, the value of a centrally cleared swap included in net assets is the unsettled variation margin; net variation margin receivable is reflected as an asset and net variation margin payable is reflected as a liability on the accompanying Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
Credit default swaps are agreements where one party (the protection buyer) agrees to make periodic payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for protection against specified credit events, such as certain defaults and bankruptcies related to an underlying credit instrument, or issuer or index of such instruments. Upon occurrence of a specified credit event, the protection seller is required to pay the buyer the difference between the notional amount of the swap and the value of the underlying credit, either in the form of a net cash settlement or by paying the gross notional amount and accepting delivery of the relevant underlying credit. For credit default swaps where the underlying credit is an index, a specified credit event may affect all or individual underlying securities included in the index and will be settled based upon the relative weighting of the affected underlying security(s) within the index. Generally, the payment risk for the seller of protection is inversely related to the current market price or credit rating of the underlying credit, both of which are indicators of market valuations of credit quality. Therefore, payment risk increases as the price of the relevant underlying credit or credit rating declines. As of November 30, 2013, the notional amount of protection sold by the fund totaled $920,000 (0.0% of net assets), which reflects the maximum potential amount the fund could be required to pay under such contracts. Risks related to the use of credit default swaps include the possible inability of the fund to accurately assess the current and future creditworthiness of underlying issuers, the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements, potential government regulation that could adversely affect the fund’s swap investments, and potential losses in excess of the fund’s initial investment.
During the six months ended November 30, 2013, the fund’s exposure to swaps, based on underlying notional amounts, was generally less than 1% of net assets.
NOTE 4 - OTHER INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Consistent with its investment objective, the fund engages in the following practices to manage exposure to certain risks and/or to enhance performance. The investment objective, policies, program, and risk factors of the fund are described more fully in the fund’s prospectus and Statement of Additional Information.
Restricted Securities The fund may invest in securities that are subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Prompt sale of such securities at an acceptable price may be difficult and may involve substantial delays and additional costs.
TBA Purchase and Sale Commitments The fund may enter into to-be-announced (TBA) purchase or sale commitments, pursuant to which it agrees to purchase or sell, respectively, mortgage-backed securities for a fixed unit price, with payment and delivery at a scheduled future date beyond the customary settlement period for such securities. With TBA transactions, the particular securities to be delivered are not identified at the trade date; however, delivered securities must meet specified terms, including issuer, rate, and mortgage term, and be within industry-accepted “good delivery” standards. The fund generally enters into TBA purchase transactions with the intention of taking possession of the underlying securities; however, the fund may elect to extend the settlement by “rolling” the transaction. Until settlement, the fund maintains liquid assets sufficient to settle its TBA commitments.
To mitigate counterparty risk, the fund has entered into agreements with TBA counterparties that provide for collateral and the right to offset amounts due to or from those counterparties under specified conditions. Subject to minimum transfer amounts, collateral requirements are determined and transfers made based on the net aggregate unrealized gain or loss on all TBA commitments with a particular counterparty. At any time, the fund’s risk of loss from a particular counterparty related to its TBA commitments is the aggregate unrealized gain on appreciated TBAs in excess of unrealized loss on depreciated TBAs and collateral received, if any, from such counterparty. As of November 30, 2013, no collateral was pledged by the fund or counterparties for TBAs.
Securities Lending The fund lends its securities to approved brokers to earn additional income. Its securities lending activities are administered by a lending agent in accordance with a securities lending agreement. It receives collateral in the form of cash or U.S. government securities, valued at 102% to 105% of the value of the securities on loan. Collateral is maintained over the life of the loan in an amount not less than the value of loaned securities; any additional collateral required due to changes in security values is delivered to the fund the next business day. Cash collateral is invested by the lending agent(s) in accordance with investment guidelines approved by fund management. Additionally, the lending agent indemnifies the fund against losses resulting from borrower default. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral and indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and a possible loss of income or value if the borrower fails to return the securities, collateral investments decline in value and the lending agent fails to perform. Securities lending revenue consists of earnings on invested collateral and borrowing fees, net of any rebates to the borrower, compensation to the lending agent, and other administrative costs. In accordance with GAAP, investments made with cash collateral are reflected in the accompanying financial statements, but collateral received in the form of securities is not. At November 30, 2013, the value of loaned securities was $6,548,000; the value of cash collateral and related investments was $6,810,000.
Mortgage-Backed Securities The fund may invest in mortgage-backed securities (MBS or pass-through certificates) that represent an interest in a pool of specific underlying mortgage loans and entitle the fund to the periodic payments of principal and interest from those mortgages. MBS may be issued by government agencies or corporations, or private issuers. Most MBS issued by government agencies are guaranteed; however, the degree of protection differs based on the issuer. The fund also may invest in stripped MBS, created when a traditional MBS is split into an interest-only (IO) and a principal-only (PO) strip. MBS, including IOs and POs, are sensitive to changes in economic conditions that affect the rate of prepayments and defaults on the underlying mortgages; accordingly, the value, income, and related cash flows from MBS may be more volatile than other debt instruments. IOs also risk loss of invested principal from faster-than-anticipated prepayments.
Other Purchases and sales of portfolio securities other than short-term and U.S. government securities aggregated $256,243,000 and $266,871,000, respectively, for the six months ended November 30, 2013. Purchases and sales of U.S. government securities aggregated $256,491,000 and $234,393,000, respectively, for the six months ended November 30, 2013.
NOTE 5 - FEDERAL INCOME TAXES
No provision for federal income taxes is required since the fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code and distribute to shareholders all of its taxable income and gains. Distributions determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations may differ in amount or character from net investment income and realized gains for financial reporting purposes. Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character but are not adjusted for temporary differences. The amount and character of tax-basis distributions and composition of net assets are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax-basis balances have not been determined as of the date of this report.
The fund intends to retain realized gains to the extent of available capital loss carryforwards. Net realized capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future realized capital gains.
At November 30, 2013, the cost of investments for federal income tax purposes was $1,560,855,000. Net unrealized gain aggregated $477,441,000 at period-end, of which $515,377,000 related to appreciated investments and $37,936,000 related to depreciated investments.
NOTE 6 - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The fund is managed by T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. (Price Associates), a wholly owned subsidiary of T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. (Price Group). The investment management agreement between the fund and Price Associates provides for an annual investment management fee, which is computed daily and paid monthly. The fee consists of an individual fund fee, equal to 0.25% of the fund’s average daily net assets, and a group fee. The group fee rate is calculated based on the combined net assets of certain mutual funds sponsored by Price Associates (the group) applied to a graduated fee schedule, with rates ranging from 0.48% for the first $1 billion of assets to 0.275% for assets in excess of $400 billion. The fund’s group fee is determined by applying the group fee rate to the fund’s average daily net assets. At November 30, 2013, the effective annual group fee rate was 0.30%.
In addition, the fund has entered into service agreements with Price Associates and two wholly owned subsidiaries of Price Associates (collectively, Price). Price Associates computes the daily share price and provides certain other administrative services to the fund. T. Rowe Price Services, Inc., provides shareholder and administrative services in its capacity as the fund’s transfer and dividend-disbursing agent. T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc., provides subaccounting and recordkeeping services for certain retirement accounts invested in the fund. For the six months ended November 30, 2013, expenses incurred pursuant to these service agreements were $88,000 for Price Associates; $229,000 for T. Rowe Price Services, Inc.; and $380,000 for T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc. The total amount payable at period-end pursuant to these service agreements is reflected as Due to Affiliates in the accompanying financial statements.
The fund may invest in the T. Rowe Price Reserve Investment Fund, the T. Rowe Price Government Reserve Investment Fund, or the T. Rowe Price Short-Term Reserve Fund (collectively, the Price Reserve Investment Funds), open-end management investment companies managed by Price Associates and considered affiliates of the fund. The Price Reserve Investment Funds are offered as short-term investment options to mutual funds, trusts, and other accounts managed by Price Associates or its affiliates and are not available for direct purchase by members of the public. The Price Reserve Investment Funds pay no investment management fees.
The fund may also invest in certain other T. Rowe Price fund(s) as a means of gaining efficient and cost-effective exposure to certain markets. The fund does not invest for the purpose of exercising management or control; however, investments by the fund may represent a significant portion of an underlying T. Rowe Price fund’s net assets. Each underlying T. Rowe Price fund is an open-end management investment company managed by Price Associates and is considered an affiliate of the fund. To ensure that the fund does not incur duplicate management fees (paid by the underlying T. Rowe Price fund(s) and the fund), Price Associates has agreed to permanently waive a portion of its management fee charged to the fund in an amount sufficient to fully offset that portion of management fees paid by each underlying T. Rowe Price fund related to the fund’s investment therein. The accompanying Statement of Operations reflects management fees permanently waived pursuant to this agreement. Annual fee rates and management fees waived related to investments in the underlying T. Rowe Price fund(s) for the six months ended November 30, 2013, are as follows:
| Information on Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures, and Records |
A description of the policies and procedures used by T. Rowe Price funds and portfolios to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in each fund’s Statement of Additional Information. You may request this document by calling 1-800-225-5132 or by accessing the SEC’s website, sec.gov.
The description of our proxy voting policies and procedures is also available on our website, troweprice.com. To access it, click on the words “Social Responsibility” at the top of our corporate homepage. Next, click on the words “Conducting Business Responsibly” on the left side of the page that appears. Finally, click on the words “Proxy Voting Policies” on the left side of the page that appears.
Each fund’s most recent annual proxy voting record is available on our website and through the SEC’s website. To access it through our website, follow the above directions to reach the “Conducting Business Responsibly” page. Click on the words “Proxy Voting Records” on the left side of that page, and then click on the “View Proxy Voting Records” link at the bottom of the page that appears.
| How to Obtain Quarterly Portfolio Holdings |
The fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Form N-Q is available electronically on the SEC’s website (sec.gov); hard copies may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room, 100 F St. N.E., Washington, DC 20549. For more information on the Public Reference Room, call 1-800-SEC-0330.
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
A code of ethics, as defined in Item 2 of Form N-CSR, applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions is filed as an exhibit to the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR. No substantive amendments were approved or waivers were granted to this code of ethics during the registrant’s most recent fiscal half-year.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Disclosure required in registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a) The registrant’s principal executive officer and 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) The registrant’s code of ethics pursuant to Item 2 of Form N-CSR is filed with the registrant’s annual Form N-CSR.
(2) Separate certifications by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are attached.
(3) Written solicitation to repurchase securities issued by closed-end companies: not applicable.
(b) A certification by the registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and required by Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, is attached.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
T. Rowe Price Personal Strategy Funds,
Inc.
| By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
| Edward C. Bernard | ||
| Principal Executive Officer | ||
| Date January 21, 2014 | ||
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company
Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on
behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| By | /s/ Edward C. Bernard | |
| Edward C. Bernard | ||
| Principal Executive Officer | ||
| Date January 21, 2014 | ||
| By | /s/ Gregory K. Hinkle | |
| Gregory K. Hinkle | ||
| Principal Financial Officer | ||
| Date January 21, 2014 | ||