N-CSR 1 a10-2285_5ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

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

811-08748

 

Wanger Advisors Trust

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

One Financial Center, Boston, Massachusetts

 

02111

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

James R. Bordewick, Jr., Esq.

Columbia Management Advisors, LLC

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

1-617-426-3750

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31

 

 

Date of reporting period:

December 31, 2009

 

 

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.

 



Wanger International Select

2009 Annual Report

NOT FDIC INSURED   May Lose Value  
NOT BANK ISSUED   No Bank Guarantee  

 



  Wanger International Select

  2009 Annual Report

    Table of Contents

  1     Understanding Your Expenses  
  2     Skill and Luck  
  4     Performance Review  
  6     Statement of Investments  
  10     Statement of Assets and Liabilities  
  10     Statement of Operations  
  11     Statement of Changes in Net Assets  
  12     Financial Highlights  
  13     Notes to Financial Statements  
  17     Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
  18     Federal Income Tax Information  
  19     Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust  

 

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM") is one of the leading global small- and mid-cap equity managers in the United States with 40 years of small- and mid-cap investment experience. As of December 31, 2009, CWAM manages $27.3 billion in assets and is the investment advisor to Wanger USA, Wanger International, Wanger Select, Wanger International Select (together, the "Columbia Wanger Funds") and the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds.

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. is an SEC-registered investment advisor and indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

On September 29, 2009, Bank of America Corporation entered into an agreement with Ameriprise Financial, Inc. ("Ameriprise") to sell a portion of the long-term asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC, including 100% of CWAM.

The planned acquisition of Columbia Management's long-term asset management business by Ameriprise is subject to federal, state and international regulatory approvals.

Please read and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus, which contains this and other important information about the Fund, contact your financial advisor or insurance company or contact 1-888-4-WANGER.

An important note: Columbia Wanger Funds are sold only to certain life insurance companies in connection with certain variable annuity contracts, variable life insurance policies and eligible qualified retirement plans.

The views expressed in "Skill and Luck" and in the Performance Review reflect the current views of the respective authors. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Wanger Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Wanger Fund. References to specific company securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.




Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Understanding Your Expenses

As a Fund shareholder, you incur three types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption or exchange fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include investment advisory fees and other Fund expenses. Lastly, there may be additional fees or charges imposed by the insurance company that sponsors your variable annuity product. The information on this page is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Analyzing your Fund's expenses

To illustrate these ongoing costs, we have provided an example and calculated the expenses paid by investors in the Fund during the period. The information in the following table is based on an initial, hypothetical investment of $1,000, which is invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different results. The amount listed in the "Actual" column is calculated using actual operating expenses and total return for the Fund. The amount listed in the "Hypothetical" column assumes that the return each year is 5% before expenses and then applies the Fund's actual expense ratio for the period to the hypothetical return. You should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate either your actual account balance at the end of the period or the expenses you paid during the period. See "Compare with other funds" for details on using the hypothetical data.

Estimating your actual expenses

To estimate the expenses that you actually paid over the period, first you will need your account balance at the end of the period.

1.  Divide your ending account balance by $1,000. For example, if an account balance was $8,600 at the end of the period, the result would be 8.6.

2.   In the section of the table below titled "Expenses paid during the period," you will find a dollar amount in the column labeled "Actual." Multiply this amount by the result from step 1. Your answer is an estimate of the expenses you paid on your account during the period.

July 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009

    Account value at the
beginning of the period ($)
  Account value at the
end of the period ($)
  Expenses paid during
the period ($)
  Fund's annualized
expense ratio (%)*
 
    Actual   Hypothetical   Actual   Hypothetical   Actual   Hypothetical   Actual  
Wanger International Select     1,000.00       1,000.00       1,202.80       1,017.90       8.05       7.37       1.45    

 

          

*For the six months ended December 31, 2009.

Expenses paid during the period are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, then multiplied by the number of days in the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year and divided by 365.

It is important to note that the expense amounts shown in the table are meant to highlight only ongoing costs of investing in the Fund. Expenses paid during the period do not include any insurance charges imposed by your insurance company's separate account. The hypothetical example provided is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.

Had the investment advisor and/or any of its affiliates not waived fees or reimbursed a portion of expenses, account value at the end of the period would have been reduced.

Compare with other funds

Since all mutual funds are required to include the same hypothetical calculations about expenses in shareholder reports, you can use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples of other funds. As you compare hypothetical examples of other funds, it is important to note that hypothetical examples are meant to highlight the ongoing cost of investing in a fund and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees or exchange fees that may be incurred by shareholders of other funds. Expenses paid during the period do not include any insurance charges imposed by your insurance company's separate accounts.


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Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Skill and Luck

Research has proven that it is extremely difficult for institutional investors to consistently outperform the stock market. The performance distribution among mutual funds usually looks like a bell shaped curve, with some funds outperforming, many underperforming, and the average fund underperforming its benchmark roughly by its expense ratio. I'm happy to say that the Columbia Wanger Funds have outperformed their benchmarks during many years. But researchers note that there are thousands of mutual funds, and purely random outcomes will lead some funds to outperform. This raises an interesting debate: Do funds that outperform do so due to skill, or due to luck?

We try hard to apply investment skills in managing our Funds. We follow a time-tested approach and have an experienced and highly specialized team of investment professionals picking the stocks in which we invest. However, in order to cover both bases, I decided to also read up on luck. Dr. Richard Wiseman's The Luck Factor1 discusses his research and provides some common sense approaches that may enable people to become luckier.

Wiseman procured hundreds of volunteers, creating one group of people who considered themselves lucky and another who considered themselves unlucky. He tested conventional notions of luck. As one might expect, the lucky group had no apparent psychic ability; their guesses of upcoming lottery numbers were no better than guesses made by the unlucky group. Superstition was not effective either, as the appearance of a black cat vs. a white cat had no impact on results of a coin toss competition.

Instead, Wiseman concluded that people take specific actions that enable them to be lucky and succeed. He provides four principles that induce luck:

1) Maximize your chance opportunities
2) Listen to your lucky hunches
3) Expect good fortune
4) Turn bad luck into good

Though Wiseman does not explicitly mention investing, each principle can be applied in pursuit of successful money management.

Maximizing chance opportunities entails meeting a large number of people and creating networks to obtain information and investment ideas. Being observant and open to new ideas also helps. Successful investments can be discovered inadvertently: years ago I observed long lines and rising prices at parking garages in downtown Chicago and then profitably invested in a parking lot stock. Rather than pursuing information in hope of confirming existing opinions, pursuing unbiased information could induce the sale of an existing stock and purchase of a superior new one.

Listening to lucky hunches requires the use of intuition. Stocks tend to quickly react to information, and acting early, using imperfect information, is indeed an art form. We once had an analyst who tended to act only after obtaining repeated confirmations that company fundamentals had changed. He performed poorly because stocks often moved before he acted. In contrast, we recently successfully invested in a telecommunications stock that appeared likely to rise as an increasing number of Wall Street analysts began following it. Occasionally, we choose not to pursue possible investment opportunities because they simply don't feel right.

The next luck-inducing principle is to expect good fortune. This is consistent with our investment philosophy. We put money into stocks with the expectation that they will make money over time. We tend to expect continued good fortune from our successful investments and, when it makes sense, let our winners run. This has resulted in lower turnover than the industry average for the Columbia Wanger Funds.

We also attempt to turn bad luck into good and pursue an occasional positive side of bad luck. In the 1980s, several of our analysts complained about aggressive foreign competitors hurting companies we held in our flagship retail small-cap fund, Columbia Acorn Fund. The portfolio manager at that time, Ralph Wanger, coined the phrase, "Don't bitch, switch!" and we've owned some foreign stocks in that fund ever since. We've learned that one company's problem may be another company's opportunity, and that the best choice may be to invest in the latter company.

Ben Sherwood's The Survivors Club2 also mentions a few attributes applicable to investing. Situational awareness is a key part of military survival training and is important in investing too. Although many homebuilding stocks looked cheap during the housing bubble, generally avoiding them benefited our shareholders. Likewise, a well-run company may perform well within a highly competitive industry, but its stock could have substantial downside if its management changes or it grows beyond its niche.

As defined by Sherwood, the "incredulity response" occurs when very unusual events


2



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

occur, such as catastrophes. Market meltdowns also appear to qualify. People tend to not believe such an event is happening and become paralyzed. Instead, survivors need to act positively. During a market meltdown, the market becomes extremely risk averse, and pays investors handsomely to take risk. That was true a year ago and we invested in several companies with substantial debt that our analysis indicated would likely survive and flourish. On average, those stocks performed very well for shareholders.

Both authors believe that people can create their own luck. After reading their perspectives, I have to agree. We at Columbia Wanger Asset Management think that creating luck is a skill and that providing above average returns is no random act.

Charles P. McQuaid
President and Chief Investment Officer
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.

The information and data provided in this analysis are derived from sources that we deem to be reliable and accurate. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. The views/opinions expressed in this essay are those of the author and not of the Wanger Advisors Trust Board, are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions, may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Management associates or other divisions of Bank of America Corporation and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Wanger Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Wanger Fund.

Stocks of small- and mid-cap companies pose special risks, including possible illiquidity and greater price volatility than stocks of larger, more established companies. International investing involves special risks, including foreign taxation, currency risks, risks associated with possible differences in financial standards and other risks associated with future political and economic developments. Investing in emerging markets may involve greater risks than investing in more developed countries. In addition, concentration of investments in a single region may result in greater volatility. A fund that maintains a relatively concentrated portfolio may be subject to greater risk than a fund that is more fully diversified.

1  Wiseman, Richard, The Luck Factor, (New York, New York, Miramax Books/Hyperion 2003).

2  Sherwood, Ben, The Survivors Club, (New York, New York, Grand Central Publishing, 2009).

Also referenced in the writing of this essay was a research paper written by Eugene F. Fama and Kenneth R. French titled, "Luck versus Skill in the Cross Section of Mutual Fund Returns." The paper was originally dated October 2007 and updated in November 2009. It can be found on the Social Science Research Network's website at www.ssrn.com.


3



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Performance Review Wanger International Select

Christopher J. Olson
Portfolio Manager

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For daily and most recent month-end performance updates, please call 1-888-4-WANGER.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, Wanger International Select had a 32.92% return while its primary benchmark, the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2 Billion and $10 Billion Index, was up 38.60%. Having positioned the Fund well for the previous downturn, it lagged over the past year as the markets were boosted by an unprecedented amount of monetary and fiscal stimulus. Our focus for the Fund has been on companies with competitive market positions and business models, longer-term growth prospects and solid balance sheets but these companies were not strong performers during 2009 as investor appetite for risk returned and lower quality stocks rallied. We intend to continue to be manage the Fund following the approach that has resulted in good outperformance relative to its benchmark and peers over the three- and five-year periods.

Naspers was the top contributor to Fund performance for the year, posting a 121% annual gain. Naspers is a media company with assets in South Africa and other emerging markets that has enjoyed strong earnings growth and has benefited from its stake in the rapidly growing Chinese internet company, Tencent. Hexagon, a Swedish manufacturer of measurement equipment, ended the year up 195%. The company's business fundamentals remained robust throughout the recession due to its strong focus on emerging markets where growth has proven to be more stable.

Canada's Pacific Rubiales Energy, an oil production and exploration company with operating assets in Colombia, had the largest return for the year, posting an impressive 697% gain. The stock has benefited from increasing production and new exploration discoveries in Colombia as well as the rebound in oil prices.

Four of the Fund's five worst performing stocks for the period were in Japanese names and included Jupiter Telecommunications, Nintendo, Seven Bank and Daito Trust Construction. Losses in these stocks ranged from 7% to 39%. The Fund sold out of Nintendo midyear and Daito Trust Construction during the first quarter of 2009. The Japanese economy has and continues to suffer from a deflationary environment and declining population. While stocks in Japan are beginning to look interesting from a valuation perspective, the growth outlook remains uncertain, and investors reduced their Japanese holdings over the course of the year to focus on recovery stories in other regions. Cephalon, a U.S. pharmaceutical company, was the other name in the Fund's top five laggards list. Its stock fell 23% in the Fund. Upcoming patent expirations on several of Cephalon's drugs will make way for competition from generics, and potential health care reform in the United States added to uncertainty about its business. The Fund sold out of its position in Cephalon in the fourth quarter.

International investing involves special risks, including foreign taxation, currency risks, risks associated with possible differences in financial standards and other risks associated with future political and economic developments. Stocks of small- and mid-cap companies pose special risks, including possible illiquidity and greater price volatility than stocks of larger, more established companies. Investing in emerging markets may involve greater risks than investing in more developed countries.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change periodically and may not be representative of current holdings.

Fund's Positions in Mentioned Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

Naspers     6.5 %  
Hexagon     2.5    
Pacific Rubiales Energy     2.3    
Jupiter Telecommunications     2.2    
Seven Bank     1.8    

 


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Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Wanger International Select

February 1, 1999 (inception date) through December 31, 2009

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Performance results may reflect any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment advisor and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results would have been lower. For daily and most recent month-end performance updates, please call 1-888-4-WANGER.

This graph compares the results of $10,000 invested in Wanger International Select on February 1, 1999 (the date the Fund began operations) through December 31, 2009, to the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2 Billion and $10 Billion Index, with dividends and capital gains reinvested. Although the index is provided for use in assessing the Fund's performance, the Fund's holdings may differ significantly from those in the index.

Top 10 Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

1. Naspers (South Africa)
Media in Africa & Other Emerging Markets
    6.5 %  
2. Serco (United Kingdom)
Facilities Management
    5.1    
3. Capita Group (United Kingdom)
White Collar, Back Office Outsourcing
    3.3    
4. NHN (South Korea)
South Korea's Largest Online Search Engine
    3.2    
5. Ascendas REIT (Singapore)
Singapore Industrial Property Landlord
    3.1    
6. Olam International (Singapore)
Agriculture Supply Chain Manager
    3.0    
7. Eldorado Gold (Canada)
Gold Miner in Turkey, Greece, China & Brazil
    2.8    
8. Kansai Paint (Japan)
Paint Producer in Japan, India, China & Southeast Asia
    2.7    
9. Red Electrica de Espana (Spain)
Spanish Power Transmission
    2.7    
10. Cobham (United Kingdom)
Aerospace Components
    2.6    

 

Top 5 Countries

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

United Kingdom     15.6 %  
Japan     15.6    
Canada     8.3    
Singapore     7.0    
South Korea     7.0    

 

Results as of December 31, 2009

    4th quarter   1 year  
Wanger International Select     4.54 %     32.92 %  
S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2 Billion
and $10 Billion Index*
    1.14       38.60    
MSCI EAFE Index     2.18       31.78    
Lipper Variable Underlying International
Growth Funds Index
    4.19       35.75    

 

NAV as of 12/31/09: $15.42

* The Fund's primary benchmark.

Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses but do not include any insurance charge imposed by your insurance company's separate accounts. If performance included the effect of these additional charges, it would be lower.

The Fund's annual operating expense ratio is 1.24%. The annual operating expense ratio is as stated in the Fund's prospectus that is current as of the date of this report. Differences in expense ratios disclosed elsewhere in this report may result from including fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any, as well as different time periods used in calculating the ratios.

All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

The S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2 Billion and $10 Billion Index, the Fund's primary benchmark, is a subset of the broad market selected by the index sponsor representing the mid-cap developed market, excluding the United States. The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (MSCI EAFE) Index is a capitalization-weighted index that tracks the total return of common stocks in 21 developed market countries within Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The Lipper Variable Underlying International Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest variable insurance underlying funds in the Lipper Variable Underlying International Growth Funds Classification. Indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Lipper Inc., a widely respected data provider in the industry, calculates an average total return (assuming reinvestment of distributions) for mutual funds with investment objectives similar to those of the Fund. Lipper makes no adjustment for the effect of sales loads.

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically and may not be representative of current characteristics and holdings.


5




Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International Select

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
        Equities – 96.7%          
    Europe 38.0%  
    United Kingdom – 15.6%  
  190,000     Serco
Facilities Management
    $1,615,315
   
  85,000     Capita Group
White Collar, Back Office Outsourcing
    1,025,254
   
  200,000     Cobham
Aerospace Components
    806,177
   
  40,000     Intertek Group
Testing, Inspection & Certification Services
    805,401
   
  25,000     Schroders
United Kingdom Top Tier Asset Manager
    533,638
   
  118,100     Spice Group
United Kingdom Utility Outsourcing
    115,291
   
              4,901,076    
    Netherlands – 6.0%  
  13,540     Fugro
Sub-sea Oilfield Services
    773,228
   
  20,000     Imtech
Electromechanical & ICT Installation &
Maintenance
    536,713
   
  3,000     Core Laboratories
Oil & Gas Reservoir Consulting
    354,360
   
  2,700     Smit Internationale
Harbor & Offshore Towage & Marine Services
    232,429
   
              1,896,730    
    France – 4.4%  
  7,000     Neopost
Postage Meter Machines
    578,347
   
  14,900     Eutelsat
Fixed Satellite Services
    478,046
   
  8,000     Zodiac Aerospace
Leading Supplier to the Aerospace Industry
    333,853
   
              1,390,246    
    Germany – 3.3%  
  50,000     Wirecard
Online Payment Processing & Risk Management
    687,424
   
  14,000     Rhoen-Klinikum
Health Care Services
    342,424
   
              1,029,848    

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Spain – 2.7%  
  15,400     Red Electrica de Espana
Spanish Power Transmission
  $853,498
 
    Sweden – 2.5%  
  53,000     Hexagon
Measurement Equipment
  778,548
 
    Switzerland – 1.7%  
  2,900     Kuehne & Nagel
Freight Forwarding/Logistics
  280,532
 
  7,000     Bank Sarasin & Cie (a)
Private Banking
  264,547
 
              545,079    
    Ireland – 0.9%  
  95,000     United Drug
Irish Pharmaceutical Wholesaler & Outsourcer
  289,864
 
    Denmark – 0.9%  
  2,700     Novozymes
Industrial Enzymes
  279,962
 
        Europe – Total     11,964,851    
    Asia – 36.8%  
    Japan – 15.6%  
  104,000     Kansai Paint
Paint Producer in Japan, India, China &
Southeast Asia
  863,539
 
  700     Jupiter Telecommunications
Largest Cable Service Provider in Japan
  693,503
 
  14,900     Benesse
Education Service Provider
  623,092
 
  51,900     Rohto Pharmaceutical
Health & Beauty Products
  597,367
 
  290     Seven Bank
ATM Processing Services
  575,976
 
  80     Orix JREIT
Diversified REIT
  397,595
 
  44,000     Nomura Holdings
Brokerage, Dealing, Underwriting &
Asset Management
  324,261
 
  13,000     Ain Pharmaciez
Dispensing Pharmacy/Drugstore Operator
  311,905
 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
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Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International Select

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Japan – 15.6% (cont)  
  37,000     Kamigumi
Port Cargo Handling & Logistics
    $268,855
   
  27,000     Suruga Bank
Regional Bank
    234,198
   
              4,890,291    
    Singapore – 7.0%  
  620,000     Ascendas REIT
Singapore Industrial Property Landlord
    970,946
   
  500,000     Olam International
Agriculture Supply Chain Manager
    936,389
   
  50,000     Singapore Exchange
Singapore Equity & Derivatives
Market Operator
    294,737
   
              2,202,072    
    South Korea – 7.0%  
  6,000     NHN (a)
South Korea's Largest Online Search Engine
    990,757
   
  3,900     MegaStudy
Online Education Service Provider
    799,096
   
  12,500     Woongjin Coway
South Korean Household Appliance
Rental Service Provider
    412,128
   
              2,201,981    
    China – 4.8%  
  284,600     Zhaojin Mining Industry
Gold Mining & Refining in China
    561,352
   
  543,000     Jiangsu Expressway
Chinese Toll Road Operator
    483,075
   
  143,500     Shandong Weigao
Vertically Integrated Hospital Consumable
Manufacturer
    476,588
   
              1,521,015    
    Hong Kong – 2.4%  
  35,000     Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing
Hong Kong Equity & Derivatives
Market Operator
    623,084
   
  40,400     Lifestyle International
Mid to High-end Department Store
Operator in Hong Kong & China
    74,934
   

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  470,714     NagaCorp
Casino/Entertainment Complex in Cambodia
    $52,002
   
      750,020    
        Asia – Total     11,565,379    
    Other Countries – 21.9%  
    Canada – 8.3%  
  61,050     Eldorado Gold (a)
Gold Miner in Turkey, Greece, China & Brazil
    870,934
   
  50,000     Pacific Rubiales Energy (a)
Oil Production & Exploration in Colombia
    738,634
   
  6,000     Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan
World's Largest Producer of Potash
    651,000
   
  12,900     CCL Industries
Leading Global Label Manufacturer
    348,448
   
              2,609,016    
    South Africa – 6.5%  
  50,000     Naspers
Media in Africa & Other Emerging Markets
    2,029,055
   
    United States – 4.6%  
  4,700     Diamond Offshore
Offshore Drilling Contractor
    462,574
   
  7,000     Oceaneering International (a)
Provider of Sub-sea Services &
Manufactured Products
    409,640
   
  7,000     Alexion Pharmaceuticals (a)
Biotech Focused on Orphan Diseases
    341,740
   
  6,500     Atwood Oceanics (a)
Offshore Drilling Contractor
    233,025
   
              1,446,979    
    Australia – 1.5%  
  38,000     United Group
Engineering & Facilities Management
    483,867
   
    Israel – 1.0%  
  25,000     Israel Chemicals
Producer of Potash, Phosphates, Bromine &
Specialty Chemicals
    326,414
   
        Other Countries – Total     6,895,331    
Total Equities (Cost: $23,833,338) – 96.7%     30,425,561    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International Select

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of Shares
or Principal Amount
      Value  
    Exchange Traded Fund 1.0%  
  25,000     iShares MSCI Taiwan Index Fund   $ 324,250    
    Taiwan Exchange Traded Fund    
    Total Exchange Traded Fund (Cost: $249,340)     324,250    
Short-Term Obligation – 2.5%  
    Repurchase Agreement – 2.5%  
$ 771,000     Repurchase Agreement with Fixed
Income Clearing Corp., dated 12/31/09,
due 1/04/10 at 0.00%, collateralized by
a U.S. Treasury obligation, maturing
3/18/10, market value $789,921
(repurchase proceeds $771,000)
    771,000    
    Total Short-Term Obligation (Cost: $771,000)     771,000    
Total Investments (Cost: $24,853,678) – 100.2% (b)(c)     31,520,811    
Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities – (0.2)%     (66,689 )  
Total Net Assets – 100.0%   $ 31,454,122    

 

Notes to Statement of Investments:

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  On December 31, 2009, the Fund's total investments were denominated in currencies as follows:

Currency   Value   Percentage
of Net Assets
 
Euro   $ 5,105,825       16.2    
British Pound     4,901,076       15.6    
Japanese Yen     4,890,291       15.6    
U.S. Dollar     3,547,589       11.3    
Hong Kong Dollar     2,271,035       7.2    
Singapore Dollar     2,202,072       7.0    
South Korean Won     2,201,981       7.0    
South African Rand     2,029,055       6.5    
Canadian Dollar     1,958,016       6.2    
Other currencies less than
5% of total net assets
    2,413,871       7.6    
Cash and other assets
less liabilities
    (66,689 )     (0.2 )  
    $ 31,454,122       100.0    

 

(c)  At December 31, 2009, for federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments was $25,309,623, and net unrealized appreciation was $6,211,188, consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $7,064,206 and gross unrealized depreciation of $853,018.

The following table summarizes the inputs used, as of December 31, 2009, in valuing the Fund's assets:

Investment Type   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
  Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Total  
Equities  
Europe   $ 354,360     $ 11,610,491     $     $ 11,964,851    
Asia           11,565,379             11,565,379    
Other Countries     4,055,995       2,839,336             6,895,331    
Total Equities   $ 4,410,355     $ 26,015,206     $     $ 30,425,561    
Total Exchange Traded
Fund
    324,250                   324,250    
Total Short-Term
Obligation
          771,000             771,000    
Total Investments   $ 4,734,605     $ 26,786,206     $     $ 31,520,811    

 

The Fund's assets assigned to the Level 2 input category include certain foreign securities for which a third party statistical pricing service may be employed for purposes of fair market valuation.

For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the table above, please refer to the Security Valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International Select

Portfolio Diversification December 31, 2009

At December 31, 2009, the Fund's portfolio investments as a percentage of net assets was diversified as follows:

    Value   Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Industrial Goods & Services  
Outsourcing Services   $ 3,692,249       11.7    
Other Industrial Services     2,440,366       7.8    
Industrial Materials & Specialty Chemicals     1,469,915       4.7    
Electrical Components     806,177       2.6    
Machinery     578,347       1.8    
      8,987,054       28.6    
Information  
TV Broadcasting     2,029,055       6.5    
Financial Processors     1,605,245       5.1    
Internet Related     990,757       3.1    
Instrumentation     778,548       2.5    
CATV     693,503       2.2    
Satellite Broadcasting & Services     478,046       1.5    
      6,575,154       20.9    
Energy & Minerals  
Mining     2,437,646       7.8    
Oil Services     1,878,467       6.0    
Oil & Gas Producers     738,634       2.3    
      5,054,747       16.1    
Consumer Goods & Services  
Other Consumer Services     1,909,250       6.0    
Nondurables     945,815       3.0    
Retail     311,905       1.0    
Casinos & Gaming     52,002       0.2    
      3,218,972       10.2    

 

    Value   Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Other Industries  
Real Estate   $ 1,368,541       4.4    
Transportation     984,359       3.1    
Regulated Utilities     853,498       2.7    
      3,206,398       10.2    
Finance  
Brokerage & Money Management     1,122,446       3.5    
Banks     810,174       2.6    
      1,932,620       6.1    
Health Care  
Medical Equipment & Devices     818,328       2.6    
Health Care Services     342,424       1.1    
Pharmaceuticals     289,864       0.9    
      1,450,616       4.6    
Total Equities     30,425,561       96.7    
Exchange Traded Fund     324,250       1.0    
Short-Term Obligation     771,000       2.5    
Total Investments     31,520,811       100.2    
Cash and Other Assets
Less Liabilities
    (66,689 )     (0.2 )  
Net Assets   $ 31,454,122       100.0    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9




Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2009

Assets:  
Investments, at cost   $ 24,853,678    
Investments, at value   $ 31,520,811    
Cash     116    
Receivable for:  
Investments sold     662    
Fund shares sold     30,282    
Dividends receivable     30,519    
Foreign tax reclaims     1,512    
Other assets     202    
Total Assets     31,584,104    
Liabilities:  
Expense reimbursement due to investment advisor     10,092    
Payable for:  
Investments purchased     14,473    
Fund shares repurchased     35,657    
Investment advisory fee     25,043    
Administration fee     1,332    
Transfer agent fee     15    
Trustees' fees     2    
Audit fee     15,370    
Custody fee     6,100    
Reports to shareholders     10,425    
Chief compliance officer expenses     79    
Trustees' deferred compensation plan     10,136    
Other liabilities     1,258    
Total Liabilities     129,982    
Net Assets   $ 31,454,122    
Composition of Net Assets:  
Paid-in capital   $ 33,835,883    
Overdistributed net investment income     (77,609 )  
Accumulated net realized loss     (8,970,563 )  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Investments     6,667,133    
Foreign currency translations     (722 )  
Net Assets   $ 31,454,122    
Fund Shares Outstanding     2,039,608    
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
  $ 15.42    

 

Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

Investment Income:  
Dividends (net foreign taxes withheld of $51,156)   $ 621,815    
Interest income     479    
Securities lending income     21    
Total Investment Income     622,315    
Expenses:  
Investment advisory fee     266,056    
Administration fee     14,152    
Transfer agent fee     169    
Trustees' fees     5,688    
Custody fee     63,568    
Reports to shareholders     26,758    
Audit fee     24,101    
Chief compliance officer expenses (See Note 4)     1,320    
Other expenses (See Note 5)     18,451    
Total Expenses     420,263    
Fees waived or expenses reimbursed
by investment advisor
    (9,931 )  
Custody earnings credit     *  
Net Expenses     410,332    
Net Investment Income     211,983    
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments and Foreign Currency:
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:  
Investments     (3,478,003 )  
Foreign currency transactions     32,252    
Net realized loss     (3,445,751 )  
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on:
 
Investments     11,083,357    
Foreign currency translations     (2,604 )  
Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation)
    11,080,753    
Net Gain     7,635,002    
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations   $ 7,846,985    

 

*  Rounds to less than $1.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

    Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   2009   2008  
Operations:  
Net investment income   $ 211,983     $ 566,145    
Net realized loss on investments and foreign currency transactions     (3,445,751 )     (5,479,558 )  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
on investments and foreign currency translations
    11,080,753       (22,161,534 )  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations     7,846,985       (27,074,947 )  
Distributions to Shareholders:  
From net investment income     (867,446 )     (215,563 )  
From net realized gains           (14,461,904 )  
Total Distributions to Shareholders     (867,446 )     (14,677,467 )  
Share Transactions:  
Subscriptions     1,881,562       4,503,145    
Distributions reinvested     867,446       14,677,467    
Redemptions     (7,878,859 )     (21,308,289 )  
Net Decrease from Share Transactions     (5,129,851 )     (2,127,677 )  
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets     1,849,688       (43,880,091 )  
Net Assets:  
Beginning of period     29,604,434       73,484,525    
End of period   $ 31,454,122     $ 29,604,434    
Undistributed/(overdistributed) net investment income at end of period   $ (77,609 )   $ 544,737    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11




Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Financial Highlights

    Year Ended December 31,  
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period   $ 12.01     $ 28.07     $ 26.62     $ 19.63     $ 17.19    
Income from Investment Operations:  
Net investment income (a)     0.10       0.21       0.10       0.11       0.13    
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency     3.71       (10.31 )     4.92       6.94       2.66    
Total from Investment Operations     3.81       (10.10 )     5.02       7.05       2.79    
Less Distributions to Shareholders:  
From net investment income     (0.40 )     (0.09 )     (0.21 )     (0.06 )     (0.35 )  
From net realized gains           (5.87 )     (3.36 )              
Total Distributions to Shareholders     (0.40 )     (5.96 )     (3.57 )     (0.06 )     (0.35 )  
Net Asset Value, End of Period   $ 15.42     $ 12.01     $ 28.07     $ 26.62     $ 19.63    
Total Return (b)     32.92 %(c)     (44.35 )%     21.78 %     36.00 %     16.43 %(c)  
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:  
Net expenses (d)     1.45 %     1.24 %     1.18 %     1.19 %     1.32 %  
Net investment income (d)     0.75 %     1.10 %     0.37 %     0.47 %     0.76 %  
Waiver/Reimbursement     0.04 %                       0.00 %(e)  
Portfolio turnover rate     62 %     68 %     69 %     61 %     48 %  
Net assets, end of period (000s)   $ 31,454     $ 29,604     $ 73,485     $ 62,594     $ 44,026    

 

(a)  Net investment income per share was based upon the average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested.

(c)  Had the investment advisor not waived a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.

(d)  The benefits derived from custody fees paid indirectly had an impact of less than 0.01%.

(e)  Rounds to less than 0.01%.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12




Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements

1.  Nature of Operations

Wanger International Select (the "Fund"), is a series of Wanger Advisors Trust (the "Trust"), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund is available only for allocation to certain life insurance company separate accounts established for the purpose of funding qualified and non-qualified variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and may also be offered directly to certain types of pension plans and retirement arrangements.

On September 29, 2009, Bank of America Corporation, the indirect parent company of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM"), entered into an agreement to sell a portion of the asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC ("Columbia Management") to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. The transaction ("Transaction") includes a sale of CWAM. The Transaction is subject to certain approvals and other conditions to closing, and is currently expected to close in the spring of 2010.

2.  Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through February 18, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued, and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosures. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

Security valuation

Securities of the Fund are valued at market value or, if a market quotation for a security is not readily available or is deemed not to be reliable because of events or circumstances that have occurred between the market quotation and the time as of which the security is to be valued, the security is valued at its fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. A security traded on a securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market in which transaction prices are reported is valued at the last sales price at the time of valuation. A security traded principally on NASDAQ is valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds are valued at their closing net asset value as reported to NASDAQ. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued at the latest bid quotation. Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. A security for which a market quotation is not readily available and any other assets are valued at its fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The Trust has retained an independent statistical fair value pricing service that employs a systematic methodology to assist in the fair valuation process for securities principally traded in a foreign market in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time as of which the securities are to be valued. If a security is valued at a "fair value", that value may be different from the last quoted market price for the security.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

•  Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)

•  Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including management's own assumptions in determining the value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose NAVs are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by the Fund's valuation committee that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in level 2. Typical level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Fund's Valuation Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

Repurchase agreements

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund, through its custodian, receives delivery of underlying securities collateralizing each repurchase agreement. The counterparty is required to maintain collateral that is at all times at least equal to the repurchase price including interest. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.

Foreign currency translations

Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the New York spot market rate of exchange at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend and interest income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot market rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates is included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments, as appropriate.

Security transactions and investment income

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of discounts on debt obligations when required for federal income tax purposes. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis.

Awards, if any, from class action litigation related to securities owned may be recorded as a reduction of cost of those securities. If the applicable securities are no longer owned, the proceeds are recorded as realized gains.

Restricted securities

Restricted securities are securities that may only be resold upon registration under federal securities laws or in transactions exempt from registration. In some cases, the issuer of restricted securities has agreed to register such securities for resale at the issuer's expense either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Such restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Board of Trustees.


13



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

Securities lending

The Fund may lend securities up to one-third of the value of its total assets to certain approved brokers, dealers and other financial institutions to earn additional income. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities, including receipt of dividends or interest generated by the security. The Fund also receives a fee for the loan. The Fund has the ability to recall the loans at any time and could do so in order to vote proxies or to sell the loaned securities. Each loan is collateralized by cash that exceeds the value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined daily at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. The Fund has elected to invest the cash collateral in the Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund and the income earned is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending as the lending agent and borrower rebates. The Fund's advisor, CWAM, does not retain any fees earned by the lending program. Generally, in the event of borrower default, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. In the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral, there may be a potential loss to the Fund. Some of these losses may be indemnified by the lending agent. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of collateral.

The net lending income earned in 2009 by the Fund is included in the Statement of Operations. There were no loans outstanding on December 31, 2009.

Fund share valuation

Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuing basis at net asset value. Net asset value per share is determined daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("the Exchange") on each day the Exchange is open for trading by dividing the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

Custody fees/Credits

Custody fees are reduced based on the Fund's cash balances maintained with the custodian. The amount is disclosed as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.

Federal income taxes

The Fund has complied with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code available to regulated investment companies and, in the manner provided therein, distributes all its taxable income, as well as any net realized gain on sales of investments and foreign currency transactions reportable for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund paid no federal income taxes and no federal income tax provision was required.

Expenses

General expenses of the Trust are allocated to the Fund and the other series of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund.

Foreign capital gains taxes

Gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level, at rates ranging from 10%-15%. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on net realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, the Trust on behalf of the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnities. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims against the Fund. Also under the Trust's organizational documents, the trustees and officers of the Trust are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of their duties to the Trust. However based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities to be minimal.

3.  Federal Tax Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, permanent book and tax basis differences resulting primarily from differing treatments for foreign currency transactions and passive foreign investment companies ("PFIC") adjustments were identified and reclassified among the components of the Fund's net assets as follows:

Overdistributed
Net Investment Income
  Accumulated
Net Realized Loss
  Paid-In Capital  
$ 33,117     $ (33,117 )   $    

 

Net investment income and net realized gains (losses), as disclosed on the Statement of Operations, and net assets were not affected by this reclassification.

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:

    December 31, 2009   December 31, 2008  
Distributions paid from:  
Ordinary Income*   $ 867,446     $ 3,006,152    
Long-Term Capital Gains           11,671,315    

 

* For tax purposes short-term capital gains distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of December 31, 2009, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
 
Net Unrealized
Appreciation*
 
$ 230,735     $     $ 6,211,188    

 

* The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation are primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales and PFIC adjustments.

The following capital loss carryforwards, determined as of December 31, 2009, may be available to reduce taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code:

Year of
Expiration
  Capital Loss
Carryforward
 
  2016     $ 2,630,085    
  2017       5,996,635    
Total     8,626,720    

 


14



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

Under current tax rules, certain currency (and capital) losses realized after October 31 may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. As of December 31, 2009, post-October capital losses of $196,242 attributed to security transactions were deferred to January 1, 2010.

Management is required to determine whether a tax position of the Fund is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized by the Fund is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Management is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. However, management's conclusions may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

4.  Transactions With Affiliates

CWAM is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Management which in turn is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BOA"). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's business affairs.

Under the Fund's investment advisory agreement, management fees are accrued daily based on the Fund's average daily net assets and paid monthly to CWAM at the annual rates shown in the table below:

Average Daily Net Assets   Annual Fee Rate  
  Up to $500 million       0.94 %  
  $500 million and over       0.89 %  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund's effective investment advisory fee rate was 0.94% of average daily net assets.

Through April 30, 2010, CWAM will reimburse the Fund to the extent that ordinary operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage commissions, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, but inclusive of custodian charges relating to overdrafts, if any), after giving effect to any balance credits from the Fund's custodian, exceed an annual percentage of 1.45% of average daily net assets on an annualized basis. For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund was reimbursed $9,931.

CWAM provides administrative services and receives an administration fee from the Fund at the following annual rates.

Wanger Advisors Trust Aggregate
Average Daily Net Assets of the Trust
  Annual Fee Rate  
Up to $4 billion     0.05 %  
$4 billion to $6 billion     0.04 %  
$6 billion to $8 billion     0.03 %  
$8 billion and over     0.02 %  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund's effective administration fee rate was 0.05% of average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management Advisors, LLC ("Columbia"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, the responsibility for certain administrative services.

Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of CWAM. The Trust makes no direct payments to its officers and trustees who are affiliated with CWAM.

The Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust in accordance with federal securities regulations. The Fund, along with other affiliated funds, pays its pro-rata share of the expenses associated with the Office of the Chief Compliance Officer. These expenses are disclosed separately as "Chief compliance officer expenses" in the Statement of Operations.

The Trust offers a deferred compensation plan for its independent trustees. Under that plan, a trustee may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her compensation. Amounts deferred are retained by the Trust and may represent an unfunded obligation of the Trust. The value of amounts deferred is determined by reference to the change in value of Class Z shares of one or more series of Columbia Acorn Trust or a money market fund as specified by the trustee. Benefits under the deferred compensation plan are payable when the trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees.

Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of Columbia and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, serves as the principal underwriter of the Trust and receives no compensation from the Fund for its services.

Columbia Management Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), an affiliate of Columbia and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, provides shareholder services to the Fund and has subcontracted with Boston Financial Data Services ("BFDS") to serve as subtransfer agent. For such services, the Transfer Agent receives a fee, paid monthly, at the annual rate of $21.00 per account. . The Transfer Agent also receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund did not engage in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers.

5.  Borrowing Arrangements

The Trust participates in a $150 million credit facility, along with another Trust managed by CWAM, which was entered into to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Under the facility, interest is charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the higher of Federal Funds Rate or Overnight LIBOR plus 0.750%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.12% per annum of the unutilized line of credit is accrued and apportioned among the participating funds based on their relative net assets. The commitment fee is included in "Other expenses" in the Statement of Operations. No amounts were borrowed by the Fund under this facility during the year ended December 31, 2009. The Trust enters into this line of credit for one year durations. The Trust has secured the line of credit for the entire year of 2010.

6.  Fund Share Transactions

Proceeds and payments on Fund shares as shown in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets are in respect of the following numbers of shares:

    Year Ended
December 31, 2009
  Year Ended
December 31, 2008
 
Shares sold     143,216       246,505    
Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividend distributions
    77,552       740,912    
Less shares redeemed     (645,637 )     (1,140,778 )  
Net decrease in shares outstanding     (424,869 )     (153,361 )  

 

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $17,026,842 and $22,561,564, respectively.

8.  Legal Proceedings

CWAM, Columbia Acorn Trust, (another mutual fund family advised by CWAM), and the trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust (collectively, the "Columbia defendants") are named as defendants in class and derivative complaints that have been consolidated in a Multi-District Action (the "MDL Action") in the


15



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

federal district court of Maryland. These lawsuits contend that defendants permitted certain investors to market time their trades in certain Columbia Acorn Funds. The MDL Action is ongoing. However, all claims against the Trust and the independent trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust have been dismissed.

Columbia Acorn Trust and CWAM are also defendants in a class action lawsuit that alleges, in summary, that Columbia Acorn Trust and CWAM exposed shareholders of Columbia Acorn International Fund to trading by market timers by allegedly: (a) failing to properly evaluate daily whether a significant event affecting the value of that fund's securities had occurred after foreign markets had closed but before the calculation of the funds' net asset value (NAV"); (b) failing to implement the fund's portfolio valuation and share pricing policies and procedures; and (c) failing to know and implement applicable rules and regulations concerning the calculation of NAV (the "Fair Valuation Lawsuit"). The Seventh Circuit ruled that the plaintiffs' state law claims were preempted under federal law resulting in the dismissal of plaintiffs' complaint. Plaintiffs appealed the Seventh Circuit's ruling to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court reversed the Seventh Circuit's ruling on jurisdictional grounds and the case was ultimately remanded to the state court.

On March 21, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against the Trust and CWAM seeking to rescind the CDSC assessed upon redemption of Class B shares of the Columbia Acorn Funds due to the alleged market timing of the Columbia Acorn Funds (the "CDSC Lawsuit"). In addition to the rescission of sales charges, plaintiffs seek recovery of actual damages, attorneys' fees and costs. The case has been transferred to the MDL Action in the federal district court of Maryland.

On September 14, 2007, the plaintiffs and the Columbia defendants named in the MDL Action, including the Columbia Funds, entered into a stipulation of settlement with respect to all Columbia-related claims in the MDL Action described above, including the CDSC and Fair Valuation Lawsuits. The settlement is subject to court approval.

Columbia Acorn Funds and CWAM intend to defend these suits vigorously. CWAM believes that the lawsuits are not likely to materially affect its ability to provide investment management services to the Fund.


16



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Wanger International Select:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wanger International Select (a series of the Wanger Advisors Trust, hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") at December 31, 2009, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2009 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 18, 2010


17



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

Foreign taxes paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 of $51,156 are expected to be passed through to shareholders. This represents $0.03 per share. Eligible shareholders may claim this amount as a foreign tax credit.

Gross income derived from sources within foreign countries was $621,168 ($0.30 per share) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

12.12% of the ordinary income distributed by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.


18




Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has overall management responsibility for the Trust and the Funds. Each trustee may serve a term of unlimited duration. The Trust's bylaws generally require that trustees retire at the end of the calendar year in which they attain 75 years. The trustees appoint their own successors, provided that at least two-thirds of the trustees, after such appointment, have been elected by shareholders. Shareholders may remove a trustee, with or without cause, upon the vote of two-thirds of the Trust's outstanding shares at any meeting called for that purpose. A trustee may be removed, with or without cause, upon the vote of a majority of the trustees.

The names of the trustees and officers of the Trust, the date each was first elected or appointed to office, their principal business occupations during at least the last five years, and other directorships they hold are shown below. Each trustee serves in such capacity for each of the four series of the Trust and each of the six series of Columbia Acorn Trust.

The business address of each trustee and officer of the Trust is Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P., 227 West Monroe, Suite 3000, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund's trustees and officers. You may obtain a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information by writing or calling toll-free:

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
Shareholder Services Group
227 W. Monroe, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
888-4-WANGER (888-492-6437)

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
Trustees who are not interested persons of Wanger Advisors Trust:              
Laura M. Born, 44,
Trustee
    2007     Adjunct Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; formerly, Managing Director–Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (broker/ dealer) 2002-2007.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Michelle L. Collins, 49,
Trustee
    2008     President, Cambium LLC (financial advisory firm) since 2007; Advisory Board Member, Svoboda Capital Partners LLC (private equity firm) since 2007; Managing Director Svoboda Capital Partners LLC, 1998-2006.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Bucyrus International, Inc. (mining equipment manufacturer); Molex, Inc. (electronics components manufacturer).  
Maureen M. Culhane, 61,
Trustee
    2007     Retired. Formerly, Vice President, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (investment advisor), 2005-2007, and Vice President (Consultant)-Strategic Relationship Management, Goldman Sachs AG, 1999-2005.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Margaret M. Eisen, 56,
Trustee
    2002     Chief Investment Officer, EAM International LLC (corporate finance and asset management) since 2003; Managing Director, CFA Institute, 2005-2008.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Antigenics, Inc. (biotechnology and pharmaceuticals) (until June 2009).  
Jerome Kahn, Jr., 75, (1)
Trustee
    1987     Portfolio manager and stock analyst; formerly, President, William Harris Investors, Inc. (investment advisor).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Steven N. Kaplan, 50,
Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Board
    1999     Neubauer Family Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Accretive Health, Inc. (healthcare management services provider); Morningstar, Inc. (provider of independent investment research).  

 


19



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
David C. Kleinman, 74,
Trustee
    1972     Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; business consultant.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Sonic Foundry, Inc. (rich media systems and software).  
Allan B. Muchin, 73,
Trustee
    1998     Chairman Emeritus, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP (law firm).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
James A. Star, 48,
Trustee and Chairman of the Board
    2006     President, Longview Asset Management LLC (investment advisor) since 2003; Director, Traush Industries (privately-owned manufacturer of refrigeration parts and products).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
John A. Wing, 74,
Trustee
    2002     Partner, Dancing Lion Partners (investment firm); prior thereto, Frank Wakely Gunsaulus Professor of Law and Finance and Chairman of the Center for the Study of Law and Financial Markets, Illinois Institute of Technology; formerly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, ABN-AMRO Inc. (formerly named The Chicago Corporation, a financial services firm) and Chief Executive Officer, Market Liquidity Network, LLC.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; First Chicago Bank and Trust; First Chicago Bancorp.  
Trustees who are interested persons of Wanger Advisors Trust:              
Charles P. McQuaid, 56,
Trustee and President (2)
    1992     President and Chief Investment Officer, CWAM or its predecessors, since October 2003; associated with CWAM or its predecessors since 1978.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Ralph Wanger, 75,
Trustee (3)
    1970     Founder, CWAM. Formerly, President, Chief Investment Officer and portfolio manager, CWAM or its predecessors, July 1992-September 2003; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Consultant, CWAM or its predecessors, September 2003-September 2005.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Officers of Wanger Advisors Trust:              
Ben Andrews, 43,
Vice President
    2004     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1998; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2004.     10     None.  
Michael G. Clarke, 40,
Assistant Treasurer
    2004     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of certain Columbia Funds since January 2009; Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds from June 2008 to January 2009; Deputy Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds since June 2008; Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer, the Columbia Funds, October 2004 to May 2008; Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, since January 2006; Managing Director, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, September 2004-December 2005.     10     None.  
Jeffrey Coleman, 40,
Assistant Treasurer
    2006     Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds since June 2008; Director of Fund Administration, CWAM, since January 2006; Fund Controller, CWAM or its predecessors, October 2004-January 2006.     10     None.  
P. Zachary Egan, 41,
Vice President
    2003     Director of International Research, CWAM or its predecessors, since December 2004; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2007; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1999.     10     None.  

 


20



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
Peter T. Fariel, 52,
Assistant Secretary
    2006     Associate General Counsel, Bank of America Corporation, since April 2005; prior thereto, Partner, Goodwin Procter LLP (law firm).     10     None.  
John Kunka, 39,
Assistant Treasurer
    2006     Director of Accounting and Operations, CWAM or its predecessors, since May 2006; Manager of Mutual Fund Operations, Calamos Advisors, Inc. (investment advisor), September 2005-May 2006; prior thereto, Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments.     10     None.  
Joseph C. LaPalm, 40,
Vice President
    2006     Chief Compliance Officer, CWAM, since 2005; prior thereto, compliance officer, William Blair & Company (investment firm).     10     None.  
Bruce H. Lauer, 52,
Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer
    1995     Chief Operating Officer, CWAM or its predecessors, since April 2000; Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 1995; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Director, Banc of America Capital Management (Ireland) Ltd.; Director, Bank of America Global Liquidity Funds, PLC.     10     None.  
Louis J. Mendes III, 45,
Vice President
    2003     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2005.     10     None.  
Robert A. Mohn, 48,
Vice President
    1997     Director of Domestic Research, CWAM or its predecessors, since March 2004; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 1997; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since August 1992.     10     None.  
Christopher J. Olson, 45,
Vice President
    2001     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since January 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 2001.     10     None.  
Robert P. Scales, 57,
Chief Compliance Officer,
Chief Legal Officer,
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
    2004     Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 2004.     10     None.  
Linda Roth-Wiszowaty, 40,
Assistant Secretary
    2006     Business support analyst, CWAM, since April 2007; prior thereto executive administrator, CWAM or its predecessors, and executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer of CWAM or its predecessors.     10     None.  

 

(1)  Mr. Kahn retired at the end of calendar year 2009.

(2)  Mr. McQuaid is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and of CWAM, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because he is an officer of the Trust and of CWAM.

(3)  Mr. Wanger is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and of CWAM, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because, as of December 31, 2009, he owned securities issued by a controlling person of CWAM and was a consultant to CWAM within the most recently completed five fiscal years.


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Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

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Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

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Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

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24



Wanger International Select 2009 Annual Report

Columbia Wanger Funds

Transfer Agent,
Dividend Disbursing Agent

Columbia Management Services, Inc.
P.O.Box 8081
Boston, Massachusetts
02266-8081

Distributor

Columbia Management Distributors, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts
02111-2621

Investment Advisor

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
1-888-4-WANGER
(1-888-492-6437)

Legal Counsel to the Funds

K&L Gates LLP
Washington, DC

Legal Counsel to the Independent Trustees

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois

This report, including the schedules of investments and financial statements, is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Wanger Advisors Trust.

Columbia Management Group, LLC ("Columbia Management") is the investment management division of Bank of America Corporation. Columbia Management entities furnish investment management services and products for institutional and individual investors. Columbia Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Distributors, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC. Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. is part of Columbia Management and an affiliate of Bank of America Corporation.

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM") is an SEC-registered investment advisor and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. CWAM is part of Columbia Management.

A description of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures and a copy of the Fund's voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available (i) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, and (ii) without charge, upon request, by calling 888-492-6437.

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund's Form N-Q is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Pubic Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330. The Fund's complete portfolio holdings are disclosed at www.columbiafunds.com approximately 30 days after each month end.


25




Columbia Wanger Funds

0L2568A

SHC-42/30327-1209 10/Q0P244




Wanger International

2009 Annual Report

NOT FDIC INSURED   May Lose Value  
NOT BANK ISSUED   No Bank Guarantee  

 



  Wanger International

  2009 Annual Report

    Table of Contents

  1     Understanding Your Expenses  
  2     Skill and Luck  
  4     Performance Review  
  6     Statement of Investments  
  15     Statement of Assets and Liabilities  
  15     Statement of Operations  
  16     Statement of Changes in Net Assets  
  17     Financial Highlights  
  18     Notes to Financial Statements  
  23     Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
  24     Federal Income Tax Information  
  25     Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust  

 

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM") is one of the leading global small- and mid-cap equity managers in the United States with 40 years of small- and mid-cap investment experience. As of December 31, 2009, CWAM manages $27.3 billion in assets and is the investment advisor to Wanger USA, Wanger International, Wanger Select, Wanger International Select (together, the "Columbia Wanger Funds") and the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds.

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. is an SEC-registered investment advisor and indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

On September 29, 2009, Bank of America Corporation entered into an agreement with Ameriprise Financial, Inc. ("Ameriprise") to sell a portion of the long-term asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC, including 100% of CWAM.

The planned acquisition of Columbia Management's long-term asset management business by Ameriprise is subject to federal, state and international regulatory approvals.

Please read and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus, which contains this and other important information about the Fund, contact your financial advisor or insurance company or contact 1-888-4-WANGER.

An important note: Columbia Wanger Funds are sold only to certain life insurance companies in connection with certain variable annuity contracts, variable life insurance policies and eligible qualified retirement plans.

The views expressed in "Skill and Luck" and in the Performance Review reflect the current views of the respective authors. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Wanger Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Wanger Fund. References to specific company securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.




Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Understanding Your Expenses

As a Fund shareholder, you incur three types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption or exchange fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include investment advisory fees and other Fund expenses. Lastly, there may be additional fees or charges imposed by the insurance company that sponsors your variable annuity product. The information on this page is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Analyzing your Fund's expenses

To illustrate these ongoing costs, we have provided an example and calculated the expenses paid by investors in the Fund during the period. The information in the following table is based on an initial, hypothetical investment of $1,000, which is invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different results. The amount listed in the "Actual" column is calculated using actual operating expenses and total return for the Fund. The amount listed in the "Hypothetical" column assumes that the return each year is 5% before expenses and then applies the Fund's actual expense ratio for the period to the hypothetical return. You should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate either your actual account balance at the end of the period or the expenses you paid during the period. See "Compare with other funds" for details on using the hypothetical data.

Estimating your actual expenses

To estimate the expenses that you actually paid over the period, first you will need your account balance at the end of the period.

1.  Divide your ending account balance by $1,000. For example, if an account balance was $8,600 at the end of the period, the result would be 8.6.

2.  In the section of the table below titled "Expenses paid during the period," you will find a dollar amount in the column labeled "Actual." Multiply this amount by the result from step 1. Your answer is an estimate of the expenses you paid on your account during the period.

July 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009

    Account value at the
beginning of the period ($)
  Account value at the
end of the period ($)
  Expenses paid
during the period ($)
  Fund's annualized
expense ratio (%)*
 
    Actual   Hypothetical   Actual   Hypothetical   Actual   Hypothetical   Actual  
Wanger International     1,000.00       1,000.00       1,246.40       1,020.01       5.83       5.24       1.03    

 

*For the six months ended December 31, 2009.

Expenses paid during the period are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, then multiplied by the number of days in the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year and divided by 365.

It is important to note that the expense amounts shown in the table are meant to highlight only ongoing costs of investing in the Fund. Expenses paid during the period do not include any insurance charges imposed by your insurance company's separate account. The hypothetical example provided is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.

Compare with other funds

Since all mutual funds are required to include the same hypothetical calculations about expenses in shareholder reports, you can use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples of other funds. As you compare hypothetical examples of other funds, it is important to note that hypothetical examples are meant to highlight the ongoing cost of investing in a fund and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees or exchange fees that may be incurred by shareholders of other funds. Expenses paid during the period do not include any insurance charges imposed by your insurance company's separate accounts.


1



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Skill and Luck

Research has proven that it is extremely difficult for institutional investors to consistently outperform the stock market. The performance distribution among mutual funds usually looks like a bell shaped curve, with some funds outperforming, many underperforming, and the average fund underperforming its benchmark roughly by its expense ratio. I'm happy to say that the Columbia Wanger Funds have outperformed their benchmarks during many years. But researchers note that there are thousands of mutual funds, and purely random outcomes will lead some funds to outperform. This raises an interesting debate: Do funds that outperform do so due to skill, or due to luck?

We try hard to apply investment skills in managing our Funds. We follow a time-tested approach and have an experienced and highly specialized team of investment professionals picking the stocks in which we invest. However, in order to cover both bases, I decided to also read up on luck. Dr. Richard Wiseman's The Luck Factor1 discusses his research and provides some common sense approaches that may enable people to become luckier.

Wiseman procured hundreds of volunteers, creating one group of people who considered themselves lucky and another who considered themselves unlucky. He tested conventional notions of luck. As one might expect, the lucky group had no apparent psychic ability; their guesses of upcoming lottery numbers were no better than guesses made by the unlucky group. Superstition was not effective either, as the appearance of a black cat vs. a white cat had no impact on results of a coin toss competition.

Instead, Wiseman concluded that people take specific actions that enable them to be lucky and succeed. He provides four principles that induce luck:

1) Maximize your chance opportunities
2) Listen to your lucky hunches
3) Expect good fortune
4) Turn bad luck into good

Though Wiseman does not explicitly mention investing, each principle can be applied in pursuit of successful money management.

Maximizing chance opportunities entails meeting a large number of people and creating networks to obtain information and investment ideas. Being observant and open to new ideas also helps. Successful investments can be discovered inadvertently: years ago I observed long lines and rising prices at parking garages in downtown Chicago and then profitably invested in a parking lot stock. Rather than pursuing information in hope of confirming existing opinions, pursuing unbiased information could induce the sale of an existing stock and purchase of a superior new one.

Listening to lucky hunches requires the use of intuition. Stocks tend to quickly react to information, and acting early, using imperfect information, is indeed an art form. We once had an analyst who tended to act only after obtaining repeated confirmations that company fundamentals had changed. He performed poorly because stocks often moved before he acted. In contrast, we recently successfully invested in a telecommunications stock that appeared likely to rise as an increasing number of Wall Street analysts began following it. Occasionally, we choose not to pursue possible investment opportunities because they simply don't feel right.

The next luck-inducing principle is to expect good fortune. This is consistent with our investment philosophy. We put money into stocks with the expectation that they will make money over time. We tend to expect continued good fortune from our successful investments and, when it makes sense, let our winners run. This has resulted in lower turnover than the industry average for the Columbia Wanger Funds.

We also attempt to turn bad luck into good and pursue an occasional positive side of bad luck. In the 1980s, several of our analysts complained about aggressive foreign competitors hurting companies we held in our flagship retail small-cap fund, Columbia Acorn Fund. The portfolio manager at that time, Ralph Wanger, coined the phrase, "Don't bitch, switch!" and we've owned some foreign stocks in that fund ever since. We've learned that one company's problem may be another company's opportunity, and that the best choice may be to invest in the latter company.

Ben Sherwood's The Survivors Club2 also mentions a few attributes applicable to investing. Situational awareness is a key part of military survival training and is important in investing too. Although many homebuilding stocks looked cheap during the housing bubble, generally avoiding them benefited our shareholders. Likewise, a well-run company may perform well within a highly competitive industry, but its stock could have substantial downside if its management changes or it grows beyond its niche.


2



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

As defined by Sherwood, the "incredulity response" occurs when very unusual events occur, such as catastrophes. Market meltdowns also appear to qualify. People tend to not believe such an event is happening and become paralyzed. Instead, survivors need to act positively. During a market meltdown, the market becomes extremely risk averse, and pays investors handsomely to take risk. That was true a year ago and we invested in several companies with substantial debt that our analysis indicated would likely survive and flourish. On average, those stocks performed very well for shareholders.

Both authors believe that people can create their own luck. After reading their perspectives, I have to agree. We at Columbia Wanger Asset Management think that creating luck is a skill and that providing above average returns is no random act.

Charles P. McQuaid
President and Chief Investment Officer
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.

The information and data provided in this analysis are derived from sources that we deem to be reliable and accurate. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. The views/opinions expressed in this essay are those of the author and not of the Wanger Advisors Trust Board, are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions, may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Management associates or other divisions of Bank of America Corporation and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Wanger Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Wanger Fund.

Stocks of small- and mid-cap companies pose special risks, including possible illiquidity and greater price volatility than stocks of larger, more established companies. International investing involves special risks, including foreign taxation, currency risks, risks associated with possible differences in financial standards and other risks associated with future political and economic developments. Investing in emerging markets may involve greater risks than investing in more developed countries. In addition, concentration of investments in a single region may result in greater volatility. A fund that maintains a relatively concentrated portfolio may be subject to greater risk than a fund that is more fully diversified.

1  Wiseman, Richard, The Luck Factor, (New York, New York, Miramax Books/Hyperion 2003).

2  Sherwood, Ben, The Survivors Club, (New York, New York, Grand Central Publishing, 2009).

Also referenced in the writing of this essay was a research paper written by Eugene F. Fama and Kenneth R. French titled, "Luck versus Skill in the Cross Section of Mutual Fund Returns." The paper was originally dated October 2007 and updated in November 2009. It can be found on the Social Science Research Network's website at www.ssrn.com.


3



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Performance Review Wanger International

   
Louis J. Mendes III
Co-Portfolio Manager
  Christopher J. Olson
Co-Portfolio Manager
 

 

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For daily and most recent month-end performance update, please call 1-888-4-WANGER.

Wanger International ended the annual period up 49.78%, trailing its primary benchmark, the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Between $500 Million and $5 Billion Index, by 5.71%. While a nearly 50% annual return is both pleasing and rare, it follows a 45.60% absolute loss in the prior year. We realize that we have still not returned to the Fund's 2008 highs. Across most markets, share price performance was negatively correlated with size as smaller-capitalized stocks outperformed their larger brethren.

We manage Wanger International with the intention of holding Fund investments for three- to five-years, which is relatively long among international small-cap managers. We believe Fund performance should be considered in this context. Fund three- and five-year average annual returns were -1.77% and 9.58%, respectively. Both results remain ahead of Fund benchmarks and peer averages.

Much has been written in the financial press about the equity market's return from the precipice after a difficult January and February in 2009. We will not reproduce that discussion here, other than to note that the market rebound generally played out in a fashion consistent with a sudden subsidence of risk aversion across the board. The riskiest equities, including illiquid micro-caps, highly indebted companies and emerging market stocks, led the charge upward. In contrast, lower-risk markets such as Japan, where stocks are cheap, balance sheets overcapitalized and growth expectations generally too anemic to provide cause for disappointment, barely moved. Japanese small- to mid-cap stocks rose a mere 5.6% in U.S. dollar terms in 2009. In this context, it is interesting to look at the winning and losing stocks in the Fund whose performance cannot be explained by changes in how risk is priced alone. This highlights where stock picking matters.

Standouts on the upside in the Fund's portfolio included Naspers and Wacom. Naspers is a misunderstood South African-listed media company. With a dominant pay TV franchise in sub-Saharan Africa and a large stake in Tencent, a Hong Kong-listed internet service provider and gaming company targeting the Chinese market, many investors have been unsure how to analyze the company. Our colleague Fritz Kaegi ferreted out this South African company, which more than doubled in the year and is now the Fund's largest position. Wacom is a Japanese technology company that jumped 157% in 2009 when demand for its pen tablet for professional and consumer applications proved resilient in a weak IT market. The company's new multi-finger touch screen for PCs also has a chance of playing an important role in the next generation of PC user interfaces.

On the downside, the Fund sold its investment in ING Bank Slaski at a 52% loss for the year after wrongly judging that the Polish government would intervene in the currency market. This intervention would have let corporations off the hook on costly forward contracts they held with Polish banks. Japanese cash machine network operator, Seven Bank, which operates ATMs at convenience stores, fell 47% during the annual period as investors worried that deflation expectations and weak consumer spending would reduce cash withdrawals and new consumer finance regulations would constrain high margin lending on ATM cards.

International investing involves special risks, including foreign taxation, currency risks, risks associated with possible differences in financial standards and other risks associated with future political and economic developments. Stocks of small- and mid-cap companies pose special risks, including possible illiquidity and greater price volatility than stocks of larger, more established companies. Investing in emerging markets may involve greater risks than investing in more developed countries. In addition, concentration of investments in a single region may result in greater volatility.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change periodically and may not be representative of current holdings.

Fund's Positions in Mentioned Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

Naspers     1.8 %  
Seven Bank     0.5    
Wacom     0.4    

 


4



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Wanger International

May 3, 1995 (inception date) through December 31, 2009

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Performance results may reflect any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment advisor and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results would have been lower. For daily and most recent month-end performance updates, please call 1-888-4-WANGER.

This graph compares the results of $10,000 invested in Wanger International on May 3, 1995 (the date the Fund began operations) through December 31, 2009, to the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Between $500 Million and $5 Billion Index with dividends and capital gains reinvested. Although the index is provided for use in assessing the Fund's performance, the Fund's holdings may differ significantly from those in the index.

Top 10 Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

1. Naspers (South Africa)
Media in Africa & Other Emerging Markets
    1.8 %  
2. Olam International (Singapore)
Agriculture Supply Chain Manager
    1.5    
3. Serco (United Kingdom)
Facilities Management
    1.3    
4. Eldorado Gold (Canada)
Gold Miner in Turkey, Greece, China & Brazil
    1.3    
5. Localiza Rent A Car (Brazil)
Car Rental
    1.3    
6. Hexagon (Sweden)
Measurement Equipment
    1.3    
7. Kansai Paint (Japan)
Paint Producer in Japan, India, China & Southeast Asia
    1.2    
8. Imtech (Netherlands)
Electromechanical & ICT Installation & Maintenance
    1.2    
9. Suzano (Brazil)
Brazilian Pulp & Paper Producer
    1.1    
10. ShawCor (Canada)
Oil & Gas Pipeline Products
    1.1    

 

Top 5 Countries

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

Japan     15.4 %  
United Kingdom     7.6    
Netherlands     6.8    
China     6.0    
Singapore     4.9    

 

Results as of December 31, 2009

    4th
quarter
  1 year  
Wanger International     4.13 %     49.78 %  
S&P Global Ex-U.S. Between
$500 Million and $5 Billion Index*
    3.46       55.49    
MSCI EAFE Index     2.18       31.78    
Lipper Variable Underlying
International Core Funds Index
    2.20       28.37    

 

NAV as of 12/31/09: $29.68

* The Fund's primary benchmark.

Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses but do not include any insurance charge imposed by your insurance company's separate accounts. If performance included the effect of these additional charges, it would be lower.

The Fund's annual operating expense ratio is 1.02%. The annual operating expense ratio is as stated in the Fund's prospectus that is current as of the date of this report. Differences in expense ratios disclosed elsewhere in this report may result from including fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any, as well as different time periods used in calculating the ratios.

All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

The S&P Global Ex-U.S. Between $500 Million and $5 Billion Index, the Fund's primary benchmark, is a subset of the broad market selected by the index sponsor representing the mid- and small-cap developed and emerging markets, excluding the United States. The Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia and Far East (MSCI EAFE) Index is a capitalization-weighted index that tracks the total return of common stocks in 21 developed-market countries within Europe, Australasia and the Far East. The Lipper Variable Underlying International Core Funds Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest variable insurance underlying funds in the Lipper Variable Underlying International Core Funds Classification. Indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Lipper Inc., a widely respected data provider in the industry, calculates an average total return (assuming reinvestment of distributions) for mutual funds with investment objectives similar to those of the Fund. Lipper makes no adjustment for the effect of sales loads.

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically and may not be representative of current characteristics and holdings.


5




Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
        Equities – 97.2%        
    Asia – 39.3%  
    Japan – 15.4%  
  2,171,000     Kansai Paint
Paint Producer in Japan, India,
China & Southeast Asia
  $ 18,026,375    
  10,200     Jupiter Telecommunications
Largest Cable Service Provider in Japan
    10,105,335    
  4,100     Nippon Residential Investment
Residential REIT
    9,962,081    
  155,500     Point
Apparel Specialty Retailer
    8,681,561    
  1,084,000     Kamigumi
Port Cargo Handling & Logistics
    7,876,719    
  1,570     Orix JREIT
Diversified REIT
    7,802,808    
  212,000     Ibiden
Electronic Parts & Ceramics
    7,550,129    
  649,000     Rohto Pharmaceutical
Health & Beauty Products
    7,469,963    
  332,000     Glory
Currency Handling Systems & Related
Equipment
    7,341,813    
  3,600     Seven Bank
ATM Processing Services
    7,150,052    
  502,000     Aeon Delight
Facility Maintenance & Management
    7,105,512    
  197,000     Makita
Power Tools
    6,703,094    
  1,400     Osaka Securities Exchange
Osaka Securities Exchange
    6,638,254    
  240,000     Kintetsu World Express
Airfreight Logistics
    6,223,785    
  317,000     Aeon Mall
Suburban Shopping Mall Developer,
Owner & Operator
    6,134,348    
  630,400     Asics
Footwear & Apparel
    5,644,130    
  1,080     Nippon Accommodations Fund
Residential REIT
    5,629,784    
  326,000     Ushio
Industrial Light Sources
    5,427,112    
  2,500     Wacom
Computer Graphic Illustration Devices
    5,411,541    
  1,020     Fukuoka
Diversified REIT in Fukuoka
    5,321,308
   

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  160,000     Olympus
Medical Equipment (Endoscopes) & Cameras
  $ 5,141,034    
  214,000     Ain Pharmaciez
Dispensing Pharmacy/Drugstore Operator
    5,134,432    
  255,000     Daiseki
Waste Disposal & Recycling
    5,134,204    
  584,000     Suruga Bank
Regional Bank
    5,065,611    
  62,000     Nakanishi
Dental Tools & Machinery
    4,926,680    
  194,000     Miura
Industrial Boiler
    4,897,222    
  219,900     Torishima Pump Manufacturing
Industrial Pump for Power
Generation & Water Supply Systems
    4,753,536    
  195,000     Hamamatsu Photonics
Optical Sensors for Medical & Industrial
Applications
    4,709,693    
  99,400     Benesse
Education Service Provider
    4,156,737    
  115,000     Tsumura
Traditional Chinese/Japanese
Herbal Rx Drugs (Kampo)
    3,703,930    
  111,500     Unicharm PetCare
Pet Food & Pet Toiletries
    3,409,903    
  1,019,000     Chuo Mitsui Trust Holdings
Trust Bank
    3,400,966    
  850     Kakaku.com
Online Price Comparison Services for
Consumers
    3,300,248    
  262,000     Zenrin
Map Content Publisher
    3,020,921    
  110,000     Icom
Two Way Radio Communication Equipment
    2,358,692    
  210,000     Tamron
Camera Lens Maker
    2,120,778    
  39,000     Toyo Tanso
Carbon & Graphite Products for
Industrial Use
    1,879,099    
  670     Start Today
Online Apparel Mall
    1,220,067    
  68,500     As One
Scientific Supplies Distributor
    1,194,359    
              221,733,816    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    China – 6.0%  
  3,333,000     China Yurun Food
Meat Processor in China
  $ 9,835,947    
  130,000     New Oriental
China's Largest Private Education
Service Provider
       
  10,482,000     Jiangsu Expressway
Chinese Toll Road Operator
    9,325,216
   
  80,000,000     RexLot Holdings
Lottery Equipment Supplier in China
    8,930,534
   
  9,388,400     China Green
Chinese Fruit & Vegetable
Grower & Processor
    8,886,582
   
  245,500     Mindray – ADR (b)
Medical Device Manufacturer
    8,327,360
   
  3,867,200     Zhaojin Mining Industry
Gold Mining & Refining in China
    7,627,755
   
  2,000,000     Shandong Weigao
Vertically Integrated Hospital
Consumable Manufacturer
    6,642,344
   
  5,183,000     Sino Ocean Land
Property Developer in China
    4,747,359
   
  4,373,000     Wasion Group
Electronic Power Meter
Total Solution Provider
    4,524,912
   
  8,217,000     China Communication Services
China's Telecom Infrastructure
Service Provider
    4,018,677
   
  335,000     VisionChina Media – ADR (a)
Advertising on Digital Screens in China's
Mass Transit System
    3,658,200
   
  4,580,000     Fu Ji Food & Catering Services (a)(c)
Food Catering Service Provider in China
    47,257
   
              86,401,443    
    Singapore – 4.9%  
  11,400,000     Olam International
Agriculture Supply Chain Manager
    21,349,660
   
  2,330,000     Singapore Exchange
Singapore Equity & Derivatives
Market Operator
    13,734,733
   
  23,000,000     Mapletree Logistics Trust
Asian Logistics Landlord
    12,816,887
   

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  10,000,000     CDL Hospitality Trust
Hotel Owner/Operator
    $12,300,794
   
  7,000,000     Ascendas REIT
Singapore Industrial Property Landlord
    10,962,298
   
              71,164,372    
    India – 3.9%  
  334,385     Asian Paints
India's Largest Paint Company
    12,822,555
   
  667,800     Jain Irrigation Systems
Agricultural Micro-irrigation
Systems & Food Processing
    12,547,836
   
  150,000     Housing Development Finance
Indian Mortgage Lender
    8,645,124
   
  731,017     Shriram Transport Finance
Truck Financing in India
    7,577,929
   
  517,000     Mundra Port & Special
Economic Zone
Indian West Coast Shipping Port
    6,114,355    
  294,700     Educomp Solutions
Multimedia Educational Content
    4,482,773    
  443,000     Patel Engineering
Civil Engineering & Construction
    4,254,639    
              56,445,211    
    South Korea – 3.4%  
  81,000     NHN (a)
South Korea's Largest Online Search Engine
    13,375,221
   
  59,500     MegaStudy
Online Education Service Provider
    12,191,339
   
  296,000     Woongjin Coway
South Korean Household Appliance
Rental Service Provider
    9,759,179
   
  124,000     Mirae Asset Securities
South Korean Largest Diversified
Financial Company
    6,889,645
   
  98,000     Taewoong
Niche Custom Forging
    6,270,771
   
              48,486,155    
    Taiwan – 2.9%  
  18,332,000     Yuanta Financial Holdings
Financial Holding Company in Taiwan
    13,361,071
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Taiwan – 2.9% (cont)  
  3,048,680     Everlight Electronics
LED Packager
    $11,368,998
   
  1,893,000     Simplo Technology
World's Largest Notebook
Battery Pack Supplier
    11,159,553
   
  492,800     Formosa International Hotels
Hotel, Food & Beverage Operation &
Hospitality Management Services
    6,315,387
   
              42,205,009    
    Hong Kong – 2.1%  
  825,000     Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing
Hong Kong Equity & Derivatives
Market Operator
    14,686,981
   
  7,437,800     Lifestyle International
Mid to High-end Department Store
Operator in Hong Kong & China
    13,795,651
   
  10,024,512     NagaCorp
Casino/Entertainment Complex in
Cambodia
    1,107,447
   
              29,590,079    
    Indonesia – 0.7%  
  25,000,000     Perusahaan Gas Negara
Gas Distributor & Pipeline Operator
    10,324,954
   
        Total Asia     566,351,039    
    Europe – 37.8%  
    United Kingdom – 7.6%  
  2,200,000     Serco
Facilities Management
    18,703,649
   
  1,060,000     Capita Group
White Collar, Back Office Outsourcing
    12,785,526
   
  610,000     Intertek Group
Testing, Inspection & Certification Services
    12,282,361
   
  485,000     Schroders
United Kingdom Top Tier Asset Manager
    10,352,579
   
  3,000,000     Charles Taylor (d)
Insurance Services
    10,172,975
   
  2,230,000     Cobham
Aerospace Components
    8,988,876
   
  185,000     Chemring
Defense Manufacturer of
Countermeasures & Energetics
    8,705,624
   

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  1,430,000     RPS Group
Environmental Consulting & Planning
    $4,972,643
   
  230,000     Tullow Oil
Oil & Gas Producer
    4,796,404
   
  1,155,000     N Brown Group
Home Shopping Women's Clothes Retailer
    4,589,845
   
  420,000     Smith & Nephew
Medical Equipment & Supplies
    4,312,607
   
  210,000     Rotork
Valve Actuators for Oil & Water Pipelines
    4,019,319
   
  365,000     Keller Group
Ground Engineering
    3,774,040
   
  1,564,324     Spice Group
United Kingdom Utility Outsourcing
    1,527,111
   
              109,983,559    
    Netherlands – 6.8%  
  628,550     Imtech
Electromechanical & ICT
Installation & Maintenance
    16,867,541
   
  241,351     Fugro
Sub-sea Oilfield Services
    13,782,814
   
  171,532     Vopak
World's Largest Operator of Petroleum &
Chemical Storage Terminals
    13,552,010
   
  450,000     Unit 4 Agresso (a)
Business Software Development
    10,606,472
   
  383,584     Koninklijke TenCate
Advanced Textiles & Industrial Fabrics
    10,080,185
   
  112,458     Smit Internationale
Harbor & Offshore Towage & Marine Services
    9,680,944
   
  586,000     Aalberts Industries
Flow Control & Heat Treatment
    8,371,967    
  367,000     Arcadis
Engineering Consultants
    8,255,934
   
  225,000     QIAGEN (a)
Life Science Tools & Molecular Diagnostics
    5,026,099
   
  21,000     Core Laboratories
Oil & Gas Reservoir Consulting
    2,480,520
   
              98,704,486    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    France – 4.6%  
  115,000     Neopost
Postage Meter Machines
  $ 9,501,414    
  166,312     Saft
Niche Battery Manufacturer
    8,011,467    
  186,000     Zodiac Aerospace
Leading Supplier to the Aerospace Industry
    7,762,082    
  95,000     Pierre & Vacances
Vacation Apartment Lets
    7,322,209    
  176,644     Carbone Lorraine
Advanced Industrial Materials
    6,368,153    
  197,000     Eutelsat
Fixed Satellite Services
    6,320,479    
  255,000     SES
Fixed Satellite Services
    5,717,948    
  58,000     Rubis
Tank Storage & Liquefied Petroleum
Gas Distribution
    5,087,455    
  89,000     Eurofins Scientific
Food, Pharmaceuticals & Materials
Screening & Testing
    4,841,630    
  54,400     Norbert Dentressangle
Leading European Logistics &
Transport Group
    2,972,249    
  345,000     Hi-Media (a)
Online Advertiser in Europe
    2,416,501    
              66,321,587    
    Germany – 4.4%  
  232,000     CTS Eventim
Event Ticket Sales
    11,326,449    
  81,200     Vossloh
Rail Infrastructure & Diesel Locomotives
    8,089,664    
  112,000     Wincor Nixdorf
Retail POS Systems & ATM Machines
    7,639,629    
  299,000     Rhoen-Klinikum
Health Care Services
    7,313,198    
  42,800     Rational
Commercial Oven Manufacturer
    7,250,313    
  249,000     Elringklinger
Automobile Components
    5,814,846    
  372,000     Wirecard
Online Payment Processing &
Risk Management
    5,114,431    

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  287,000     Tognum
Diesel Engines for Drive & Power
Generation Systems
    $4,761,512
   
  120,000     Deutsche Beteiligungs
Private Equity Investment Management
    2,940,324
   
  243,000     Takkt
Mail Order Retailer of Office &
Warehouse Durables
    2,492,980
   
              62,743,346    
    Switzerland – 2.8%  
  61,100     Geberit
Plumbing Supplies
    10,823,009
   
  6,800     Sika
Chemicals for Construction &
Industrial Applications
    10,578,667
   
  91,400     Kuehne & Nagel
Freight Forwarding/Logistics
    8,841,590
   
  28,300     Burckhardt Compression
Manufactures & Services Compressors
    5,064,611
   
  119,810     Bank Sarasin & Cie (a)
Private Banking
    4,527,919
   
              39,835,796    
    Sweden – 2.6%  
  1,233,000     Hexagon
Measurement Equipment
    18,112,250
   
  1,285,426     Sweco
Engineering Consultants
    9,618,018
   
  1,119,200     Nobia (a)
Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturing & Sales
    6,559,040
   
  347,000     East Capital Explorer (a)
Sweden-based RUS/CEE Investment Fund
    3,241,348
   
              37,530,656    
    Italy – 2.2%  
  3,782,000     CIR (a)
Italian Holding Company
    9,765,481
   
  1,010,000     Credito Emiliano (a)
Italian Regional Bank
    7,752,087
   
  1,744,000     Terna
Italian Power Transmission
    7,504,069
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Italy – 2.2% (cont)  
  337,600     Ansaldo STS
Leading Systems Integrator for the
Railway Industry
    $6,405,875
   
              31,427,512    
    Finland – 2.0%  
  450,722     Stockmann
Department Store & Fashion Retailer in
Scandinavia & Russia
    12,281,821
   
  587,000     Poyry
Engineering Consultants
    9,402,371
   
  745,000     Ramirent (a)
Largest Equipment Rental Company in
Scandinavia & Central Eastern Europe
    7,263,086
   
              28,947,278    
    Ireland – 1.2%  
  2,750,000     United Drug
Irish Pharmaceutical
Wholesaler & Outsourcer
    8,390,810
   
  150,000     Paddy Power
Irish Betting Services
    5,315,960
   
  99,000     Aryzta
Baked Goods
    3,627,507
   
              17,334,277    
    Spain – 0.9%  
  197,000     Red Electrica de Espana
Spanish Power Transmission
    10,918,116
   
  540,000     ENCE (a)
Europe's Leading Eucalyptus Pulp Maker
    2,084,636
   
              13,002,752    
    Denmark – 0.7%  
  101,000     Novozymes
Industrial Enzymes
    10,472,655
   
    Poland – 0.6%  
  328,300     Central European Distribution (a)
Vodka Production & Spirits Distribution
    9,327,003
   
    Czech Republic – 0.6%  
  38,000     Komercni Banka
Leading Czech Universal Bank
    8,100,554
   

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Greece – 0.5%  
  1,250,000     Intralot
Lottery & Gaming Systems & Services
    $7,266,530
   
    Iceland – 0.3%  
  9,536,321     Marel (a)
Largest Manufacturer of
Poultry & Fish Processing Equipment
    4,751,129
   
        Total Europe     545,749,120    
    Other Countries – 14.4%  
    Canada – 4.2%  
  1,292,500     Eldorado Gold (a)
Gold Miner in Turkey, Greece,
China & Brazil
    18,438,686
   
  580,000     ShawCor
Oil & Gas Pipeline Products
    16,276,713
   
  382,000     CCL Industries
Leading Global Label Manufacturer
    10,318,401
   
  148,000     Baytex
Oil & Gas Producer in Canada
    4,202,897
   
  513,300     Pan Orient (a)
Growth Oriented & Return Focused
Asian Explorer
    3,730,057
   
  247,000     Ivanhoe Mines (a)(e)     3,608,670    
  219,000     Ivanhoe Mines (a)
Copper Mine Project in Mongolia
    3,247,780    
  725,700     Horizon North Logistics (a)     1,144,911    
        Provides Diversified Oil Service
Offering in Northern Canada
       
              60,968,115    
    United States – 3.7%  
  443,000     Atwood Oceanics (a)
Offshore Drilling Contractor
    15,881,550
   
  210,000     Alexion Pharmaceuticals (a)
Biotech Focused on Orphan Diseases
    10,252,200
   
  119,000     Oceaneering International (a)
Provider of Sub-sea Services &
Manufactured Products
    6,963,880
   
  220,000     World Fuel Services
Global Fuel Broker
    5,893,800
   
  131,000     Bristow (a)
Largest Provider of Helicopter Services
to Offshore Oil & Gas Producers
    5,036,950
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    United States – 3.7% (cont)  
  84,000     FMC Technologies (a)
Oil & Gas Wellhead Manufacturer
    $4,858,560
   
  138,000     Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers (b)
Heavy Equipment Auctioneer
    3,095,340
   
  100,000     Tesco (a)
Developing New Well Drilling Technologies
    1,291,000
   
              53,273,280    
    South Africa – 2.7%  
  650,000     Naspers
Media in Africa & Other
Emerging Markets
    26,377,713
   
  1,530,000     Mr. Price
South African Retailer of Apparel,
Household & Sporting Goods
    7,228,953
   
  1,575,000     Uranium One (a)
Uranium Mines in Kazakhstan,
the U.S. & Australia
    4,547,975
   
              38,154,641    
    Australia – 2.6%  
  697,000     United Group
Engineering & Facilities Management
    8,875,147
   
  230,000     Perpetual Trustees
Mutual Fund Management
    7,590,809
   
  230,000     Australian Stock Exchange
Australian Equity & Derivatives
Market Operator
    7,163,301
   
  650,000     Billabong International
Action Sports Apparel Brand Manager
    6,319,303
   
  85,000     Cochlear
Cochlear Implants for Hearing
    5,248,673
   
  244,000     Seek
Online Job Listing & Education
    1,499,486
   
  149,900     SAI Global
Publishing, Certification &
Compliance Services
    539,254
   
  181,100     Hastie Group
Mechanical, Electrical & Hydraulic
(MEH) Engineering
    305,713
   
              37,541,686    

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Israel – 0.9%  
  970,000     Israel Chemicals
Producer of Potash, Phosphates,
Bromine & Specialty Chemicals
    $12,664,874
   
    Kazakhstan – 0.3%  
  490,000     Halyk Savings Bank of
Kazakhstan – GDR (a)
Largest Retail Bank & Insurer
in Kazakhstan
    4,650,382
   
        Total Other Countries     207,252,978    
    Latin America – 5.7%  
    Brazil 3.4%  
  1,650,000     Localiza Rent A Car
Car Rental
    18,210,797
   
  1,400,000     Suzano
Brazilian Pulp & Paper Producer
    16,303,380
   
  670,000     Natura
Direct Retailer of Cosmetics
    13,962,479
   
              48,476,656    
    Mexico – 1.6%  
  230,000     Grupo Aeroportuario
del Sureste – ADR (b)
Mexican Airport Operator
    11,916,300
   
  5,000,000     Urbi Desarrollos Urbanos (a)
Affordable Housing Builder
    11,275,035
   
              23,191,335    
    Chile – 0.7%  
  291,000     Sociedad Quimica y Minera de
Chile – ADR
Producer of Specialty Fertilizers,
Lithium & Iodine
    10,932,870    
        Total Latin America     82,600,861    
Total Equities (Cost: $1,016,778,069) – 97.2%     1,401,953,998    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of Shares
or Principal Amount
      Value  
Securities Lending Collateral – 0.6%      
  9,229,975     Dreyfus Government Cash
Management Fund (f)
(7 day yield of 0.000%)
  $ 9,229,975    
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $9,229,975)
    9,229,975    
Short-Term Obligations – 2.1%      
    Repurchase Agreement – 1.6%  
$ 23,558,000     Repurchase Agreement with Fixed
Income Clearing Corp., dated
12/31/09, due 1/04/10 at 0.00%,
collateralized by a U.S. Government
obligation, maturing 2/11/10, market
value $24,030,000 (repurchase
proceeds $23,558,000)
    23,558,000    
    Commercial Paper – 0.5%  
  7,200,000     Toyota Motor Credit 0.16% due 1/04/10     7,199,904    
Total Short-Term Obligations
(Amortized Cost: $30,757,904)
    30,757,904    
Total Investments
(Cost: $1,056,765,948) – 99.9% (g)(h)
    1,441,941,877    
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities
Loaned – (0.6)%
    (9,229,975 )  
Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.7%     9,716,272    
Total Net Assets – 100.0%   $ 1,442,428,174    

 

Notes to Statement of Investments:

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2009. The total market value of Fund securities on loan at December 31, 2009 was $8,914,694.

(c)  Illiquid security.

(d)  An affiliated person of the Fund may include any company in which the Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares. Holdings and transactions in this affiliated company during the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 are as follows:



Affiliate
  Balance of
Shares Held
at 12/31/2008
 
Purchases/
Additions
 
Sales/
Reductions
  Balance of
Shares Held
at 12/31/09
 

Value
 

Dividend
 
Charles
Taylor
    2,490,000       510,000             3,000,000     $ 10,172,975     $ 612,945    

 

The aggregate cost and value of this company at December 31, 2009, were $14,795,286 and $10,172,975, respectively. Investments in the affiliated company represented 0.71% of total net assets at December 31, 2009.

(e)  Security is traded on a U.S. exchange.

(f)  Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.

(g)  At December 31, 2009, for federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments was $1,074,219,241 and net unrealized appreciation was $367,722,636, consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $435,891,005 and gross unrealized depreciation of $68,168,369.

(h)  On December 31, 2009, the Fund's total investments were denominated in currencies as follows:

Currency   Value   Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Euro   $ 323,267,249       22.4    
Japanese Yen     221,733,817       15.4    
U.S. Dollar     148,761,789       10.3    
British Pound     109,983,559       7.6    
Hong Kong Dollar     94,176,662       6.5    
Other currencies less than
5% of total net assets
    534,788,826       37.1    
Cash and other assets
less liabilities
    9,716,272       0.7    
    $ 1,442,428,174       100.0    

 

ADR = American Depositary Receipts

GDR = Global Depositary Receipts

At December 31, 2009, the Fund had entered into the following forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
to Buy
  Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
to Sell
  Principal
Amount in
Foreign
Currency
  Principal
Amount in
U.S. Dollar
  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Appreciation
 
CAD   USD     8,954,665     $ 8,500,000     2/12/10   $ 62,245    
CAD   USD     9,001,160       8,500,000     3/15/10     106,439    
USD   EUR     14,769,859       22,000,000     1/15/10     826,860    
USD   EUR     14,783,158       22,000,000     2/12/10     808,529    
USD   EUR     15,026,809       22,000,000     3/15/10     460,648    
                $ 83,000,000       $ 2,264,721    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
to Buy
  Forward
Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
to Sell
  Principal
Amount in
Foreign
Currency
  Principal
Amount in
U.S. Dollar
  Settlement
Date
  Unrealized
Depreciation
 
AUD   USD     5,514,503     $ 5,000,000     1/15/10   $ (51,590 )  
AUD   USD     5,441,348       5,000,000     2/12/10     (131,104 )  
AUD   USD     5,510,431       5,000,000     3/15/10     (85,453 )  
CAD   USD     8,729,075       8,500,000     1/15/10     (153,522 )  
JPY   USD     759,653,500       8,500,000     1/15/10     (343,099 )  
JPY   USD     768,145,000       8,500,000     2/12/10     (250,750 )  
JPY   USD     753,295,500       8,500,000     3/15/10     (408,947 )  
                $ 49,000,000       $ (1,424,465 )  

 

The counterparty for all forward foreign currency exchange contracts is State Street Bank and Trust company.

AUD = Australian Dollar

CAD = Canadian Dollar

EUR = Euro

JPY = Japanese Yen

USD = United States Dollar

The following table summarizes the inputs used, as of December 31, 2009, in valuing the Fund's assets:





Investment Type
 


Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
  Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 



Total
 
Equities  
Asia   $ 21,814,860     $ 544,488,922     $ 47,257     $ 566,351,039    
Europe     11,807,523       533,941,597             545,749,120    
Other Countries     118,789,370       88,463,608             207,252,978    
Latin America     34,124,205       48,476,656             82,600,861    
Total Equities     186,535,958       1,215,370,783       47,257       1,401,953,998    
Total Securities
Lending Collateral
    9,229,975                   9,229,975    
Total Short-Term
Obligations
          30,757,904             30,757,904    
Total Investments   $ 195,765,933     $ 1,246,128,687     $ 47,257     $ 1,441,941,877    
Net Unrealized
Appreciation on
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
          2,264,721             2,264,721    
Net Unrealized
Depreciation on
Forward Foreign
Currency Exchange
Contracts
          (1,424,465 )           (1,424,465 )  
Total   $ 195,765,933     $ 1,246,968,943     $ 47,257     $ 1,442,782,133    

 

The Fund's assets assigned to the Level 2 input category include certain foreign securities for which a third party statistical pricing service may be employed for purposes of fair market valuation.

The following table reconciles asset balances for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2009, in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:

Investments in Securities   Balance as of
December 31,
2008
  Accrued
Discounts/
Premiums
  Realized
Gain/(Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Net
Purchases
(Sales)
  Net
Transfers
into (out of)
Level 3
  Balance
as of
December 31,
2009
 
Equities
Asia
  $ 109,775     $     $     $ (3,906,312 )   $     $ 3,843,794     $ 47,257    
    $ 109,775     $     $     $ (3,906,312 )   $     $ 3,843,794     $ 47,257    

 

The information in the above reconciliation table represents fiscal year to date activity for any securities identified as using Level 3 inputs during the current fiscal period.

The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributed to securities owned at December 31, 2009, which were valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) amounted to ($3,906,312). This amount is included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the tables above, please refer to the Security Valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Wanger International

Portfolio Diversification December 31, 2009

At December 31, 2009, the Fund's portfolio investments as a percentage of net assets was diversified as follows:

    Value   Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Industrial Goods & Services  
Other Industrial Services   $ 125,838,459       8.7    
Industrial Materials &
Specialty Chemicals
    100,254,161       7.0    
Machinery     90,477,145       6.3    
Outsourcing Services     54,365,946       3.7    
Electrical Components     33,012,177       2.3    
Conglomerates     25,687,577       1.8    
Construction     21,947,028       1.5    
Industrial Distribution     1,194,359       0.1    
      452,776,852       31.4    
Consumer Goods & Services  
Nondurables     35,160,746       2.4    
Retail     32,989,205       2.3    
Educational Services     26,177,377       1.8    
Travel     25,533,006       1.8    
Apparel     24,245,254       1.7    
Other Consumer Services     23,554,830       1.6    
Casinos & Gaming     22,620,471       1.6    
Food & Beverage     22,397,292       1.6    
Other Entertainment     17,641,836       1.2    
Consumer Goods Distribution     9,327,003       0.6    
Furniture & Textiles     6,559,040       0.5    
Consumer Electronics     2,120,778       0.1    
      248,326,838       17.2    
Information  
Financial Processors     33,536,146       2.3    
TV Broadcasting     26,377,714       1.8    
Computer Hardware & Related Equipment     24,210,723       1.7    
Instrumentation     22,821,943       1.6    
Internet Related     18,174,954       1.3    
Satellite Broadcasting & Services     12,038,426       0.8    
Semiconductors & Related Equipment     11,368,998       0.8    
Business Software     10,606,472       0.7    
CATV     10,105,335       0.7    
Publishing     7,503,693       0.5    
Advertising     6,074,702       0.4    
Business Information & Marketing Services     4,972,643       0.4    
Telecommunications Equipment     4,018,677       0.3    
Mobile Communications     2,358,693       0.2    
      194,169,119       13.5    

 

    Value   Percentage of
Net Assets
 
Energy & Minerals  
Oil Services   $ 65,236,377       4.5    
Mining     39,951,386       2.8    
Oil Refining, Marketing & Distribution     28,964,419       2.0    
Agricultural Commodities     16,303,380       1.1    
Oil & Gas Producers     12,729,358       0.9    
Other Resources     2,084,636       0.1    
      165,269,556       11.4    
Other Industries  
Real Estate     80,818,354       5.6    
Transportation     47,665,229       3.3    
Regulated Utilities     18,422,184       1.3    
      146,905,767       10.2    
Finance  
Brokerage & Money Management     56,066,996       3.9    
Banks     36,119,652       2.5    
Finance Companies     14,216,184       1.0    
Insurance     10,172,975       0.7    
Savings & Loans     8,645,124       0.6    
      125,220,931       8.7    
Health Care  
Medical Equipment & Devices     44,850,898       3.1    
Pharmaceuticals     12,094,740       0.8    
Health Care Services     7,313,198       0.5    
Medical Supplies     5,026,099       0.4    
      69,284,935       4.8    
Total Equities     1,401,953,998       97.2    
Securities Lending Collateral     9,229,975       0.6    
Short-Term Obligations     30,757,904       2.1    
Total Investments     1,441,941,877       99.9    
Obligation to Return Collateral for
Securities Loaned
    (9,229,975 )     (0.6 )  
Cash and Other Assets
Less Liabilities
    9,716,272       0.7    
Net Assets   $ 1,442,428,174       100.0    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
14




Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2009

Assets:  
Unaffiliated investments, at cost   $ 1,041,970,662    
Affiliated investments, at cost (See Note 4)     14,795,286    
Unaffiliated investments, at value
(including securities on loan of $8,914,694)
  $ 1,431,768,902    
Affiliated investments, at value (See Note 4)     10,172,975    
Foreign currency (cost of $10,050,110)     10,112,574    
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign
currency exchange contracts
    2,264,721    
Receivable for:  
Investments sold     2,080,922    
Fund shares sold     130,466    
Securities lending income     7,922    
Dividends     1,647,168    
Foreign tax reclaims     245,970    
Trustees' deferred compensation plan     120,076    
Other assets     8,339    
Total Assets     1,458,560,035    
Liabilities:  
Payable to custodian bank     3,342    
Collateral on securities loaned     9,229,975    
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign
currency exchange contracts
    1,424,465    
Payable for:  
Investments purchased     1,096,065    
Fund shares repurchased     945,169    
Investment advisory fee     1,007,651    
Administration fee     60,686    
Transfer agent fee     39    
Trustees' fees     20    
Custody fee     102,000    
Reports to shareholders     145,063    
Chief compliance officer expenses     2,808    
Foreign capital gains tax     1,943,744    
Trustees' deferred compensation plan     120,076    
Other liabilities     50,758    
Total Liabilities     16,131,861    
Net Assets   $ 1,442,428,174    
Composition of Net Assets:  
Paid-in capital   $ 1,230,419,096    
Overdistributed net investment income     (6,203,054 )  
Accumulated net realized loss     (165,889,000 )  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Investments     385,175,929    
Foreign currency translations     868,947    
Foreign capital gains tax     (1,943,744 )  
Net Assets   $ 1,442,428,174    
Fund Shares Outstanding     48,596,193    
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
  $ 29.68    

 

Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

Investment Income:  
Dividends (net foreign taxes withheld of $2,233,000)   $ 25,661,139    
Dividends from affiliates     612,945    
Securities lending income     50,891    
Interest income     45,391    
Total Investment Income     26,370,366    
Expenses:  
Investment advisory fee     9,864,430    
Administration fee     577,845    
Transfer agent fee     462    
Trustees' fees     93,267    
Custody fee     1,004,068    
Chief compliance officer expenses (See Note 4)     49,405    
Other expenses (See Note 6)     597,524    
Total Expenses     12,187,001    
Custody earnings credit     (2 )  
Net Expenses     12,186,999    
Net Investment Income     14,183,367    
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments, Foreign Currency and Forward
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts:
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:  
Investments     (70,795,081 )  
Foreign currency transactions and forward
foreign currency exchange contracts
    797,283    
Foreign capital gains tax     (298,151 )  
Net realized loss     (70,295,949 )  
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on:
 
Unaffiliated investments     531,420,177    
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)     (644,429 )  
Foreign currency translations and forward
foreign currency exchange contracts
    1,880,189    
Foreign capital gains tax     (1,943,744 )  
Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation)
    530,712,193    
Net Gain     460,416,244    
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations   $ 474,599,611    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
15



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

    Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   2009   2008 (a)  
Operations:  
Net investment income   $ 14,183,367     $ 22,638,362    
Net realized loss on:  
Unaffiliated investments     (70,795,081 )     (93,784,078 )  
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)              
Foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts     797,283       (1,119,603 )  
Foreign capital gains tax     (298,151 )        
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Unaffiliated investments     531,420,177       (683,923,973 )  
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)     (644,429 )     (6,797,085 )  
Foreign currency translations and forward foreign currency exchange contracts     1,880,189       (1,036,204 )  
Foreign capital gains tax     (1,943,744 )        
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations     474,599,611       (764,022,581 )  
Distributions to Shareholders:  
From net investment income     (43,225,419 )     (12,975,444 )  
From net realized gains           (196,263,094 )  
Total Distributions to Shareholders     (43,225,419 )     (209,238,538 )  
Share Transactions:  
Subscriptions     158,196,950       220,199,859    
Distributions reinvested     43,225,419       209,238,538    
Redemptions     (163,728,038 )     (176,692,026 )  
Net Increase from Share Transactions     37,694,331       252,746,371    
Increase from regulatory settlements     500,054          
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets     469,568,577       (720,514,748 )  
Net Assets:  
Beginning of period     972,859,597       1,693,374,345    
End of period   $ 1,442,428,174     $ 972,859,597    
Undistributed/(overdistributed) net investment income at end of period   $ (6,203,054 )   $ 21,403,852    

 

(a)  Certain items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net income or net assets.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
16




Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Financial Highlights

    Year Ended December 31,  
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period   $ 20.69     $ 44.04     $ 41.77     $ 30.63     $ 25.46    
Income from Investment Operations:  
Net investment income (a)     0.30       0.52       0.37       0.29       0.25    
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign
currency and foreign capital gains tax
    9.61       (18.37 )     5.80       11.04       5.20    
Total from Investment Operations     9.91       (17.85 )     6.17       11.33       5.45    
Less Distributions to Shareholders:  
From net investment income     (0.93 )     (0.34 )     (0.39 )     (0.19 )     (0.28 )  
From net realized gains           (5.16 )     (3.51 )              
Total Distributions to Shareholders     (0.93 )     (5.50 )     (3.90 )     (0.19 )     (0.28 )  
Increase from regulatory settlements     0.01                            
Net Asset Value, End of Period   $ 29.68     $ 20.69     $ 44.04     $ 41.77     $ 30.63    
Total Return (b)     49.78 %     (45.60 )%     16.31 %     37.16 %     21.53 %(c)  
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:  
Net expenses before interest expense (d)     1.05 %     1.02 %     0.99 %     1.01 %     1.13 %  
Interest expense                       0.00 %(e)        
Net expenses (d)     1.05 %     1.02 %     0.99 %     1.01 %     1.13 %  
Net investment income (d)     1.23 %     1.67 %     0.87 %     0.81 %     0.92 %  
Waiver/Reimbursement                             0.02 %  
Portfolio turnover rate     37 %     36 %     35 %     41 %     24 %  
Net assets, end of period (000s)   $ 1,442,428     $ 972,860     $ 1,693,374     $ 1,480,123     $ 973,257    

 

(a)  Net investment income per share was based upon the average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions are reinvested.

(c)  Had the investment advisor not waived a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.

(d)  The benefits derived from custody fees paid indirectly had an impact of less than 0.01%.

(e)  Rounds to less than 0.01%.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
17




Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements

1.  Nature of Operations

Wanger International (the "Fund"), is a series of Wanger Advisors Trust (the "Trust"), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund is available only for allocation to certain life insurance company separate accounts established for the purpose of funding qualified and non-qualified variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and may also be offered directly to certain types of pension plans and retirement arrangements.

On September 29, 2009, Bank of America Corporation, the indirect parent company of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM"), entered into an agreement to sell a portion of the asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC ("Columbia Management") to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. The transaction ("Transaction") includes a sale of CWAM. The Transaction is subject to certain approvals and other conditions to closing, and is currently expected to close in the spring of 2010.

2.  Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through February 18, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued, and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosures. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

Security valuation

Securities of the Fund are valued at market value or, if a market quotation for a security is not readily available or is deemed not to be reliable because of events or circumstances that have occurred between the market quotation and the time as of which the security is to be valued, the security is valued at its fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. A security traded on a securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market in which transaction prices are reported is valued at the last sales price at the time of valuation. A security traded principally on NASDAQ is valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds are valued at their closing net asset value as reported to NASDAQ. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued at the latest bid quotation. Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. A security for which a market quotation is not readily available and any other assets are valued at its fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The Trust has retained an independent statistical fair value pricing service that employs a systematic methodology to assist in the fair valuation process for securities principally traded in a foreign market in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time as of which the securities are to be valued. If a security is valued at a "fair value", that value may be different from the last quoted market price for the security.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

•  Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)

•  Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including management's own assumptions in determining the value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose NAVs are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued, forward foreign currency-exchange contracts and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by the Fund's valuation committee that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in level 2. Typical level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Fund's Valuation Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

Repurchase agreements

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund, through its custodian, receives delivery of underlying securities collateralizing each repurchase agreement. The counterparty is required to maintain collateral that is at all times at least equal to the repurchase price including interest. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.

Foreign currency translations

Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the New York spot market rate of exchange at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend and interest income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot market rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates is included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments, as appropriate.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

The Fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to seek to minimize the risk from adverse changes in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is a commitment to purchase or sell a foreign currency at a future date at a negotiated forward rate. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the interpolated forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies and any market gain or loss, arising from the difference between the original value and the current value of such contract, is included as a component of unrealized gain/(loss) on the Statement of Operations. Open forward foreign currency exchange contracts, if any, are disclosed in the Notes to the Statement of Investments. As forward foreign currency exchange contracts are closed the resulting gain or loss, arising from the difference between the original value of the contract and the closing value of such contract, is included as a component of realized gain/(loss) on the Statement of Operations.

A forward foreign currency exchange contract would limit the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of a particular currency; however, it also would limit any potential gain that might result should the value of the currency increase instead of decrease. These contracts may involve market risk in excess of the unrealized gain or loss reflected on the Statement of Assets and


18



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

Liabilities. In addition, a Fund could be exposed to risks if counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts. The counterparty risk exposure is, therefore, closely monitored and contracts are only executed with high credit quality financial institutions.

A Fund may use forward contracts to buy or sell a foreign currency when the Advisor believes it has exposure to a foreign currency which may suffer or enjoy a movement against another foreign currency to which the Fund has exposure. A Fund will not attempt to hedge all of its foreign portfolio positions.

For additional information on derivative instruments, please see Note 5.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend securities up to one-third of the value of its total assets to certain approved brokers, dealers and other financial institutions to earn additional income. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities, including receipt of dividends or interest generated by the security. The Fund also receives a fee for the loan. The Fund has the ability to recall the loans at any time and could do so in order to vote proxies or to sell the loaned securities. Each loan is collateralized by cash that exceeds the value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined daily at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. The Fund has elected to invest the cash collateral in the Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund and the income earned is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending as the lending agent and borrower rebates. The Fund's advisor, CWAM, does not retain any fees earned by the lending program. Generally, in the event of borrower default, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. In the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral, there may be a potential loss to the Fund. Some of these losses may be indemnified by the lending agent. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of collateral.

The net lending income earned in 2009 by the Fund is included in the Statement of Operations.

Security transactions and investment income

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of discounts on debt obligations when required for federal income tax purposes. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis.

Awards, if any, from class action litigation related to securities owned may be recorded as a reduction of cost of those securities. If the applicable securities are no longer owned, the proceeds are recorded as realized gains.

Restricted securities

Restricted securities are securities that may only be resold upon registration under federal securities laws or in transactions exempt from registration. In some cases, the issuer of restricted securities has agreed to register such securities for resale at the issuer's expense either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Such restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Board of Trustees.

Fund share valuation

Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuing basis at net asset value. Net asset value per share is determined daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("the Exchange") on each day the Exchange is open for trading by dividing the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

Custody fees/Credits

Custody fees are reduced based on the Fund's cash balances maintained with the custodian. The amount is disclosed as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.

Federal income taxes

The Fund has complied with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code available to regulated investment companies and, in the manner provided therein, distributes all its taxable income, as well as any net realized gain on sales of investments and foreign currency transactions reportable for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund paid no federal income taxes and no federal income tax provision was required.

Expenses

General expenses of the Trust are allocated to the Fund and the other series of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund.

Foreign capital gains taxes

Gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level, at rates ranging from 10%-15%. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on net realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, the Trust on behalf of the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnities. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims against the Fund. Also under the Trust's organizational documents, the trustees and officers of the Trust are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of their duties to the Trust. However based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities to be minimal.

3.  Federal Tax Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, permanent book and tax basis differences resulting primarily from differing treatments for foreign currency transactions and passive foreign investment companies ("PFIC") adjustments were identified and reclassified among the components of the Fund's net assets as follows:

Overdistributed
Net Investment
Income
  Accumulated
Net Realized
Loss
  Paid-In Capital  
$ 1,435,146     $ (935,092 )   $ (500,054 )  

 

Net investment income and net realized gains/(losses), as disclosed on the Statement of Operations, and net assets were not affected by this reclassification.


19



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:

    December 31, 2009   December 31, 2008  
Ordinary Income*   $ 43,225,419     $ 35,894,096    
Long-Term Capital Gains           173,344,442    

 

* For tax purposes short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of December 31, 2009, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation*
 
$ 8,395,922     $     $ 367,722,636    

 

* The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation are primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales and PFIC adjustments.

The following capital loss carryforwards, determined as of December 31, 2009, may be available to reduce taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code:

Year of
Expiration
  Capital Loss
Carryforward
 
2016   $ 28,082,656    
2017     134,084,079    
Total     162,166,735    

 

Management is required to determine whether a tax position of the Fund is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized by the Fund is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Management is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. However, management's conclusions may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

4.  Transactions With Affiliates

CWAM is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Management which in turn is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BOA"). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's business affairs.

Under the Fund's investment advisory agreement, management fees are accrued daily based on the Fund's average daily net assets and paid monthly to CWAM at the annual rates shown in the table below:

Average Daily Net Assets   Annual Fee Rate  
Up to $100 million     1.10 %  
$100 million to $250 million     0.95 %  
$250 million to $500 million     0.90 %  
$500 million to $1 billion     0.80 %  
$1 billion and over     0.72 %  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund's effective investment advisory fee rate was 0.85% of average daily net assets.

CWAM provides administrative services and receives an administration fee from the Fund at the following annual rates.

Wanger Advisors Trust Aggregate
Average Daily Net Assets of the Trust
  Annual Fee Rate  
Up to $4 billion     0.05 %  
$4 billion to $6 billion     0.04 %  
$6 billion to $8 billion     0.03 %  
$8 billion and over     0.02 %  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund's effective administration fee rate was 0.05% of average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management Advisors, LLC ("Columbia"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, the responsibility for certain administrative services.

Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of CWAM. The Trust makes no direct payments to its officers and trustees who are affiliated with CWAM.

The Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust in accordance with federal securities regulations. The Fund, along with other affiliated funds, pays its pro-rata share of the expenses associated with the Office of the Chief Compliance Officer. These expenses are disclosed separately as "Chief compliance officer expenses" in the Statement of Operations.

The Trust offers a deferred compensation plan for its independent trustees. Under that plan, a trustee may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her compensation. Amounts deferred are retained by the Trust and may represent an unfunded obligation of the Trust. The value of amounts deferred is determined by reference to the change in value of Class Z shares of one or more series of Columbia Acorn Trust or a money market fund as specified by the trustee. Benefits under the deferred compensation plan are payable when the trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees.

Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of Columbia and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, serves as the principal underwriter of the Trust and receives no compensation from the Fund for its services.

Columbia Management Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), an affiliate of Columbia and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, provides shareholder services to the Fund and has subcontracted with Boston Financial Data Services ("BFDS") to serve as subtransfer agent. For such services, the Transfer Agent receives a fee, paid monthly, at the annual rate of $21.00 per account. The Transfer Agent also receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

An affiliated person of the Fund may include any company in which the Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares. On December 31, 2009, the Fund held five percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of one or more companies. Details of investments in those affiliated companies are presented in the Notes to the Statement of Investments on page 12.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund engaged in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. Those purchase and sale transactions complied with provisions of Rule 17a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and were $64,681 and $7,536,856, respectively.

5.  Objectives and Strategies for Investing in Derivative Instruments

The Fund uses derivatives instruments including forwards contracts in order to meet its investment objectives. The Fund employs strategies in differing combinations to permit it to increase, decrease or change the level of


20



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

exposure to market risk factors. The achievement of any strategy involving derivatives depends on analysis of various risk factors, and if the strategies for the use of derivatives do not work as intended, the Fund may not achieve its investment objectives.

In pursuit of its investment objectives, the Fund is exposed to the following market risks:

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk: Foreign exchange rate risk relates to the change in the U.S. dollar value of a security held that is denominated in a foreign currency. The U.S. dollar value of a foreign-currency-denominated security will decrease as the dollar appreciates against the currency, while the U.S. dollar value will increase as the dollar depreciates against the currency.

The following notes provide more detailed information about the derivative type held by the Fund:

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

•  The Fund entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to shift its investment exposure from one currency to another.

•  The Fund used forward foreign currency exchange contracts to shift its U.S. dollar exposure in order to achieve a representative weighted mix of major currencies relating to its benchmark and/or to recover an underweight country exposure in its portfolio relating to its benchmark.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are agreements to exchange one currency for another at a future date at a specified price. These contracts are used to minimize the exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations during the period between the trade and settlement dates of the contract. The Fund may utilize forward foreign currency exchange contracts in connection with the settlement of purchases and sales of securities. The Fund may also enter into these contracts to reduce the exposure to adverse price movements in certain other foreign-currency-denominated assets. Contracts to buy are used to acquire exposure to foreign currencies, while contracts to sell are used to reduce the exposure to foreign exchange rate fluctuations. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued daily at the current exchange rate of the underlying currency, resulting in unrealized gains (losses) which become realized at the time the forward foreign currency exchange contracts are closed or mature. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) arising from such transactions are included in net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions. The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of the Fund's portfolio securities. While the maximum potential loss from such contracts is the aggregate face value in U.S. dollars at the time the contract was opened, exposure is typically limited to the change in value of the contract (in U.S. dollars) over the period it remains open. The Fund could also be exposed to risk that counterparties of the contracts may be unable to fulfill the terms of the contracts.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund entered into 118 forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

The following table is a summary of the value of the Fund's derivative instruments as of December 31, 2009.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

Asset   Liability  
Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
  Fair
Value
  Statement of Assets
and Liabilities
  Fair
Value
 
Unrealized appreciation
on forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
    $2,264,721     Unrealized depreciation
on forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
    $(1,424,465)    

 

The effect of derivative instruments on the Fund's Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2009 was as follows:

Amount of Realized Gain or (Loss) and Change in Unrealized Appreciation or (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

    Risk
Exposure
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
  Foreign
Exchange
Rate Risk
 
$915,965
 
$1,840,934
 

 

6.  Borrowing Arrangements

The Trust participates in a $150 million credit facility, along with another Trust managed by CWAM, which was entered into to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Under the facility, interest is charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the higher of Federal Funds Rate or Overnight LIBOR plus 0.750%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.12% per annum of the unutilized line of credit is accrued and apportioned among the participating funds based on their relative net assets. The commitment fee is included in "Other expenses" in the Statement of Operations. No amounts were borrowed by the Fund under this facility during the year ended December 31, 2009. The Trust enters into this line of credit for one year durations. The Trust has secured the line of credit for the entire year of 2010.

7.  Fund Share Transactions

Proceeds and payments on Fund shares as shown in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets are in respect of the following numbers of shares:

    Year Ended
December 31, 2009
  Year Ended
December 31, 2008
 
Shares sold     6,481,672       8,261,042    
Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividend distributions
    2,019,809       6,005,699    
Less shares redeemed     (6,922,363 )     (5,704,494 )  
Net increase in shares outstanding     1,579,118       8,562,247    

 

8.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $446,319,600 and $412,414,112, respectively.

9.  Regulatory Settlements with Third Parties

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the fund received payments totaling $500,054 representing distributions from a fair fund established in connection with a regulatory settlement between the Securities and Exchange Commission and a third party broker dealer relating to alleged market timing and late trading in mutual funds, including the Fund. The payments have been included in "Increase from regulatory settlements" on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.


21



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

10.  Legal Proceedings

CWAM, Columbia Acorn Trust, (another mutual fund family advised by CWAM), and the trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust (collectively, the "Columbia defendants") are named as defendants in class and derivative complaints that have been consolidated in a Multi-District Action (the "MDL Action") in the federal district court of Maryland. These lawsuits contend that defendants permitted certain investors to market time their trades in certain Columbia Acorn Funds. The MDL Action is ongoing. However, all claims against the Trust and the independent trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust have been dismissed.

Columbia Acorn Trust and CWAM are also defendants in a class action lawsuit that alleges, in summary, that Columbia Acorn Trust and CWAM exposed shareholders of Columbia Acorn International Fund to trading by market timers by allegedly: (a) failing to properly evaluate daily whether a significant event affecting the value of that fund's securities had occurred after foreign markets had closed but before the calculation of the funds' net asset value (NAV"); (b) failing to implement the fund's portfolio valuation and share pricing policies and procedures; and (c) failing to know and implement applicable rules and regulations concerning the calculation of NAV (the "Fair Valuation Lawsuit"). The Seventh Circuit ruled that the plaintiffs' state law claims were preempted under federal law resulting in the dismissal of plaintiffs' complaint. Plaintiffs appealed the Seventh Circuit's ruling to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court reversed the Seventh Circuit's ruling on jurisdictional grounds and the case was ultimately remanded to the state court.

On March 21, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against the Trust and CWAM seeking to rescind the CDSC assessed upon redemption of Class B shares of the Columbia Acorn Funds due to the alleged market timing of the Columbia Acorn Funds (the "CDSC Lawsuit"). In addition to the rescission of sales charges, plaintiffs seek recovery of actual damages, attorneys' fees and costs. The case has been transferred to the MDL Action in the federal district court of Maryland.

On September 14, 2007, the plaintiffs and the Columbia defendants named in the MDL Action, including the Columbia Funds, entered into a stipulation of settlement with respect to all Columbia-related claims in the MDL Action described above, including the CDSC and Fair Valuation Lawsuits. The settlement is subject to court approval.

Columbia Acorn Funds and CWAM intend to defend these suits vigorously. CWAM believes that the lawsuits are not likely to materially affect its ability to provide investment management services to the Fund.


22



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Wanger International:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wanger International (a series of the Wanger Advisors Trust, hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") at December 31, 2009, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2009 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 18, 2010


23



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)

Foreign taxes paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, of $2,233,000 are expected to be passed through to shareholders. This represents $0.05 per share. Eligible shareholders may claim this amount as a foreign tax credit.

Gross income derived from sources within foreign countries was $28,486,904 ($0.59 per share) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

0.14% of the ordinary income distributed by the Fund for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.


24




Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has overall management responsibility for the Trust and the Funds. Each trustee may serve a term of unlimited duration. The Trust's bylaws generally require that trustees retire at the end of the calendar year in which they attain 75 years. The trustees appoint their own successors, provided that at least two-thirds of the trustees, after such appointment, have been elected by shareholders. Shareholders may remove a trustee, with or without cause, upon the vote of two-thirds of the Trust's outstanding shares at any meeting called for that purpose. A trustee may be removed, with or without cause, upon the vote of a majority of the trustees.

The names of the trustees and officers of the Trust, the date each was first elected or appointed to office, their principal business occupations during at least the last five years, and other directorships they hold are shown below. Each trustee serves in such capacity for each of the four series of the Trust and each of the six series of Columbia Acorn Trust.

The business address of each trustee and officer of the Trust is Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P., 227 West Monroe, Suite 3000, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund's trustees and officers. You may obtain a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information by writing or calling toll-free:

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
Shareholder Services Group
227 W. Monroe, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
888-4-WANGER (888-492-6437)

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
Trustees who are not interested persons of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Laura M. Born, 44,
Trustee
    2007     Adjunct Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; formerly, Managing Director–Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (broker/ dealer) 2002-2007.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Michelle L. Collins, 49,
Trustee
    2008     President, Cambium LLC (financial advisory firm) since 2007; Advisory Board Member, Svoboda Capital Partners LLC (private equity firm) since 2007; Managing Director Svoboda Capital Partners LLC, 1998-2006.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Bucyrus International, Inc. (mining equipment manufacturer); Molex, Inc. (electronics components manufacturer).  
Maureen M. Culhane, 61,
Trustee
    2007     Retired. Formerly, Vice President, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (investment advisor), 2005-2007, and Vice President (Consultant)-Strategic Relationship Management, Goldman Sachs AG, 1999-2005.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Margaret M. Eisen, 56,
Trustee
    2002     Chief Investment Officer, EAM International LLC (corporate finance and asset management) since 2003; Managing Director, CFA Institute, 2005-2008.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Antigenics, Inc. (biotechnology and pharmaceuticals) (until June 2009).  
Jerome Kahn, Jr., 75,(1)
Trustee
    1987     Portfolio manager and stock analyst; formerly, President, William Harris Investors, Inc. (investment advisor).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Steven N. Kaplan, 50,
Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Board
    1999     Neubauer Family Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Accretive Health, Inc. (healthcare management services provider); Morningstar, Inc. (provider of independent investment research).  

 


25



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
David C. Kleinman, 74,
Trustee
    1972     Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; business consultant.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Sonic Foundry, Inc. (rich media systems and software).  
Allan B. Muchin, 73,
Trustee
    1998     Chairman Emeritus, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP (law firm).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
James A. Star, 48,
Trustee and Chairman of the Board
    2006     President, Longview Asset Management LLC (investment advisor) since 2003; Director, Traush Industries (privately-owned manufacturer of refrigeration parts and products).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
John A. Wing, 74,
Trustee
    2002     Partner, Dancing Lion Partners (investment firm); prior thereto, Frank Wakely Gunsaulus Professor of Law and Finance and Chairman of the Center for the Study of Law and Financial Markets, Illinois Institute of Technology; formerly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, ABN-AMRO Inc. (formerly named The Chicago Corporation, a financial services firm) and Chief Executive Officer, Market Liquidity Network, LLC.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; First Chicago Bank and Trust; First Chicago Bancorp.  
Trustees who are interested persons of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Charles P. McQuaid, 56,
Trustee and President (2)
    1992     President and Chief Investment Officer, CWAM or its predecessors, since October 2003; associated with CWAM or its predecessors since 1978.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Ralph Wanger, 75,
Trustee (3)
    1970     Founder, CWAM. Formerly, President, Chief Investment Officer and portfolio manager, CWAM or its predecessors, July 1992-September 2003; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Consultant, CWAM or its predecessors, September 2003-September 2005.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Officers of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Ben Andrews, 43,
Vice President
    2004     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1998; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2004.     10     None.  
Michael G. Clarke, 40,
Assistant Treasurer
    2004     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of certain Columbia Funds since January 2009; Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds from June 2008 to January 2009; Deputy Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds since June 2008; Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer, the Columbia Funds, October 2004 to May 2008; Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, since January 2006; Managing Director, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, September 2004-December 2005.     10     None.  
Jeffrey Coleman, 40,
Assistant Treasurer
    2006     Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds since June 2008; Director of Fund Administration, CWAM, since January 2006; Fund Controller, CWAM or its predecessors, October 2004-January 2006.     10     None.  
P. Zachary Egan, 41,
Vice President
    2003     Director of International Research, CWAM or its predecessors, since December 2004; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2007; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1999.     10     None.  
Peter T. Fariel, 52,
Assistant Secretary
    2006     Associate General Counsel, Bank of America Corporation, since April 2005; prior thereto, Partner, Goodwin Procter LLP (law firm).     10     None.  

 


26



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
John Kunka, 39,
Assistant Treasurer
    2006     Director of Accounting and Operations, CWAM or its predecessors, since May 2006; Manager of Mutual Fund Operations, Calamos Advisors, Inc. (investment advisor), September 2005-May 2006; prior thereto, Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments.     10     None.  
Joseph C. LaPalm, 40,
Vice President
    2006     Chief Compliance Officer, CWAM, since 2005; prior thereto, compliance officer, William Blair & Company (investment firm).     10     None.  
Bruce H. Lauer, 52,
Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer
    1995     Chief Operating Officer, CWAM or its predecessors, since April 2000; Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 1995; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Director, Banc of America Capital Management (Ireland) Ltd.; Director, Bank of America Global Liquidity Funds, PLC.     10     None.  
Louis J. Mendes III, 45,
Vice President
    2003     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2005.     10     None.  
Robert A. Mohn, 48,
Vice President
    1997     Director of Domestic Research, CWAM or its predecessors, since March 2004; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 1997; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since August 1992.     10     None.  
Christopher J. Olson, 45,
Vice President
    2001     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since January 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 2001.     10     None.  
Robert P. Scales, 57,
Chief Compliance Officer,
Chief Legal Officer,
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
    2004     Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 2004.     10     None.  
Linda Roth-Wiszowaty, 40,
Assistant Secretary
    2006     Business support analyst, CWAM, since April 2007; prior thereto executive administrator, CWAM or its predecessors, and executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer of CWAM or its predecessors.     10     None.  

 

(1)  Mr. Kahn retired at the end of calendar year 2009.

(2)  Mr. McQuaid is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and of CWAM, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because he is an officer of the Trust and of CWAM.

(3)  Mr. Wanger is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and of CWAM, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because, as of December 31, 2009, he owned securities issued by a controlling person of CWAM and was a consultant to CWAM within the most recently completed five fiscal years.


27



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

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28



Wanger International 2009 Annual Report

Columbia Wanger Funds

Transfer Agent,
Dividend Disbursing Agent

Columbia Management Services, Inc.
P.O.Box 8081
Boston, Massachusetts
02266-8081

Distributor

Columbia Management Distributors, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts
02111-2621

Investment Advisor

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
1-888-4-WANGER
(1-888-492-6437)

Legal Counsel to the Funds

K&L Gates LLP
Washington, DC

Legal Counsel to the Independent Trustees

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois

This report, including the schedules of investments and financial statements, is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Wanger Advisors Trust.

Columbia Management Group, LLC ("Columbia Management") is the investment management division of Bank of America Corporation. Columbia Management entities furnish investment management services and products for institutional and individual investors. Columbia Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Distributors, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC. Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. is part of Columbia Management and an affiliate of Bank of America Corporation.

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM") is an SEC-registered investment advisor and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. CWAM is part of Columbia Management.

A description of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures and a copy of the Fund's voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available (i) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, and (ii) without charge, upon request, by calling 888-492-6437.

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund's Form N-Q is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Pubic Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330. The Fund's complete portfolio holdings are disclosed at www.columbiafunds.com approximately 30 days after each month-end.


29




Columbia Wanger Funds

0L2568A

SHC-42/30135-1209 10/E3S5H0




Wanger Select

2009 Annual Report

NOT FDIC INSURED   May Lose Value  
NOT BANK ISSUED   No Bank Guarantee  

 



  Wanger Select

  2009 Annual Report

    Table of Contents

  1     Understanding Your Expenses  
  2     Skill and Luck  
  4     Performance Review  
  6     Statement of Investments  
  11     Statement of Assets and Liabilities  
  11     Statement of Operations  
  12     Statement of Changes in Net Assets  
  13     Financial Highlights  
  14     Notes to Financial Statements  
  18     Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
  19     Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust  

 

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM") is one of the leading global small- and mid-cap equity managers in the United States with 40 years of small- and mid-cap investment experience. As of December 31, 2009, CWAM manages $27.3 billion in assets and is the investment advisor to Wanger USA, Wanger International, Wanger Select, Wanger International Select (together, the "Columbia Wanger Funds") and the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds.

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. is an SEC-registered investment advisor and indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

On September 29, 2009, Bank of America Corporation entered into an agreement with Ameriprise Financial, Inc. ("Ameriprise") to sell a portion of the long-term asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC, including 100% of CWAM.

The planned acquisition of Columbia Management's long-term asset management business by Ameriprise is subject to federal, state and international regulatory approvals.

Please read and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus, which contains this and other important information about the Fund, contact your financial advisor or insurance company or contact 1-888-4-WANGER.

An important note: Columbia Wanger Funds are sold only to certain life insurance companies in connection with certain variable annuity contracts, variable life insurance policies and eligible qualified retirement plans.

The views expressed in "Skill and Luck" and in the Performance Review reflect the current views of the respective authors. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Wanger Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Wanger Fund. References to specific company securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.




Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Understanding Your Expenses

As a Fund shareholder, you incur three types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption or exchange fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include investment advisory fees and other Fund expenses. Lastly, there may be additional fees or charges imposed by the insurance company that sponsors your variable annuity product. The information on this page is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Analyzing your Fund's expenses

To illustrate these ongoing costs, we have provided an example and calculated the expenses paid by investors in the Fund during the period. The information in the following table is based on an initial hypothetical investment of $1,000, which is invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different results. The amount listed in the "Actual" column is calculated using actual operating expenses and total return for the Fund. The amount listed in the "Hypothetical" column assumes that the return each year is 5% before expenses and then applies the Fund's actual expense ratio for the period to the hypothetical return. You should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate either your actual account balance at the end of the period or the expenses you paid during the period. See "Compare with other funds" for details on using the hypothetical data.

Estimating your actual expenses

To estimate the expenses that you actually paid over the period, first you will need your account balance at the end of the period.

1.  Divide your ending account balance by $1,000. For example, if an account balance was $8,600 at the end of the period, the result would be 8.6.

2.  In the section of the table below titled "Expenses paid during the period," you will find a dollar amount in the column labeled "Actual." Multiply this amount by the result from step 1. Your answer is an estimate of the expenses you paid on your account during the period.

July 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009

    Account value at the
beginning of the period ($)
  Account value at the
end of the period ($)
  Expenses paid
during the period ($)
  Fund's annualized
expense ratio (%)*
 
    Actual   Hypothetical   Actual   Hypothetical   Actual   Hypothetical   Actual  
Wanger Select     1,000.00       1,000.00       1,337.80       1,020.42       5.60       4.84       0.95    

 

          

*For the six months ended December 31, 2009.

Expenses paid during the period are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, then multiplied by the number of days in the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year and divided by 365.

It is important to note that the expense amounts shown in the table are meant to highlight only ongoing costs of investing in the Fund. Expenses paid during the period do not include any insurance charges imposed by your insurance company's separate account. The hypothetical example provided is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.

Compare with other funds

Since all mutual funds are required to include the same hypothetical calculations about expenses in shareholder reports, you can use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples of other funds. As you compare hypothetical examples of other funds, it is important to note that hypothetical examples are meant to highlight the ongoing cost of investing in a fund and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees or exchange fees that may be incurred by shareholders of other funds. Expenses paid during the period do not include any insurance charges imposed by your insurance company's separate accounts.


1



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Skill and Luck

Research has proven that it is extremely difficult for institutional investors to consistently outperform the stock market. The performance distribution among mutual funds usually looks like a bell shaped curve, with some funds outperforming, many underperforming, and the average fund underperforming its benchmark roughly by its expense ratio. I'm happy to say that the Columbia Wanger Funds have outperformed their benchmarks during many years. But researchers note that there are thousands of mutual funds, and purely random outcomes will lead some funds to outperform. This raises an interesting debate: Do funds that outperform do so due to skill, or due to luck?

We try hard to apply investment skills in managing our Funds. We follow a time-tested approach and have an experienced and highly specialized team of investment professionals picking the stocks in which we invest. However, in order to cover both bases, I decided to also read up on luck. Dr. Richard Wiseman's The Luck Factor1 discusses his research and provides some common sense approaches that may enable people to become luckier.

Wiseman procured hundreds of volunteers, creating one group of people who considered themselves lucky and another who considered themselves unlucky. He tested conventional notions of luck. As one might expect, the lucky group had no apparent psychic ability; their guesses of upcoming lottery numbers were no better than guesses made by the unlucky group. Superstition was not effective either, as the appearance of a black cat vs. a white cat had no impact on results of a coin toss competition.

Instead, Wiseman concluded that people take specific actions that enable them to be lucky and succeed. He provides four principles that induce luck:

1) Maximize your chance opportunities
2) Listen to your lucky hunches
3) Expect good fortune
4) Turn bad luck into good

Though Wiseman does not explicitly mention investing, each principle can be applied in pursuit of successful money management.

Maximizing chance opportunities entails meeting a large number of people and creating networks to obtain information and investment ideas. Being observant and open to new ideas also helps. Successful investments can be discovered inadvertently: years ago I observed long lines and rising prices at parking garages in downtown Chicago and then profitably invested in a parking lot stock. Rather than pursuing information in hope of confirming existing opinions, pursuing unbiased information could induce the sale of an existing stock and purchase of a superior new one.

Listening to lucky hunches requires the use of intuition. Stocks tend to quickly react to information, and acting early, using imperfect information, is indeed an art form. We once had an analyst who tended to act only after obtaining repeated confirmations that company fundamentals had changed. He performed poorly because stocks often moved before he acted. In contrast, we recently successfully invested in a telecommunications stock that appeared likely to rise as an increasing number of Wall Street analysts began following it. Occasionally, we choose not to pursue possible investment opportunities because they simply don't feel right.

The next luck-inducing principle is to expect good fortune. This is consistent with our investment philosophy. We put money into stocks with the expectation that they will make money over time. We tend to expect continued good fortune from our successful investments and, when it makes sense, let our winners run. This has resulted in lower turnover than the industry average for the Columbia Wanger Funds.

We also attempt to turn bad luck into good and pursue an occasional positive side of bad luck. In the 1980s, several of our analysts complained about aggressive foreign competitors hurting companies we held in our flagship retail small-cap fund, Columbia Acorn Fund. The portfolio manager at that time, Ralph Wanger, coined the phrase, "Don't bitch, switch!" and we've owned some foreign stocks in that fund ever since. We've learned that one company's problem may be another company's opportunity, and that the best choice may be to invest in the latter company.

Ben Sherwood's The Survivors Club2 also mentions a few attributes applicable to investing. Situational awareness is a key part of military survival training and is important in investing too. Although many homebuilding stocks looked cheap during the housing bubble, generally avoiding them benefited our shareholders. Likewise, a well-run company may perform well within a highly competitive industry, but its stock could have substantial downside if its management changes or it grows beyond its niche.


2



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

As defined by Sherwood, the "incredulity response" occurs when very unusual events occur, such as catastrophes. Market meltdowns also appear to qualify. People tend to not believe such an event is happening and become paralyzed. Instead, survivors need to act positively. During a market meltdown, the market becomes extremely risk averse, and pays investors handsomely to take risk. That was true a year ago and we invested in several companies with substantial debt that our analysis indicated would likely survive and flourish. On average, those stocks performed very well for shareholders.

Both authors believe that people can create their own luck. After reading their perspectives, I have to agree. We at Columbia Wanger Asset Management think that creating luck is a skill and that providing above average returns is no random act.

Charles P. McQuaid
President and Chief Investment Officer
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.

The information and data provided in this analysis are derived from sources that we deem to be reliable and accurate. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. The views/opinions expressed in this essay are those of the author and not of the Wanger Advisors Trust Board, are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions, may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Management associates or other divisions of Bank of America Corporation and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Wanger Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Wanger Fund.

Stocks of small- and mid-cap companies pose special risks, including possible illiquidity and greater price volatility than stocks of larger, more established companies. International investing involves special risks, including foreign taxation, currency risks, risks associated with possible differences in financial standards and other risks associated with future political and economic developments. Investing in emerging markets may involve greater risks than investing in more developed countries. In addition, concentration of investments in a single region may result in greater volatility. A fund that maintains a relatively concentrated portfolio may be subject to greater risk than a fund that is more fully diversified.

1  Wiseman, Richard, The Luck Factor, (New York, New York, Miramax Books/Hyperion 2003).

2  Sherwood, Ben, The Survivors Club, (New York, New York, Grand Central Publishing, 2009).

Also referenced in the writing of this essay was a research paper written by Eugene F. Fama and Kenneth R. French titled, "Luck versus Skill in the Cross Section of Mutual Fund Returns." The paper was originally dated October 2007 and updated in November 2009. It can be found on the Social Science Research Network's website at www.ssrn.com.


3



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Performance Review Wanger Select

Ben Andrews
Portfolio Manager

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For daily and most recent month-end performance updates, please call 1-888-4-WANGER.

Wanger Select outperformed its primary benchmark, the S&P MidCap 400 Index, by nearly 29 percentage points in 2009 with a 66.19% gain. The S&P MidCap 400 Index was up 37.38%. We are pleased that we could offer our shareholders such strong performance. The S&P 500 Index, which is a large-cap index, trailed mid-caps with a 26.46% annual return.

The Fund's top contributors for the year were Pacific Rubiales Energy, an oil production and exploration company, Sanmina-SCI, a provider of electronic manufacturing services, and Expedia, a provider of online travel services. These stocks contributed about 20% of the Fund's 66% annual return. The impact of the weaker performers was fairly minimal in the year. The biggest detractors to Fund gains were Chinese caterer Fu Ji Food & Catering Services, oil and gas producer ShaMaran Petroleum, pharmaceutical company Cephalon and supermarket chain Safeway. They cost the Fund 3.7% of its yearly portfolio return. We sold the Fund's position in Cephalon in the first half of the year.

In the second half of 2009, we added nine new companies to the Fund's portfolio while selling out of three names. The new names included GLG Life Tech, ChemSpec International and Houston American Energy. GLG Life Tech produces an all natural, zero calorie sweetener from the stevia plant. ChemSpec is a fluorinated specialty chemicals manufacturer, and Houston American Energy is an oil and gas exploration and production company with its primary operations in Colombia. Second half sales included Donaldson, a maker of industrial air filters, FMC Technologies, an oil and gas wellhead manufacturer, and retailer The Gap Stores. We sold down or out of the Fund's larger oil service/production companies while investing the dollars back into smaller oil companies, primarily those located in Colombia.

The U.S. economy is continuing to recover as we enter 2010, but unemployment remains high. However, I believe that failure to pass a carbon tax and/or health care legislation could benefit both the economy and the market as it would clear away uncertainty, which is restraining job growth within two of this country's largest employing industries: industrials/oil/utilities and health care. I believe that employment could also get a boost if the government chooses not to let the sun setting tax cuts, which are estimated to account for approximately 2% of GDP—a significant figure in an economy with over 10% unemployment—expire at the end of 2010. If these scenarios evolve, employment could rebound. Until then, our focus will be to find stocks that we believe can perform well in a slower growth environment.

Risks include stock market fluctuations due to economic and business developments. The Fund also has potentially greater price volatility due to the Fund's concentration in a limited number of stocks of mid-size companies. The Fund is a non-diversified fund and may, therefore, have a greater risk of loss from a few issuers than a similar fund that invests more broadly. The Fund may not operate as a non-diversified fund at all times. International investments involve greater potential risks, including less regulation, currency fluctuations, economic instability and political developments.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change periodically and may not be representative of current holdings.

Fund's Positions in Mentioned Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

Pacific Rubiales Energy     4.8 %  
Safeway     3.9    
Sanmina-SCI     3.6    
Expedia     3.4    
ShaMaran Petroleum     0.7    
Houston American Energy     0.3    
GLG Life Tech     0.0 *  
Fu Ji Food & Catering Services     0.0 *  
ChemSpec International     0.0 *  

 

*  Rounds to less than 0.1%.


4



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Wanger Select

February 1, 1999 (inception date) through December 31, 2009

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Performance results may reflect any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment advisor and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results would have been lower. For daily and most recent month-end performance updates, please call 1-888-4-WANGER.

This graph compares the results of $10,000 invested in Wanger Select on February 1, 1999 (the date the Fund began operations) through December 31, 2009, to the S&P MidCap 400 Index, with dividends and capital gains reinvested. Although the index is provided for use in assessing the Fund's performance, the Fund's holdings may differ significantly from those in the index.

Top 10 Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

1. ITT Educational Services
Post-secondary Degree Services
    4.8 %  
2. Pacific Rubiales Energy (Canada)
Oil Production & Exploration in Colombia
    4.8    
3. Hertz
Largest U.S. Rental Car Operator
    4.4    
4. SkillSoft
Web-based Learning Solutions (E-Learning)
    4.2    
5. Safeway
Supermarkets
    3.9    
6. Sanmina-SCI
Electronic Manufacturing Services
    3.6    
7. Canacol Energy (Canada)
Oil Producer in South America
    3.6    
8. Expedia
Online Travel Services Company
    3.4    
9. Conseco
Life, Long-term Care & Medical Supplement Insurance
    3.2    
10. Crown Castle International
Communications Towers
    3.1    

 

Top 5 Industries

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

Consumer Goods & Services     30.5 %  
Information     20.9    
Energy & Minerals     18.9    
Finance     9.7    
Industrial Goods & Services     8.9    

 

Results as of December 31, 2009

    4th
quarter
  1 year  
Wanger Select     9.40 %     66.19 %  
S&P MidCap 400 Index*     5.56       37.38    
S&P 500 Index     6.04       26.46    
Lipper Variable Underlying
Mid-Cap Growth Funds Index
    5.51       45.97    

 

NAV as of 12/31/09: $23.05

* The Fund's primary benchmark.

Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses but do not include any insurance charge imposed by your insurance company's separate accounts. If performance included the effect of these additional charges, it would be lower.

The Fund's annual operating expense ratio is 0.91%. The annual operating expense ratio is as stated in the Fund's prospectus that is current as of the date of this report. Differences in expense ratios disclosed elsewhere in this report may result from including fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any, as well as different time periods used in calculating the ratios.

All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

The S&P MidCap 400 Index, the Fund's primary benchmark, is a market value-weighted index that tracks the performance of 400 mid-cap U.S. companies. The S&P 500 Index tracks the performance of 500 widely-held large capitalization U.S. stocks. Although the Fund typically invests in companies with market capitalizations under $20 billion at the time of investment, the comparison to the S&P 500 Index is presented to show performance against a widely recognized market index. The Lipper Variable Underlying Mid-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest variable insurance underlying funds in the Lipper Variable Underlying Mid-Cap Growth Funds Classification. Indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Lipper Inc., a widely respected data provider in the industry, calculates an average total return (assuming reinvestment of distributions) for mutual funds with investment objectives similar to those of the Fund. Lipper makes no adjustment for the effect of sales loads.

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically and may not be representative of current characteristics and holdings.


5




Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments, December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
        Equities – 92.0%        
    Consumer Goods & Services – 30.5%  
    Educational Services – 10.3%  
  136,600     ITT Educational Services (a)
Post-secondary Degree Services
    $13,108,136
   
  1,074,000     SkillSoft – ADR (a)
Web-based Learning Solutions (E-Learning)
    11,255,520
   
  134,800     Career Education (a)
Post-secondary Education
    3,142,188
   
  125,000     Princeton Review (a)
College Preparation Courses
    507,500
   
              28,013,344    
    Travel – 7.8%  
  1,004,900     Hertz (a)
Largest U.S. Rental Car Operator
    11,978,408
   
  357,000     Expedia (a)
Online Travel Services Company
    9,178,470
   
              21,156,878    
    Retail – 6.8%  
  491,000     Safeway
Supermarkets
    10,453,390
   
  225,000     Abercrombie & Fitch
Teen Apparel Retailer
    7,841,250
   
              18,294,640    
    Apparel – 2.6%  
  191,000     Coach
Designer & Retailer of Branded Leather
Accessories
    6,977,230
   
    Casinos & Gaming – 1.9%  
  42,326,000     RexLot Holdings (China)
Lottery Equipment Supplier in China
    4,724,922
   
  3,940,900     NagaCorp (Hong Kong)
Casino/Entertainment Complex in Cambodia
    435,366
   
              5,160,288    
    Furniture & Textiles – 1.0%  
  410,000     Steelcase
Office Furniture
    2,607,600
   

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Food & Beverage – 0.1%  
  15,100     GLG Life Tech (Canada) (a)
Produce an All-natural Sweetener
Extracted from the Stevia Plant
    $115,515
   
  2,279,000     Fu Ji Food & Catering Services (China) (a)(b)
Food Catering Service Provider in China
    23,515
   
              139,030    
        Total Consumer Goods & Services     82,349,010    
    Information – 20.9%  
    Mobile Communications – 6.5%  
  212,000     Crown Castle International (a)
Communications Towers
    8,276,480
   
  123,000     American Tower (a)
Communications Towers in USA &
Latin America
    5,314,830
   
  70,000     SBA Communications (a)
Communications Towers
    2,391,200
   
  1,767,100     Globalstar (a)
Satellite Mobile Voice & Data Carrier
    1,537,377
   
              17,519,887    
    Contract Manufacturing – 3.6%  
  875,833     Sanmina-SCI (a)
Electronic Manufacturing Services
    9,660,438
   
    Computer Services – 3.1%  
  534,900     WNS – ADR (India) (a)
Offshore BPO (Business Process
Outsourcing) Services
    8,050,245
   
  131,500     Hackett Group (a)
IT Integration & Best Practice Research
    365,570
   
              8,415,815    
    Advertising – 2.5%  
  580,800     VisionChina Media – ADR (China) (a)
Advertising on Digital Screens in China's
Mass Transit System
    6,342,336
   
  221,627     China Mass Media – ADR (China) (a)
Media Planning Agency in China
    571,798
   
              6,914,134    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments, December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Computer Hardware & Related Equipment – 1.7%  
  102,500     Amphenol
Electronic Connectors
    $4,733,450
   
    Business Software – 1.5%  
  957,000     Novell (a)
Directory, Operating System & Identity
Management Software
    3,971,550
   
    Financial Processors – 1.5%  
  356,000     CardTronics (a)
Operates the World's Largest Network of ATMs
    3,940,920
   
    CATV – 0.5%  
  54,500     Discovery Communications, Series C (a)
CATV Programming
    1,445,340
   
        Total Information     56,601,534    
    Energy & Minerals – 18.9%  
    Oil & Gas Producers – 11.8%  
  16,460,000     Canacol Energy (Canada) (a)(c)(d)
Oil Producer in South America
    9,616,159
   
  500,500     Pacific Rubiales Energy (Canada) (a)(c)     7,356,778    
  381,166     Pacific Rubiales Energy (Canada) (a)
Oil Production & Exploration in Colombia
    5,630,841
   
  5,714,000     Cap-Link Ventures (a)(c)     2,403,939    
  5,714,000     Cap-Link Ventures – Warrants (a)(c)
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production in
Colombia, Peru & Paraguay
    1,529,780
   
  334,000     Gran Tierra Energy (Canada) (a)
Oil Exploration & Production in Colombia,
Peru & Argentina
    1,916,145
   
  3,450,000     ShaMaran Petroleum (Canada) (a)(c)     1,425,061    
  785,000     ShaMaran Petroleum (Canada) (a)
Oil Exploration in Kurdistan
    337,764
   
  150,000     Houston American Energy
Oil & Gas Exploration/Production in Colombia
    924,000
   
  1,112,000     Alange Energy (Colombia) (a)
Oil & Gas Exploration/Production in Colombia
    669,847
   
              31,810,314    

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Alternative Energy – 3.1%  
  260,100     Canadian Solar (China) (a)(e)
Solar Cell & Module Manufacturer
    $7,496,082
   
  179,900     Real Goods Solar (a)
Residential Solar Energy Installer
    566,685
   
  301,000     Synthesis Energy Systems (China) (a)
Owner/Operator of Gasification Plants
    279,328
   
              8,342,095    
    Oil Services – 2.8%  
  684,100     Tetra Technologies (a)
U.S.-based Services Company with
Life of Field Approach
    7,579,828
   
    Mining – 1.2%  
  1,161,000     Uranium One (South Africa) (a)
Uranium Mines in Kazakhstan,
the U.S. & Australia
    3,352,507
   
        Total Energy & Minerals     51,084,744    
    Finance – 9.7%  
    Brokerage & Money Management – 4.9%  
  176,000     Eaton Vance
Specialty Mutual Funds
    5,352,160
   
  751,300     MF Global (a)
Futures Broker
    5,221,535    
  150,000     SEI Investments
Mutual Fund Administration & Investment
Management
    2,628,000
   
              13,201,695    
    Insurance – 3.2%  
  1,751,000     Conseco (a)
Life, Long-term Care & Medical
Supplement Insurance
    8,755,000
   
    Credit Cards – 1.6%  
  284,000     Discover Financial Services
Credit Card Company
    4,177,640
   
        Total Finance     26,134,335    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments, December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Industrial Goods & Services – 8.9%  
    Waste Management – 2.6%  
  205,000     Waste Management
U.S. Garbage Collection & Disposal
    $6,931,050
   
    Outsourcing Services – 2.0%  
  264,000     Quanta Services (a)
Electrical & Telecom Construction Services
    5,501,760
   
    Machinery – 1.5%  
  102,000     Ametek
Aerospace/Industrial Instruments
    3,900,480
   
    Industrial Materials & Specialty Chemicals – 1.3%  
  137,000     Nalco Holding Company
Provider of Water Treatment & Process
Chemicals & Services
    3,494,870
   
  2,500     ChemSpec International – ADR (China) (a)
Specialty Chemicals with Focus on
Fluorinated Chemical Manufacturing
    16,500
   
      3,511,370    
    Other Industrial Services – 1.1%  
  80,500     Expeditors International of Washington
International Freight Forwarder
    2,795,765
   
  15,822     Mobile Mini (a)
Portable Storage Units Leasing
    222,932
   
              3,018,697    
    Industrial Distribution – 0.4%  
  12,000     WW Grainger
Industrial Distribution
    1,161,960
   
        Total Industrial Goods & Services     24,025,317    
    Other Industries – 3.1%  
    Transportation – 3.1%  
  178,000     JB Hunt Transport Services
Truck & Intermodal Carrier
    5,744,060
   
  152,000     American Commercial Lines (a)
Operator of Inland Barges/Builder of
Barges & Vessels
    2,786,160
   
        Total Other Industries     8,530,220    

 

Number of Shares
or Principal Amount
      Value  
    Health Care – %  
    Health Care Services – %  
  2,500     Emdeon (a)
Revenue & Payment Cycle Management
    $38,125
   
        Total Health Care     38,125    
Total Equities (Cost: $206,334,308) – 92.0%     248,763,285    
Securities Lending Collateral – 0.4%      
  1,003,000     Dreyfus Government Cash
Management Fund (f)
(7 day yield of 0.000%)
    1,003,000    
Total Securities Lending Collateral (Cost: $1,003,000)     1,003,000    
Short-Term Obligations – 8.1%      
    Repurchase Agreement – 7.7%  
$ 20,769,000     Repurchase Agreement with Fixed
Income Clearing Corp., dated 12/31/09,
due 1/04/10 at 0.00%, collateralized
by a U.S. Treasury obligation, maturing
3/18/10, market value $21,187,881
(repurchase proceeds $20,769,000)
    20,769,000    
    Commercial Paper – 0.4%  
  1,200,000     Toyota Motor Credit
0.16% due 1/04/10
    1,199,984    
Total Short-Term Obligations
(Amortized Cost: $21,968,984)
    21,968,984    
Total Investments (Cost: $229,306,292) – 100.5% (g)(h)     271,735,269    
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities
Loaned – (0.4)%
    (1,003,000 )  
Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities – (0.1)%     (363,887 )  
Total Net Assets – 100.0%   $ 270,368,382    

 

Notes to Statement of Investments:

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  Illiquid security.

(c)  Denotes a restricted security, which is subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. These securities are valued at a fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. At December 31, 2009, the market value of these securities amounted to $22,331,717, which represented 8.3% of total net assets.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments, December 31, 2009

Additional information on these securities is as follows:


Security
  Acquisition
Dates
 
Shares
 
Cost
 
Value
 
Cap-Link Ventures   11/20/09     5,714,000     $ 1,166,052     $ 2,403,939    
Cap-Link Ventures
Warrants
  11/20/09     5,714,000       742,067       1,529,780    
ShaMaran Petroleum   9/15/09     3,450,000       2,414,839       1,425,061    
Canacol Energy   9/23/09     16,460,000       4,287,256       9,616,159    
Pacific Rubiales Energy   7/12/07     500,500       2,009,545       7,356,778    
                $ 10,619,759     $ 22,331,717    

 

(d)  An affiliated person of the Fund may include any company in which the Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares. Holdings and transactions in this affiliated company during the twelve months ended December 31, 2009 are as follows:



Affiliate
  Balance of
Shares Held
12/31/2008
 
Purchases/
Additions
 
Sales/
Reductions
  Balance of
Shares Held
12/31/09
 

Value
 

Dividend
 
Canacol Energy           16,460,000             16,460,000     $ 9,616,159     $    

 

The aggregate cost and value of this company at December 31, 2009, were $4,287,256 and $9,616,159, respectively. Investments in the affiliated company represented 3.6% of total net assets at December 31, 2009.

(e)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2009. The total market value of Fund securities on loan at December 31, 2009 was $979,880.

(f)  Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.

(g)  On December 31, 2009, the market value of foreign securities represented 14.6% of total net assets. The Fund's foreign portfolio was diversified as follows:

Currency   Value   Cost   Percentage
of Net Assets
 
Canadian Dollar   $ 34,238,821     $ 19,009,103       12.7    
Hong Kong Dollar     5,183,803       5,229,248       1.9    
    $ 39,422,624     $ 24,238,351       14.6    

 

(h)  At December 31, 2009, for federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments was $237,035,000, and net unrealized appreciation was $34,700,269, consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $76,366,523 and gross unrealized depreciation of $41,666,254.

The following table summarizes the inputs used, as of December 31, 2009, in valuing the Fund's assets:





Investment Type
 


Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
  Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 



Total
 
Equities  
Consumer
Goods & Services
  $ 77,165,207     $ 5,160,288     $ 23,515     $ 82,349,010    
Information     56,601,534                   56,601,534    
Energy & Minerals     28,753,027       22,331,717             51,084,744    
Finance     26,134,335                   26,134,335    
Industrial
Goods & Services
    24,025,317                   24,025,317    
Other Industries     8,530,220                   8,530,220    
Health Care     38,125                   38,125    
Total Equities   $ 221,247,765     $ 27,492,005     $ 23,515     $ 248,763,285    
Total Securities
Lending Collateral
    1,003,000                   1,003,000    
Total Short-Term
Obligations
          21,968,984             21,968,984    
Total Investments   $ 222,250,765     $ 49,460,989     $ 23,515     $ 271,735,269    

 

The Fund's assets assigned to the Level 2 input category include certain foreign securities for which a third party statistical pricing service may be employed for purposes of fair market valuation.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments, December 31, 2009

The following table reconciles asset balances for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2009, in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:

Investments in Securities   Balance as of
December 31,
2008
  Accrued
Discounts/
Premiums
  Realized
Gain/(Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Net
Purchases
(Sales)
  Net
Transfers
into (out of)
Level 3
  Balance
as of
December 31,
2009
 
Equities
Consumer Goods & Services
  $     $     $     $ (1,943,764 )   $     $ 1,967,279     $ 23,515    
    $     $     $     $ (1,943,764 )   $     $ 1,967,279     $ 23,515    

 

The information in the above reconciliation table represents fiscal year to date activity for any securities identified as using Level 3 inputs during the current fiscal period.

The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributed to securities owned at December 31, 2009, which were valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) amounted to ($1,943,764). This amount is included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the tables above, please refer to the Security Valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2009, the Fund held investments in the following sectors:

Sector   Percentage
of
Net Assets
 
Consumer Goods & Services     30.5    
Information     20.9    
Energy & Minerals     18.9    
Finance     9.7    
Industrial Goods & Services     8.9    
Other Industries     3.1    
Health Care     *  
      92.0    
Securities Lending Collateral     0.4    
Short-Term Obligations     8.1    
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities Loaned     (0.4 )  
Cash and Other Assets less Liabilities     (0.1 )  
      100.0    

 

*  Represents less than 0.1% of total net assets.

ADR = American Depositary Receipts

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10




Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2009

Assets:  
Unaffiliated investments, at cost   $ 225,019,036    
Affiliated investments, at cost (See Note 4)     4,287,256    
Unaffiliated investments, at value (including
securities on loan of $979,880)
  $ 262,119,110    
Affiliated investments, at value (See Note 4)     9,616,159    
Cash     151    
Foreign currency (cost of $14,514)     14,513    
Receivable for:  
Investments sold     22,732    
Fund shares sold     602    
Securities lending income     90    
Dividends     121,060    
Other assets     1,452    
Total Assets     271,895,869    
Liabilities:  
Collateral on securities loaned     1,003,000    
Payable for:  
Investments purchased     6,407    
Fund shares repurchased     269,122    
Investment advisory fee     176,528    
Administration fee     11,033    
Transfer agent fee     22    
Trustees' fees     4    
Custody fee     3,701    
Chief compliance officer expenses     464    
Trustees' deferred compensation plan     20,683    
Other liabilities     36,523    
Total Liabilities     1,527,487    
Net Assets   $ 270,368,382    
Composition of Net Assets:  
Paid-in capital   $ 267,815,173    
Accumulated net investment loss     (775,601 )  
Accumulated net realized loss     (39,100,167 )  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on
investments
    42,428,977    
Net Assets   $ 270,368,382    
Fund Shares Outstanding     11,732,080    
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
  $ 23.05    

 

Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

Investment Income:  
Dividends   $ 989,664    
Interest income     10,596    
Securities lending income     38,449    
Total Investment Income     1,038,709    
Expenses:  
Investment advisory fee     1,601,445    
Administration fee     100,090    
Transfer agent fee     274    
Trustees' fees     21,590    
Custody fee     53,740    
Chief compliance officer expenses (See Note 4)     8,431    
Other expenses (See Note 5)     125,158    
Total Expenses     1,910,728    
Custody earnings credit     (1 )  
Net Expenses     1,910,727    
Net Investment Loss     (872,018 )  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments and Foreign Currency:
 
Net realized loss on:          
Investments     (14,804,246 )  
Foreign currency transactions     (112,113 )  
Net realized loss     (14,916,359 )  
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on:
         
Unaffiliated investments     114,979,225    
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)     5,328,903    
Net change in unrealized
appreciation (depreciation)
    120,308,128    
Net Gain     105,391,769    
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations   $ 104,519,751    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

    Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   2009   2008 (a)  
Operations:  
Net investment loss   $ (872,018 )   $ (1,135,073 )  
Net realized loss on:  
Unaffiliated investments     (14,804,246 )     (23,399,095 )  
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)              
Foreign currency transactions     (112,113 )     (2,142 )  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Unaffiliated investments     114,979,225       (129,460,361 )  
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)     5,328,903          
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations     104,519,751       (153,996,671 )  
Distributions to Shareholders:  
From net realized gains           (8,211,851 )  
Share Transactions:  
Subscriptions     34,296,345       32,833,563    
Distributions reinvested           8,211,851    
Redemptions     (25,035,845 )     (38,628,359 )  
Net Increase from Share Transactions     9,260,500       2,417,055    
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets     113,780,251       (159,791,467 )  
Net Assets:  
Beginning of period     156,588,131       316,379,598    
End of period   $ 270,368,382     $ 156,588,131    
Accumulated net investment loss at end of period   $ (775,601 )   $ (5,789 )  

 

(a)  Certain items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net income or net assets.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12




Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Financial Highlights

    Year Ended December 31,  
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period   $ 13.87     $ 28.08     $ 26.15     $ 22.66     $ 22.11    
Income from Investment Operations:  
Net investment loss (a)     (0.08 )     (0.10 )     (0.04 )     (0.05 )     (0.04 )  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency     9.26       (13.38 )     2.47       4.38       2.12    
Total from Investment Operations     9.18       (13.48 )     2.43       4.33       2.08    
Less Distributions to Shareholders:  
From net investment income                       (0.09 )        
From net realized gains           (0.73 )     (0.50 )     (0.75 )     (1.53 )  
Total Distributions to Shareholders           (0.73 )     (0.50 )     (0.84 )     (1.53 )  
Net Asset Value, End of Period   $ 23.05     $ 13.87     $ 28.08     $ 26.15     $ 22.66    
Total Return (b)     66.19 %     (49.06 )%     9.39 %     19.70 %     10.49 %(c)  
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:  
Net expenses (d)     0.95 %     0.91 %     0.90 %     0.94 %     0.96 %  
Net investment loss (d)     (0.44 )%     (0.45 )%     (0.15 )%     (0.20 )%     (0.20 )%  
Waiver/Reimbursement                             0.02 %  
Portfolio turnover rate     35 %     36 %     15 %     21 %     26 %  
Net assets, end of period (000s)   $ 270,368     $ 156,588     $ 316,380     $ 175,346     $ 102,674    

 

(a)  Net investment loss per share was based upon the average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions reinvested.

(c)  Had the investment advisor not waived a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.

(d)  The benefits derived from custody fees paid indirectly had an impact of less than 0.01%.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13




Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements

1.  Nature of Operations

Wanger Select (the "Fund"), is a series of Wanger Advisors Trust (the "Trust"), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund is available only for allocation to certain life insurance company separate accounts established for the purpose of funding qualified and non-qualified variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and may also be offered directly to certain types of pension plans and retirement arrangements.

On September 29, 2009, Bank of America Corporation, the indirect parent company of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM"), entered into an agreement to sell a portion of the asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC ("Columbia Management") to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. The transaction ("Transaction") includes a sale of CWAM. The Transaction is subject to certain approvals and other conditions to closing, and is currently expected to close in the spring of 2010.

2.  Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through February 18, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued, and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosures. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

Security valuation

Securities of the Fund are valued at market value or, if a market quotation for a security is not readily available or is deemed not to be reliable because of events or circumstances that have occurred between the market quotation and the time as of which the security is to be valued, the security is valued at its fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. A security traded on a securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market in which transaction prices are reported is valued at the last sales price at the time of valuation. A security traded principally on NASDAQ is valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds are valued at their closing net asset value as reported to NASDAQ. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued at the latest bid quotation. Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. A security for which a market quotation is not readily available and any other assets are valued at its fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The Trust has retained an independent statistical fair value pricing service that employs a systematic methodology to assist in the fair valuation process for securities principally traded in a foreign market in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time as of which the securities are to be valued. If a security is valued at a "fair value", that value may be different from the last quoted market price for the security.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

•  Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)

•  Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including management's own assumptions in determining the value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose NAVs are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by the Fund's valuation committee that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in level 2. Typical level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Fund's Valuation Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

Repurchase agreements

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund, through its custodian, receives delivery of underlying securities collateralizing each repurchase agreement. The counterparty is required to maintain collateral that is at all times at least equal to the repurchase price including interest. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.

Foreign currency translations

Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the New York spot market rate of exchange at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend and interest income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot market rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates is included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments, as appropriate.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend securities up to one-third of the value of its total assets to certain approved brokers, dealers and other financial institutions to earn additional income. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities, including receipt of dividends or interest generated by the security. The Fund also receives a fee for the loan. The Fund has the ability to recall the loans at any time and could do so in order to vote proxies or to sell the loaned securities. Each loan is collateralized by cash that exceeds the value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined daily at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. The Fund has elected to invest the cash collateral in the Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund and the income earned is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending as the lending agent and borrower rebates. The Fund's advisor, CWAM, does not retain any fees earned by the lending program. Generally, in the event of borrower default, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. In the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral, there may be a potential loss to the Fund. Some of these losses may be indemnified by the lending agent. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of collateral.

The net lending income earned in 2009 by the Fund is included in the Statement of Operations.


14



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

Security transactions and investment income

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of discounts on debt obligations when required for federal income tax purposes. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis.

Awards, if any, from class action litigation related to securities owned may be recorded as a reduction of cost of those securities. If the applicable securities are no longer owned, the proceeds are recorded as realized gains.

Restricted securities

Restricted securities are securities that may only be resold upon registration under federal securities laws or in transactions exempt from registration. In some cases, the issuer of restricted securities has agreed to register such securities for resale at the issuer's expense either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Such restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Board of Trustees.

Fund share valuation

Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuing basis at net asset value. Net asset value per share is determined daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("the Exchange") on each day the Exchange is open for trading by dividing the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

Custody fees/Credits

Custody fees are reduced based on the Fund's cash balances maintained with the custodian. The amount is disclosed as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.

Federal income taxes

The Fund has complied with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code available to regulated investment companies and, in the manner provided therein, distributes all its taxable income, as well as any net realized gain on sales of investments and foreign currency transactions reportable for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund paid no federal income taxes and no federal income tax provision was required.

Expenses

General expenses of the Trust are allocated to the Fund and the other series of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund.

Foreign capital gains taxes

Gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level, at rates ranging from 10%-15%. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on net realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, the Trust on behalf of the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnities. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims against the Fund. Also under the Trust's organizational documents, the trustees and officers of the Trust are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of their duties to the Trust. However based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities to be minimal.

3.  Federal Tax Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, permanent book and tax basis differences resulting primarily from differing treatments for foreign currency transactions and passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") adjustments were identified and reclassified among the components of the Fund's net assets as follows:

Accumulated
Net Investment Loss
  Accumulated
Net Realized Loss
  Paid-In Capital  
$ 102,206     $ (102,206 )   $    

 

Net investment income and net realized gains (losses), as disclosed on the Statement of Operations, and net assets were not affected by this reclassification.

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:

    December 31, 2009   December 31, 2008  
Ordinary Income*   $     $ 1,686,639    
Long-Term Capital Gains           6,525,212    

 

* For tax purposes short-term capital gains distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of December 31, 2009, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Tax Exempt
Income
  Undistributed
Ordinary Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation*
 
$     $ 1,588,454     $     $ 34,700,269    

 

* The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation are primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales.

The following capital loss carryforwards, determined as of December 31, 2009, may be available to reduce taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code:

Year of
Expiration
  Capital Loss
Carryforward
 
  2016     $ 6,605,628    
  2017       27,110,035    
Total   $ 33,715,663    

 


15



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

Under current tax rules, certain currency (and capital) losses realized after October 31 may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. As of December 31, 2009, post-October currency losses of $173,029 attributed to security transactions were deferred to January 1, 2010.

Management is required to determine whether a tax position of the Fund is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized by the Fund is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Management is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. However, management's conclusions may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

4.  Transactions With Affiliates

CWAM is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Management which in turn is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BOA"). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's business affairs.

Under the Fund's investment advisory agreement, management fees are accrued daily based on the Fund's average daily net assets and paid monthly to CWAM at the annual rates shown in the table below:

Average Daily Net Assets   Annual Fee Rate  
  Up to $500 million       0.80 %  
  $500 million and over       0.78 %  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund's effective investment advisory fee rate was 0.80% of average daily net assets.

Through April 30, 2010, CWAM will reimburse the Fund to the extent that ordinary operating expenses (exclusive of brokerage commissions, interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses, but inclusive of custodian charges relating to overdrafts, if any), after giving effect to any balance credits from the Fund's custodian, exceed an annual percentage of 1.35% of average daily net assets on an annualized basis. There was no reimbursement for the year ended December 31, 2009.

CWAM provides administrative services and receives an administration fee from the Fund at the following annual rates.

Wanger Advisors Trust Aggregate
Average Daily Net Assets of the Trust
  Annual Fee Rate  
Up to $4 billion     0.05 %  
$4 billion to $6 billion     0.04 %  
$6 billion to $8 billion     0.03 %  
$8 billion and over     0.02 %  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund's effective administration fee rate was 0.05% of average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management Advisors, LLC ("Columbia"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, the responsibility for certain administrative services.

Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of CWAM. The Trust makes no direct payments to its officers and trustees who are affiliated with CWAM.

The Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust in accordance with federal securities regulations. The Fund, along with other affiliated funds, pays its pro-rata share of the expenses associated with the Office of the Chief Compliance Officer. These expenses are disclosed separately as "Chief compliance officer expenses" in the Statement of Operations.

The Trust offers a deferred compensation plan for its independent trustees. Under that plan, a trustee may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her compensation. Amounts deferred are retained by the Trust and may represent an unfunded obligation of the Trust. The value of amounts deferred is determined by reference to the change in value of Class Z shares of one or more series of Columbia Acorn Trust or a money market fund as specified by the trustee. Benefits under the deferred compensation plan are payable when the trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees.

Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of Columbia and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, serves as the principal underwriter of the Trust and receives no compensation from the Fund for its services.

Columbia Management Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), an affiliate of Columbia and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, provides shareholder services to the Fund and has subcontracted with Boston Financial Data Services ("BFDS") to serve as subtransfer agent. For such services, the Transfer Agent receives a fee, paid monthly, at the annual rate of $21.00 per account. The Transfer Agent also receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

An affiliated person of the Fund may include any company in which the Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares. On December 31, 2009, the Fund held five percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of one or more companies. Details of investments in those affiliated companies are presented in the Notes to the Statement of Investments on page 9.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund engaged in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. Those purchase and sale transactions complied with provisions of Rule 17a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and were $1,875,100 and $0, respectively.

5.  Borrowing Arrangements

The Trust participates in a $150 million credit facility, along with another Trust managed by CWAM, which was entered into to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Under the facility, interest is charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the higher of Federal Funds Rate or Overnight LIBOR plus 0.750%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.12% per annum of the unutilized line of credit is accrued and apportioned among the participating funds based on their relative net assets. The commitment fee is included in "Other expenses" in the Statement of Operations. No amounts were borrowed by the Fund under this facility during the year ended December 31, 2009. The Trust enters into this line of credit for one year durations. The Trust has secured the line of credit for the entire year of 2010.

6.  Fund Share Transactions

Proceeds and payments on Fund shares as shown in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets are in respect of the following numbers of shares:

    Year Ended
December 31, 2009
  Year Ended
December 31, 2008
 
Shares sold     1,920,232       1,464,413    
Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividend distributions
          349,441    
Less shares redeemed     (1,481,433 )     (1,788,324 )  
Net increase in shares outstanding     438,799       25,530    

 


16



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $64,981,470 and $69,477,806, respectively.

8.  Legal Proceedings

CWAM, Columbia Acorn Trust, (another mutual fund family advised by CWAM), and the trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust (collectively, the "Columbia defendants") are named as defendants in class and derivative complaints that have been consolidated in a Multi-District Action (the "MDL Action") in the federal district court of Maryland. These lawsuits contend that defendants permitted certain investors to market time their trades in certain Columbia Acorn Funds. The MDL Action is ongoing. However, all claims against the Trust and the independent trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust have been dismissed.

Columbia Acorn Trust and CWAM are also defendants in a class action lawsuit that alleges, in summary, that Columbia Acorn Trust and CWAM exposed shareholders of Columbia Acorn International Fund to trading by market timers by allegedly: (a) failing to properly evaluate daily whether a significant event affecting the value of that fund's securities had occurred after foreign markets had closed but before the calculation of the funds' net asset value (NAV"); (b) failing to implement the fund's portfolio valuation and share pricing policies and procedures; and (c) failing to know and implement applicable rules and regulations concerning the calculation of NAV (the "Fair Valuation Lawsuit"). The Seventh Circuit ruled that the plaintiffs' state law claims were preempted under federal law resulting in the dismissal of plaintiffs' complaint. Plaintiffs appealed the Seventh Circuit's ruling to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court reversed the Seventh Circuit's ruling on jurisdictional grounds and the case was ultimately remanded to the state court.

On March 21, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against the Trust and CWAM seeking to rescind the CDSC assessed upon redemption of Class B shares of the Columbia Acorn Funds due to the alleged market timing of the Columbia Acorn Funds (the "CDSC Lawsuit"). In addition to the rescission of sales charges, plaintiffs seek recovery of actual damages, attorneys' fees and costs. The case has been transferred to the MDL Action in the federal district court of Maryland.

On September 14, 2007, the plaintiffs and the Columbia defendants named in the MDL Action, including the Columbia Funds, entered into a stipulation of settlement with respect to all Columbia-related claims in the MDL Action described above, including the CDSC and Fair Valuation Lawsuits. The settlement is subject to court approval.

Columbia Acorn Funds and CWAM intend to defend these suits vigorously. CWAM believes that the lawsuits are not likely to materially affect its ability to provide investment management services to the Fund.


17



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Wanger Select:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wanger Select (a series of the Wanger Advisors Trust, hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") at December 31, 2009, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2009 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 18, 2010


18




Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has overall management responsibility for the Trust and the Funds. Each trustee may serve a term of unlimited duration. The Trust's bylaws generally require that trustees retire at the end of the calendar year in which they attain 75 years. The trustees appoint their own successors, provided that at least two-thirds of the trustees, after such appointment, have been elected by shareholders. Shareholders may remove a trustee, with or without cause, upon the vote of two-thirds of the Trust's outstanding shares at any meeting called for that purpose. A trustee may be removed, with or without cause, upon the vote of a majority of the trustees.

The names of the trustees and officers of the Trust, the date each was first elected or appointed to office, their principal business occupations during at least the last five years, and other directorships they hold are shown below. Each trustee serves in such capacity for each of the four series of the Trust and each of the six series of Columbia Acorn Trust.

The business address of each trustee and officer of the Trust is Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P., 227 West Monroe, Suite 3000, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund's trustees and officers. You may obtain a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information by writing or calling toll-free:

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
Shareholder Services Group
227 W. Monroe, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
888-4-WANGER (888-492-6437)

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
Trustees who are not interested persons of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Laura M. Born, 44,
Trustee
    2007     Adjunct Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; formerly, Managing Director-Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (broker/ dealer) 2002-2007.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Michelle L. Collins, 49,
Trustee
    2008     President, Cambium LLC (financial advisory firm) since 2007; Advisory Board Member, Svoboda Capital Partners LLC (private equity firm) since 2007; Managing Director Svoboda Capital Partners LLC, 1998-2006.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Bucyrus International, Inc. (mining equipment manufacturer); Molex, Inc. (electronics components manufacturer).  
Maureen M. Culhane, 61,
Trustee
    2007     Retired. Formerly, Vice President, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (investment advisor), 2005-2007, and Vice President (Consultant)-Strategic Relationship Management, Goldman Sachs AG, 1999-2005.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Margaret M. Eisen, 56,
Trustee
    2002     Chief Investment Officer, EAM International LLC (corporate finance and asset management) since 2003; Managing Director, CFA Institute, 2005-2008.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Antigenics, Inc. (biotechnology and pharmaceuticals) (until June 2009).  
Jerome Kahn, Jr., 75, (1)
Trustee
    1987     Portfolio manager and stock analyst; formerly, President, William Harris Investors, Inc. (investment advisor).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Steven N. Kaplan, 50,
Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Board
    1999     Neubauer Family Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Accretive Health, Inc. (healthcare management services provider); Morningstar, Inc. (provider of independent investment research).  

 


19



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
David C. Kleinman, 74,
Trustee
    1972     Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; business consultant.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Sonic Foundry, Inc. (rich media systems and software).  
Allan B. Muchin, 73,
Trustee
    1998     Chairman Emeritus, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP (law firm).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
James A. Star, 48,
Trustee and Chairman of the Board
    2006     President, Longview Asset Management LLC (investment advisor) since 2003; Director, Traush Industries (privately-owned manufacturer of refrigeration parts and products).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
John A. Wing, 74,
Trustee
    2002     Partner, Dancing Lion Partners (investment firm); prior thereto, Frank Wakely Gunsaulus Professor of Law and Finance and Chairman of the Center for the Study of Law and Financial Markets, Illinois Institute of Technology; formerly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, ABN-AMRO Inc. (formerly named The Chicago Corporation, a financial services firm) and Chief Executive Officer, Market Liquidity Network, LLC.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; First Chicago Bank and Trust; First Chicago Bancorp.  
Trustees who are interested persons of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Charles P. McQuaid, 56,
Trustee and President (2)
    1992     President and Chief Investment Officer, CWAM or its predecessors, since October 2003; associated with CWAM or its predecessors since 1978.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Ralph Wanger, 75,
Trustee (3)
    1970     Founder, CWAM. Formerly, President, Chief Investment Officer and portfolio manager, CWAM or its predecessors, July 1992-September 2003; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Consultant, CWAM or its predecessors, September 2003-September 2005.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Officers of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Ben Andrews, 43,
Vice President
    2004     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1998; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2004.     10     None.  
Michael G. Clarke, 40,
Assistant Treasurer
    2004     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of certain Columbia Funds since January 2009; Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds from June 2008 to January 2009; Deputy Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds since June 2008; Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer, the Columbia Funds, October 2004 to May 2008; Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, since January 2006; Managing Director, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, September 2004-December 2005.     10     None.  
Jeffrey Coleman, 40,
Assistant Treasurer
    2006     Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds since June 2008; Director of Fund Administration, CWAM, since January 2006; Fund Controller, CWAM or its predecessors, October 2004-January 2006.     10     None.  

 


20



Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
P. Zachary Egan, 41,
Vice President
    2003     Director of International Research, CWAM or its predecessors, since December 2004; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2007; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1999.     10     None.  
Peter T. Fariel, 52,
Assistant Secretary
    2006     Associate General Counsel, Bank of America Corporation, since April 2005; prior thereto, Partner, Goodwin Procter LLP (law firm).     10     None.  
John Kunka, 39,
Assistant Treasurer
    2006     Director of Accounting and Operations, CWAM or its predecessors, since May 2006; Manager of Mutual Fund Operations, Calamos Advisors, Inc. (investment advisor), September 2005-May 2006; prior thereto, Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments.     10     None.  
Joseph C. LaPalm, 40,
Vice President
    2006     Chief Compliance Officer, CWAM, since 2005; prior thereto, compliance officer, William Blair & Company (investment firm).     10     None.  
Bruce H. Lauer, 52,
Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer
    1995     Chief Operating Officer, CWAM or its predecessors, since April 2000; Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 1995; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Director, Banc of America Capital Management (Ireland) Ltd.; Director, Bank of America Global Liquidity Funds, PLC.     10     None.  
Louis J. Mendes III, 45,
Vice President
    2003     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2005.     10     None.  
Robert A. Mohn, 48,
Vice President
    1997     Director of Domestic Research, CWAM or its predecessors, since March 2004; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 1997; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since August 1992.     10     None.  
Christopher J. Olson, 45,
Vice President
    2001     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since January 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 2001.     10     None.  
Robert P. Scales, 57,
Chief Compliance Officer,
Chief Legal Officer,
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
    2004     Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 2004.     10     None.  
Linda Roth-Wiszowaty, 40,
Assistant Secretary
    2006     Business support analyst, CWAM, since April 2007; prior thereto executive administrator, CWAM or its predecessors, and executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer of CWAM or its predecessors.     10     None.  

 

(1)  Mr. Kahn retired at the end of calendar year 2009.

(2)  Mr. McQuaid is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and of CWAM, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because he is an officer of the Trust and of CWAM.

(3)  Mr. Wanger is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and of CWAM, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because, as of December 31, 2009, he owned securities issued by a controlling person of CWAM and was a consultant to CWAM within the most recently completed five fiscal years.


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Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

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Wanger Select 2009 Annual Report

Columbia Wanger Funds

Transfer Agent,
Dividend Disbursing Agent

Columbia Management Services, Inc.
P.O.Box 8081
Boston, Massachusetts
02266-8081

Distributor

Columbia Management Distributors, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts
02111-2621

Investment Advisor

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
1-888-4-WANGER
(1-888-492-6437)

Legal Counsel to the Funds

K&L Gates LLP
Washington, DC

Legal Counsel to the Independent Trustees

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois

This report, including the schedules of investments and financial statements, is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Wanger Advisors Trust.

Columbia Management Group, LLC ("Columbia Management") is the investment management division of Bank of America Corporation. Columbia Management entities furnish investment management services and products for institutional and individual investors. Columbia Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Distributors, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC. Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. is part of Columbia Management and an affiliate of Bank of America Corporation.

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM") is an SEC-registered investment advisor and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. CWAM is part of Columbia Management.

A description of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures and a copy of the Fund's voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available (i) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, and (ii) without charge, upon request, by calling 888-492-6437.

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund's Form N-Q is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Pubic Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330. The Fund's complete portfolio holdings are disclosed at www.columbiafunds.com approximately 30 days after each month-end.


25




Columbia Wanger Funds

OL2568SA

SHC-42/30326-1209 10/S2Q3Q1




Wanger USA

2009 Annual Report

NOT FDIC INSURED   May Lose Value  
NOT BANK ISSUED   No Bank Guarantee  

 



  Wanger USA

  2009 Annual Report

    Table of Contents

  1     Understanding Your Expenses  
  2     Skill and Luck  
  4     Performance Review  
  6     Statement of Investments  
  14     Statement of Assets and Liabilities  
  14     Statement of Operations  
  15     Statement of Changes in Net Assets  
  16     Financial Highlights  
  17     Notes to Financial Statements  
  21     Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  
  22     Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust  

 

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM") is one of the leading global small- and mid-cap equity managers in the United States with 40 years of small- and mid-cap investment experience. As of December 31, 2009, CWAM manages $27.3 billion in assets and is the investment advisor to Wanger USA, Wanger International, Wanger Select, Wanger International Select (together, the "Columbia Wanger Funds") and the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds.

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. is an SEC-registered investment advisor and indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation.

On September 29, 2009, Bank of America Corporation entered into an agreement with Ameriprise Financial, Inc. ("Ameriprise") to sell a portion of the long-term asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC, including 100% of CWAM.

The planned acquisition of Columbia Management's long-term asset management business by Ameriprise is subject to federal, state and international regulatory approvals.

Please read and consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses for any fund carefully before investing. For a prospectus, which contains this and other important information about the Fund, contact your financial advisor or insurance company or contact 1-888-4-WANGER.

An important note: Columbia Wanger Funds are sold only to certain life insurance companies in connection with certain variable annuity contracts, variable life insurance policies and eligible qualified retirement plans.

The views expressed in "Skill and Luck" and in the Performance Review reflect the current views of the respective authors. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. These views are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Wanger Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Wanger Fund. References to specific company securities should not be construed as a recommendation or investment advice.




Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Understanding Your Expenses

As a Fund shareholder, you incur three types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption or exchange fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include investment advisory fees and other Fund expenses. Lastly, there may be additional fees or charges imposed by the insurance company that sponsors your variable annuity product. The information on this page is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

Analyzing your Fund's expenses

To illustrate these ongoing costs, we have provided an example and calculated the expenses paid by investors in the Fund during the period. The information in the following table is based on an initial, hypothetical investment of $1,000, which is invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different results. The amount listed in the "Actual" column is calculated using actual operating expenses and total return for the Fund. The amount listed in the "Hypothetical" column assumes that the return each year is 5% before expenses and then applies the Fund's actual expense ratio for the period to the hypothetical return. You should not use the hypothetical account values and expenses to estimate either your actual account balance at the end of the period or the expenses you paid during the period. See "Compare with other funds" for details on using the hypothetical data.

Estimating your actual expenses

To estimate the expenses that you actually paid over the period, first you will need your account balance at the end of the period.

1.  Divide your ending account balance by $1,000. For example, if an account balance was $8,600 at the end of the period, the result would be 8.6.

2.  In the section of the table below titled "Expenses paid during the period," you will find a dollar amount in the column labeled "Actual." Multiply this amount by the result from step 1. Your answer is an estimate of the expenses you paid on your account during the period.

July 1, 2009 – December 31, 2009

    Account value at the
beginning of the period ($)
  Account value at the
end of the period ($)
  Expenses paid
during the period ($)
  Fund's annualized
expense ratio (%)*
 
    Actual   Hypothetical   Actual   Hypothetical   Actual   Hypothetical   Actual  
Wanger USA     1,000.00       1,000.00       1,301.60       1,020.37       5.57       4.89       0.96    

 

          

*For the six months ended December 31, 2009.

Expenses paid during the period are equal to the Fund's annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the average account value over the period, then multiplied by the number of days in the Fund's most recent fiscal half-year and divided by 365.

It is important to note that the expense amounts shown in the table are meant to highlight only ongoing costs of investing in the Fund. Expenses paid during the period do not include any insurance charges imposed by your insurance company's separate account. The hypothetical example provided is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds whose shareholders may incur transaction costs.

Compare with other funds

Since all mutual funds are required to include the same hypothetical calculations about expenses in shareholder reports, you can use this information to compare the ongoing cost of investing in the Fund with other funds. To do so, compare the 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples of other funds. As you compare hypothetical examples of other funds, it is important to note that hypothetical examples are meant to highlight the ongoing cost of investing in a fund and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption fees or exchange fees that may be incurred by shareholders of other funds. Expenses paid during the period do not include any insurance charges imposed by your insurance company's separate accounts.


1



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Skill and Luck

Research has proven that it is extremely difficult for institutional investors to consistently outperform the stock market. The performance distribution among mutual funds usually looks like a bell shaped curve, with some funds outperforming, many underperforming, and the average fund underperforming its benchmark roughly by its expense ratio. I'm happy to say that the Columbia Wanger Funds have outperformed their benchmarks during many years. But researchers note that there are thousands of mutual funds, and purely random outcomes will lead some funds to outperform. This raises an interesting debate: Do funds that outperform do so due to skill, or due to luck?

We try hard to apply investment skills in managing our Funds. We follow a time-tested approach and have an experienced and highly specialized team of investment professionals picking the stocks in which we invest. However, in order to cover both bases, I decided to also read up on luck. Dr. Richard Wiseman's The Luck Factor1 discusses his research and provides some common sense approaches that may enable people to become luckier.

Wiseman procured hundreds of volunteers, creating one group of people who considered themselves lucky and another who considered themselves unlucky. He tested conventional notions of luck. As one might expect, the lucky group had no apparent psychic ability; their guesses of upcoming lottery numbers were no better than guesses made by the unlucky group. Superstition was not effective either, as the appearance of a black cat vs. a white cat had no impact on results of a coin toss competition.

Instead, Wiseman concluded that people take specific actions that enable them to be lucky and succeed. He provides four principles that induce luck:

1) Maximize your chance opportunities
2) Listen to your lucky hunches
3) Expect good fortune
4) Turn bad luck into good

Though Wiseman does not explicitly mention investing, each principle can be applied in pursuit of successful money management.

Maximizing chance opportunities entails meeting a large number of people and creating networks to obtain information and investment ideas. Being observant and open to new ideas also helps. Successful investments can be discovered inadvertently: years ago I observed long lines and rising prices at parking garages in downtown Chicago and then profitably invested in a parking lot stock. Rather than pursuing information in hope of confirming existing opinions, pursuing unbiased information could induce the sale of an existing stock and purchase of a superior new one.

Listening to lucky hunches requires the use of intuition. Stocks tend to quickly react to information, and acting early, using imperfect information, is indeed an art form. We once had an analyst who tended to act only after obtaining repeated confirmations that company fundamentals had changed. He performed poorly because stocks often moved before he acted. In contrast, we recently successfully invested in a telecommunications stock that appeared likely to rise as an increasing number of Wall Street analysts began following it. Occasionally, we choose not to pursue possible investment opportunities because they simply don't feel right.

The next luck-inducing principle is to expect good fortune. This is consistent with our investment philosophy. We put money into stocks with the expectation that they will make money over time. We tend to expect continued good fortune from our successful investments and, when it makes sense, let our winners run. This has resulted in lower turnover than the industry average for the Columbia Wanger Funds.

We also attempt to turn bad luck into good and pursue an occasional positive side of bad luck. In the 1980s, several of our analysts complained about aggressive foreign competitors hurting companies we held in our flagship retail small-cap fund, Columbia Acorn Fund. The portfolio manager at that time, Ralph Wanger, coined the phrase, "Don't bitch, switch!" and we've owned some foreign stocks in that fund ever since. We've learned that one company's problem may be another company's opportunity, and that the best choice may be to invest in the latter company.

Ben Sherwood's The Survivors Club2 also mentions a few attributes applicable to investing. Situational awareness is a key part of military survival training and is important in investing too. Although many homebuilding stocks looked cheap during the housing bubble, generally avoiding them benefited our shareholders. Likewise, a well-run company may perform well within a highly competitive industry, but its stock could have substantial downside if its management changes or it grows beyond its niche.


2



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

As defined by Sherwood, the "incredulity response" occurs when very unusual events occur, such as catastrophes. Market meltdowns also appear to qualify. People tend to not believe such an event is happening and become paralyzed. Instead, survivors need to act positively. During a market meltdown, the market becomes extremely risk averse, and pays investors handsomely to take risk. That was true a year ago and we invested in several companies with substantial debt that our analysis indicated would likely survive and flourish. On average, those stocks performed very well for shareholders.

Both authors believe that people can create their own luck. After reading their perspectives, I have to agree. We at Columbia Wanger Asset Management think that creating luck is a skill and that providing above average returns is no random act.

Charles P. McQuaid
President and Chief Investment Officer
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.

The information and data provided in this analysis are derived from sources that we deem to be reliable and accurate. These views are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict so actual outcomes and results may differ significantly from the views expressed. The views/opinions expressed in this essay are those of the author and not of the Wanger Advisors Trust Board, are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions, may differ from views expressed by other Columbia Management associates or other divisions of Bank of America Corporation and the respective parties disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied on as investment advice and, because investment decisions for a Columbia Wanger Fund are based on numerous factors, may not be relied on as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any particular Columbia Wanger Fund.

Stocks of small- and mid-cap companies pose special risks, including possible illiquidity and greater price volatility than stocks of larger, more established companies. International investing involves special risks, including foreign taxation, currency risks, risks associated with possible differences in financial standards and other risks associated with future political and economic developments. Investing in emerging markets may involve greater risks than investing in more developed countries. In addition, concentration of investments in a single region may result in greater volatility. A fund that maintains a relatively concentrated portfolio may be subject to greater risk than a fund that is more fully diversified.

1  Wiseman, Richard, The Luck Factor, (New York, New York, Miramax Books/Hyperion 2003).

2  Sherwood, Ben, The Survivors Club, (New York, New York, Grand Central Publishing, 2009).

Also referenced in the writing of this essay was a research paper written by Eugene F. Fama and Kenneth R. French titled, "Luck versus Skill in the Cross Section of Mutual Fund Returns." The paper was originally dated October 2007 and updated in November 2009. It can be found on the Social Science Research Network's website at www.ssrn.com.


3



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Performance Review Wanger USA

Robert A. Mohn
Portfolio Manager

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. For daily and most recent month-end performance updates, please call 1-888-4-WANGER.

Wanger USA gained 42.23% for the year, strongly outperforming its primary benchmark, the Russell 2000 Index, up 27.17%. While we are happy with 2009 performance, we realize that we have still not returned to the Fund's 2008 highs.

Fund telecommunication stocks performed well in 2009. Both Crown Castle International, an owner of communications towers, and tw telecom, a provider of fiber optic telephone and data services, had solid revenue growth despite the Great Recession. Their stocks were up 122% and 102%, respectively, for the year. In the energy sector, Fund holdings FMC Technologies, an oil and gas wellhead manufacturer, and Atwood Oceanics, an offshore drilling contractor, both had annual gains of roughly 140%. While oil prices have rebounded off their January 2009 lows, they are still significantly below their mid-2008 levels. Even so, FMC Technologies and Atwood Oceanics were able to increase earnings due to the industry's focus on deep sea drilling.

Several large banks have completely withdrawn from the business of making used auto loans, and this reduction in supply has contributed to boosted lending spreads for surviving lenders such as AmeriCredit. AmeriCredit ended the year up 149%. The market's renewed interest in stocks with fairly high levels of debt helped SL Green Realty, an owner of Manhattan office buildings, which gained 190% in the annual period.

Six of the 15 biggest detractors to performance in the Fund for the year were regional banks. MB Financial, Valley National Bancorp, Lakeland Financial, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Associated Banc-Corp and Pacific Continental were down between 22% and 46%. Losses on commercial loans held by these banks accelerated throughout the year, particularly on loans tied to new residential developments. Other laggards for the year included pharmaceutical company Cephalon, off 19% in the Fund. Several of its drug patents will expire soon, making way for competition from generics. ESCO Technologies, a maker of electric meter readers, fell roughly 12% on weaker than expected sales.

This past year started off with tremendous uncertainty, but we were able to take advantage of the volatility in the market to make some opportunistic purchases of beaten down stocks. As we move into a new year, we plan to focus on finding stocks in smaller, niche companies that we believe have good growth prospects and trade at attractive prices.

Stocks of small- and mid-cap companies pose special risks, including possible illiquidity and greater price volatility than stocks of larger, more established companies.

Portfolio holdings are subject to change periodically and may not be representative of current holdings.

Fund's Positions in Mentioned Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

Crown Castle International     3.2 %  
tw telecom     2.8    
FMC Technologies     2.4    
Atwood Oceanics     2.2    
AmeriCredit     1.7    
SL Green Realty     1.6    
ESCO Technologies     1.3    
Valley National Bancorp     1.0    
MB Financial     0.7    
Lakeland Financial     0.5    
Pacific Continental     0.4    
Berkshire Hills Bancorp     0.4    
Cephalon     0.2    
Associated Banc-Corp     0.1    

 


4



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Wanger USA

May 3, 1995 (inception date) through December 31, 2009

Performance data quoted represents past performance and current performance may be lower or higher. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than the original cost. Performance results may reflect any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment advisor and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results would have been lower. For daily and most recent month-end performance updates, please call 1-888-4-WANGER.

This graph compares the results of $10,000 invested in Wanger USA on May 3, 1995 (the date the Fund began operations) through December 31, 2009, to the Russell 2000 Index, with dividends and capital gains reinvested. Although the index is provided for use in assessing the Fund's performance, the Fund's holdings may differ significantly from those in the index.

Top 10 Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

1. Crown Castle International
Communications Towers
    3.2 %  
2. tw telecom
Fiber Optic Telephone/Data Services
    2.8    
3. FMC Technologies
Oil & Gas Wellhead Manufacturer
    2.4    
4. Atwood Oceanics
Offshore Drilling Contractor
    2.2    
5. Informatica
Enterprise Data Integration Software
    2.0    
6. Global Payments
Credit Card Processor
    1.9    
7. Ametek
Aerospace/Industrial Instruments
    1.9    
8. Nordson
Dispensing Systems for Adhesives & Coatings
    1.7    
9. AmeriCredit
Auto Lending
    1.7    
10. SL Green Realty
Manhattan Office Buildings
    1.6    

 

Top 5 Industries

As a percentage of net assets, as of 12/31/09

Information     34.9 %  
Consumer Goods & Services     16.3    
Finance     13.8    
Industrial Goods & Services     11.9    
Energy & Minerals     9.8    

 

Results as of December 31, 2009

    4th quarter   1 year  
Wanger USA     5.90 %     42.23 %  
Russell 2000 Index*     3.87       27.17    
Lipper Variable Underlying
Small-Cap Growth Funds Index
    5.68       38.72    

 

NAV as of 12/31/09: $27.45

* The Fund's primary benchmark.

Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses but do not include any insurance charge imposed by your insurance company's separate accounts. If performance included the effect of these additional charges, it would be lower.

The Fund's annual operating expense ratio is 0.96%. The annual operating expense ratio is as stated in the Fund's prospectus that is current as of the date of this report. Differences in expense ratios disclosed elsewhere in this report may result from including fee waivers and expense reimbursements, if any, as well as different time periods used in calculating the ratios.

All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions and do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the sale of Fund shares.

The Russell 2000 Index, the Fund's primary benchmark, measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 8% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. The Lipper Variable Underlying Small-Cap Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted representation of the 30 largest variable insurance underlying funds in the Lipper Variable Underlying Small-Cap Growth Funds Classification. Indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

Lipper Inc., a widely respected data provider in the industry, calculates an average total return (assuming reinvestment of distributions) for mutual funds with investment objectives similar to those of the Fund. Lipper makes no adjustment for the effect of sales loads.

Portfolio characteristics and holdings are subject to change periodically and may not be representative of current characteristics and holdings.


5




Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
        Equities – 99.5%        
    Information – 34.9%  
    Business Software – 8.1%  
  998,000     Informatica (a)
Enterprise Data Integration Software
  $ 25,808,280    
  630,000     Micros Systems (a)
Information Systems for Restaurants & Hotels
    19,548,900    
  375,000     ANSYS (a)
Simulation Software for Engineers & Designers
    16,297,500    
  575,000     Blackbaud
Software & Services for Non-profits
    13,587,250    
  2,280,000     Novell (a)
Directory, Operating System & Identity
Management Software
    9,462,000    
  190,000     Concur Technologies (a)
Web Enabled Cost & Expense Management Software
    8,122,500    
  58,000     Quality Systems
IT Systems for Medical Groups & Ambulatory
Care Centers
    3,641,820    
  150,000     NetSuite (a)(b)
End to End IT Systems Solutions Delivered Over the Web
    2,397,000    
  105,604     Tyler Technologies (a)
Financial, Tax, Court & Document Management
Systems for Government
    2,102,576    
  307,300     Art Technology Group (a)
Software & Tools to Optimize Websites for E-commerce
    1,385,923    
  90,000     Avid Technology (a)
Digital Nonlinear Editing Software & Systems
    1,148,400    
  10,800     Blackboard (a)
Education Software
    490,212    
              103,992,361    
    Semiconductors & Related Equipment – 4.5%  
  743,000     Microsemi (a)
Analog/Mixed-signal Semiconductors
    13,188,250    
  478,000     Monolithic Power Systems (a)
High Performance Analog & Mixed-signal Integrated
Circuits (ICs)
    11,457,660    
  1,179,750     ON Semiconductor (a)
Mixed-signal & Power Management Semiconductors
    10,393,597    
  1,180,000     Integrated Device Technology (a)
Communications Semiconductors
    7,634,600    
  239,300     Supertex (a)
Analog/Mixed-signal Semiconductors
    7,131,140    

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  345,000     Pericom Semiconductor (a)
Interface Integrated Circuits (ICs) & Frequency
Control Products
    $3,977,850
   
  750,000     Entegris (a)
Semiconductor Materials Management Products
    3,960,000
   
              57,743,097    
    Telephone and Data Services – 4.0%  
  2,081,000     tw telecom (a)
Fiber Optic Telephone/Data Services
    35,668,340
   
  2,100,000     PAETEC Holding (a)
Telephone/Data Services for Business
    8,715,000
   
  363,200     Cogent Communications (a)
Internet Data Pipelines
    3,581,152
   
  45,000     AboveNet (a)
Metropolitan Fiber Communications Services
    2,926,800
   
              50,891,292    
    Mobile Communications – 3.2%  
  1,040,000     Crown Castle International (a)
Communications Towers
    40,601,600
   
  88,000     Globalstar (a)(b)
Satellite Mobile Voice & Data Carrier
    76,560
   
              40,678,160    
    Instrumentation – 3.1%  
  185,000     Mettler Toledo (a)
Laboratory Equipment
    19,423,150
   
  765,000     IPG Photonics (a)
Fiber Lasers
    12,806,100
   
  225,000     FLIR Systems (a)
Infrared Cameras
    7,362,000
   
              39,591,250    
    Telecommunications Equipment – 2.5%  
  443,000     Blue Coat Systems (a)
WAN Acceleration & Network Security
    12,643,220
   
  405,000     Polycom (a)
Video Conferencing Equipment
    10,112,850
   
  335,000     CommScope (a)
Wireless Infrastructure Equipment & Telecom Cable
    8,887,550
   
              31,643,620    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Computer Hardware & Related Equipment – 2.3%  
  305,600     Amphenol
Electronic Connectors
    $14,112,608
   
  230,000     II-VI (a)
Laser Optics & Specialty Materials
    7,314,000
   
  135,000     Netgear (a)
Networking Products for Small Business & Home
    2,928,150
   
  80,000     Nice Systems – ADR (Israel) (a)
Audio & Video Recording Solutions
    2,483,200
   
  85,000     Zebra Technologies (a)
Bar Code Printers
    2,410,600
   
              29,248,558    
    Financial Processors – 2.0%  
  461,000     Global Payments
Credit Card Processor
    24,829,460
   
    Gaming Equipment & Services – 1.3%  
  400,000     Bally Technologies (a)
Slot Machines & Software
    16,516,000
   
    Internet Related – 1.1%  
  617,000     Switch & Data Facilities (a)
Network Neutral Data Centers
    12,469,570
   
  875,000     TheStreet.com
Financial Information Websites
    2,100,000
   
              14,569,570    
    Computer Services – 1.1%  
  275,000     SRA International (a)
Government IT Services
    5,252,500
   
  248,704     ExlService Holdings (a)
Business Process Outsourcing
    4,516,465
   
  753,000     RCM Technologies (a)(c)
Technology & Engineering Services
    1,867,440
   
  634,500     Hackett Group (a)
IT Integration & Best Practice Research
    1,763,910
   
              13,400,315    
    Contract Manufacturing – 0.6%  
  165,000     Plexus (a)
Electronic Manufacturing Services
    4,702,500
   

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  250,000     Sanmina-SCI (a)
Electronic Manufacturing Services
    $2,757,500
   
              7,460,000    
    Business Information & Marketing Services – 0.5%  
  443,200     Navigant Consulting (a)
Financial Consulting Firm
    6,585,952
   
    Radio – 0.3%  
  561,900     Salem Communications (a)
Radio Stations for Religious Programming
    3,365,781
   
  515,000     Spanish Broadcasting System (a)
Spanish Language Radio Stations
    401,700
   
              3,767,481    
    TV Broadcasting – 0.2%  
  880,000     Entravision Communications (a)
Spanish Language TV & Radio Stations
    2,992,000
   
    CATV – 0.1%  
  335,000     Mediacom Communications (a)
Cable Television Franchises
    1,497,450
   
        Total Information     445,406,566    
    Consumer Goods & Services – 16.3%  
    Retail – 6.1%  
  380,000     Urban Outfitters (a)
Apparel & Home Specialty Retailer
    13,296,200
   
  420,000     lululemon athletica (a)
Premium Active Apparel Retailer
    12,642,000
   
  350,000     Abercrombie & Fitch
Teen Apparel Retailer
    12,197,500
   
  223,000     J Crew Group (a)
Multi-channel Branded Retailer
    9,977,020
   
  696,000     Chico's FAS (a)
Women's Specialty Retailer
    9,778,800
   
  800,000     Saks (a)
Luxury Department Store Retailer
    5,248,000
   
  479,000     Talbots (a)(b)
Women's Specialty Retailer
    4,267,890
   
  616,000     Charming Shoppes (a)
Women's Specialty Plus Size Apparel Retailer
    3,985,520
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Retail – 6.1% (cont)  
  160,000     AnnTaylor Stores (a)
Women's Apparel Retailer
    $2,182,400
   
  50,000     Gymboree (a)
Children's Apparel Specialty Retailer
    2,174,500
   
  150,000     Gaiam (a)
Healthy Living Catalogs & E-Commerce
    1,153,500
   
  16,100     Rue21 (a)
Fashion Value Apparel Retailer
    452,249
   
              77,355,579    
    Travel – 2.7%  
  750,000     Gaylord Entertainment (a)(b)
Convention Hotels
    14,812,500
   
  797,900     Avis Budget Group (a)
Second Largest Car Rental Company
    10,468,448
   
  750,000     Hertz (a)
Largest U.S. Rental Car Operator
    8,940,000
   
              34,220,948    
    Apparel – 1.7%  
  459,000     Coach
Designer & Retailer of Branded Leather Accessories
    16,767,270
   
  268,745     True Religion Apparel (a)
Premium Denim
    4,969,095
   
              21,736,365    
    Educational Services – 1.4%  
  151,000     ITT Educational Services (a)
Post-secondary Degree Services
    14,489,960
   
  310,000     SkillSoft – ADR (a)
Web-based Learning Solutions (E-Learning)
    3,248,800
   
              17,738,760    
    Furniture & Textiles – 1.2%  
  1,065,000     Knoll
Office Furniture
    11,001,450
   
  310,000     Herman Miller
Office Furniture
    4,953,800
   
              15,955,250    
    Other Durable Goods – 0.8%  
  272,184     Cavco Industries (a)
Manufactured Homes
    9,776,849
   

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Consumer Goods Distribution – 0.6%  
  433,500     Pool
Distributor of Swimming Pool Supplies & Equipment
  $ 8,271,180    
    Casinos & Gaming – 0.4%  
  555,000     Pinnacle Entertainment (a)
Regional Casino Operator
    4,983,900    
    Other Consumer Services – 0.4%  
  179,000     Lifetime Fitness (a)
Sport & Fitness Club Operator
    4,462,470    
    Nondurables – 0.3%  
  144,000     Jarden
Branded Household Products
    4,451,040    
    Leisure Products – 0.3%  
  140,000     Thor Industries
RV & Bus Manufacturer
    4,396,000    
    Food & Beverage – 0.3%  
  91,100     Diamond Foods
Culinary Ingredients & Snack Foods
    3,237,694    
    Restaurants – 0.1%  
  40,000     P.F. Chang's China Bistro (a)(b)
Mandarin Style Restaurants
    1,516,400    
        Total Consumer Goods & Services     208,102,435    
    Finance – 13.8%  
    Banks – 4.6%  
  935,083     Valley National Bancorp (b)
New Jersey/New York Bank
    13,212,723    
  478,100     MB Financial
Chicago Bank
    9,428,132    
  689,700     TCF Financial
Great Lakes Bank
    9,393,714    
  404,479     Lakeland Financial
Indiana Bank
    6,977,263    
  124,700     SVB Financial Group (a)
Bank to Venture Capitalists
    5,198,743    
  437,000     Pacific Continental
Pacific N.W. Bank
    4,999,280    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Banks – 4.6% (cont)  
  300,000     Wilmington Trust
Delaware Trust Bank
    $3,702,000
   
  500,000     First Busey
Illinois Bank
    1,945,000
   
  155,600     Associated Banc-Corp
Midwest Bank
    1,713,156
   
  851,451     Guaranty Bancorp (a)
Colorado Bank
    1,123,915
   
  181,582     Green Bankshares (b)
Tennessee Bank
    644,616
   
              58,338,542    
    Finance Companies – 4.1%  
  1,142,400     AmeriCredit (a)
Auto Lending
    21,751,296    
  359,000     McGrath Rentcorp
Temporary Space & IT Rentals
    8,027,240    
  189,800     World Acceptance (a)
Personal Loans
    6,800,534    
  625,000     H&E Equipment Services (a)
Heavy Equipment Leasing
    6,556,250    
  185,000     GATX
Rail Car Lessor
    5,318,750    
  80,000     Aaron's
Rent to Own
    2,218,400    
  230,000     CAI International (a)
International Container Leasing
    2,076,900    
      52,749,370    
    Brokerage & Money Management – 2.2%  
  642,000     SEI Investments
Mutual Fund Administration & Investment Management
    11,247,840    
  280,000     Eaton Vance
Specialty Mutual Funds
    8,514,800    
  750,000     MF Global (a)
Futures Broker
    5,212,500    
  155,000     Investment Technology Group (a)
Electronic Trading
    3,053,500    
      28,028,640    

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Insurance – 1.8%  
  376,000     Leucadia National (a)
Insurance Holding Company
    $8,945,040
   
  18,000     Markel (a)
Specialty Insurance
    6,120,000
   
  64,000     Navigators Group (a)
Specialty Insurance
    3,015,040
   
  120,000     Tower Group
Commercial & Personal Lines Insurance
    2,809,200
   
  110,000     Delphi Financial Group
Workers Compensation & Group Employee Benefit
Products & Services
    2,460,700
   
              23,349,980    
    Savings & Loans – 1.1%  
  600,000     ViewPoint Financial
Texas Thrift
    8,646,000
   
  238,079     Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Northeast Thrift
    4,923,474
   
  60,272     Provident New York Bancorp
New York State Thrift
    508,696
   
  42,455     K-Fed Bancorp (b)
Los Angeles Savings & Loan
    373,179
   
              14,451,349    
        Total Finance     176,917,881    
    Industrial Goods & Services – 11.9%  
    Machinery – 9.1%  
  640,000     Ametek
Aerospace/Industrial Instruments
    24,473,600
   
  365,100     Nordson
Dispensing Systems for Adhesives & Coatings
    22,336,818
   
  442,000     Donaldson
Industrial Air Filtration
    18,802,680
   
  452,300     ESCO Technologies
Automatic Electric Meter Readers
    16,214,955
   
  485,000     Pentair
Pumps & Water Treatment
    15,665,500
   
  235,000     Oshkosh
Specialty Truck Manufacturer
    8,702,050
   

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Machinery – 9.1% (cont)  
  195,000     MOOG (a)
Motion Control Products for Aerospace,
Defense & Industrial Markets
  $ 5,699,850    
  168,200     Mine Safety Appliances
Safety Equipment
    4,462,346    
      116,357,799    
    Industrial Materials & Specialty Chemicals – 1.0%  
  250,000     Albany International
Paper Machine Clothing & Advanced Textiles
    5,615,000    
  255,000     Drew Industries (a)
RV & Manufactured Home Components
    5,265,750    
  60,000     Albemarle
Refinery Catalysts & Other Specialty Chemicals
    2,182,200    
      13,062,950    
    Steel – 0.7%  
  540,000     GrafTech International (a)
Industrial Graphite Materials Producer
    8,397,000    
    Electrical Components – 0.4%  
  145,000     Acuity Brands
Commercial Lighting Fixtures
    5,167,800    
    Outsourcing Services – 0.3%  
  149,000     Quanta Services (a)
Electrical & Telecom Construction Services
    3,105,160    
    Water – 0.2%  
  550,000     Mueller Water Products
Fire Hydrants, Valves & Ductile Iron Pipes
    2,860,000    
    Construction – 0.2%  
  240,000     M/I Homes (a)
Columbus-based Home Builder
    2,493,600    
        Total Industrial Goods & Services     151,444,309    
    Energy & Minerals – 9.8%  
    Oil Services – 6.0%  
  530,000     FMC Technologies (a)
Oil & Gas Wellhead Manufacturer
    30,655,200    
  784,000     Atwood Oceanics (a)
Offshore Drilling Contractor
    28,106,400    

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  177,000     Bristow (a)
Largest Provider of Helicopter Services to
Offshore Oil & Gas Producers
  $ 6,805,650    
  95,000     Oceaneering International (a)
Provider of Sub-sea Services & Manufactured Products
    5,559,400    
  203,125     Exterran Holdings (a)
Natural Gas Compressor Rental & Fabrication
    4,357,031    
  108,700     Tesco (a)
Developing New Well Drilling Technologies
    1,403,317    
      76,886,998    
    Oil & Gas Producers – 3.3%  
  570,000     Carrizo Oil & Gas (a)
Oil & Gas Producer
    15,099,300    
  230,000     Ultra Petroleum (a)
Oil & Gas Producer
    11,467,800    
  156,000     Southwestern Energy (a)
Oil & Gas Producer
    7,519,200    
  265,000     Quicksilver Resources (a)
Natural Gas & Coal Steam Gas Producer
    3,977,650    
  88,000     Equitable Resources
Natural Gas Producer & Utility
    3,864,960    
      41,928,910    
    Mining – 0.5%  
  50,000     Core Laboratories (Netherlands)
Oil & Gas Reservoir Consulting
    5,906,000    
  143,400     PolyMet Mining (a)
Copper & Nickel Miner
    438,804    
      6,344,804    
        Total Energy & Minerals     125,160,712    
    Health Care – 8.0%  
    Biotechnology & Drug Delivery – 3.8%  
  274,000     Human Genome Sciences (a)
Biotech Focused on HCV, Inflammation & Cancer
    8,384,400    
  188,000     Acorda Therapeutics (a)
Biopharma Company Focused on Nervous
Disorder Drugs
    4,741,360    
  157,000     Auxilium Pharmaceuticals (a)
Biotech Focused on Niche Disease Areas
    4,706,860    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Biotechnology & Drug Delivery – 3.8% (cont)  
  457,300     Seattle Genetics (a)
Antibody-based Therapies for Cancer
  $ 4,646,168    
  244,000     BioMarin (a)
Biotech Focused on Orphan Diseases
    4,589,640    
  71,000     United Therapeutics (a)
Biotech Focused on Rare Diseases
    3,738,150    
  540,000     Allos Therapeutics (a)
Cancer Drug Development
    3,547,800    
  361,000     Nektar Therapeutics (a)
Drug Delivery Technologies
    3,364,520    
  81,000     AMAG Pharmaceuticals (a)
Biotech Focused on Niche Diseases
    3,080,430    
  102,500     Myriad Genetics (a)
Genetic Diagnostics
    2,675,250    
  500,000     NPS Pharmaceuticals (a)
Orphan Drugs & Healthy Royalties
    1,700,000    
  119,500     InterMune (a)
Drugs for Pulmonary Fibrosis & Hepatitis C
    1,558,280    
  215,000     Micromet (a)(b)
Next-generation Antibody Technology
    1,431,900    
  738,060     Medicure - Warrants (a)(d)
Cardiovascular Biotech Company
    7,381    
  100,000     IsoRay - Warrants (a)(d)
Radiology Cancer Company
    2,000    
  25,000     Locus Pharmaceuticals,
Series A-1, Pfd. (a)(d)
    1,250    
  12,886     Locus Pharmaceuticals,
Series B-1, Pfd. (a)(d)
High Throughput Rational Drug Design
    644    
      48,176,033    
    Medical Equipment & Devices – 2.1%  
  235,000     Alexion Pharmaceuticals (a)
Biotech Focused on Orphan Diseases
    11,472,700    
  134,000     Illumina (a)
Leading Tools & Service Provider for Genetic Analysis
    4,107,100    
  85,000     Orthofix International (a)
Bone Fixation & Stimulation Devices
    2,632,450    
  80,000     Sirona Dental Systems (a)
Manufacturer of Dental Equipment
    2,539,200    
  100,000     American Medical Systems (a)
Medical Devices to Treat Urological Conditions
    1,929,000    

 

Number of
Shares
      Value  
  44,500     Gen-Probe (a)
Molecular In-vitro Diagnostics
  $ 1,909,050    
  35,000     Kinetic Concepts (a)
Wound Healing & Tissue Repair Products
    1,317,750    
  191,200     Nanosphere (a)
Molecular Diagnostics Company with
Best of Breed Platform
    1,231,328    
      27,138,578    
    Health Care Services – 1.2%  
  362,465     PSS World Medical (a)
Distributor of Medical Supplies
    8,180,835    
  115,000     Psychiatric Solutions (a)
Behavioral Health Services
    2,431,100    
  40,000     Mednax (a)
Physician Management for Pediatric
& Anesthesia Practices
    2,404,400    
  285,000     eResearch Technology (a)
Clinical Research Services
    1,712,850    
      14,729,185    
    Medical Supplies – 0.7%  
  291,000     Cepheid (a)
Molecular Diagnostics
    3,631,680    
  145,000     Immucor (a)
Automated Blood Typing Reagents
    2,934,800    
  53,000     Idexx Laboratories (a)(b)
Diagnostic Equipment & Services for Veterinarians
    2,832,320    
      9,398,800    
    Pharmaceuticals – 0.2%  
  51,000     Cephalon (a)
Specialty Pharmaceuticals for Pain,
Central Nervous System & Oncology
    3,182,910    
        Total Health Care     102,625,506    
    Other Industries – 4.8%  
    Real Estate – 4.0%  
  405,000     SL Green Realty
Manhattan Office Buildings
    20,347,200    
  276,797     Macerich
Regional Shopping Malls
    9,950,852    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Number of
Shares
      Value  
    Real Estate – 4.0% (cont)  
  1,450,000     Kite Realty Group
Community Shopping Centers
    $5,901,500
   
  100,000     Digital Realty Trust
Technology-focused Office Buildings
    5,028,000
   
  85,000     Corporate Office Properties
Office Buildings
    3,113,550
   
  90,000     American Campus Communities
Student Housing
    2,529,000
   
  196,000     Extra Space Storage
Self Storage Facilities
    2,263,800
   
  120,000     BioMed Realty Trust
Life Science-focused Office Buildings
    1,893,600
   
      51,027,502    
    Transportation – 0.8%  
  160,000     JB Hunt Transport Services
Truck & Intermodal Carrier
    5,163,200
   
  235,000     Heartland Express
Regional Trucker
    3,588,450
   
  180,000     Rush Enterprises, Class A (a)
Truck Sales & Services
    2,140,200
   
              10,891,850    
        Total Other Industries     61,919,352    
Total Equities (Cost: $996,931,961) – 99.5%     1,271,576,761    
Securities Lending Collateral – 0.8%      
  10,141,172     Dreyfus Government Cash
Management Fund (7 day
yield of 0.000%) (e)
    10,141,172    
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $10,141,172)
    10,141,172    

 

Principal Amount       Value  
Short-Term Obligation – 0.6%  
    Repurchase Agreement – 0.6%  
$ 7,316,000     Repurchase Agreement with Fixed
Income Clearing Corp., dated 12/31/09,
due 1/04/10 at 0.00%, collateralized
by a U.S. Government Agency obligation,
maturing 9/17/10, market value $7,464,153
(repurchase proceeds $7,316,000)
  $ 7,316,000    
Total Short-Term Obligation (Cost: $7,316,000)     7,316,000    
Total Investments (Cost: $1,014,389,133) – 100.9% (f)     1,289,033,933    
Obligation to Return Collateral for
Securities Loaned – (0.8)%
    (10,141,172 )  
Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities – (0.1)%     (1,739,237 )  
Total Net Assets – 100.0%   $ 1,277,153,524    

 

  Notes to Statement of Investments:

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2009. The total market value of Fund securities on loan at December 31, 2009 was $9,736,279.

(c)  An affiliated person of the Fund may include any company in which the Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares. Holdings and transactions in these affiliated companies during the year ended December 31, 2009, are as follows:




Affiliates
  Balance
of Shares
Held at
12/31/2008
  Purchases/
Additions
  Sales/
Reductions
  Balance of
Shares
Held at
12/31/09
  Value   Dividend  
RCM
Technologies
    753,000                   753,000     $ 1,867,440     $    
Cavco
Industries*
    288,400       50,000       66,216       272,184       9,776,849          
      1,041,400       50,000       66,216       1,025,184     $ 11,644,289     $    

 

*  At December 31, 2009, the Fund owned less than five percent of the company's outstanding voting shares.

The aggregate cost and value of these companies at December 31, 2009, were $14,060,664 and $11,644,289, respectively. Investments in affiliated companies represented 0.91% of total net assets at December 31, 2009.

(d)  Denotes a restricted security, which is subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. These securities are valued at a fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. At December 31, 2009, the market value of these securities amounted to $11,275, which represented less than 0.01% of total net assets.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments December 31, 2009

Additional information on these securities is as follows:


Security
  Acquisition
Dates
  Shares   Cost   Value  
IsoRay – Warrants   3/21/07     100,000     $     $ 2,000    
Locus Pharmaceuticals,
Series A-1, Pfd.
  9/05/01     25,000       1,000,000       1,250    
Locus Pharmaceuticals,
Series B-1, Pfd.
  2/08/07     12,886       37,369       644    
Medicure – Warrants   12/22/06     738,060             7,381    
                $ 1,037,369     $ 11,275    

 

(e)  Investment made with cash collateral received from securities lending activity.

(f)  At December 31, 2009, for federal income tax purposes, cost of investments was $1,015,625,799, and net unrealized appreciation was $273,408,134, consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $434,912,950 and gross unrealized depreciation of $161,504,816.

ADR = American Depositary Receipts

The following table summarizes the inputs used, as of December 31, 2009, in valuing the Fund's assets:

Investment Type   Quoted Prices
(Level 1)
  Other
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  Total  
Equities  
Information   $ 445,406,566     $     $     $ 445,406,566    
Consumer
Goods & Services
    208,102,435                   208,102,435    
Finance     176,917,881                   176,917,881    
Industrial
Goods & Services
    151,444,309                   151,444,309    
Energy & Minerals     125,160,712                   125,160,712    
Health Care     102,614,231       9,381       1,894       102,625,506    
Other Industries     61,919,352                   61,919,352    
Total Equities   $ 1,271,565,486     $ 9,381     $ 1,894     $ 1,271,576,761    
Total Securities
Lending Collateral
    10,141,172                   10,141,172    
Total Short-Term
Obligation
          7,316,000             7,316,000    
Total Investments   $ 1,281,706,658     $ 7,325,381     $ 1,894     $ 1,289,033,933    

 

The following table reconciles asset balances for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2009, in which significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:

Investments in Securities   Balance as of
December 31,
2008
  Accrued
Discounts/
Premiums
  Realized
Gain/(Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
  Net
Purchases
(Sales)
  Net
Transfers
into (out of)
Level 3
  Balance as of
December 31,
2009
 
Equities
Health Care
  $ 5,683     $     $     $ (3,789 )   $     $     $ 1,894    
    $ 5,683     $     $     $ (3,789 )   $     $     $ 1,894    

 

The information in the above reconciliation table represents fiscal year to date activity for any securities identified as using Level 3 inputs during the current fiscal period.

The change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) attributed to securities owned at December 31, 2009, which were valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) amounted to ($3,789). This amount is included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

For more information on valuation inputs, and their aggregation into the levels used in the tables above, please refer to the Security Valuation section in the accompanying Notes to Financial Statements.

At December 31, 2009, the Fund held investments in the following sectors:

Sector (Unaudited) Percentage of   Net Assets  
Information     34.9    
Consumer Goods & Services     16.3    
Finance     13.8    
Industrial Goods & Services     11.9    
Energy & Minerals     9.8    
Health Care     8.0    
Other Industries     4.8    
      99.5    
Securities Lending Collateral     0.8    
Short-Term Obligation     0.6    
Obligation to Return Collateral for Securities Loaned     (0.8 )  
Cash and Other Assets less Liabilities     (0.1 )  
      100.0    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13




Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2009

Assets:  
Unaffiliated investments, at cost   $ 1,000,328,469    
Affiliated investments, at cost (See Note 4)     14,060,664    
Unaffiliated investments, at value
(including securities on loan of $9,736,279)
  $ 1,277,389,644    
Affiliated investments, at value (See Note 4)     11,644,289    
Cash     746    
Receivable for:  
Investments sold     3,539,691    
Fund shares sold     5,338    
Securities lending income     3,968    
Dividends     565,005    
Trustees' deferred compensation plan     103,903    
Other assets     7,649    
Total Assets     1,293,260,233    
Liabilities:  
Collateral on securities loaned     10,141,172    
Payable for:  
Investments purchased     406,069    
Fund shares repurchased     4,310,394    
Investment advisory fee     904,987    
Administration fee     52,984    
Transfer agent fee     58    
Trustees' fees     25    
Custody fee     4,669    
Reports to shareholders     139,104    
Chief compliance officer expenses     2,431    
Trustees' deferred compensation plan     103,903    
Other liabilities     40,913    
Total Liabilities     16,106,709    
Net Assets   $ 1,277,153,524    
Composition of Net Assets:  
Paid-in capital   $ 1,073,077,362    
Accumulated net investment loss     (145,168 )  
Accumulated net realized loss     (70,423,470 )  
Net unrealized appreciation on investments     274,644,800    
Net Assets   $ 1,277,153,524    
Fund Shares Outstanding     46,521,887    
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
  $ 27.45    

 

Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2009

Investment Income:  
Dividends (net foreign taxes withheld of $195)   $ 7,189,984    
Securities lending income     76,020    
Interest income     15,877    
Total Investment Income     7,281,881    
Expenses:  
Investment advisory fee     9,050,265    
Administration fee     528,290    
Transfer agent fee     693    
Trustees' fees     82,633    
Custody fee     50,729    
Chief compliance officer expenses (See Note 4)     46,797    
Other expenses (See Note 5)     558,448    
Total Expenses     10,317,855    
Custody earnings credit     (2 )  
Net Expenses     10,317,853    
Net Investment Loss     (3,035,972 )  
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:  
Net realized loss on:  
Unaffiliated investments     (2,149,140 )  
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)     (484,084 )  
Net realized loss     (2,633,224 )  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Unaffiliated investments     396,200,017    
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)     2,245,347    
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on investments
    398,445,364    
Net Gain     395,812,140    
Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations   $ 392,776,168    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
14



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

    Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets   2009   2008 (a)  
Operations:  
Net investment loss   $ (3,035,972 )   $ (3,581,826 )  
Net realized loss on:  
Unaffiliated investments     (2,149,140 )     (67,478,097 )  
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)     (484,084 )        
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:  
Unaffiliated investments     396,200,017       (548,986,214 )  
Affiliated investments (See Note 4)     2,245,347       (3,614,400 )  
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations     392,776,168       (623,660,537 )  
Distributions to Shareholders:  
From net realized gains           (170,275,092 )  
Share Transactions:  
Subscriptions     67,709,638       90,782,720    
Distributions reinvested           170,275,092    
Redemptions     (135,581,347 )     (202,913,271 )  
Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions     (67,871,709 )     58,144,541    
Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets     324,904,459       (735,791,088 )  
Net Assets:  
Beginning of period     952,249,065       1,688,040,153    
End of period   $ 1,277,153,524     $ 952,249,065    
Accumulated net investment loss at end of period   $ (145,168 )   $ (52,813 )  

 

(a)  Certain items in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on net income or net assets.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
15




Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Financial Highlights

    Year Ended December 31,  
Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period   2009   2008   2007   2006   2005  
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period   $ 19.30     $ 36.26     $ 36.36     $ 34.90     $ 31.37    
Income from Investment Operations:  
Net investment income (loss) (a)     (0.06 )     (0.07 )     (0.05 )(b)     (0.02 )     0.09    
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments     8.21       (13.16 )     1.91       2.71       3.44    
Total from Investment Operations     8.15       (13.23 )     1.86       2.69       3.53    
Less Distributions to Shareholders:  
From net investment income                       (0.08 )        
From net realized gains           (3.73 )     (1.96 )     (1.15 )        
Total Distributions to Shareholders           (3.73 )     (1.96 )     (1.23 )        
Net Asset Value, End of Period   $ 27.45     $ 19.30     $ 36.26     $ 36.36     $ 34.90    
Total Return (c)     42.23 %     (39.68 )%     5.39 %     7.87 %     11.25 %(d)  
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:  
Net expenses before interest expense (e)     0.98 %     0.96 %     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %  
Interest expense                       0.00 %(f)        
Net expenses (e)     0.98 %     0.96 %     0.95 %     0.95 %     0.95 %  
Net investment income (loss) (e)     (0.29 )%     (0.26 )%     (0.15 )%     (0.07 )%     0.29 %  
Waiver/Reimbursement                             0.00 %(f)  
Portfolio turnover rate     30 %     22 %     27 %     19 %     11 %  
Net assets, end of period (000s)   $ 1,277,154     $ 952,249     $ 1,688,040     $ 1,608,340     $ 1,493,695    

 

(a)  Net investment income (loss) per share was based upon the average shares outstanding during the period.

(b)  Net investment loss per share reflects special dividends. The effect of these dividends amounted to $0.08 per share.

(c)  Total return at net asset value assuming all distributions are reinvested.

(d)  Had the investment advisor not waived a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.

(e)  The benefits derived from custody fees paid indirectly had an impact of less than 0.01%.

(f)  Rounds to less than 0.01%.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
16




Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements

1.  Nature of Operations

Wanger USA (the "Fund"), is a series of Wanger Advisors Trust (the "Trust"), an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust. The investment objective of the Fund is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund is available only for allocation to certain life insurance company separate accounts established for the purpose of funding qualified and non-qualified variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and may also be offered directly to certain types of pension plans and retirement arrangements.

On September 29, 2009, Bank of America Corporation, the indirect parent company of Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM"), entered into an agreement to sell a portion of the asset management business of Columbia Management Group, LLC ("Columbia Management") to Ameriprise Financial, Inc. The transaction ("Transaction") includes a sale of CWAM. The Transaction is subject to certain approvals and other conditions to closing, and is currently expected to close in the spring of 2010.

2.  Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through February 18, 2010, the date the financial statements were issued, and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosures. The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements.

Security valuation

Securities of the Fund are valued at market value or, if a market quotation for a security is not readily available or is deemed not to be reliable because of events or circumstances that have occurred between the market quotation and the time as of which the security is to be valued, the security is valued at its fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. A security traded on a securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market in which transaction prices are reported is valued at the last sales price at the time of valuation. A security traded principally on NASDAQ is valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds are valued at their closing net asset value as reported to NASDAQ. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued at the latest bid quotation. Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. A security for which a market quotation is not readily available and any other assets are valued at its fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Board of Trustees. The Trust has retained an independent statistical fair value pricing service that employs a systematic methodology to assist in the fair valuation process for securities principally traded in a foreign market in order to adjust for possible changes in value that may occur between the close of the foreign market and the time as of which the securities are to be valued. If a security is valued at a "fair value", that value may be different from the last quoted market price for the security.

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

•  Level 1—quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

•  Level 2—other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk and others)

•  Level 3—significant unobservable inputs (including management's own assumptions in determining the value of investments)

The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Examples of the types of securities in which the Fund would typically invest and how they are classified within this hierarchy are as follows. Typical level 1 securities include exchange traded domestic equities, mutual funds whose NAVs are published each day and exchange traded foreign equities that are not statistically fair valued. Typical level 2 securities include exchange traded foreign equities that are statistically fair valued and short-term investments valued at amortized cost. Additionally, securities fair valued by the Fund's valuation committee that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in level 2. Typical level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Fund's Valuation Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

Repurchase agreements

The Fund may engage in repurchase agreement transactions. The Fund, through its custodian, receives delivery of underlying securities collateralizing each repurchase agreement. The counterparty is required to maintain collateral that is at all times at least equal to the repurchase price including interest. In the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.

Foreign currency translations

Values of investments denominated in foreign currencies are converted into U.S. dollars using the New York spot market rate of exchange at the time of valuation. Purchases and sales of investments and dividend and interest income are translated into U.S. dollars using the spot market rate of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The gain or loss resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates is included with net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments, as appropriate.

Securities lending

The Fund may lend securities up to one-third of the value of its total assets to certain approved brokers, dealers and other financial institutions to earn additional income. The Fund retains the benefits of owning the securities, including receipt of dividends or interest generated by the security. The Fund also receives a fee for the loan. The Fund has the ability to recall the loans at any time and could do so in order to vote proxies or to sell the loaned securities. Each loan is collateralized by cash that exceeds the value of the securities on loan. The market value of the loaned securities is determined daily at the close of business of the Fund and any additional required collateral is delivered to each Fund on the next business day. The Fund has elected to invest the cash collateral in the Dreyfus Government Cash Management Fund and the income earned is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending as the lending agent and borrower rebates. The Fund's advisor, CWAM, does not retain any fees earned by the lending program. Generally, in the event of borrower default, the Fund has the right to use the collateral to offset any losses incurred. In the event the Fund is delayed or prevented from exercising its right to dispose of the collateral, there may be a potential loss to the Fund. Some of these losses may be indemnified by the lending agent. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of collateral.

The net lending income earned in 2009 by the Fund is included in the Statement of Operations.


17



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

Security transactions and investment income

Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date (date the order to buy or sell is executed) and dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date, except that certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes amortization of discounts on debt obligations when required for federal income tax purposes. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are recorded on an identified cost basis.

Awards, if any, from class action litigation related to securities owned may be recorded as a reduction of cost of those securities. If the applicable securities are no longer owned, the proceeds are recorded as realized gains.

The Fund estimates the tax character of distributions from real estate investment trusts ("REITs"). Distributions received in excess of income are recorded as a reduction of the cost of the related investments. If the applicable securities are no longer owned, any distributions received in excess of income are recorded as realized gains.

Restricted securities

Restricted securities are securities that may only be resold upon registration under federal securities laws or in transactions exempt from registration. In some cases, the issuer of restricted securities has agreed to register such securities for resale at the issuer's expense either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Such restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Board of Trustees.

Fund share valuation

Fund shares are sold and redeemed on a continuing basis at net asset value. Net asset value per share is determined daily as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange ("the Exchange") on each day the Exchange is open for trading by dividing the total value of the Fund's investments and other assets, less liabilities, by the number of Fund shares outstanding.

Custody fees/Credits

Custody fees are reduced based on the Fund's cash balances maintained with the custodian. The amount is disclosed as a reduction of total expenses in the Statement of Operations.

Federal income taxes

The Fund has complied with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code available to regulated investment companies and, in the manner provided therein, distributes all its taxable income, as well as any net realized gain on sales of investments and foreign currency transactions reportable for federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, the Fund paid no federal income taxes and no federal income tax provision was required.

Expenses

General expenses of the Trust are allocated to the Fund and the other series of the Trust based upon relative net assets or other expense allocation methodologies determined by the nature of the expense. Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged to the Fund.

Distributions to shareholders

Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Indemnification

In the normal course of business, the Trust on behalf of the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and that provide general indemnities. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims against the Fund. Also under the Trust's organizational documents, the trustees and officers of the Trust are indemnified against certain liabilities that may arise out of their duties to the Trust. However based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities to be minimal.

3.  Federal Tax Information

The timing and character of income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. Reclassifications are made to the Fund's capital accounts for permanent tax differences to reflect income and gains available for distribution (or available capital loss carryforwards) under income tax regulations.

For the year ended December 31, 2009, permanent book and tax basis differences resulting primarily from differing treatments for net operating losses were identified and reclassified among the components of the Fund's net assets as follows:

Accumulated
Net Investment
Loss
  Accumulated
Net Realized
Loss
  Paid-In Capital  
$ 2,943,617     $ (1 )   $ (2,943,616 )  

 

Net investment income and net realized gains (losses), as disclosed on the Statement of Operations, and net assets were not affected by this reclassification.

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 were as follows:

    December 31, 2009   December 31, 2008  
Ordinary Income*   $     $    
Long-Term Capital Gains           170,275,092    

 

* For tax purposes short-term capital gain distributions, if any, are considered ordinary income distributions.

As of December 31, 2009, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:

Undistributed
Ordinary
Income
  Undistributed
Long-Term
Capital Gains
  Net Unrealized
Appreciation*
 
$     $     $ 273,408,134    

 

* The differences between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation are primarily due to deferral of losses from wash sales and passive foreign investment company ("PFIC") adjustments.

The following capital loss carryforwards, determined as of December 31, 2009, may be available to reduce taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Internal Revenue Code:

Year of
Expiration
  Capital Loss
Carryforward
 
  2016     $ 48,548,576    
  2017       15,575,489    
Total     64,124,065    

 

Under current tax rules, certain currency and capital losses realized after October 31 may be deferred and treated as occurring on the first day of the following fiscal year. As of December 31, 2009, post-October capital losses of $5,103,988 attributed to security transactions were deferred to January 1, 2010.


18



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

Management is required to determine whether a tax position of the Fund is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized by the Fund is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Management is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. However, management's conclusions may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, new tax laws, regulations, and administrative interpretations (including relevant court decisions). The Fund's federal tax returns for the prior three fiscal years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.

4.  Transactions With Affiliates

CWAM is a wholly owned subsidiary of Columbia Management which in turn is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation ("BOA"). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's business affairs.

Under the Fund's investment advisory agreement, management fees are accrued daily based on the Fund's average daily net assets and paid monthly to CWAM at the annual rates shown in the table below:

Average Daily Net Assets   Annual Fee Rate  
Up to $100 million     0.94 %  
$100 million to $250 million     0.89 %  
$250 million to $2 billion     0.84 %  
$2 billion and over     0.80 %  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund's effective investment advisory fee rate was 0.86% of average daily net assets.

CWAM provides administrative services and receives an administration fee from the Fund at the following annual rates.

Wanger Advisors Trust Aggregate
Average Daily Net Assets of the Trust
  Annual Fee Rate  
Up to $4 billion     0.05 %  
$4 billion to $6 billion     0.04 %  
$6 billion to $8 billion     0.03 %  
$8 billion and over     0.02 %  

 

For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund's effective administration fee rate was 0.05% of average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management Advisors, LLC ("Columbia"), an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, the responsibility for certain administrative services.

Certain officers and trustees of the Trust are also officers of CWAM. The Trust makes no direct payments to its officers and trustees who are affiliated with CWAM.

The Board of Trustees has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust in accordance with federal securities regulations. The Fund, along with other affiliated funds, pays its pro-rata share of the expenses associated with the Office of the Chief Compliance Officer. These expenses are disclosed separately as "Chief compliance officer expenses" in the Statement of Operations.

The Trust offers a deferred compensation plan for its independent trustees. Under that plan, a trustee may elect to defer all or a portion of his or her compensation. Amounts deferred are retained by the Trust and may represent an unfunded obligation of the Trust. The value of amounts deferred is determined by reference to the change in value of Class Z shares of one or more series of Columbia Acorn Trust or a money market fund as specified by the trustee. Benefits under the deferred compensation plan are payable when the trustee ceases to be a member of the Board of Trustees.

Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. (the "Distributor"), an affiliate of Columbia and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, serves as the principal underwriter of the Trust and receives no compensation from the Fund for its services.

Columbia Management Services, Inc. (the "Transfer Agent"), an affiliate of Columbia and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of BOA, provides shareholder services to the Fund and has subcontracted with Boston Financial Data Services ("BFDS") to serve as subtransfer agent. For such services, the Transfer Agent receives a fee, paid monthly, at the annual rate of $21.00 per account. The Transfer Agent also receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

An affiliated person of the Fund may include any company in which the Fund owns five percent or more of its outstanding voting shares. On December 31, 2009, the Fund held five percent or more of the outstanding voting securities of one or more companies. Details of investments in those affiliated companies are presented in the Notes to the Statement of Investments on page 12.

During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Fund engaged in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment advisor (or affiliated investment advisors), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. Those purchase and sale transactions complied with provisions of Rule 17a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and were $0 and $220,100, respectively.

5.  Borrowing Arrangements

The Trust participates in a $150 million credit facility, along with another Trust managed by CWAM, which was entered into to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Under the facility, interest is charged to each participating fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the higher of Federal Funds Rate or Overnight LIBOR plus 0.750%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.12% per annum of the unutilized line of credit is accrued and apportioned among the participating funds based on their relative net assets. The commitment fee is included in "Other expenses" in the Statement of Operations. No amounts were borrowed by the Fund under this facility during the year ended December 31, 2009. The Trust enters into this line of credit for one year durations. The Trust has secured the line of credit for the entire year of 2010.

6.  Fund Share Transactions

Proceeds and payments on Fund shares as shown in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets are in respect of the following numbers of shares:

    Year Ended
December 31, 2009
  Year Ended
December 31, 2008
 
Shares sold     3,261,189       3,920,844    
Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividend distributions
          6,081,253    
Less shares redeemed     (6,075,892 )     (7,219,133 )  
Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding     (2,814,703 )     2,782,964    

 

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the year ended December 31, 2009 were $313,418,402 and $358,810,246, respectively.

8.  Legal Proceedings

CWAM, Columbia Acorn Trust, (another mutual fund family advised by CWAM), and the trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust (collectively, the "Columbia defendants") are named as defendants in class and derivative complaints that have been consolidated in a Multi-District Action (the "MDL Action") in the federal district court of Maryland. These lawsuits contend that defendants permitted certain investors to market time their trades in certain Columbia


19



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued

Acorn Funds. The MDL Action is ongoing. However, all claims against the Trust and the independent trustees of Columbia Acorn Trust have been dismissed.

Columbia Acorn Trust and CWAM are also defendants in a class action lawsuit that alleges, in summary, that Columbia Acorn Trust and CWAM exposed shareholders of Columbia Acorn International Fund to trading by market timers by allegedly: (a) failing to properly evaluate daily whether a significant event affecting the value of that fund's securities had occurred after foreign markets had closed but before the calculation of the funds' net asset value (NAV"); (b) failing to implement the fund's portfolio valuation and share pricing policies and procedures; and (c) failing to know and implement applicable rules and regulations concerning the calculation of NAV (the "Fair Valuation Lawsuit"). The Seventh Circuit ruled that the plaintiffs' state law claims were preempted under federal law resulting in the dismissal of plaintiffs' complaint. Plaintiffs appealed the Seventh Circuit's ruling to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court reversed the Seventh Circuit's ruling on jurisdictional grounds and the case was ultimately remanded to the state court.

On March 21, 2005, a class action complaint was filed against the Trust and CWAM seeking to rescind the CDSC assessed upon redemption of Class B shares of the Columbia Acorn Funds due to the alleged market timing of the Columbia Acorn Funds (the "CDSC Lawsuit"). In addition to the rescission of sales charges, plaintiffs seek recovery of actual damages, attorneys' fees and costs. The case has been transferred to the MDL Action in the federal district court of Maryland.

On September 14, 2007, the plaintiffs and the Columbia defendants named in the MDL Action, including the Columbia Funds, entered into a stipulation of settlement with respect to all Columbia-related claims in the MDL Action described above, including the CDSC and Fair Valuation Lawsuits. The settlement is subject to court approval.

Columbia Acorn Funds and CWAM intend to defend these suits vigorously. CWAM believes that the lawsuits are not likely to materially affect its ability to provide investment management services to the Fund.


20



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Wanger USA:

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wanger USA (a series of the Wanger Advisors Trust, hereinafter referred to as the "Fund") at December 31, 2009, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at December 31, 2009 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
February 18, 2010


21




Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

The Board of Trustees of the Trust has overall management responsibility for the Trust and the Funds. Each trustee may serve a term of unlimited duration. The Trust's bylaws generally require that trustees retire at the end of the calendar year in which they attain 75 years. The trustees appoint their own successors, provided that at least two-thirds of the trustees, after such appointment, have been elected by shareholders. Shareholders may remove a trustee, with or without cause, upon the vote of two-thirds of the Trust's outstanding shares at any meeting called for that purpose. A trustee may be removed, with or without cause, upon the vote of a majority of the trustees.

The names of the trustees and officers of the Trust, the date each was first elected or appointed to office, their principal business occupations during at least the last five years, and other directorships they hold are shown below. Each trustee serves in such capacity for each of the four series of the Trust and each of the six series of Columbia Acorn Trust.

The business address of each trustee and officer of the Trust is Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P., 227 West Monroe, Suite 3000, Chicago, Illinois 60606. The Fund's Statement of Additional Information includes additional information about the Fund's trustees and officers. You may obtain a free copy of the Statement of Additional Information by writing or calling toll-free:

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
Shareholder Services Group
227 W. Monroe, Suite 3000
Chicago, IL 60606
888-4-WANGER (888-492-6437)

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
Trustees who are not interested persons of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Laura M. Born, 44,
Trustee
    2007     Adjunct Assistant Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; formerly, Managing Director–Investment Banking, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. (broker/ dealer) 2002-2007.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Michelle L. Collins, 49,
Trustee
    2008     President, Cambium LLC (financial advisory firm) since 2007; Advisory Board Member, Svoboda Capital Partners LLC (private equity firm) since 2007; Managing Director Svoboda Capital Partners LLC, 1998-2006.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Bucyrus International, Inc. (mining equipment manufacturer); Molex, Inc. (electronics components manufacturer).  
Maureen M. Culhane, 61,
Trustee
    2007     Retired. Formerly, Vice President, Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (investment advisor), 2005-2007, and Vice President (Consultant)-Strategic Relationship Management, Goldman Sachs AG, 1999-2005.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Margaret M. Eisen, 56,
Trustee
    2002     Chief Investment Officer, EAM International LLC (corporate finance and asset management) since 2003; Managing Director, CFA Institute, 2005-2008.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Antigenics, Inc. (biotechnology and pharmaceuticals) (until June 2009).  
Jerome Kahn, Jr., 75,(1)
Trustee
    1987     Portfolio manager and stock analyst; formerly, President, William Harris Investors, Inc. (investment advisor).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Steven N. Kaplan, 50,
Trustee and Vice Chairman of the Board
    1999     Neubauer Family Professor of Entrepreneurship and Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Accretive Health, Inc. (healthcare management services provider); Morningstar, Inc. (provider of independent investment research).  

 


22



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
David C. Kleinman, 74,
Trustee
    1972     Adjunct Professor of Strategic Management, University of Chicago Booth School of Business; business consultant.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; Sonic Foundry, Inc. (rich media systems and software).  
Allan B. Muchin, 73,
Trustee
    1998     Chairman Emeritus, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP (law firm).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
James A. Star, 48,
Trustee and Chairman of the Board
    2006     President, Longview Asset Management LLC (investment advisor) since 2003; Director, Traush Industries (privately-owned manufacturer of refrigeration parts and products).     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
John A. Wing, 74,
Trustee
    2002     Partner, Dancing Lion Partners (investment firm); prior thereto, Frank Wakely Gunsaulus Professor of Law and Finance and Chairman of the Center for the Study of Law and Financial Markets, Illinois Institute of Technology; formerly, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, ABN-AMRO Inc. (formerly named The Chicago Corporation, a financial services firm) and Chief Executive Officer, Market Liquidity Network, LLC.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust; First Chicago Bank and Trust; First Chicago Bancorp.  
Trustees who are interested persons of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Charles P. McQuaid, 56,
Trustee and President (2)
    1992     President and Chief Investment Officer, CWAM or its predecessors, since October 2003; associated with CWAM or its predecessors since 1978.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Ralph Wanger, 75,
Trustee (3)
    1970     Founder, CWAM. Formerly, President, Chief Investment Officer and portfolio manager, CWAM or its predecessors, July 1992-September 2003; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Consultant, CWAM or its predecessors, September 2003-September 2005.     10     Columbia Acorn Trust.  
Officers of Wanger Advisors Trust:  
Ben Andrews, 43,
Vice President
    2004     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1998; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2004.     10     None.  
Michael G. Clarke, 40,
Assistant Treasurer
    2004     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of certain Columbia Funds since January 2009; Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds from June 2008 to January 2009; Deputy Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds since June 2008; Chief Accounting Officer and Assistant Treasurer, the Columbia Funds, October 2004 to May 2008; Director of Fund Administration, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, since January 2006; Managing Director, Columbia Management Advisors, LLC, September 2004-December 2005.     10     None.  
Jeffrey Coleman, 40,
Assistant Treasurer
    2006     Treasurer of certain Columbia Funds since June 2008; Director of Fund Administration, CWAM, since January 2006; Fund Controller, CWAM or its predecessors, October 2004-January 2006.     10     None.  
P. Zachary Egan, 41,
Vice President
    2003     Director of International Research, CWAM or its predecessors, since December 2004; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2007; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 1999.     10     None.  
Peter T. Fariel, 52,
Assistant Secretary
    2006     Associate General Counsel, Bank of America Corporation, since April 2005; prior thereto, Partner, Goodwin Procter LLP (law firm).     10     None.  

 


23



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Board of Trustees and Management of Wanger Advisors Trust

Name, Position(s) with
Wanger Advisors
Trust and Age at
December 31, 2009
  Year First
Elected or
Appointed
to Office
  Principal Occupation(s) during
Past Five Years
  Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen
by Trustee/Officer
  Other
Directorships
in addition
to Wanger
Advisors Trust
 
John Kunka, 39,
Assistant Treasurer
    2006     Director of Accounting and Operations, CWAM or its predecessors, since May 2006; Manager of Mutual Fund Operations, Calamos Advisors, Inc. (investment advisor), September 2005-May 2006; prior thereto, Manager of Mutual Fund Administration, Van Kampen Investments.     10     None.  
Joseph C. LaPalm, 40,
Vice President
    2006     Chief Compliance Officer, CWAM, since 2005; prior thereto, compliance officer, William Blair & Company (investment firm).     10     None.  
Bruce H. Lauer, 52,
Vice President,
Secretary and Treasurer
    1995     Chief Operating Officer, CWAM or its predecessors, since April 2000; Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 1995; Director, Wanger Investment Company PLC; Director, Banc of America Capital Management (Ireland) Ltd.; Director, Bank of America Global Liquidity Funds, PLC.     10     None.  
Louis J. Mendes III, 45,
Vice President
    2003     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust since 2003 and Wanger Advisors Trust since 2005.     10     None.  
Robert A. Mohn, 48,
Vice President
    1997     Director of Domestic Research, CWAM or its predecessors, since March 2004; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 1997; portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since August 1992.     10     None.  
Christopher J. Olson, 45,
Vice President
    2001     Portfolio manager and analyst, CWAM or its predecessors, since January 2001; Vice President, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 2001.     10     None.  
Robert P. Scales, 57,
Chief Compliance Officer,
Chief Legal Officer,
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
    2004     Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Columbia Acorn Trust and Wanger Advisors Trust, since 2004.     10     None.  
Linda Roth-Wiszowaty, 40,
Assistant Secretary
    2006     Business support analyst, CWAM, since April 2007; prior thereto executive administrator, CWAM or its predecessors, and executive assistant to the Chief Operating Officer of CWAM or its predecessors.     10     None.  

 

(1)  Mr. Kahn retired at the end of calendar year 2009.

(2)  Mr. McQuaid is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and of CWAM, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because he is an officer of the Trust and of CWAM.

(3)  Mr. Wanger is an "interested person" of Wanger Advisors Trust and of CWAM, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 because, as of December 31, 2009, he owned securities issued by a controlling person of CWAM and was a consultant to CWAM within the most recently completed five fiscal years.


24



Wanger USA 2009 Annual Report

Columbia Wanger Funds

Transfer Agent,
Dividend Disbursing Agent

Columbia Management Services, Inc.
P.O.Box 8081
Boston, Massachusetts
02266-8081

Distributor

Columbia Management Distributors, Inc.
One Financial Center
Boston, Massachusetts
02111-2621

Investment Advisor

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
1-888-4-WANGER
(1-888-492-6437)

Legal Counsel to the Funds

K&L Gates LLP
Washington, DC

Legal Counsel to the Independent Trustees

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois

This report, including the schedules of investments and financial statements, is submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Wanger Advisors Trust.

Columbia Management Group, LLC ("Columbia Management") is the investment management division of Bank of America Corporation. Columbia Management entities furnish investment management services and products for institutional and individual investors. Columbia Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Distributors, Inc., member FINRA and SIPC. Columbia Management Distributors, Inc. is part of Columbia Management and an affiliate of Bank of America Corporation.

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. ("CWAM") is an SEC-registered investment advisor and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of America Corporation. CWAM is part of Columbia Management.

A description of the Fund's proxy voting policies and procedures and a copy of the Fund's voting record for the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 are available (i) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, and (ii) without charge, upon request, by calling 888-492-6437.

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Fund's Form N-Q is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Pubic Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330. The Fund's complete portfolio holdings are disclosed at www.columbiafunds.com approximately 30 days after each month-end.


25




Columbia Wanger Funds

0L2568A

SHC-42/30134-1209 10/X6T1B6




 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

(a)          The registrant has, as of the end of the period covered by this report, adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party.

 

(b)         During the period covered by this report, there were not any amendments to a provision of the code of ethics adopted in 2(a) above.

 

(c)          During the period covered by this report, there were no waivers, including any implicit waivers, from a provision of the code of ethics described in 2(a) above that relates to one or more of the items set forth in paragraph (b) of this item’s instructions.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

The registrant’s Board of Trustees has determined that Laura M. Born, Michelle L. Collins and David C. Kleinman, each of whom are members of the registrant’s Board of Trustees and Audit Committee, each qualify as an audit committee financial expert.  Ms. Born, Ms. Collins and Mr. Kleinman are each independent trustees, as defined in paragraph (a)(2) of this item’s instructions.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

(a) Audit Fees. Aggregate Audit Fees billed by the principal accountant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are approximately as follows:

 

2009

 

2008

 

$

91,500

 

$

91,500

 

 

Audit Fees include amounts related to the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years.

 



 

(b) Audit-Related Fees. Aggregate Audit-Related Fees billed to the registrant by the principal accountant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are approximately as follows:

 

2009

 

2008

 

$

7,000

 

$

7,000

 

 

Audit-Related Fees include amounts for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported in Audit Fees above.  In both fiscal years 2009 and 2008, Audit-Related Fees consist of agreed-upon procedures performed for other audit-related additional testing.

 

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, there were no Audit-Related Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

 

(c) Tax Fees. Aggregate Tax Fees billed by the principal accountant to the registrant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are approximately as follows:

 

2009

 

2008

 

$

14,500

 

$

14,600

 

 

Tax Fees incurred in both fiscal years 2009 and 2008 relate to the review of annual tax returns and include amounts for professional services by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

 

During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, there were no Tax Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

 

(d) All Other Fees. Aggregate All Other Fees billed by the principal accountant to the registrant for professional services rendered during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:

 

2009

 

2008

 

$

0

 

$

0

 

 



 

All Other Fees include amounts for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) above.

 

Aggregate All Other Fees billed by the registrant’s principal accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser) and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for an engagement that related directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are approximately as follows:

 

2009

 

2008

 

$

67,900

 

$

136,100

 

 

In both fiscal years 2009 and 2008, All Other Fees consist of professional services rendered for internal control reviews of the registrant’s transfer agent.

 

(e)(1) Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

The policy of the registrant’s Audit Committee is to specifically pre-approve (i) all audit and non-audit (including audit related, tax and all other) services provided by the registrant’s independent auditor to the registrant and individual funds (collectively “Fund Services”) and (ii) all non-audit services provided by the registrant’s independent auditor to the funds’ adviser or a control affiliate of the adviser, that relate directly to the funds’ operations and financial reporting (collectively “Fund-related Adviser Services”).  A “control affiliate” is an entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the funds, and the term “adviser” is deemed to exclude any unaffiliated sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is sub-contracted or overseen by another investment adviser.

 

If such Fund Services or Fund-related Adviser Services are required during the period between the Audit Committee’s regularly scheduled meetings, the Chairman of the Audit Committee has the authority to pre-approve the service, with reporting to the full Audit Committee at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

 

The Audit Committee will waive pre-approval of Fund Services or Fund-related Adviser Services provided that the requirements under paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X are met.

 

(e)(2) The percentage of services described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item approved pursuant to the “de minimis” exception under paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X during both fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was zero.

 

(f) Not applicable.

 



 

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are approximately as follows:

 

2009

 

2008

 

$

89,400

 

$

157,700

 

 

(h) The registrant’s Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant’s adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Investments

 

(a)          The registrant’s “Schedule I — Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers” (as set forth in 17 CFR 210.12-12) 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.

 

There have not been any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, since those procedures were last disclosed in response to requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A) or this Item.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures.

 

(a)          The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officers, based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, have concluded that such controls and procedures are adequately designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant in Form N-CSR is accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

(b)         There was no change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period 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) Code of ethics required to be disclosed under Item 2 of Form N-CSR attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.

 

(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(a)) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.CERT.

 

(a)(3) Not applicable.

 

(b) Certification pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-2(b)) attached hereto as Exhibit 99.906CERT.

 



 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

(registrant)

 

Wanger Advisors Trust

 

 

 

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

 

/s/ Charles P. McQuaid

 

 

 

Charles P. McQuaid, President

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

February 19, 2010

 

 

 

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/ Charles P. McQuaid

 

 

 

Charles P. McQuaid, President

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

February 19, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

 

/s/ Bruce H. Lauer

 

 

 

Bruce H. Lauer, Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

February 19, 2010