N-CSRS 1 a15-14245_5ncsrs.htm N-CSRS

 

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)

 

227 W. Monroe Street

Suite 3000

Chicago, IL

 

60606

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Paul B. Goucher, Esq.

Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC

100 Park Avenue

New York, New York 10017

 

P. Zachary Egan

Columbia Acorn Trust

227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000

Chicago, Illinois 60606

 

Mary C. Moynihan

Perkins Coie LLP

700 13th Street, NW

Suite 600

Washington, DC 20005

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:

(312) 634-9200

 

 

Date of fiscal year end:

December 31

 

 

Date of reporting period:

June 30, 2015

 

 

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.

 



SEMIANNUAL REPORT

June 30, 2015

COLUMBIA WANGER FUNDS

Managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC

WANGER INTERNATIONAL



Wanger International

2015 Semiannual Report

    Table of Contents

 

1

   

Understanding Your Expenses

 
 

2

   

Battery Technology and its Implications

 
  4    

Performance Review

 
  6    

Statement of Investments

 
  16    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
  16    

Statement of Operations

 
  17    

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 
  18    

Financial Highlights

 
  19    

Notes to Financial Statements

 
  22    

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

 
  24    

Results of Special Meeting of Shareholders

 

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM) is one of the leading global small- and mid-cap equity managers in the United States with over 40 years of small- and mid-cap investment experience. As of June 30, 2015, CWAM managed $27 billion in assets. CWAM is the investment manager to Wanger USA, Wanger International, Wanger Select and Wanger International Select (together, the Columbia Wanger Funds) and the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds.

An important note: Columbia Wanger Funds are available only through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by participating insurance companies or certain eligible retirement plans. Columbia Wanger Funds are not offered directly to the public and are not available in all contracts, policies or plans. Contact your financial advisor or insurance representative for more information. Columbia Wanger Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and are managed by CWAM.

Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks and expenses of the Fund before investing. For variable fund and variable contract prospectuses, which contain this and other important information, including the fees and expenses imposed under your contract, investors should contact their financial advisor or insurance representative. Read the prospectuses for the Fund and your variable contract carefully before investing.

The views expressed in "Battery Technology and its Implications" 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.

A Comment on Trading Volumes

Market conditions are always changing and vary by country and industry sector, and investing in international markets involves unique risks. In the wake of the 2007-2009 financial crisis, trading volumes in both emerging and developed international markets declined significantly and have stayed at generally reduced levels since then. Although it is difficult to accurately assess trends in trading volumes in foreign markets, because some amount of activity has migrated to alternative trading venues, a reduction in trading volumes poses challenges to the Fund. This is particularly so because the Fund focuses on small- and mid-cap companies that usually have lower trading volumes and often takes sizeable positions in portfolio companies. As a result of lower trading volumes, it may take longer to buy or sell securities, which can exacerbate the Fund's exposure to volatile markets. The Fund may also be limited in its ability to execute favorable trades in portfolio securities in response to changes in company prices and fundamentals. If the Fund is forced to sell securities to meet redemption requests or other cash needs, or in the case of an event affecting liquidity in a particular market or markets, it may be forced to dispose of those securities under disadvantageous circumstances and at a loss. As the Fund grows in size, these considerations take on increasing significance and may adversely impact performance.




Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Understanding Your Expenses

As a shareholder, you incur three types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include management fees and other expenses for Wanger International (the Fund). Lastly, there may be additional fees or charges imposed by the insurance company that sponsors your variable annuity and/or variable life insurance product. The following information is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you 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 actual and hypothetical information in the table below is based on an initial investment of $1,000 at the beginning of the period indicated and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different information. The amount listed in the "Actual" column is calculated using the Fund's actual operating expenses and total return for the period. You may use the Actual information, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the results by the expenses paid during the period under the Actual column. The amount listed in the "Hypothetical" column assumes a 5% annual rate of return before expenses (which is not the Fund's actual return) 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" below for details on how to use the hypothetical data.

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 hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports 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 only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical calculations are useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included in these calculations, your costs would be higher.

January 1, 2015 – June 30, 2015

    Account value at the
beginning of the period ($)
  Account value at the
end of the period ($)
  Expenses paid during
period ($)
  Fund's annualized
expense ratio (%)*
 
   

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

     

Wanger International

   

1,000.00

     

1,000.00

     

1,051.60

     

1,019.44

     

5.49

     

5.41

     

1.08

   

* 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.


1



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Battery Technology and its Implications

Battery History

Alessandro Volta was a professor of physics at the University of Pavia in Italy at a time of great debate about electricity. He was also a skilled maker of scientific instruments, including machines that could generate an electrostatic charge. After reading a paper noting a torpedo fish could create electric shocks, and proposing that the process creating the charge could be imitated, Volta created the undisputed first battery.1 As described in a paper he wrote in March 1800, the battery consisted of a column of zinc and copper discs separated by brine-soaked cardboard.2

Within months, others were making variations of Volta's battery and improved versions were developed. The batteries were largely used in laboratory equipment, often to enable electrolysis, which resulted in scientific discoveries such as the separation of water into oxygen and hydrogen, as well as discoveries of other elements including sodium and magnesium.3 For several decades, electroplating of metal appears to have been the primary commercial use of batteries.4

All batteries have anode and cathode electrodes as well as an acid or alkaline electrolyte, which facilitates movement of electricity between the electrodes. Components in existing batteries have been refined over time and often later replaced by new materials. In 1839, Sir William Robert Grove, a Welsh judge and physical scientist, made a version utilizing zinc in sulfuric acid and platinum in nitric acid, which produced a then-powerful charge of 1.8 volts but emitted poisonous nitric oxide gas. In the 1850s, German chemist Robert Bunsen created a much cheaper version of Grove's battery by substituting carbon for platinum.5

Telegraphs were developed in the 1830s and 1840s, and became widespread after inventor Samuel Morse's 1844 Washington, D.C. to Baltimore link. That initial line used huge Grove batteries at both ends plus 150-pound Grove batteries at relay points in between. Within 30 years there were 650,000 land miles of telegraph cable6 and, since telegraphs then needed battery powered relays every few miles to boost their signals, commercial demand for batteries boomed. Telegraph office batteries initially needed regular care on strict schedules. The electrodes had to be cleaned or replaced, and the electrolyte needed replenishing.7

The first practical rechargeable battery was developed in 18598 by French physicist Gaston Planté using lead because it was readily available, cheap and amenable to recharging.9 The next battery breakthrough came in 1866 when French engineer Georges Leclanché created a simple, cheap battery consisting of a glass jar with manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes, a small bar of carbon, and an ammonium chloride electrolyte, which was then a common household chemical (sal ammoniac) used in cleaning and baking. This was the first battery not to use acid and, when discharged, replacing the sal ammoniac would revitalize it. Millions were produced for telegraphs, doorbells and telephones, though the battery was good only for intermittent use.10

German chemist Carl Gassner in 1887 patented his "dry cell" battery, consisting of a zinc can as the anode, ammonium chloride and plaster of paris as a dry electrolyte and carbon as the cathode. Producing a steady 1.5 volts, this was apparently the first battery requiring no maintenance. This compact six-inch long battery was durable and was mass-produced to power alarm clocks and bicycle lights.11

Batteries powered many of the first cars. The 1894 Electrobat had 1,500 pounds of lead-acid batteries.12 Of the 4,200 automobiles sold in the United States in the year 1900, battery powered cars were the most popular, followed by steam powered cars. Fewer than 1,000 were powered by gasoline.13

American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison was a proponent of battery-powered cars, and was determined to create a new rechargeable battery with triple the capacity of the lead-acid battery.14 His team experimented with hundreds of different compounds for a better automotive battery. When chided about failed experiments, he said, "No, I didn't fail. I discovered 24,999 ways that the storage battery does not work."15 Ultimately he developed a battery with nickel and iron electrodes and a potassium-based electrolyte that outperformed existing lead-acid batteries by 233%.16 But it was expensive and gasoline-powered cars dominated once the automatic starter (as opposed to a crank) became ubiquitous.

In the 1950s, inventor Samuel Ruben created the alkaline manganese battery in a new AAA size, and licensed it to Mallory, which later became Duracell. That battery was popular in

Kodak flash cameras. Canadian-American chemist Lewis Urry of Eveready invented the modern alkaline battery in 1959.17 His primary innovation was to use powdered zinc, which has dramatically more surface area than solid zinc. Labelled the Energizer, it had 40 times the capacity of the then-ubiquitous zinc-carbon battery.18

As power-hungry portable electronics took off after 1980, the quest for high energy, rechargeable batteries intensified. Nickel-cadmium batteries were invented, but had a "memory effect," which reduced capacity if recharged before depletion, and contained toxic cadmium. Nickel-metal-hydride batteries were also developed, powering cell phones and the first hybrid cars. These batteries had high capacity for the time, but tended to self-discharge when not in use.

Lithium Batteries

Chemists were long aware of lithium's potential in batteries. Lithium is the lightest metal, has half the density of water and, pound per pound, a lithium battery should be able to produce 30 times the energy of a lead-acid battery. However, lithium is too volatile to exist by itself in nature. It will burn or explode when exposed to air and pure lithium must be stored in oil to prevent it from reacting.

Exxon had a venture capital division that recruited British chemist Stanley Whittingham in the 1970s to pursue development of lithium batteries. Whittingham created a coin-sized battery with a lithium-aluminum alloy and a sulfide electrode. The first rechargeable lithium battery was used in a solar-powered watch shipped in 1977. But larger batteries ignited in Exxon's laboratories, and Exxon later exited the business and sold its patents. 19

John Goodenough achieved the breakthrough in lithium batteries. A University of Chicago Ph.D. working at Oxford, he experimented with metal oxides, which could be charged and discharged at higher voltages than sulfides. He also realized that as lithium ions migrate from a sulfide-based cathode, sections of the cathode tend to hollow out and collapse, reducing the ability of the battery to be recharged. Metal oxides in the cathode, in effect, reinforce its structure.

In 1980, Goodenough's team announced the lithium-cobalt-oxide battery.20 His belief in oxides proved correct, as the battery produced about 4 volts versus the 2.4 volts Whittingham


2



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

achieved.21 "It was the first lithium-ion cathode with the capacity to power both compact and relatively large devices...far superior to anything on the market," said author Steve Levine in his recently published book, The Powerhouse.22 Yet because the battery was unusual, no companies in Europe or the Americas licensed it.

South African Ph.D. Mike Thackeray joined Goodenough during a stint at Oxford and helped invent a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode in place of Goodenough's lithium-cobalt-oxide. The NMC version has less safety risk than Goodenough's first lithium battery and theoretically should provide more energy.23 A version of this battery is used in the Chevrolet Volt.

Battery research funding diminished in the United States during the 1980s, a period of low oil prices and excitement about superconductivity. In Japan, however, battery research continued in earnest. After a decade of work, Japanese researcher Akira Yoshino combined Goodenough's lithium-cobalt-oxide cathode with a carbon anode and, in 1991, Sony shipped a resulting lithium-ion battery for small electronic devices. Later, Sony changed the anode to graphite, which was benign and better absorbed lithium ions, resulting in more power for longer periods. The Sony batteries were wildly successful, spurring knockoffs as well as additional lithium battery research.24

Electric Cars and Other Uses for Batteries

Improving performance and dropping costs have enabled much more sophisticated portable electronics but the biggest potential market for batteries is in automobiles. Thomas Edison said that the internal combustion engine would be a bridge between generations of battery powered cars, and he yet could be proven right (albeit late).25

The basic physics problem confronting battery powered vehicles is the energy density of gasoline versus batteries. A kilogram of gasoline contains about 12,700 watt hours of energy,26 while lithium batteries currently used in automobiles have energy densities ranging from 155 to 233 watt hours per kilogram.27 However, electric motors are over 90% efficient, three times that of gasoline engines,28 and electric vehicles can recapture up to half of energy expended through regenerative breaking,29 reducing the effective energy density gap somewhat.

Another key use for improved batteries is within the electric grid. Renewable power from solar and wind is by nature intermittent, and higher capacity, lower cost batteries will allow the adoption of more renewable energy. As battery performance improves and costs fall, expect to see more electric automobiles and renewable energy.

Potential Breakthroughs

In his book, Levine describes the inventions of various forms of lithium batteries and Argonne National Laboratory's successful effort to win funding as The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research. Argonne's goal is another battery breakthrough, achieving five times the performance at one-fifth the cost in five years. The Joint Center is looking beyond lithium. Argonne's senior scientist George Crabtree notes that new concepts, such as use of materials with double ions, use of reactions on the electrode surface instead of inside them and liquid electrodes, are worth exploring.

Investment Implications

Predicting which battery technology will succeed and which battery companies will profit is extremely difficult and risky. I've been on numerous battery technology wild goose chases, and can vaguely recall talking to Argonne researchers back in the late 1970s. The Columbia Wanger Funds' shareholders have instead benefited from investing downstream, in companies that prospered from improved battery technology. For example, domestic funds had profitable investments in cell phone service providers as the industry consolidated years ago, and more recently in cell tower companies.

Charles P. McQuaid
Portfolio Manager, Analyst and Advisor
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC

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 here 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 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.

1  In 1936 in Eastern Iraq, archeologist Wilhelm Koenig found a five- by three-inch broken clay jar that held a rolled sheet of copper and an iron rod. It dated back to between 200 BC and 200 AD. Koenig realized that with an acid or alkaline liquid, the device would be a functioning battery. Several similar jars have since been found. Google "Baghdad battery" to pursue the mystery and controversy.

2  Seth Fletcher, Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars, and the New Lithium Economy (New York, Hill and Wang, 2011), p. 11.

3  Henry Schlesinger, The Battery: How Portable Power Sparked a Technological Revolution (New York, HarperCollins, 2010), p. 77.

4  Ibid., p. 50, 65.

5  Ibid., p. 96.

6  Ibid., p. 110, 130.

7  Ibid., p. 139.

8  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 13.

9  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 145.

10  Ibid., p. 142-143.

11  Ibid., p. 179.

12  Ibid., p. 174.

13  Jim Motavalli, High Voltage: The Fast Track To Plug In the Auto Industry (New York, Rodale, 2011), p. xii.

14  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 14.

15  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 174.

16  Fletcher, op. cit., 15.

17  NNDB website: nndb.com/people/004/000206383. Accessed April 2, 2015.

18  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 250.

19  Steve Levine, The Powerhouse: Inside the Invention of a Battery to Save the World (New York, Viking, 2015), p. 21.

20  Ibid., p. 25.

21  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 44.

22  Levine, op. cit., p. 25.

23  Ibid., p. 41-44.

24  Ibid., p. 35.

25  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 174.

26  Hypertextbook website: hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/ArthurGolnik.shtml. Accessed April 1, 2015.

27  Luke Ottaway, "What Makes Tesla's Batteries So Great?" Torque News, October 19, 2014, on website at: torquenews.com/2250/what-makes-tesla-s-batteries-so-great. Accessed April 3, 2015.

28  Tobias Fleiter and Wolfgang Eichhammer, "Energy efficiency in electric motor systems: Technology, saving potentials and policy options for developing countries," Working Paper 11/2011 published by United Nations Industrial Development Organization, p. 5, unido.org. Accessed April 21, 2015.

29  Source: ProEv Inc. article titled, "Regenerative Braking Efficiency," 2015.


3




Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Performance Review Wanger International

 

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

Performance data shown represents past performance and is not a 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. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/us for most recent month-end performance updates.

Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. International investing involves certain risks and volatility due to potential political, economic or currency instabilities and different, potentially less stringent, financial and accounting standards than those generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. Please also see "A Comment on Trading Volumes" on the inside cover of this report.

Wanger International gained 5.16% in the first half of 2015. This compares to the 7.97% gain of the Fund's primary benchmark, the S&P Global ex-U.S. Between $500M and $5B® Index, for the same period.

The majority of the Fund's underperformance for the half year was the result of weak relative performance in Asia, excluding Japan, which comprised roughly 27% of both the Fund and the benchmark. The strong rally in Chinese domestic shares (described in more detail below) helped lift China-related shares listed in Hong Kong in the benchmark nearly 25%, and the Fund's China-related holdings did not keep pace. In Hong Kong itself, Fund holdings continued to be negatively impacted by weak domestic demand in consumer stocks, as well as the continued decline in the Macau gaming sector. Elsewhere in Asia, underperformance in Korea was primarily due to the Fund's lack of holdings in the health care sector, which rallied over 100% on positive news regarding drug approvals. On the upside, in Japan, where the Fund's weight roughly matched that of the benchmark, good stock selection helped Fund stocks outperform the benchmark during the period.

Although the principal Chinese stock exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzen are by regulation inaccessible to most non-Chinese investors, including the Fund, this so-called "A-share market" is the world's second largest equity market, calculated in U.S. dollars.* In the 12 months ended June 30, 2015, the Shanghai A and Shenzen A share indexes rose 109% and 125%, respectively, inclusive of a major correction in June. The rally has captured the imagination of millions of new domestic Chinese investors who have rushed to open brokerage accounts and speculate in the market. Margin lending reached record highs in June, representing an estimated 12% of the free-float market capitalization of marginable stocks, according to Reuters. The launch in November 2014 of the "Shanghai-Hong Kong Connect," a partnership between the Hong Kong and Shanghai exchanges that allows traders registered on each exchange to invest in stocks on the other, was thought to be the global investors' gateway into the China A-share market. In fact, it has resulted to date in large amounts of money flowing from Chinese investors into shares listed on the Hong Kong exchange, significantly bolstering that market.

Given this market environment, Wanger International's underweight in China-related shares has hurt relative performance, but we have been skeptical of the hype around the Shanghai-Hong Kong Connect and the rapid rise in speculation by Chinese investors, which we believe warrant caution for global investors like the Fund. We continue to be cautious about allocating capital in the region, although we have recently initiated some new positions there, as discussed below. The Chinese political leadership has been engaged for some time in a very public

project to transform its large economy from one that has been almost solely export-oriented and investment-led, into one more focused on its internal market and meeting the needs of the Chinese consumer and citizen. This re-orientation is necessitated by an economic growth imperative in light of industrial capacity overinvestment and increasing demands for an enhanced quality of life. In recent months, some elements of a policy framework designed to address these goals have become clearer, which we believe create some attractive opportunities for long-term investors like the Fund. In particular, we like the prospects for entrepreneurial Chinese companies focused on health care, certain types of infrastructure development, and meeting the goals of evolving environmental regulation.

Consistent with this view, we have recently increased the Fund's exposure to China, although it remains slightly underweight compared to the benchmark. We initiated positions in China Everbright International, a municipal waste-to-energy operating facility, and SIIC Environment, a municipal water treatment operator, both of which will benefit from efforts to clean up a highly polluted environment after years of heavy industrial growth. Another new position, Phoenix Healthcare Group, has been winning contracts to manage public hospitals, and through modern organizational and information systems, it is increasing health care delivery standards while turning around loss-making, former state-managed operations. At June 30, the Fund's exposure to China (through Hong Kong-listed, Singapore-listed and U.S.-listed shares) was approximately 6%, compared to 3% at December 31, 2014.

During the first half of 2015, there was significant world focus and dramatic headlines about the potential exit of Greece from the eurozone and the possible impact. While a Greek exit from the common euro currency cannot be ruled out, we think that it is an unlikely outcome and one that entails little contagion risk for the rest of Europe because of the way the debt is held. Whatever the outcome, we do not believe it would portend a broader dissolution of the eurozone. Consequently, we have not modified the Fund's portfolio to anticipate this scenario. We remain overweight in Europe relative to the benchmark by approximately three percentage points.

* Data source: the World Federation of Exchanges.

Fund's Positions in Mentioned Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 6/30/15

China Everbright International

   

0.6

%

 

SIIC Environment

   

0.3

   

Phoenix Healthcare Group

   

0.2

   

Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. Top holdings exclude short-term holdings and cash, if applicable.


4



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Wanger International
May 3, 1995 (inception date) through June 30, 2015

Performance data shown represents past performance and is not a 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. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Performance results reflect any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment adviser and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results would have been lower. For most recent month-end performance updates, please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/us.

This graph compares the results of $10,000 invested in Wanger International on May 3, 1995 (the date the Fund began operations) through June 30, 2015, to the S&P Global Ex-U.S. Between $500M and $5B 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 6/30/15

1. Charles Taylor (United Kingdom)
Insurance Services
  1.5
 

%

 
2. Coronation Fund Managers (South Africa)
South African Fund Manager
  1.2
 
 
3. SimCorp (Denmark)
Software for Investment Managers
  1.0
 
 
4. CCL Industries (Canada)
Global Label Converter
  1.0
 
 
5. Zee Entertainment Enterprises (India)
Indian Programmer of Pay Television Content
  1.0
 
 
6. Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentación (Spain)
Discount Retailer in Spain & Latin America
  1.0
 
 
7. Spotless (Australia)
Facility Management & Catering Company
  0.9
 
 
8. Spirax Sarco (United Kingdom)
Steam Systems for Manufacturing & Process Industries
  0.9
 
 
9. Singapore Exchange (Singapore)
Singapore Equity & Derivatives Market Operator
  0.8
 
 
10. Partners Group (Switzerland)
Private Markets Asset Management
  0.8
 
 

Top 5 Countries

As a percentage of net assets, as of 6/30/15

Japan

   

21.5

%

 

United Kingdom

   

11.3

   

Taiwan

   

5.3

   

China

   

5.1

   

Canada

   

4.5

   

Results as of June 30, 2015

 

2nd quarter*

 

Year to date*

 

1 year

 

5 years

 

10 years

 

Wanger International

   

0.83

%

   

5.16

%

   

-5.08

%

   

10.46

%

   

9.27

%

 
S&P Global Ex-U.S.
Between $500M
and $5B Index**
   

2.91

     

7.97

     

-1.52

     

9.91

     

8.20

   

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

   

0.62

     

5.52

     

-4.22

     

9.54

     

5.12

   

NAV as of 6/30/15: $27.86

* Not annualized.

** The Fund's primary benchmark.

Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses but do not include any fees and expenses imposed under your variable annuity contract or life insurance policy or qualified pension or retirement plan. If performance numbers included the effect of these additional charges, they would be lower.

The Fund's annual operating expense ratio of 1.05% is stated as of the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2015, and differences in expense ratios disclosed elsewhere in this report may result from including fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as well as different time periods used in calculating the ratios.

All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions.

The S&P Global Ex-U.S. Between $500M and $5B Index 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 MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index (Net) 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 returns of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net) are presented net of the withholding tax rate applicable to foreign non-resident institutional investors in the foreign companies included in the index who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The performance of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net) is provided to show how the Fund's performance compares to a widely recognized broad-based index of foreign market performance. Indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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


5




Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
       

Equities – 96.7%

     
   

Asia – 48.4%

 
   

Japan – 21.5%

 
 

202,000

    NGK Insulators
Ceramic Products for Auto, Power & Electronics
 

$

5,197,676
 
 

252,100

    Aeon Mall
Suburban Shopping Mall Developer, Owner & Operator
  4,720,767
 
 

153,000

    Glory
Currency Handling Systems & Related Equipment
  4,526,383
 
 

88,400

    FamilyMart
Convenience Store Operator
  4,065,088
 
 

305,000

    Ushio
Industrial Light Sources
  3,970,070
 
 

2,400

    Orix JREIT
Diversified REIT
  3,456,764
 
 

123,300

    NGK Spark Plug
Automobile Parts
  3,414,693
 
 

78,000

    JIN (a)
Eyeglasses Retailer
  3,362,122
 
 

414,000

    NOF
Specialty Chemicals, Life Science & Rocket Fuels
  3,321,387
 
 

23,150

    Hirose Electric
Electrical Connectors
  3,316,902
 
 

118,000

    Aeon Financial Service
Diversified Consumer-related Finance Company in Japan
  3,273,855
 
 

856,000

    Aozora Bank
Commercial Bank
  3,229,700
 
 

105,000

    Recruit Holdings
Recruitment & Media Services
  3,201,898
 
 

224,000

    Santen Pharmaceutical
Specialty Pharma (Ophthalmic Medicine)
  3,169,315
 
 

65,100

    Kintetsu World Express
Airfreight Logistics
  2,921,535
 
 

71,240

    Ariake Japan
Commercial Soup & Sauce Extracts
  2,915,351
 
 

592,000

    IHI
Industrial Conglomerates
  2,756,455
 
 

55,500

    Ezaki Glico
Confectionary, Ice Cream & Dairy Products
  2,756,286
 
 

254,000

    Nippon Kayaku
Functional Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals & Auto Safety
Systems
  2,738,440
 
 

121,700

    OSG
Consumable Cutting Tools
  2,608,744
 
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
 

122,800

    Tamron
Camera Lenses
 

$

2,591,606
 
 

515

    Kenedix Office Investment
Tokyo Mid-size Office REIT
  2,579,548
 
 

229,500

    Moshi Moshi Hotline
Call Center Operator
  2,567,895
 
 

56,400

    OBIC
Computer Software
  2,514,466
 
 

46,000

    Japan Airport Terminal
Airport Terminal Operator at Haneda
  2,503,576
 
 

53,400

    Otsuka
One-stop IT Services & Office Supplies Provider
  2,492,799
 
 

142,000

    Park24
Parking Lot Operator
  2,430,966
 
 

28,900

    Disco
Semiconductor Dicing & Grinding Equipment
  2,389,128
 
 

134,700

    Doshisha
Consumer Goods Wholesaler
  2,388,519
 
 

166,200

    Misumi Group
Industrial Components Distributor
  2,359,493
 
 

107,000

    Suruga Bank
Regional Bank
  2,292,061
 
 

127,000

    Toto
Toilets & Bathroom Fittings
  2,289,033
 
 

95,100

    Aica Kogyo
Laminated Sheets, Building Materials & Chemical
Adhesives
  2,209,066
 
 

78,000

    Nippon Paint Holdings
Paints for Automotive, Decorative & Industrial Usage
  2,198,088
 
 

140,589

    Kansai Paint
Paint Producer in Japan, India, China & Southeast Asia
  2,178,174
 
 

85,000

    Nabtesco
Machinery Components
  2,132,118
 
 

26,900

    Rinnai
Gas Appliances for Home & Commercial Use
  2,118,244
 
 

100,000

    Stanley Electric
Automobile Lighting & LED Equipment
  2,082,682
 
 

82,700

    Benesse
Education Service Provider
  2,073,240
 
 

106,000

    Daiseki
Waste Disposal & Recycling
  2,050,454
 
 

69,300

    Hamamatsu Photonics
Optical Sensors for Medical & Industrial Applications
  2,043,458
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Japan – 21.5% (cont)

 
 

57,800

    Kaken Pharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical & Agrochemical Producer
 

$

2,017,884
 
 

212,000

    Dowa Holdings
Environmental/Recycling, Nonferrous Metals, Electric
Material & Metal Processing
  2,003,449
 
 

1,000

    Japan Retail Fund
Retail REIT in Japan
  1,999,689
 
 

176,800

    Asahi Diamond Industrial
Consumable Diamond Tools
  1,991,908
 
 

432

    Industrial & Infrastructure Fund
Industrial REIT in Japan
  1,950,723
 
 

47,800

    Nakanishi
Dental Tools & Machinery
  1,888,536
 
 

32,000

    Hoshizaki Electric
Commercial Kitchen Equipment
  1,882,223
 
 

58,520

    Milbon
Hair Products for Salons
  1,862,143
 
 

27,500

    Hikari Tsushin
Office IT/Mobiles/Insurance Distribution
  1,853,445
 
 

126,000

    Nippon Shokubai
Producer of Acrylic Acid & Super Absorbent Polymers
Used in Disposable Diapers
  1,723,560
 
 

64,900

    Icom
Two Way Radio Communication Equipment
  1,634,452
 
 

153,166

    Nihon Parkerizing
Metal Surface Treatment Chemicals & Processing Service
  1,553,633
 
 

30,000

    MonotaRO
Online Maintenance, Repair & Operations Goods
Distributor in Japan
  1,316,931
 
 

8,900

    Asahi Intecc
Medical Guidewires for Surgery
  609,751
 
 

6,100

    Cocokara Fine
Drugstores
  209,840
 
     

141,906,212

   
   

Taiwan – 5.3%

 
 

698,000

    President Chain Store
Convenience Chain Store Operator in Taiwan
  4,907,252
 
 

33,000

    Largan Precision
Mobile Device Camera Lenses & Modules
  3,766,977
 
 

2,279,000

    Vanguard International Semiconductor
Semiconductor Foundry
  3,636,888
 
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
 

689,000

    Novatek Microelectronics
Display Related Integrated Circuit Designer
 

$

3,323,308
 
 

1,300,000

    Far EasTone Telecom
Mobile Operator in Taiwan
  3,142,396
 
 

538,000

    Delta Electronics
Industrial Automation, Switching Power Supplies &
Passive Components
  2,752,338
 
 

161,156

    PChome Online
Taiwanese Internet Retail Company
  2,660,227
 
 

164,000

    St. Shine Optical
Disposable Contact Lens Original Equipment Manufacturer
  2,606,888
 
 

159,500

    Ginko International
Contact Lens Maker in China
  2,004,726
 
 

259,349

    Advantech
Industrial PC & Components
  1,780,779
 
 

1,395,803

    Lite-On Technology
Mobile Device, LED & PC Server Component Supplier
  1,637,602
 
 

128,000

    Voltronic Power
Uninterruptible Power Supply Products
  1,613,217
 
 

69,000

    Silergy
Chinese Provider of Analog & Mixed Digital Integrated
Circuits
  710,715
 
 

260,000

    Chroma Ate
Automatic Test Systems, Testing & Measurement
Instruments
  574,618
 
     

35,117,931

   
   

China – 5.1%

 
 

2,250,000

    CAR Inc (b)
Consolidator of Chinese Auto Rental Sector
  4,781,743
 
 

2,300,000

    China Everbright International
Municipal Waste Operator
  4,119,296
 
 

7,180,000

    Sihuan Pharmaceuticals (c)
Chinese Generic Drug Manufacturer
  3,243,045
 
 

65,000

    WuXi PharmaTech – ADR (b)
Contract Research Organization in China
  2,746,900
 
 

48,039

    BitAuto – ADR (b)
Automotive Information Website for Buyers & Dealers
  2,452,391
 
 

8,500,000

    Jiangnan Group
Cable & Wire Manufacturer
  2,442,243
 
 

2,814,000

    Chongqing Rural Commercial Bank
Rural Commercial Bank
  2,250,835
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

China – 5.1% (cont)

 
 

636,000

    Shanghai Industrial
Shanghai State Owned Enterprise
 

$

2,153,376
 
 

1,208,000

    TravelSky Technology
Chinese Air Travel Transaction Processor
  1,776,989
 
 

3,300,000

    AMVIG Holdings
Chinese Tobacco Packaging Material Supplier
  1,702,885
 
 

844,000

    Phoenix Healthcare Group
Private Hospital Management Group
  1,605,440
 
 

3,446,000

    NewOcean Energy
Southern China Liquefied Petroleum Gas Distributor
  1,599,490
 
 

1,370,000

    Sino Biopharmaceutical
Pharmaceutical Developer
  1,588,339
 
 

32,000

    51job – ADR (a) (b)
Integrated Human Resource Services
  1,063,680
 
     

33,526,652

   
   

Korea – 3.9%

 
 

18,071

    CJ Corp
Holding Company of Korean Consumer Conglomerate
  4,787,623
 
 

40,055

    KT&G
Tobacco & Ginseng Products
  3,407,790
 
 

12,500

    Nongshim
Instant Noodles, Snacks & Bottled Water
  3,250,666
 
 

245,695

    CJ Hellovision
Cable TV, Broadband & Mobile Virtual Network Operator
  2,818,939
 
 

95,855

    LF Corp
Apparel Design & Retail
  2,600,181
 
 

5,437

    KCC
Paint & Housing Material Manufacturer
  2,392,428
 
 

41,784

    LS Industrial Systems
Electrical & Automation Equipment
  1,709,421
 
 

63,234

    Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance
Property & Casualty Insurance
  1,670,349
 
 

103,500

    Cheil Worldwide (b)
Advertising
  1,602,231
 
 

42,115

    Grand Korea Leisure
'Foreigner Only' Casino Group in Korea
  1,174,214
 
 

3,643

    Koh Young Technology
Inspection Systems for Printed Circuit Boards
  134,080
 
     

25,547,922

   
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

India – 3.2%

 
 

1,150,794

    Zee Entertainment Enterprises
Indian Programmer of Pay Television Content
 

$

6,642,042
 
 

533,178

    Bharti Infratel
Communications Towers
  3,742,628
 
 

118,525

    Container Corporation of India
Railway Cargo Services
  3,117,419
 
 

512,888

    Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone
Indian West Coast Shipping Port
  2,475,392
 
 

76,280

    Colgate Palmolive India
Consumer Products in Oral Care
  2,441,281
 
 

158,970

    United Breweries
Indian Brewer
  2,327,596
 
 

43,941

    Amara Raja
Indian Maker of Auto & Industrial Batteries, Mostly
for the Replacement Market
  608,400
 
     

21,354,758

   
   

Singapore – 2.8%

 
 

950,000

    Singapore Exchange
Singapore Equity & Derivatives Market Operator
  5,518,691
 
 

4,500,000

    Mapletree Commercial Trust
Retail & Office Property Landlord
  4,893,652
 
 

707,000

    Petra Foods
Chocolate Manufacturer in Southeast Asia
  1,837,250
 
 

12,462,300

    SIIC Environment (b)
Waste Water Treatment Operator
  1,802,941
 
 

1,905,500

    China Everbright Water (b)
Waste Water Treatment Operator
  1,394,226
 
 

879,888

    Mapletree Industrial Trust
Industrial Property Landlord
  1,019,266
 
 

1,160,934

    Mapletree Logistics Trust
Industrial Property Landlord
  974,017
 
 

685,890

    CDL Hospitality Trust
Hotel Owner Operator
  830,086
 
     

18,270,129

   
   

Hong Kong – 2.1%

 
 

5,316,000

    Mapletree Greater China Commercial
Trust
Retail & Office Property Landlord
  4,024,301
 
 

900,000

    Samsonite International
Mass Market Luggage & Travel Accessories
  3,107,317
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Hong Kong – 2.1% (cont)

 
 

96,000

    Melco Crown Entertainment – ADR (a)
Macau Casino Operator
 

$

1,884,480
 
 

1,200,000

    Melco International
Macau Casino Operator
  1,694,196
 
 

942,000

    Vitasoy International
Hong Kong Soy Food Brand
  1,604,118
 
 

648,500

    Lifestyle International
Mid- to High-end Department Store Operator in
Hong Kong & China
  1,203,040
 
     

13,517,452

   
   

Indonesia – 1.5%

 
 

2,028,900

    Matahari Department Store
Department Store Chain in Indonesia
  2,514,614
 
 

2,580,000

    Tower Bersama Infrastructure
Communications Towers
  1,785,149
 
 

4,169,000

    Link Net (b)
Fixed Broadband & Cable TV Service Provider
  1,586,925
 
 

26,000,000

    Ace Indonesia
Home Improvement Retailer
  1,256,504
 
 

5,185,021

    Surya Citra Media
Free to Air TV Station in Indonesia
  1,115,887
 
 

18,253,400

    Arwana Citramulia
Ceramic Tiles for Home Decoration
  725,618
 
 

340,117

    Mayora Indah
Consumer Branded Food Manufacturer
  662,880
 
 

4,860,000

    MNC Sky Vision (b)
Satellite Pay TV Operator in Indonesia
  528,558
 
     

10,176,135

   
   

Philippines – 1.1%

 
 

2,967,000

    Puregold Price Club
Supermarket Operator in the Philippines
  2,433,426
 
 

493,000

    Universal Robina
Branded Consumer Food Manufacturer in the Philippines
  2,119,806
 
 

1,136,000

    Robinsons Retail Holdings
Multi-format Retailer in the Philippines
  1,875,697
 
 

7,468,300

    Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts (b)
Integrated Resort Operator in Manila
  847,661
 
     

7,276,590

   
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Thailand – 1.0%

 
 

366,900

    Airports of Thailand
Airport Operator of Thailand
 

$

3,284,116
 
 

9,669,944

    Home Product Center
Home Improvement Retailer
  1,929,066
 
 

1,264,400

    Robinson Department Store
Department Store Operator in Thailand
  1,672,770
 
     

6,885,952

   
   

Cambodia – 0.5%

 
 

4,600,000

    Nagacorp
Casino & Entertainment Complex in Cambodia
  3,386,603
 
   

Malaysia – 0.4%

 
 

3,493,000

    7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings
Exclusive 7-Eleven Franchisor for Malaysia
  1,481,262
 
 

1,590,000

    Astro Malaysia Holdings
Pay TV Operator in Malaysia
  1,297,545
 
     

2,778,807

   
       

Total Asia

   

319,745,143

   
   

Europe – 31.6%

 
   

United Kingdom – 11.3%

 
 

2,857,142

    Charles Taylor
Insurance Services
  9,876,425
 
 

105,487

    Spirax Sarco
Steam Systems for Manufacturing & Process Industries
  5,623,777
 
 

223,482

    WH Smith
Newsprint, Books & General Stationery Retailer
  5,365,512
 
 

86,000

    Rightmove
Internet Real Estate Listings
  4,428,128
 
 

3,800,000

    Cable and Wireless
Telecommunications Service Provider in the Caribbean
  3,976,519
 
 

169,852

    Aggreko
Temporary Power & Temperature Control Services
  3,840,402
 
 

402,000

    Halfords
UK Retailer of Leisure Goods & Auto Parts
  3,335,072
 
 

190,000

    Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group
International Business Insurance Broker
  3,116,731
 
 

739,000

    Regus
Rental of Office Space in Full Service Business Centers
  3,032,933
 
 

242,000

    Halma
Health & Safety Sensor Technology
  2,897,448
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

United Kingdom – 11.3% (cont)

 
 

80,669

    Fidessa Group
Software for Financial Trading Systems
 

$

2,883,589
 
 

396,510

    Ocado (b)
Online Grocery Retailer
  2,778,030
 
 

636,765

    Polypipe
Manufacturer of Plastic Piping & Fittings
  2,716,403
 
 

221,860

    Domino's Pizza UK & Ireland
Pizza Delivery in the UK, Ireland & Germany
  2,708,602
 
 

1,210,014

    Connect Group
Newspaper & Magazine Distributor
  2,695,000
 
 

2,958,000

    Assura
UK Primary Health Care Property Developer
  2,544,647
 
 

290,000

    Abcam
Online Sales of Antibodies
  2,360,332
 
 

76,450

    AVEVA
Engineering Software
  2,171,807
 
 

474,031

    Elementis
Specialty Chemicals
  1,911,211
 
 

110,000

    Babcock International
Public Sector Outsourcer
  1,866,645
 
 

262,952

    PureCircle (a) (b)
Natural Sweeteners
  1,673,311
 
 

120,000

    Shaftesbury
London Prime Retail REIT
  1,636,614
 
 

80,000

    Smith & Nephew
Medical Equipment & Supplies
  1,350,018
 
     

74,789,156

   
   

Sweden – 3.4%

 
 

142,417

    Hexagon
Design, Measurement & Visualization Software &
Equipment
  5,160,777
 
 

81,762

    Unibet
European Online Gaming Operator
  4,980,767
 
 

245,094

    Sweco (a)
Engineering Consultants
  3,215,254
 
 

98,000

    Modern Times Group (a)
Nordic TV Broadcaster
  2,629,143
 
 

81,106

    Swedish Match
Swedish Snus
  2,307,013
 
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
 

87,076

    Mekonomen
Nordic Integrated Wholesaler/Retailer of Automotive
Parts & Service
 

$

2,127,046
 
 

103,000

    Recipharm (a)
Contract Development Manufacturing Organization
  1,925,849
 
     

22,345,849

   
   

Germany – 3.2%

 
 

52,205

    MTU Aero Engines
Airplane Engine Components & Services
  4,910,395
 
 

115,940

    Wirecard (a)
Online Payment Processing & Risk Management
  4,439,932
 
 

10,049

    Rational
Commercial Ovens
  3,690,869
 
 

66,899

    NORMA Group
Clamps for Automotive & Industrial Applications
  3,381,935
 
 

66,899

    Aurelius
European Turnaround Investor
  2,859,859
 
 

74,647

    Elringklinger
Automobile Components
  2,006,855
 
     

21,289,845

   
   

Denmark – 2.5%

 
 

169,227

    SimCorp
Software for Investment Managers
  6,739,341
 
 

110,724

    Novozymes
Industrial Enzymes
  5,263,274
 
 

59,000

    William Demant Holding (b)
Manufacture & Distribution of Hearing Aids &
Diagnostic Equipment
  4,500,889
 
     

16,503,504

   
   

Netherlands – 2.4%

 
 

181,144

    Aalberts Industries
Flow Control & Heat Treatment
  5,379,903
 
 

60,905

    Vopak
Operator of Petroleum & Chemical Storage Terminals
  3,073,490
 
 

27,708

    Gemalto
Digital Security Solutions
  2,467,513
 
 

103,000

    Brunel
Temporary Specialist & Energy Staffing
  2,043,391
 
 

70,843

    Arcadis
Engineering Consultants
  1,948,419
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Netherlands – 2.4% (cont)

 
 

9,960

    Core Labs (a)
Oil & Gas Reservoir Consulting
 

$

1,135,838
 
     

16,048,554

   
   

Spain – 2.1%

 
 

868,718

    Distribuidora Internacional de
Alimentación
Discount Retailer in Spain & Latin America
  6,634,156
 
 

573,279

    Prosegur
Security Guards
  3,144,470
 
 

32,000

    Viscofan
Sausage Casings Maker
  1,935,379
 
 

45,000

    Bolsas y Mercados Españoles
Spanish Stock Markets
  1,820,103
 
     

13,534,108

   
   

France – 2.0%

 
 

110,602

    Neopost
Postage Meter Machines
  4,758,941
 
 

123,000

    Eutelsat
Fixed Satellite Services
  3,969,812
 
 

62,163

    Saft
Niche Battery Manufacturer
  2,425,584
 
 

7,000

    Eurofins Scientific
Food, Pharmaceuticals & Materials Screening & Testing
  2,131,258
 
     

13,285,595

   
   

Switzerland – 1.6%

 
 

18,384

    Partners Group
Private Markets Asset Management
  5,495,832
 
 

9,763

    Geberit
Plumbing Systems
  3,254,855
 
 

6,011

    INFICON
Gas Detection Instruments
  2,054,136
 
     

10,804,823

   
   

Finland – 1.2%

 
 

140,445

    Tikkurila
Decorative & Industrial Paint in Scandinavia,
Central & Eastern Europe
  2,791,733
 
 

91,921

    Konecranes
Manufacture & Service of Industrial Cranes &
Port Handling Equipment
  2,677,753
 
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
 

651,561

    Sponda
Office, Retail & Logistics Properties
 

$

2,404,359
 
     

7,873,845

   
   

Norway – 0.7%

 
 

295,609

    Orkla
Food & Brands, Aluminum, Chemicals Conglomerate
  2,326,279
 
 

219,301

    Atea
Nordic IT Hardware/Software Reseller & Integrator
  1,957,932
 
     

4,284,211

   
   

Kazakhstan – 0.6%

 
 

432,778

    Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan – GDR
Retail Bank & Insurer in Kazakhstan
  3,678,613
 
   

Italy – 0.4%

 
 

39,000

    Industria Macchine Automatiche
Food & Drugs Packaging & Machinery
  1,817,428
 
 

353,023

    Hera
Northern Italian Utility
  883,165
 
     

2,700,593

   
   

Belgium – 0.2%

 
 

40,001

    EVS Broadcast Equipment
Digital Live Mobile Production Software & Systems
  1,159,473
 
       

Total Europe

   

208,298,169

   
   

Other Countries – 13.8%

 
   

Canada – 4.5%

 
 

54,928

    CCL Industries
Global Label Converter
  6,737,366
 
 

77,000

    Vermilion Energy (a)
Canadian Exploration & Production Company
  3,325,981
 
 

268,267

    CAE
Flight Simulator Equipment & Training Centers
  3,193,859
 
 

89,849

    ShawCor
Oil & Gas Pipeline Products
  2,632,166
 
 

190,995

    Rona
Canadian Home Improvement Retailer
  2,321,300
 
 

41,250

    Onex Capital
Private Equity
  2,282,456
 
 

86,000

    PrairieSky Royalty
Canadian Owner of Oil & Gas Mineral Interests
  2,168,247
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Canada – 4.5% (cont)

 
 

62,000

    Keyera (a)
Integrated Supply of Hydrocarbon Processing,
Transport & Storage
 

$

2,069,976
 
 

116,310

    Baytex (a)
Oil & Gas Producer in Canada
  1,809,370
 
 

44,612

    Ag Growth
Manufacturer of Augers & Grain Handling Equipment
  1,672,682
 
 

221,245

    Boulder Energy (b)
Canadian Exploration & Production
  1,470,243
 
 

52,833

    Granite Oil
Canadian Oil & Gas Producer
  266,070
 
     

29,949,716

   
   

Australia – 3.2%

 
 

3,680,000

    Spotless
Facility Management & Catering Company
  5,923,721
 
 

181,870

    Domino's Pizza Enterprises
Domino's Pizza Operator in Australia & New Zealand
  4,994,364
 
 

360,000

    Amcor
Global Leader in Flexible & Rigid Packaging
  3,804,301
 
 

450,000

    Challenger Financial
Annuity Provider in Australia
  2,332,617
 
 

450,000

    IAG
General Insurance Provider
  1,934,719
 
 

340,000

    Estia Health (b)
Residential Aged Care Operator
  1,573,962
 
 

90,000

    Austbrokers
Local Australian Small Business Insurance Broker
  624,956
 
     

21,188,640

   
   

South Africa – 2.6%

 
 

1,150,421

    Coronation Fund Managers
South African Fund Manager
  7,792,717
 
 

1,425,860

    Rand Merchant Insurance
Directly Sold Property & Casualty Insurance;
Holdings in other Insurers
  4,977,501
 
 

729,169

    Northam Platinum (b)
Platinum Mining in South Africa
  2,412,982
 
 

11,714

    Naspers
Media in Africa, China, Russia & other Emerging Markets
  1,824,596
 
     

17,007,796

   
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

United States – 1.2%

 
 

30,000

    Cimarex Energy
Oil & Gas Producer in Texas, New Mexico & Oklahoma
 

$

3,309,300
 
 

82,000

    Bladex
Latin American Trade Financing House
  2,638,760
 
 

53,234

    Hornbeck Offshore (a) (b)
Supply Vessel Operator in Gulf of Mexico
  1,092,894
 
 

37,757

    Textainer Group Holdings (a)
Top International Container Leasor
  982,059
 
     

8,023,013

   
   

New Zealand – 1.0%

 
 

908,808

    Auckland International Airport
Auckland Airport Operator
  3,041,681
 
 

667,250

    Sky City Entertainment
Casino & Entertainment Complex
  1,898,460
 
 

352,549

    Ryman Healthcare
Retirement Village Operator
  1,892,141
 
     

6,832,282

   
   

Israel – 0.7%

 
 

66,562

    Caesarstone
Quartz Countertops
  4,562,159
 
   

Egypt – 0.6%

 
 

502,189

    Commercial International Bank of Egypt
Private Universal Bank in Egypt
  3,684,417
 
       

Total Other Countries

   

91,248,023

   
   

Latin America – 2.9%

 
   

Brazil – 1.0%

 
 

300,000

    Localiza Rent A Car
Car Rental
  2,969,991
 
 

570,570

    Odontoprev
Dental Insurance
  1,987,480
 
 

120,000

    Linx
Retail Management Software in Brazil
  1,858,416
 
     

6,815,887

   
   

Mexico – 0.8%

 
 

23,830

    Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste – ADR
Mexican Airport Operator
  3,380,762
 
 

1,121,000

    Qualitas (b)
Auto Insurer in Mexico & Central America
  1,855,079
 
     

5,235,841

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Colombia – 0.3%

 
 

2,046,229

    Isagen
Colombian Electricity Provider
 

$

2,183,511
 
   

Uruguay – 0.3%

 
 

230,870

    Union Agriculture Group (b) (c) (d)
Farmland Operator in Uruguay
  2,179,413
 
   

Guatemala – 0.3%

 
 

136,877

    Tahoe Resources
Silver & Gold Projects in Guatemala & Peru
  1,659,182
 
   

Chile – 0.2%

 
 

86,000

    Sociedad Quimica y Minera de
Chile – ADR
Producer of Specialty Fertilizers, Lithium & Iodine
  1,377,720
 
       

Total Latin America

   

19,451,554

   
Total Equities
(Cost: $507,756,753) – 96.7%
   

638,742,889

(e)

 

Short-Term Investments – 2.5%

     
 

16,386,757

    JPMorgan U.S. Government Money
Market Fund, IM Shares
(7 day yield of 0.01%)
   

16,386,757

   
Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost: $16,386,757) – 2.5%
   

16,386,757

   

Securities Lending Collateral – 2.7%

     
 

17,824,988

    Dreyfus Government Cash
Management Fund, Institutional Shares
(7 day yield of 0.01%) (f)
   

17,824,988

   
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $17,824,988) – 2.7%
   

17,824,988

   
Total Investments
(Cost: $541,968,498) (g) – 101.9%
   

672,954,634

   
Obligation to Return Collateral for
Securities Loaned – (2.7)%
   

(17,824,988

)

 

Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.8%

   

5,087,961

   

Net Assets – 100.0%

 

$

660,217,607

   

  ADR = American Depositary Receipts

  GDR = Global Depositary Receipts

  REIT = Real Estate Investment Trust

Notes to Statement of Investments

(a)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at June 30, 2015. The total market value of securities on loan at June 30, 2015 was $16,988,175.

(b)  Non-income producing security.

(c)  Illiquid security.

(d)  Denotes a restricted security, which is subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. This security is valued at fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Fund's Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2015, the market value of this security amounted to $2,179,413, which represented 0.33% of total net assets. Additional information on this security is as follows:


Security
  Acquisition
Dates
  Shares/
Units
 

Cost

 

Value

 

Union Agriculture Group

  12/8/10-
6/27/12
   

230,870

   

$

2,649,999

   

$

2,179,413

   

(e)  On June 30, 2015, the Fund's total equity investments were denominated in currencies as follows:

Currency

 

Value

  Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Japanese Yen

 

$

141,906,212

     

21.5

   

British Pound

   

74,789,156

     

11.3

   

Euro

   

74,756,174

     

11.3

   

Hong Kong Dollar

   

38,258,955

     

5.8

   

Taiwan Dollar

   

35,117,931

     

5.3

   
Other currencies less
than 5% of total net assets
   

273,914,461

     

41.5

   

Total Equities

 

$

638,742,889

     

96.7

   

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

(g)  At June 30, 2015, for federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments was approximately $541,968,498 and net unrealized appreciation was $130,986,136 consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $164,328,920 and gross unrealized depreciation of $33,342,784.

Fair Value Measurements

  Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

  Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

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

  Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management's own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)

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

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

  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 CWAM's Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

  The Committee is responsible for applying the Trust's Portfolio Pricing Policy and the CWAM pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board.

  The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the investment manager believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund's investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.

  For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund's securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.

The following table summarizes the inputs used, as of June 30, 2015, 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

 

$

8,147,451

   

$

308,354,647

   

$

3,243,045

   

$

319,745,143

   

Europe

   

1,135,838

     

207,162,331

     

     

208,298,169

   

Other Countries

   

42,534,888

     

48,713,135

     

     

91,248,023

   

Latin America

   

17,272,141

     

     

2,179,413

     

19,451,554

   

Total Equities

   

69,090,318

     

564,230,113

     

5,422,458

     

638,742,889

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

16,386,757

     

     

     

16,386,757

   
Total Securities
Lending Collateral
   

17,824,988

     

     

     

17,824,988

   

Total Investments

 

$

103,302,063

   

$

564,230,113

   

$

5,422,458

   

$

672,954,634

   

  The Fund's assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using a market approach, in which a security's value is determined through its correlation to prices and information from observable market transactions for similar or identical assets. Foreign equities are generally valued at the last sale price on the foreign exchange or market on which they trade. The Fund may use a statistical fair valuation model, in accordance with the policy adopted by the Board, provided by an independent third party to value securities principally traded in foreign markets in order to adjust for possible stale pricing that may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the time for valuation. These models take into account available market data including intraday index, ADR, and ETF movements.

  There were no transfers of financial assets between Levels 1 and 2 during the period.

  The Fund does not hold any significant investments (greater than one percent of net assets) categorized as Level 3.

  Financial assets were transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 as trading halted during the period. As a result, as of period end, the Committee determined to value the security(s) under consistently applied procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board.

The following table shows transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:

Transfers In

 

Transfers Out

 
Level 2  

Level 3

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 
$

   

$

4,496,473

   

$

4,496,473

   

$

   

  Transfers in and/or out of Level 3 are determined based on the fair value at the beginning of the period for security positions held throughout the period.

  Certain securities classified as Level 3 are valued by the Committee using a market approach, as determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board. To determine fair value for these securities, for which no market exists, the Committee utilizes the valuation technique it deems most appropriate in the circumstances, using some unobservable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to estimated earnings of the company and the position of the security within the company's capital structure. The Committee also may use some observable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to, trades of similar securities and market multiples derived from a set of comparable companies. Significant increases or decreases to any of these inputs could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
14



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International

Portfolio Diversification (Unaudited) June 30, 2015

At June 30, 2015, the Fund's portfolio investments as a percentage of net assets were diversified as follows:

   

Value

  Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Industrial Goods & Services

 

Machinery

 

$

41,575,350

     

6.3

   

Industrial Materials & Specialty Chemicals

   

37,898,372

     

5.7

   

Other Industrial Services

   

33,766,462

     

5.1

   

Electrical Components

   

19,061,895

     

2.9

   

Conglomerates

   

17,507,040

     

2.7

   

Outsourcing Services

   

16,011,160

     

2.4

   

Construction

   

5,971,259

     

0.9

   

Waste Management

   

4,119,296

     

0.6

   

Water

   

3,197,167

     

0.5

   

Industrial Distribution

   

1,316,931

     

0.2

   
     

180,424,932

     

27.3

   

Consumer Goods & Services

 

Retail

   

50,928,984

     

7.7

   

Food & Beverage

   

23,389,657

     

3.5

   

Casinos & Gaming

   

15,866,379

     

2.4

   

Nondurables

   

12,007,298

     

1.8

   

Consumer Goods Distribution

   

9,378,244

     

1.4

   

Other Durable Goods

   

8,224,019

     

1.2

   

Travel

   

7,751,734

     

1.2

   

Restaurants

   

7,702,966

     

1.2

   

Furniture & Textiles

   

4,562,160

     

0.7

   

Leisure Products

   

3,107,317

     

0.5

   

Apparel

   

2,600,181

     

0.4

   

Consumer Electronics

   

2,591,606

     

0.4

   

Educational Services

   

2,073,240

     

0.3

   

Other Consumer Services

   

1,203,041

     

0.2

   
     

151,386,826

     

22.9

   

Information

 

Business Software

   

23,105,385

     

3.5

   

Computer Hardware & Related Equipment

   

11,410,922

     

1.7

   

Mobile Communications

   

10,304,625

     

1.5

   

Semiconductors & Related Equipment

   

10,060,039

     

1.5

   

Financial Processors

   

9,958,623

     

1.5

   

Internet Related

   

9,768,795

     

1.5

   

Entertainment Programming

   

6,642,042

     

1.0

   

Satellite Broadcasting & Services

   

5,795,915

     

0.9

   

Instrumentation

   

5,649,604

     

0.8

   

Advertising

   

4,804,129

     

0.7

   

Computer Services

   

4,450,731

     

0.7

   

Cable TV

   

4,405,864

     

0.7

   

Telephone & Data Services

   

3,976,519

     

0.6

   

Telecommunications Equipment

   

3,766,977

     

0.6

   

TV Broadcasting

   

3,745,030

     

0.6

   

Business Information & Marketing Services

   

2,567,895

     

0.4

   
     

120,413,095

     

18.2

   
   

Value

  Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Finance

 

Insurance

 

$

28,375,857

     

4.3

   

Banks

   

21,048,242

     

3.2

   

Brokerage & Money Management

   

13,288,549

     

2.0

   

Finance Companies

   

3,264,515

     

0.5

   

Financial Processors

   

1,820,103

     

0.3

   
     

67,797,266

     

10.3

   

Other Industries

 

Real Estate

   

33,034,433

     

5.0

   

Transportation

   

15,327,554

     

2.3

   

Regulated Utilities

   

3,066,677

     

0.5

   
     

51,428,664

     

7.8

   

Health Care

 

Pharmaceuticals

   

14,691,332

     

2.2

   

Medical Equipment & Devices

   

8,349,195

     

1.3

   

Medical Supplies

   

6,971,945

     

1.1

   

Health Care Services

   

3,466,104

     

0.5

   

Hospital Management

   

1,605,440

     

0.2

   
     

35,084,016

     

5.3

   

Energy & Minerals

 

Oil & Gas Producers

   

12,349,211

     

1.9

   

Oil Refining, Marketing & Distribution

   

6,742,955

     

1.0

   

Mining

   

5,208,002

     

0.8

   

Oil Services

   

3,725,060

     

0.6

   

Agricultural Commodities

   

2,179,413

     

0.3

   

Non-Ferrous Metals

   

2,003,449

     

0.3

   
     

32,208,090

     

4.9

   

Total Equities

   

638,742,889

     

96.7

   

Short-Term Investments

   

16,386,757

     

2.5

   

Securities Lending Collateral

   

17,824,988

     

2.7

   

Total Investments

   

672,954,634

     

101.9

   
Obligation to Return Collateral
for Securities Loaned
   

(17,824,988

)

   

(2.7

)

 
Cash and Other Assets
Less Liabilities
   

5,087,961

     

0.8

   

Net Assets

 

$

660,217,607

     

100.0

%

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
15




Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Assets:

 

Investments, at cost

 

$

541,968,498

   
Investments, at value (including securities on
loan of $16,988,175)
 

$

672,954,634

   

Cash

   

2,203

   

Foreign currency (cost of $812,494)

   

813,525

   

Receivable for:

 

Investments sold

   

6,154,719

   

Fund shares sold

   

147,981

   

Securities lending income

   

14,081

   

Dividends

   

972,736

   

Foreign tax reclaims

   

552,345

   

Trustees' deferred compensation plan

   

161,236

   

Prepaid expenses

   

40,186

   

Total Assets

   

681,813,646

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on securities loaned

   

17,824,988

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

2,543,335

   

Fund shares redeemed

   

877,387

   

Investment advisory fee

   

16,561

   

Administration fee

   

902

   

Transfer agent fee

   

1

   

Trustees' fees

   

1,903

   

Custody fee

   

80,295

   

Reports to shareholders

   

84,164

   

Chief compliance officer expenses

   

449

   

Trustees' deferred compensation plan

   

161,236

   

Other liabilities

   

4,818

   

Total Liabilities

   

21,596,039

   

Net Assets

 

$

660,217,607

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

490,547,247

   

Overdistributed net investment income

   

(5,017,943

)

 

Accumulated net realized gain

   

43,747,042

   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

130,986,136

   

Foreign currency translations

   

(44,875

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

660,217,607

   

Fund Shares Outstanding

   

23,701,498

   
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
 

$

27.86

   

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Investment Income:

 

Dividends (net foreign taxes withheld of $943,656)

 

$

8,409,479

   

Interest

   

113,225

   

Income from securities lending—net

   

96,848

   

Total Investment Income

   

8,619,552

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fee

   

3,079,963

   

Transfer agent fees

   

220

   

Administration fee

   

168,478

   

Trustees' fees

   

26,262

   

Custody fees

   

105,057

   

Reports to shareholders

   

138,353

   

Audit fees

   

26,076

   

Legal fees

   

60,619

   

Chief compliance officer expenses

   

12,048

   

Commitment fee for line of credit (Note 5)

   

5,148

   

Other expenses

   

26,007

   

Total Expenses

   

3,648,231

   

Net Expenses

   

3,648,231

   

Net Investment Income

   

4,971,321

   
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments:
 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

45,836,596

   

Foreign currency translations

   

(188,775

)

 

Net realized gain

   

45,647,821

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

(16,572,779

)

 

Foreign currency translations

   

21,183

   

Net change in unrealized depreciation

   

(16,551,596

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

29,096,225

   

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

$

34,067,546

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
16



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

  (Unaudited)
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2015
  Year Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Operations:

 

Net investment income

 

$

4,971,321

   

$

8,213,120

   

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

45,836,596

     

63,453,238

   

Foreign currency translations

   

(188,775

)

   

(389,212

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

(16,572,779

)

   

(101,516,032

)

 

Foreign currency translations

   

21,183

     

(90,874

)

 

Options

   

     

(269,054

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

   

34,067,546

     

(30,598,814

)

 

Distributions to Shareholders From:

 

Net investment income

   

(4,757,445

)

   

(10,651,101

)

 

Net realized gains

   

(56,072,696

)

   

(82,758,323

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(60,830,141

)

   

(93,409,424

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Subscriptions

   

7,598,760

     

23,205,601

   

Distributions reinvested

   

60,830,141

     

93,409,424

   

Redemptions

   

(48,471,586

)

   

(110,560,733

)

 

Net Increase from Share Transactions

   

19,957,315

     

6,054,292

   

Total Decrease in Net Assets

   

(6,805,280

)

   

(117,953,946

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

667,022,887

     

784,976,833

   

End of period

 

$

660,217,607

   

$

667,022,887

   

Overdistributed Net Investment Income

 

$

(5,017,943

)

 

$

(5,231,819

)

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
17




Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Financial Highlights

The following table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of the expenses that apply to the variable accounts or contract charges, if any. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

    (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

29.07

   

$

34.55

   

$

31.19

   

$

28.79

   

$

36.16

   

$

29.68

   

Income from Investment Operations:

 

Net investment income

   

0.22

     

0.36

     

0.39

     

0.46

     

0.42

     

0.35

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

1.36

     

(1.56

)

   

6.18

     

5.27

     

(5.31

)

   

6.93

   

Reimbursement from affiliate

   

     

     

     

     

0.00

(a)

   

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

1.58

     

(1.20

)

   

6.57

     

5.73

     

(4.89

)

   

7.28

   

Less Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.48

)

   

(0.88

)

   

(0.38

)

   

(1.64

)

   

(0.80

)

 

Net realized gains

   

(2.57

)

   

(3.80

)

   

(2.33

)

   

(2.95

)

   

(0.84

)

   

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(2.79

)

   

(4.28

)

   

(3.21

)

   

(3.33

)

   

(2.48

)

   

(0.80

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

27.86

   

$

29.07

   

$

34.55

   

$

31.19

   

$

28.79

   

$

36.16

   

Total Return

   

5.16

%

   

(4.40

)%

   

22.37

%

   

21.56

%(b)

   

(14.62

)%(b)

   

24.92

%(b)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

 

Total gross expenses (c)

   

1.08

%(d)

   

1.05

%

   

1.07

%

   

1.08

%

   

1.06

%

   

1.07

%

 

Total net expenses (c)

   

1.08

%(d)

   

1.05

%

   

1.07

%

   

1.05

%(e)

   

1.00

%(e)

   

1.04

%(e)

 

Net investment income

   

1.48

%(d)

   

1.10

%

   

1.19

%

   

1.51

%

   

1.25

%

   

1.12

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

   

23

%

   

28

%

   

44

%

   

34

%

   

36

%

   

32

%

 

Net assets, end of period (000s)

 

$

660,218

   

$

667,023

   

$

784,977

   

$

702,667

   

$

682,217

   

$

925,761

   

Notes to Financial Highlights

(a)  Rounds to zero.

(b)  Had the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates not waived a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.

(c)  In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.

(d)  Annualized.

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

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
18




Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.  Nature of Operations

Wanger International (the Fund), a series of Wanger Advisors Trust (the Trust), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as 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 participating variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and may also be offered directly to certain qualified pension and retirement plans.

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which 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 income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies 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 (the Board). 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. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are valued at their closing net asset value as reported on the applicable exchange. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued at the mean of the latest bid and ask quotations.

Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

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.

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.

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.

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 may receive distributions from holdings in equity securities, ETFs, other regulated investment companies (RICs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which report information on the tax character of their distributions annually. These distributions are allocated to dividend income, capital gain and return of capital based on actual information reported. Return of capital is recorded as a reduction of the cost basis of securities held. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities, return of capital is recorded as a realized gain. With respect to REITs, to the extent actual information has not yet been reported, estimates for return of capital may be made by the Fund's management. Management's estimates are subsequently adjusted when the actual character of the distributions is disclosed by the REITs, which could result in a proportionate change in return of capital to shareholders.

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.

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.

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 the economic equivalent 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 exceeded 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. The income earned from the securities lending program is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, the Fund's lending agent, and borrower rebates. The Fund's investment manager, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (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 by the Fund as of June 30, 2015, is included in the Statement of Operations.


19



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

Offsetting of Financial Assets

The following table presents the Fund's gross and net amount of assets available for offset under a securities lending agreement as well as the related collateral received by the Fund as of June 30, 2015:

    Goldman
Sachs & Co. ($)
 

Liabilities

 

Securities loaned

   

17,824,988

   

Total Liabilities

   

17,824,988

   

Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets

   

(17,824,988

)

 

Financial Instruments

   

16,988,175

   

Net Amount (a)

   

(836,813

)

 

(a) Represents the net amount due from/(to) counterparties in the event of default.

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 substantially 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.

Foreign capital gains taxes

Gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction. The amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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 remote.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures
In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. ASU No. 2014-11 changes the accounting for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings and expands disclosure requirements related to securities lending and similar transactions. The disclosure requirements are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of this guidance and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and footnote disclosures, if any.

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.

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 in the Fund 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 Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management), which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's business affairs.

CWAM receives a monthly advisory fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets at the following annual rates:

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 six months ended June 30, 2015, the annualized effective investment advisory fee rate was 0.91% of the Fund's 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 six months ended June 30, 2015, the annualized effective administration fee rate was 0.05% of the Fund's average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management responsibility to provide certain sub-administrative services to the Fund.

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (CMID), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, serves as the Fund's distributor and principal underwriter.

Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (CMIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is the transfer agent to the Fund. For its services, the Fund pays CMIS a monthly fee at the annual rate of $21.00 per open account. CMIS also receives reimbursement from the Fund for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

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 has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer of 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.


20



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

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 in accordance with the plan.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund engaged in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment manager (or affiliated investment managers), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. Those purchase and sale transactions complied with provisions of Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and were $441,560 and $470,370, respectively.

5.  Borrowing Arrangements

During the period January 1, 2015 through April 29, 2015, the Trust participated in a credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., along with Columbia Acorn Trust, another trust managed by CWAM, in the amount of $150 million. Effective April 30, 2015, the Trust entered into a revolving credit facility in the amount of $400 million with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Under each facility, interest is charged to each participating Fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.00%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.08% 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 disclosed as a part of "Other expenses" in the Statements of Operations. The Trust expects to renew this line of credit for one year durations each April at then current market rates and terms.

No amounts were borrowed for the benefit of the Fund under the line of credit during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

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:

    (Unaudited)
Six months ended
June 30, 2015
  Year ended
December 31, 2014
 

Shares sold

   

251,598

     

720,170

   
Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividend distributions
   

2,123,216

     

2,952,780

   

Less shares redeemed

   

(1,615,672

)

   

(3,448,109

)

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

   

759,142

     

224,841

   

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2015, were $147,245,650 and $166,852,741, respectively. The amount of purchase and sales activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.

8.  Shareholder Concentration

At June 30, 2015, two unaffiliated shareholder accounts owned an aggregate of 29.1% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund has no knowledge about whether any portion of those shares was owned beneficially by such accounts. Affiliated shareholder accounts owned 60.6% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Subscription and redemption activity by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Fund.

9.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

10.  Information Regarding Pending and Settled Legal Proceedings

Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased fund redemptions, reduced sale of fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.


21



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

Wanger Advisors Trust (the "Trust") has an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC ("CWAM") under which CWAM manages Wanger International (the "Fund"). More than 75% of the trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") are persons who have no direct or indirect interest in the Advisory Agreement and are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Trust (the "Independent Trustees"). The Trustees oversee the management of the Fund and, as required by law, determine at least annually whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

The Contract Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Trustees (the "Board"), which is comprised solely of Independent Trustees, makes recommendations to the Board regarding any proposed continuation of the Advisory Agreement. After the Committee has made its recommendations, the full Board determines whether to approve continuation of the Advisory Agreement. The Board also considers matters bearing on the Advisory Agreement at its various meetings throughout the year, meets at least quarterly with CWAM's portfolio managers (as does the Board's Investment Performance Analysis Committee), and receives monthly reports from CWAM on the performance of the Fund.

In connection with their most recent consideration of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Committee and all Trustees received and reviewed a substantial amount of information provided by CWAM, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC ("Columbia Management") and Ameriprise Financial, Inc. ("Ameriprise") in response to written requests from the Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the Management Fee Evaluation dated June 2015 (the "Fee Evaluation") prepared by the Trust's chief compliance officer, senior vice president and general counsel, at the request of the Board. Throughout the process, the Trustees had numerous opportunities to ask questions of and request additional materials from CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise.

During each meeting at which the Committee or the Independent Trustees considered the Advisory Agreement, they met in executive session with their independent legal counsel. The Committee also met with representatives of CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise on several occasions. In all, the Committee convened formally on six separate occasions to consider the continuation of the Advisory Agreement. The Board and/or some or all of the Independent Trustees met on other occasions to receive the Committee's status reports, receive presentations from CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise representatives, and to discuss outstanding issues. In addition, the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board, also comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees, reviewed the performance of the Fund, met in a joint meeting with the Contract Committee, and presented its findings to the Board and the Committee throughout the year. The Compliance Committee of the Board also provided information to the Committee with respect to relevant matters.

The materials reviewed by the Committee and the Trustees included, among other items, (i) information on the investment performance of the Fund and of independently selected peer groups of funds and of the Fund's performance benchmark over various time periods, (ii) information on the Fund's advisory fees and other expenses, including information comparing the Fund's fees and expenses to those of peer groups of funds and information about any applicable expense limitations and fee breakpoints, (iii) data on sales and redemptions of Fund shares, and (iv) information on the profitability to CWAM and Ameriprise, as well as potential "fall-out" or ancillary benefits that CWAM and its affiliates may receive as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Trustees also considered other information such as (i) CWAM's financial condition, (ii) the Fund's investment objective and strategy, (iii) the size, education and experience of CWAM's investment staff and its use of technology, external research and trading cost measurement tools, (iv) the portfolio manager compensation framework, (v) the allocation of the Fund's brokerage, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research products and services, (vi) CWAM's risk management program, and (vii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the Fund's investment policies and restrictions, policies on personal securities transactions and other compliance policies.

At a meeting held on June 2, 2015 ("Contract Meeting"), the Board considered and unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement. In considering the continuation of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees reviewed and analyzed various factors that they determined were relevant, none of which by itself was considered dispositive. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees' determination to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Nature, quality and extent of services. The Trustees reviewed the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by CWAM and its affiliates to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement, taking into account the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, its shareholder base, and knowledge gained from meetings with management, which were held on at least a quarterly basis. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the available resources and key personnel of CWAM and its affiliates, especially those providing investment management services to the Fund. The Trustees also considered other services provided to the Fund by CWAM and its affiliates, including: managing the execution of portfolio transactions and selecting broker-dealers for those transactions; monitoring adherence to the Fund's investment restrictions; producing shareholder reports; providing support services for the Board and committees of the Board; managing the Fund's securities lending program; communicating with shareholders; serving as the Fund's administrator; and overseeing the activities of the Fund's other service providers, including monitoring for compliance with various policies and procedures as well as applicable securities laws and regulations.

The Trustees concluded that the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by CWAM and its affiliates to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement were appropriate for the Fund and that the Fund was likely to benefit from the continued provision of those services by CWAM. They also concluded that CWAM currently had sufficient personnel, with appropriate education and experience, to serve the Fund effectively, and that the firm had demonstrated its continuing ability to attract and retain well-qualified personnel. The Trustees also considered that Ameriprise had committed to the Board that CWAM would have sufficient resources to improve performance, including but not limited to resources to hire additional analysts and other investment and operational personnel. Based on these assurances, the Trustees believed that CWAM would have sufficient resources to attract new personnel to help improve performance. In addition, they considered the quality of CWAM's compliance record.

Performance of the Fund. The Trustees received and considered detailed performance information at various meetings of the Board, the Committee and the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board throughout the year. They reviewed information comparing the Fund's performance with that of its benchmark(s) and with the performance of comparable funds and peer groups as identified by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and Morningstar, Inc. ("Morningstar"). The Trustees evaluated the performance of the Fund over various time periods, including over the one-, three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014. The Trustees also considered peer performance rankings for similar time periods, although they generally focused more on the three-year period.

The Trustees noted that the Fund had outperformed its benchmark over the past three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014, and had done so while exposing investors to less risk than competing funds, according to Morningstar, but had underperformed against its peers over the one-, three- and five-year periods. The Trustees noted that the Fund's decline in recent performance was being monitored closely by the Board and the Investment Performance Analysis Committee and that CWAM had provided the Committee with a performance remediation plan designed to enhance performance.

The Trustees concluded that CWAM had taken and continued to take a number of corrective steps to improve performance of the Fund, that CWAM had reported that these steps were being successfully implemented although still in process; and that the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board was monitoring the Fund's performance closely. In addition the Trustees considered that the current and former Chief Investment Officer (the "CIO") of CWAM had reported to them at numerous Committee and Board meetings on the corrective steps being taken to


22



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

improve performance, and Committee representatives met separately with the CIO on multiple occasions to discuss the Fund.

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by CWAM. At various Committee and Board meetings, the Trustees examined detailed information on the fees and expenses of the Fund in comparison to information for comparable funds provided by Lipper and Morningstar. The Trustees noted that the Fund's net expenses and actual advisory fees were higher than the Lipper peer group, but lower than the Morningstar peer group.

The Trustees also reviewed the advisory fee rates charged by CWAM for managing other investment companies, sub-advised funds and other institutional separate accounts, as detailed in materials provided to the Committee by CWAM and in the Fee Evaluation. The Trustees noted that the Fund's advisory fees were generally comparable to the Columbia Acorn International Fund's advisory fees at the same asset levels. The Trustees also examined CWAM's institutional separate account fees for parallel investment strategies and determined that institutional account advisory fees tended to be lower than or equal to the Fund. The Trustees noted that CWAM performs significant additional services for the Fund that it does not provide to sub-advised funds or non-mutual fund clients, including administrative services, oversight of the Fund's other service providers, Trustee support, regulatory compliance and numerous other services, and that, in servicing the Fund, CWAM assumes many legal and business risks that it does not assume in servicing many of its non-fund clients.

The Trustees reviewed the analysis of the historic profitability of CWAM in serving as the Fund's investment adviser and of CWAM and its affiliates in their relationships with the Fund. The Committee and Trustees met with representatives from Ameriprise to discuss its methodologies for calculating profitability and allocating costs. They considered that Ameriprise calculated profitability and allocated costs on a contract-by-contract and Fund-by-Fund basis. The Trustees also considered the methodology used by CWAM and Ameriprise in determining compensation payable to portfolio managers and the competitive market for investment management talent. The Trustees were also provided with profitability information from Lipper, which compared CWAM's profitability to other similar investment advisers in the mutual fund industry. The Trustees discussed, however, that profitability comparisons among fund managers may not always be meaningful due to the lack of consistency in data, small number of publicly-owned managers, and the fact that profitability of any investment manager is affected by numerous factors, including its particular organizational structure, the types of funds and other accounts managed, other lines of business, expense allocation methodology, capital structure and other factors. The Trustees evaluated CWAM's profitability in light of the additional resources to be provided to it by Ameriprise to assist in improving performance.

Economies of Scale. At various Committee and Board meetings and other informal meetings, the Trustees considered information about the extent to which CWAM realizes economies of scale in connection with an increase in Fund assets. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints in the rate of fees at various asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the fee structure of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund reflected a sharing of economies of scale between CWAM and the Fund.

Other Benefits to CWAM. The Trustees also reviewed benefits that accrue to CWAM and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, based upon information provided to them by Ameriprise and as outlined in the Fee Evaluation. They noted that the Fund's transfer agency services are performed by Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., an affiliate of Ameriprise, which receives compensation from the Fund for its services provided. They considered that an affiliate of Ameriprise, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. ("CMID"), serves as the Fund's distributor under an underwriting agreement but receives no fees for its services to the Fund. In addition, Columbia Management provides sub-administration services to the Fund. The Committee received information regarding the profitability of the Fund agreement with CWAM affiliates. The Committee and the Board also reviewed information about and discussed the capabilities of each affiliated entity in performing its duties.

The Trustees considered other ways that the Fund and CWAM may potentially benefit from their relationship with each other. For example, the Trustees considered

CWAM's use of commissions paid by the Fund on its portfolio brokerage transactions to obtain research products and services benefiting the Fund and/or other clients of CWAM. The Compliance Committee of the Board reviewed CWAM's annual "soft dollar" report during the year and met with representatives from CWAM to review CWAM's soft dollar spending. The Trustees also considered that the Compliance Committee regularly reviewed third-party prepared reports that evaluated the quality of CWAM's execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions. The Trustees noted that these reports showed that CWAM's execution capabilities were generally better than industry peers. The Trustees determined that CWAM's use of the Fund's "soft" commission dollars to obtain research products and services was consistent with current regulatory requirements and guidance. They also concluded that CWAM benefits from the receipt of proprietary research products and services acquired through commissions paid on portfolio transactions of the Fund, and that the Fund benefitted from CWAM's receipt of those products and services as well as research products and services acquired through commissions paid by other clients of CWAM.

After full consideration of the above factors, as well as other factors that were instructive in evaluating the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees by separate vote, concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable and that the continuation of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interest of the Fund. At the Contract Meeting, the Trustees approved continuation of the Advisory Agreement through July 31, 2016.


23




Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Proxy Voting Results

Results of Special Meeting of Shareholders
(UNAUDITED)

A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Wanger Advisors Trust (the Trust), was held on February 27, 2015 to ask shareholders to vote in favor of the election of nine nominated trustees to the Board. A proxy statement that described the proposals was mailed to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2014.

Proposal: Each of the trustee nominees was elected to the Board as follows:

Trustee

 

For

 

Against/Withhold

  Abstain/Broker
Non-Votes
 

Laura M. Born

   

38,573,110.511

     

1,474,696.806

     

0

   

Maureen M. Culhane

   

38,532,107.983

     

1,515,699.334

     

0

   

Margaret M. Eisen

   

38,602,975.936

     

1,444,831.381

     

0

   

Thomas M. Goldstein

   

38,638,023.815

     

1,409,783.502

     

0

   

John C. Heaton

   

38,662,930.626

     

1,384,876.691

     

0

   

Steven N. Kaplan

   

38,557,270.785

     

1,490,536.532

     

0

   

Charles R. Phillips

   

38,564,485.454

     

1,483,321.863

     

0

   

David J. Rudis

   

38,588,800.594

     

1,459,006.723

     

0

   

P. Zachary Egan

   

38,642,128.122

     

1,405,679.195

     

0

   


24



Wanger International 2015 Semiannual Report

Columbia Wanger Funds

Trustees

Laura M. Born, Chair of the Board
Steven N. Kaplan,
Vice Chair of the Board
Maureen M. Culhane
P. Zachary Egan
Margaret M. Eisen
Thomas M. Goldstein
John C. Heaton
Charles R. Phillips
David J. Rudis
Ralph Wanger (Trustee Emeritus)

Officers

P. Zachary Egan
President

Alan G. Berkshire
Vice President

Robert A. Chalupnik
Vice President

Michael G. Clarke
Assistant Treasurer

Joseph F. DiMaria
Assistant Treasurer

William J. Doyle
Vice President

David L. Frank
Vice President

Paul B. Goucher
Assistant Secretary

Fritz Kaegi
Vice President

John M. Kunka
Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Stephen Kusmierczak
Vice President

Joseph C. LaPalm
Vice President

Ryan C. Larrenaga
Assistant Secretary

Satoshi Matsunaga
Vice President

Charles P. McQuaid
Vice President

Louis J. Mendes
Vice President

Robert A. Mohn
Vice President

Christopher J. Olson
Vice President

Robert P. Scales
Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Matthew S. Szafranski
Vice President

Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg
Vice President

Linda K. Roth-Wiszowaty
Secretary

Investment Manager

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

Transfer Agent,
Dividend Disbursing Agent

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

Distributor

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts
02110

Legal Counsel to the Funds

Perkins Coie 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 document contains Global Industry Classification Standard data. The Global Industry Classification Standard ("GICS") was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. ("MSCI") and Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") and is licensed for use by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC ("CWAM"). Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

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

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 our website, columbiathreadneedle.com/us, (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, and (iii) 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.columbiathreadneedle.com/us approximately 30 to 40 days after each month-end.




COLUMBIA WANGER FUNDS

© 2015 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. All rights reserved.  C-1460 F (8/15) 1274623




SEMIANNUAL REPORT

June 30, 2015

COLUMBIA WANGER FUNDS

Managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC

WANGER INTERNATIONAL SELECT



Wanger International Select

2015 Semiannual Report

    Table of Contents

 

1

   

Understanding Your Expenses

 
 

2

   

Battery Technology and its Implications

 
  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

   

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

 
  20    

Results of Special Meeting of Shareholders

 

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM) is one of the leading global small- and mid-cap equity managers in the United States with over 40 years of small- and mid-cap investment experience. As of June 30, 2015, CWAM managed $27 billion in assets. CWAM is the investment manager to Wanger USA, Wanger International, Wanger Select and Wanger International Select (together, the Columbia Wanger Funds) and the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds.

An important note: Columbia Wanger Funds are available only through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by participating insurance companies or certain eligible retirement plans. Columbia Wanger Funds are not offered directly to the public and are not available in all contracts, policies or plans. Contact your financial advisor or insurance representative for more information. Columbia Wanger Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and are managed by CWAM.

Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks and expenses of the Fund before investing. For variable fund and variable contract prospectuses, which contain this and other important information, including the fees and expenses imposed under your contract, investors should contact their financial advisor or insurance representative. Read the prospectuses for the Fund and your variable contract carefully before investing.

The views expressed in "Battery Technology and its Implications" 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.

A Comment on Trading Volumes

Market conditions are always changing and vary by country and industry sector, and investing in international markets involves unique risks. In the wake of the 2007-2009 financial crisis, trading volumes in both emerging and developed international markets declined significantly and have stayed at generally reduced levels since then. Although it is difficult to accurately assess trends in trading volumes in foreign markets, because some amount of activity has migrated to alternative trading venues, a reduction in trading volumes poses challenges to the Fund. This is particularly so because the Fund focuses on small- and mid-cap companies that usually have lower trading volumes and often takes sizeable positions in portfolio companies. As a result of lower trading volumes, it may take longer to buy or sell securities, which can exacerbate the Fund's exposure to volatile markets. The Fund may also be limited in its ability to execute favorable trades in portfolio securities in response to changes in company prices and fundamentals. If the Fund is forced to sell securities to meet redemption requests or other cash needs, or in the case of an event affecting liquidity in a particular market or markets, it may be forced to dispose of those securities under disadvantageous circumstances and at a loss. As the Fund grows in size, these considerations take on increasing significance and may adversely impact performance.




Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Understanding Your Expenses

As a shareholder, you incur three types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include management fees and other expenses for Wanger International Select (the Fund). Lastly, there may be additional fees or charges imposed by the insurance company that sponsors your variable annuity and/or variable life insurance product. The following information is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you 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 actual and hypothetical information in the table below is based on an initial investment of $1,000 at the beginning of the period indicated and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different information. The amount listed in the "Actual" column is calculated using the Fund's actual operating expenses and total return for the period. You may use the Actual information, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the results by the expenses paid during the period under the Actual column. The amount listed in the "Hypothetical" column assumes a 5% annual rate of return before expenses (which is not the Fund's actual return) 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" below for details on how to use the hypothetical data.

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 hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports 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 only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical calculations are useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included in these calculations, your costs would be higher.

January 1, 2015 – June 30, 2015

  Account value at the
beginning of the period ($)
  Account value at the
end of the period ($)
  Expenses paid during
period ($)
  Fund's annualized
expense ratio (%)*
 

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

     

Wanger International Select

   

1,000.00

     

1,000.00

     

1,038.40

     

1,017.60

     

7.33

     

7.25

     

1.45

   

*  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.

Had the investment manager and/or certain of its affiliates not waived/reimbursed certain fees and expenses, account value at the end of the period would have been reduced. See Note 4 to the Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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.


1



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Battery Technology and its Implications

Battery History

Alessandro Volta was a professor of physics at the University of Pavia in Italy at a time of great debate about electricity. He was also a skilled maker of scientific instruments, including machines that could generate an electrostatic charge. After reading a paper noting a torpedo fish could create electric shocks, and proposing that the process creating the charge could be imitated, Volta created the undisputed first battery.1 As described in a paper he wrote in March 1800, the battery consisted of a column of zinc and copper discs separated by brine-soaked cardboard.2

Within months, others were making variations of Volta's battery and improved versions were developed. The batteries were largely used in laboratory equipment, often to enable electrolysis, which resulted in scientific discoveries such as the separation of water into oxygen and hydrogen, as well as discoveries of other elements including sodium and magnesium.3 For several decades, electroplating of metal appears to have been the primary commercial use of batteries.4

All batteries have anode and cathode electrodes as well as an acid or alkaline electrolyte, which facilitates movement of electricity between the electrodes. Components in existing batteries have been refined over time and often later replaced by new materials. In 1839, Sir William Robert Grove, a Welsh judge and physical scientist, made a version utilizing zinc in sulfuric acid and platinum in nitric acid, which produced a then-powerful charge of 1.8 volts but emitted poisonous nitric oxide gas. In the 1850s, German chemist Robert Bunsen created a much cheaper version of Grove's battery by substituting carbon for platinum.5

Telegraphs were developed in the 1830s and 1840s, and became widespread after inventor Samuel Morse's 1844 Washington, D.C. to Baltimore link. That initial line used huge Grove batteries at both ends plus 150-pound Grove batteries at relay points in between. Within 30 years there were 650,000 land miles of telegraph cable6 and, since telegraphs then needed battery powered relays every few miles to boost their signals, commercial demand for batteries boomed. Telegraph office batteries initially needed regular care on strict schedules. The electrodes had to be cleaned or replaced, and the electrolyte needed replenishing.7

The first practical rechargeable battery was developed in 18598 by French physicist Gaston Planté using lead because it was readily available, cheap and amenable to recharging.9 The next battery breakthrough came in 1866 when French engineer Georges Leclanché created a simple, cheap battery consisting of a glass jar with manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes, a small bar of carbon, and an ammonium chloride electrolyte, which was then a common household chemical (sal ammoniac) used in cleaning and baking. This was the first battery not to use acid and, when discharged, replacing the sal ammoniac would revitalize it. Millions were produced for telegraphs, doorbells and telephones, though the battery was good only for intermittent use.10

German chemist Carl Gassner in 1887 patented his "dry cell" battery, consisting of a zinc can as the anode, ammonium chloride and plaster of paris as a dry electrolyte and carbon as the cathode. Producing a steady 1.5 volts, this was apparently the first battery requiring no maintenance. This compact six-inch long battery was durable and was mass-produced to power alarm clocks and bicycle lights.11

Batteries powered many of the first cars. The 1894 Electrobat had 1,500 pounds of lead-acid batteries.12 Of the 4,200 automobiles sold in the United States in the year 1900, battery powered cars were the most popular, followed by steam powered cars. Fewer than 1,000 were powered by gasoline.13

American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison was a proponent of battery-powered cars, and was determined to create a new rechargeable battery with triple the capacity of the lead-acid battery.14 His team experimented with hundreds of different compounds for a better automotive battery. When chided about failed experiments, he said, "No, I didn't fail. I discovered 24,999 ways that the storage battery does not work."15 Ultimately he developed a battery with nickel and iron electrodes and a potassium-based electrolyte that outperformed existing lead-acid batteries by 233%.16 But it was expensive and gasoline-powered cars dominated once the automatic starter (as opposed to a crank) became ubiquitous.

In the 1950s, inventor Samuel Ruben created the alkaline manganese battery in a new AAA size, and licensed it to Mallory, which later became Duracell. That battery was popular in Kodak flash

cameras. Canadian-American chemist Lewis Urry of Eveready invented the modern alkaline battery in 1959.17 His primary innovation was to use powdered zinc, which has dramatically more surface area than solid zinc. Labelled the Energizer, it had 40 times the capacity of the then-ubiquitous zinc-carbon battery.18

As power-hungry portable electronics took off after 1980, the quest for high energy, rechargeable batteries intensified. Nickel-cadmium batteries were invented, but had a "memory effect," which reduced capacity if recharged before depletion, and contained toxic cadmium. Nickel-metal-hydride batteries were also developed, powering cell phones and the first hybrid cars. These batteries had high capacity for the time, but tended to self-discharge when not in use.

Lithium Batteries

Chemists were long aware of lithium's potential in batteries. Lithium is the lightest metal, has half the density of water and, pound per pound, a lithium battery should be able to produce 30 times the energy of a lead-acid battery. However, lithium is too volatile to exist by itself in nature. It will burn or explode when exposed to air and pure lithium must be stored in oil to prevent it from reacting.

Exxon had a venture capital division that recruited British chemist Stanley Whittingham in the 1970s to pursue development of lithium batteries. Whittingham created a coin-sized battery with a lithium-aluminum alloy and a sulfide electrode. The first rechargeable lithium battery was used in a solar-powered watch shipped in 1977. But larger batteries ignited in Exxon's laboratories, and Exxon later exited the business and sold its patents. 19

John Goodenough achieved the breakthrough in lithium batteries. A University of Chicago Ph.D. working at Oxford, he experimented with metal oxides, which could be charged and discharged at higher voltages than sulfides. He also realized that as lithium ions migrate from a sulfide-based cathode, sections of the cathode tend to hollow out and collapse, reducing the ability of the battery to be recharged. Metal oxides in the cathode, in effect, reinforce its structure.

In 1980, Goodenough's team announced the lithium-cobalt-oxide battery.20 His belief in oxides proved correct, as the battery produced about 4 volts versus the 2.4 volts Whittingham achieved.21 "It was the first lithium-ion cathode


2



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

with the capacity to power both compact and relatively large devices...far superior to anything on the market," said author Steve Levine in his recently published book, The Powerhouse.22 Yet because the battery was unusual, no companies in Europe or the Americas licensed it.

South African Ph.D. Mike Thackeray joined Goodenough during a stint at Oxford and helped invent a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode in place of Goodenough's lithium-cobalt-oxide. The NMC version has less safety risk than Goodenough's first lithium battery and theoretically should provide more energy.23 A version of this battery is used in the Chevrolet Volt.

Battery research funding diminished in the United States during the 1980s, a period of low oil prices and excitement about superconductivity. In Japan, however, battery research continued in earnest. After a decade of work, Japanese researcher Akira Yoshino combined Goodenough's lithium-cobalt-oxide cathode with a carbon anode and, in 1991, Sony shipped a resulting lithium-ion battery for small electronic devices. Later, Sony changed the anode to graphite, which was benign and better absorbed lithium ions, resulting in more power for longer periods. The Sony batteries were wildly successful, spurring knockoffs as well as additional lithium battery research.24

Electric Cars and Other Uses for Batteries

Improving performance and dropping costs have enabled much more sophisticated portable electronics but the biggest potential market for batteries is in automobiles. Thomas Edison said that the internal combustion engine would be a bridge between generations of battery powered cars, and he yet could be proven right (albeit late).25

The basic physics problem confronting battery powered vehicles is the energy density of gasoline versus batteries. A kilogram of gasoline contains about 12,700 watt hours of energy,26 while lithium batteries currently used in automobiles have energy densities ranging from 155 to 233 watt hours per kilogram.27 However, electric motors are over 90% efficient, three times that of gasoline engines,28 and electric vehicles can recapture up to half of energy expended through regenerative breaking,29 reducing the effective energy density gap somewhat.

Another key use for improved batteries is within the electric grid. Renewable power from solar and wind is by nature intermittent, and higher capacity, lower cost batteries will allow the adoption of more renewable energy. As battery performance improves and costs fall, expect to see more electric automobiles and renewable energy.

Potential Breakthroughs

In his book, Levine describes the inventions of various forms of lithium batteries and Argonne National Laboratory's successful effort to win funding as The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research. Argonne's goal is another battery breakthrough, achieving five times the performance at one-fifth the cost in five years. The Joint Center is looking beyond lithium. Argonne's senior scientist George Crabtree notes that new concepts, such as use of materials with double ions, use of reactions on the electrode surface instead of inside them and liquid electrodes, are worth exploring.

Investment Implications

Predicting which battery technology will succeed and which battery companies will profit is extremely difficult and risky. I've been on numerous battery technology wild goose chases, and can vaguely recall talking to Argonne researchers back in the late 1970s. The Columbia Wanger Funds' shareholders have instead benefited from investing downstream, in companies that prospered from improved battery technology. For example, domestic funds had profitable investments in cell phone service providers as the industry consolidated years ago, and more recently in cell tower companies.

Charles P. McQuaid
Portfolio Manager, Analyst and Advisor
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC

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 here 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 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.

1  In 1936 in Eastern Iraq, archeologist Wilhelm Koenig found a five- by three-inch broken clay jar that held a rolled sheet of copper and an iron rod. It dated back to between 200 BC and 200 AD. Koenig realized that with an acid or alkaline liquid, the device would be a functioning battery. Several similar jars have since been found. Google "Baghdad battery" to pursue the mystery and controversy.

2  Seth Fletcher, Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars, and the New Lithium Economy (New York, Hill and Wang, 2011), p. 11.

3  Henry Schlesinger, The Battery: How Portable Power Sparked a Technological Revolution (New York, HarperCollins, 2010), p. 77.

4  Ibid., p. 50, 65.

5  Ibid., p. 96.

6  Ibid., p. 110, 130.

7  Ibid., p. 139.

8  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 13.

9  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 145.

10  Ibid., p. 142-143.

11  Ibid., p. 179.

12  Ibid., p. 174.

13  Jim Motavalli, High Voltage: The Fast Track To Plug In the Auto Industry (New York, Rodale, 2011), p. xii.

14  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 14.

15  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 174.

16  Fletcher, op. cit., 15.

17  NNDB website: nndb.com/people/004/000206383. Accessed April 2, 2015.

18  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 250.

19  Steve Levine, The Powerhouse: Inside the Invention of a Battery to Save the World (New York, Viking, 2015), p. 21.

20  Ibid., p. 25.

21  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 44.

22  Levine, op. cit., p. 25.

23  Ibid., p. 41-44.

24  Ibid., p. 35.

25  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 174.

26  Hypertextbook website: hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/ArthurGolnik.shtml. Accessed April 1, 2015.

27  Luke Ottaway, "What Makes Tesla's Batteries So Great?" Torque News, October 19, 2014, on website at: torquenews.com/2250/what-makes-tesla-s-batteries-so-great. Accessed April 3, 2015.

28  Tobias Fleiter and Wolfgang Eichhammer, "Energy efficiency in electric motor systems: Technology, saving potentials and policy options for developing countries," Working Paper 11/2011 published by United Nations Industrial Development Organization, p. 5, unido.org. Accessed April 21, 2015.

29  Source: ProEv Inc. article titled, "Regenerative Braking Efficiency," 2015.


3



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Performance Review Wanger International Select

 

 
Christopher J. Olson
Co-Portfolio Manager
  Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg
Co-Portfolio Manager
 

Performance data shown represents past performance and is not a 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. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/us for most recent month-end performance updates.

Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. Foreign investments subject the Fund to political, economic, market, social and other risks within a particular country, as well as to potential currency instabilities and less stringent financial and accounting standards generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. The Fund may invest significantly in issuers within a particular sector, which may be negatively affected by market, economic or other conditions, making the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in the sector. Please also see "A Comment on Trading Volumes" on the inside cover of this report.

Wanger International Select ended the semiannual period up 3.84%, underperforming the 8.00% gain of the Fund's primary benchmark, the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2B and $10B® Index. On a sector basis, Fund industrials outperformed relative to the benchmark, while materials and financials negatively impacted performance. On a regional basis, good stock selection in Asia, excluding Japan, was a positive for the Fund during the period, but Fund gains fell short of the benchmark's in most other regions. The Fund's underperforming, overweight position in Latin America and other emerging markets also detracted from relative returns.

The top contributor to Fund performance in the period was CJ Corp, a holding company of Korean consumer conglomerates. Up 87%, investors responded favorably to the company's new management and its successful implementation of restructuring programs. Naspers, a South African provider of media to emerging markets, gained 20%. Chinese Internet company Tencent is Naspers' primary investment and it reported robust revenue and earnings gains during the period. (Tencent is not held by the Fund.) CCL Industries, a global label converter based in Canada, gained 14% on continued strong revenue growth. In the United Kingdom, WH Smith, a newsprint, book and stationery retailer, was added to the Fund during the semiannual period and gained 15%, benefiting from strong air passenger demand in its travel division.

Four Japanese names were among the top 10 contributors during the period. Japan Tobacco, a maker of cigarettes, gained 31% as investor fears surrounding its Russian operations abated and management undertook a stock buyback. KDDI, a mobile and fixed line communication service provider in Japan, gained 16%, as it has continued to deliver consistent earnings growth driven by higher average revenue per user and by subscriber growth. Secom, a provider of security services, gained 14% as investors sold export stocks early in the period on yen strength and moved into stable domestic businesses like Secom.

The biggest detractor from gains in the half was Coronation Fund Managers, a South African fund manager. Down 31% year to date, its stock suffered from significantly lower performance fees compared to higher fees earned last year. Canadian oil and gas producer Baytex fell 16% with

the drop in oil prices. We opted to sell the Fund's position in Baytex during the first quarter. Nippon Prologis REIT, a logistics REIT in Japan, fell 15% as investors rotated into other sectors after several years of outperformance.

Tahoe Resources, a silver and gold miner operating in Guatemala and Peru, ended the period down 12%. Its stock declined on investor worries about political risk in Guatemala and on concerns related to its merger with a Peru-based mine. Beadell Resources, a gold miner operating in Brazil, and Goldcorp, a Canadian gold miner, were also among the detractors. Beadell fell 18% for the half-year period, while Goldcorp declined 11%. Both were affected by weak gold prices.

Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg was named co-portfolio manager of Wanger International Select, effective May 1, 2015. Mr. Waldburg-Wolfegg brings 22 years of industry experience to the portfolio and also serves as co-portfolio manager of Columbia Acorn European Fund.

Fund's Positions in Mentioned Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 6/30/15

Naspers

   

4.2

%

 

KDDI

   

3.8

   

Secom

   

3.4

   

CJ Corp

   

2.9

   

CCL Industries

   

2.8

   

Japan Tobacco

   

2.7

   

Tahoe Resources

   

2.5

   

WH Smith

   

2.3

   

Coronation Fund Managers

   

2.0

   

Goldcorp

   

1.7

   

Nippon Prologis REIT

   

1.2

   

Beadell Resources

   

0.6

   

Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. Top holdings exclude short-term holdings and cash, if applicable.


4



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Wanger International Select
February 1, 1999 (inception date) through June 30, 2015

Performance data shown represents past performance and is not a 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. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Performance results reflect any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment adviser and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results would have been lower. For most recent month-end performance updates, please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/us.

This graph compares the results of $10,000 invested in Wanger International Select on February 1, 1999 (the date the Fund began operations) through June 30, 2015, to the S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2B and $10B 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 6/30/15

1. Naspers (South Africa)
Media in Africa, China, Russia & other Emerging Markets
  4.2
 

%

 
2. CapitaLand Mall Trust (Singapore)
Singapore Commercial Property Real Estate Investment Trust
  4.1
 
 
3. Singapore Exchange (Singapore)
Singapore Equity & Derivatives Market Operator
  4.0
 
 
4. KDDI (Japan)
Mobile & Fixed Line Communication Service Provider in Japan
  3.8
 
 
5. Recruit Holdings (Japan)
Recruitment & Media Services
  3.5
 
 
6. Secom (Japan)
Security Services
  3.4
 
 
7. CJ Corp (Korea)
Holding Company of Korean Consumer Conglomerate
  2.9
 
 
8. CCL Industries (Canada)
Global Label Converter
  2.8
 
 
9. Japan Tobacco (Japan)
Cigarettes
  2.7
 
 
10. Partners Group (Switzerland)
Private Markets Asset Management
  2.6
 
 

Top 5 Countries

As a percentage of net assets, as of 6/30/15

Japan

   

22.7

%

 

Singapore

   

8.1

   

Korea

   

7.9

   

United Kingdom

   

7.6

   

Germany

   

6.6

   

Results as of June 30, 2015

 

2nd quarter*

 

Year to date*

 

1 year

 

5 years

 

10 years

 
Wanger International
Select
   

2.24

%

   

3.84

%

   

-11.90

%

   

9.00

%

   

7.67

%

 
S&P Developed Ex-U.S.
Between $2B and
$10B Index**
   

2.27

     

8.00

     

-1.35

     

10.68

     

6.99

   

MSCI EAFE Index (Net)

   

0.62

     

5.52

     

-4.22

     

9.54

     

5.12

   

NAV as of 6/30/15: $17.28

*  Not annualized.

** The Fund's primary benchmark.

Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses but do not include any fees and expenses imposed under your variable annuity contract or life insurance policy or qualified pension or retirement plan. If performance numbers included the effect of these additional charges, they would be lower.

The Fund's annual operating expense ratio of 1.43% is stated as of the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2015, and differences in expense ratios disclosed elsewhere in this report may result from including fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as well as different time periods used in calculating the ratios.

All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions.

The S&P Developed Ex-U.S. Between $2B and $10B Index is a subset of the broad market selected by the index sponsor representing the mid-cap developed market, excluding the United States. The MSCI Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE) Index (Net) 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 returns of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net) are presented net of the withholding tax rate applicable to foreign non-resident institutional investors in the foreign companies included in the index who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. The performance of the MSCI EAFE Index (Net) is provided to show how the Fund's performance compares to a widely recognized broad-based index of foreign market performance. Indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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


5




Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International Select

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Equities – 93.0%

 
   

Asia – 41.9%

 
   

Japan – 22.7%

 

31,500

  KDDI
Mobile & Fixed Line Communication Service
Provider in Japan
 

$

760,157

 

23,100

  Recruit Holdings
Recruitment & Media Services
 

704,417

 

10,500

  Secom
Security Services
 

682,138

 

15,000

  Japan Tobacco
Cigarettes
 

533,239

 

16,700

  NGK Spark Plug
Automobile Parts
 

462,493

 

210

  Orix JREIT
Diversified REIT
 

302,467

 

135

  Nippon Prologis REIT
Logistics REIT in Japan
 

248,419

 

120

  Japan Retail Fund
Retail REIT in Japan
 

239,963

 

2,700

  Rinnai
Gas Appliances for Home & Commercial Use
 

212,612

 

11,000

  Aeon Mall
Suburban Shopping Mall Developer, Owner & Operator
 

205,984

 

11,000

  Park24
Parking Lot Operator
 

188,314

 
     

4,540,203

   
   

Singapore – 8.1%

 

513,000

  CapitaLand Mall Trust
Singapore Commercial Property Real Estate
Investment Trust
 

818,278

 

138,000

  Singapore Exchange
Singapore Equity & Derivatives Market Operator
 

801,663

 
     

1,619,941

   
   

Korea – 7.9%

 

2,218

  CJ Corp
Holding Company of Korean Consumer Conglomerate
 

587,624

 

1,900

  Samsung Fire and Marine
Non-life Insurance
 

500,652

 

5,800

  KT&G
Tobacco & Ginseng Products
 

493,451

 
     

1,581,727

   
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Hong Kong – 2.0%

 

11,045

  Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing
Hong Kong Equity & Derivatives Market Operator
 

$

389,166

 
   

Taiwan – 1.2%

 

2,000

  Largan Precision
Mobile Device Camera Lenses & Modules
 

228,301

 
       

Total Asia

   

8,359,338

   
   

Europe – 30.4%

 
   

United Kingdom – 7.6%

 

19,000

  WH Smith
Newsprint, Books & General Stationery Retailer
 

456,165

 

14,000

  Babcock International
Public Sector Outsourcer
 

237,573

 

3,000

  Whitbread
UK Hotelier & Coffee Shop
 

233,142

 

13,000

  Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group
International Business Insurance Broker
 

213,250

 

8,400

  Aggreko
Temporary Power & Temperature Control Services
 

189,926

 

11,000

  Smith & Nephew
Medical Equipment & Supplies
 

185,628

 
     

1,515,684

   
   

Germany – 6.6%

 

85,900

  Telefonica Deutschland
Mobile & Fixed-line Communications in Germany
 

495,108

 

5,200

  MTU Aero Engines
Airplane Engine Components & Services
 

489,111

 

9,000

  Wirecard (a)
Online Payment Processing & Risk Management
 

344,656

 
     

1,328,875

   
   

Switzerland – 3.6%

 

1,720

  Partners Group
Private Markets Asset Management
 

514,188

 

600

  Geberit
Plumbing Systems
 

200,032

 
     

714,220

   
   

France – 3.1%

 

12,000

  Eutelsat
Fixed Satellite Services
 

387,299

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International Select

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

France – 3.1% (cont)

 

9,000

  Vivendi (a)
Global Media Conglomerate
 

$

227,011

 
     

614,310

   
   

Spain – 3.0%

 

54,000

  Distribuidora Internacional de Alimentación
Discount Retailer in Spain & Latin America
 

412,383

 

3,000

  Viscofan
Sausage Casings Maker
 

181,442

 
     

593,825

   
   

Sweden – 2.4%

 

10,438

  Swedish Match
Swedish Snus
 

296,903

 

5,270

  Hexagon
Design, Measurement & Visualization Software &
Equipment
 

190,969

 
     

487,872

   
   

Norway – 1.6%

 

40,000

  Orkla
Food & Brands, Aluminum, Chemicals Conglomerate
 

314,778

 
   

Denmark – 1.5%

 

6,500

  Novozymes
Industrial Enzymes
 

308,978

 
   

Netherlands – 1.0%

 

4,000

  Vopak
Operator of Petroleum & Chemical Storage Terminals
 

201,855

 
       

Total Europe

   

6,080,397

   
   

Other Countries – 17.0%

 
   

South Africa – 6.2%

 

5,400

  Naspers
Media in Africa, China, Russia & other Emerging Markets
 

841,114

 

59,000

  Coronation Fund Managers
South African Fund Manager
 

399,654

 
     

1,240,768

   
   

Canada – 6.0%

 

4,500

  CCL Industries
Global Label Converter
 

551,961

 

21,000

  Goldcorp
Gold Mining
 

340,200

 
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 

7,000

  Vermilion Energy (a)
Canadian Exploration & Production Company
 

$

302,362

 
     

1,194,523

   
   

Australia – 4.0%

 

60,000

  Challenger Financial
Annuity Provider in Australia
 

311,016

 

28,000

  Amcor
Global Leader in Flexible & Rigid Packaging
 

295,890

 

45,000

  IAG
General Insurance Provider
 

193,472

 
     

800,378

   
   

United States – 0.8%

 

2,000

  Anadarko Petroleum
Worldwide Production of Oil & Gas
 

156,120

 
       

Total Other Countries

   

3,391,789

   
   

Latin America – 3.7%

 
   

Guatemala – 2.5%

 

42,000

  Tahoe Resources
Silver & Gold Projects in Guatemala & Peru
 

509,111

 
   

Uruguay – 0.6%

 

13,068

  Union Agriculture Group (b) (c) (d)
Farmland Operator in Uruguay
 

123,362

 
   

Brazil – 0.6%

 

817,828

  Beadell Resources
Gold Mining in Brazil
 

117,708

 
       

Total Latin America

   

750,181

   
Total Equities
(Cost: $16,550,195) – 93.0%
   

18,581,705

(e)

 

Short-Term Investments – 6.8%

     
 

1,361,297

    JPMorgan U.S. Government Money
Market Fund, IM Shares
(7 day yield of 0.01%)
   

1,361,297

   
Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost: $1,361,297) – 6.8%
   

1,361,297

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International Select

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 

Securities Lending Collateral – 3.5%

 
 

689,662

    Dreyfus Government Cash
Management Fund,
Institutional Shares
(7 day yield of 0.01%) (f)
 

$

689,662

   
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $689,662) – 3.5%
   

689,662

   
Total Investments
(Cost: $18,601,154) (g) – 103.3%
   

20,632,664

   
Obligation to Return Collateral for
Securities Loaned – (3.5)%
   

(689,662

)

 

Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.2%

   

27,059

   

Net Assets – 100.0%

 

$

19,970,061

   

REIT = Real Estate Investment Trust

Notes to Statement of Investments

(a)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at June 30, 2015. The total market value of securities on loan at June 30, 2015 was $652,198.

(b)  Non-income producing security.

(c)  Denotes a restricted security, which is subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. This security is valued at fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Fund's Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2015, the market value of this security amounted to $123,362, which represented 0.62% of total net assets. Additional information on this security is as follows:


Security
  Acquisition
Dates
 

Shares/Units

 

Cost

 

Value

 

Union Agriculture Group

  12/8/10-
6/27/12
   

13,068

   

$

150,000

   

$

123,362

   

(d)  Illiquid security.

(e)  On June 30, 2015, the Fund's total equity investments were denominated in currencies as follows:

Currency

 

Value

  Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Japanese Yen

 

$

4,540,203

     

22.8

   

Euro

   

2,738,864

     

13.7

   

Singapore Dollar

   

1,619,941

     

8.1

   

South Korean Won

   

1,581,727

     

7.9

   

British Pound

   

1,515,684

     

7.6

   

Canadian Dollar

   

1,363,435

     

6.8

   

South African Rand

   

1,240,768

     

6.2

   
Other currencies less than
5% of total net assets
   

3,981,083

     

19.9

   

Total Equities

 

$

18,581,705

     

93.0

   

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

(g)  At June 30, 2015, for federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments was approximately $18,601,154 and net unrealized appreciation was $2,031,510 consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $3,217,007 and gross unrealized depreciation of $1,185,497.

  At June 30, 2015, the Fund had entered into the following forward foreign currency exchange contracts:

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
(Depreciation)
 

USD

     

ZAR

       

7,510,200

   

$

600,000

   

7/15/2015

 

$

(15,845

)

 

The counterparty for all forward foreign currency exchange contracts is Morgan Stanley.

  USD = U.S. Dollar

  ZAR = South African Rand

Fair Value Measurements

Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

  Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

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

  Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management's own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)

The inputs or methodology 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 CWAM's Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

The Committee is responsible for applying the Trust's Portfolio Pricing Policy and the CWAM pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board.

The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the investment manager believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International Select

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund's investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.

For investments and derivatives categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund's securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.

The following table summarizes the inputs used, as of June 30, 2015, 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

 

$

   

$

8,359,338

   

$

   

$

8,359,338

   

Europe

   

     

6,080,397

     

     

6,080,397

   

Other Countries

   

1,350,643

     

2,041,146

     

     

3,391,789

   

Latin America

   

509,111

     

117,708

     

123,362

     

750,181

   

Total Equities

   

1,859,754

     

16,598,589

     

123,362

     

18,581,705

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

1,361,297

     

     

     

1,361,297

   
Total Securities Lending
Collateral
   

689,662

     

     

     

689,662

   

Total Investments

 

$

3,910,713

   

$

16,598,589

   

$

123,362

   

$

20,632,664

   

Derivatives

 

Liabilities

 
Forward Foreign
Currency
Exchange
Contracts
   

     

(15,845

)

   

     

(15,845

)

 

Total

 

$

3,910,713

   

$

16,582,744

   

$

123,362

   

$

20,616,819

   

The Fund's assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using a market approach, in which a security's value is determined through its correlation to prices and information from observable market transactions for similar or identical assets. Foreign equities are generally valued at the last sale price on the foreign exchange or market on which they trade. The Fund may use a statistical fair valuation model, in accordance with the policy adopted by the Board, provided by an independent third party to value securities principally traded in foreign markets in order to adjust for possible stale pricing that

may occur between the close of the foreign exchanges and the time for valuation. These models take into account available market data including intraday index, ADR, and ETF movements. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies.

There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.

The Fund does not hold any significant investments (greater than one percent of net assets) categorized as Level 3.

Certain securities classified as Level 3 are valued at fair value by the Committee using a market approach, as determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board. To determine fair value for these securities, for which no market exists, the Committee utilizes the valuation technique it deems most appropriate in the circumstances, using some unobservable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to estimated earnings of the company and the position of the security within the company's capital structure. The Committee also may use some observable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to, trades of similar securities and market multiples derived from a set of comparable companies. Significant increases or decreases to any of these inputs could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger International Select

Portfolio Diversification (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

At June 30, 2015, the Fund's portfolio investments as a percentage of net assets were diversified as follows:

   

Value

  Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Information

 

Financial Processors

 

$

1,535,484

     

7.7

   

Internet Related

   

841,115

     

4.2

   

Mobile Communications

   

760,156

     

3.8

   

Advertising

   

704,417

     

3.5

   

Telephone & Data Services

   

495,108

     

2.5

   

Satellite Broadcasting & Services

   

387,299

     

1.9

   

Telecommunications Equipment

   

228,302

     

1.2

   

Business Software

   

190,969

     

1.0

   
     

5,142,850

     

25.8

   

Consumer Goods & Services

 

Nondurables

   

1,578,652

     

7.9

   

Retail

   

868,548

     

4.3

   

Other Durable Goods

   

675,105

     

3.4

   

Food & Beverage

   

478,345

     

2.4

   

Restaurants

   

233,142

     

1.2

   

Other Consumer Services

   

227,011

     

1.1

   
     

4,060,803

     

20.3

   

Industrial Goods & Services

 

Other Industrial Services

   

1,549,490

     

7.8

   

Conglomerates

   

902,402

     

4.5

   

Industrial Materials & Specialty Chemicals

   

604,868

     

3.0

   

Outsourcing Services

   

237,573

     

1.2

   

Construction

   

200,032

     

1.0

   
     

3,494,365

     

17.5

   
   

Value

  Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Finance

 

Insurance

 

$

1,218,390

     

6.1

   

Brokerage & Money Management

   

913,842

     

4.6

   
     

2,132,232

     

10.7

   

Other Industries

 

Real Estate

   

1,815,111

     

9.1

   
     

1,815,111

     

9.1

   

Energy & Minerals

 

Mining

   

967,019

     

4.9

   

Oil & Gas Producers

   

458,482

     

2.3

   

Oil Refining, Marketing & Distribution

   

201,854

     

0.9

   

Agricultural Commodities

   

123,362

     

0.6

   
     

1,750,717

     

8.7

   

Health Care

 

Medical Equipment & Devices

   

185,627

     

0.9

   
     

185,627

     

0.9

   

Total Equities

   

18,581,705

     

93.0

   

Short-Term Investments

   

1,361,297

     

6.8

   

Securities Lending Collateral

   

689,662

     

3.5

   

Total Investments

   

20,632,664

     

103.3

   
Obligation to Return Collateral
for Securities Loaned
   

(689,662

)

   

(3.5

)

 
Cash and Other Assets
Less Liabilities
   

27,059

     

0.2

   

Net Assets

 

$

19,970,061

     

100.0

%

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10




Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Assets:

 

Investments, at cost

 

$

18,601,154

   
Investments, at value (including securities on loan
of $652,198)
 

$

20,632,664

   

Foreign currency (cost of $6,409)

   

6,355

   

Receivable for:

 

Fund shares sold

   

55,980

   

Securities lending income

   

781

   

Dividends

   

12,812

   

Foreign tax reclaims

   

13,794

   

Expense reimbursement due from investment advisor

   

128

   

Prepaid expenses

   

9,031

   

Total Assets

   

20,731,545

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on securities loaned

   

689,662

   
Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency
exchange contracts
   

15,845

   

Payable for:

 

Fund shares redeemed

   

18,038

   

Investment advisory fee

   

512

   

Administration fee

   

27

   

Trustees' fees

   

9,703

   

Custody fee

   

5,119

   

Reports to shareholders

   

10,771

   

Chief compliance officer expenses

   

18

   

Other liabilities

   

11,789

   

Total Liabilities

   

761,484

   

Net Assets

 

$

19,970,061

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

18,107,617

   

Overdistributed net investment income

   

(447,045

)

 

Accumulated net realized gain

   

294,035

   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

     

Investments

   

2,031,510

   

Foreign currency translations

   

(211

)

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

(15,845

)

 

Net Assets

 

$

19,970,061

   

Fund Shares Outstanding

   

1,155,699

   
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
 

$

17.28

   

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Investment Income:

 

Dividends (net foreign taxes withheld of $22,160)

 

$

239,634

   

Interest

   

27,181

   

Income from securities lending—net

   

4,202

   

Total Investment Income

   

271,017

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fee

   

95,333

   

Transfer agent fees

   

83

   

Administration fee

   

5,071

   

Trustees' fees

   

4,152

   

Custody fees

   

8,550

   

Reports to shareholders

   

19,807

   

Audit fees

   

19,926

   

Legal fees

   

1,816

   

Chief compliance officer expenses

   

358

   

Commitment fee for line of credit (Note 5)

   

153

   

Other expenses

   

6,990

   

Total Expenses

   

162,239

   

Less reimbursement of expenses by Investment Manager

   

(15,182

)

 

Net Expenses

   

147,057

   

Net Investment Income

   

123,960

   

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

355,737

   

Foreign currency translations

   

(6,212

)

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

19,451

   

Net realized gain

   

368,976

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

292,288

   

Foreign currency translations

   

1,327

   

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

(9,366

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation

   

284,249

   

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

653,225

   

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

$

777,185

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

  (Unaudited)
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2015
  Year Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Operations:

 

Net investment income

 

$

123,960

   

$

257,118

   

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

355,737

     

1,432,817

   

Foreign currency translations

   

(6,212

)

   

(12,926

)

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

19,451

     

31,269

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

292,288

     

(3,148,383

)

 

Foreign currency translations

   

1,327

     

(1,653

)

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

(9,366

)

   

(10,867

)

 

Options

   

     

(64,830

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets from Operations

   

777,185

     

(1,517,455

)

 

Distributions to Shareholders From:

 

Net investment income

   

(212,796

)

   

(328,166

)

 

Net realized gains

   

(1,261,912

)

   

(1,083,089

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(1,474,708

)

   

(1,411,255

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Subscriptions

   

746,764

     

2,223,810

   

Distributions reinvested

   

1,474,708

     

1,411,255

   

Redemptions

   

(1,919,273

)

   

(5,267,340

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions

   

302,199

     

(1,632,275

)

 

Increase from regulatory settlements

   

     

3,626

   

Total Decrease in Net Assets

   

(395,324

)

   

(4,557,359

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

20,365,385

     

24,922,744

   

End of period

 

$

19,970,061

   

$

20,365,385

   

Overdistributed Net investment income

 

$

(447,045

)

 

$

(358,209

)

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12




Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Financial Highlights

The following table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of the expenses that apply to the variable accounts or contract charges, if any. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

    (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

17.93

   

$

20.45

   

$

19.83

   

$

16.44

   

$

18.57

   

$

15.42

   

Income from Investment Operations:

 

Net investment income

   

0.11

     

0.22

     

0.21

     

0.29

     

0.14

     

0.09

   

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

0.61

     

(1.51

)

   

2.37

     

3.32

     

(1.99

)

   

3.28

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

0.72

     

(1.29

)

   

2.58

     

3.61

     

(1.85

)

   

3.37

   

Less Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

(0.20

)

   

(0.29

)

   

(1.22

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Net realized gains

   

(1.17

)

   

(0.94

)

   

(0.74

)

   

     

     

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(1.37

)

   

(1.23

)

   

(1.96

)

   

(0.22

)

   

(0.28

)

   

(0.22

)

 

Increase from regulatory settlements

   

     

0.00

(a)

   

     

     

     

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

17.28

   

$

17.93

   

$

20.45

   

$

19.83

   

$

16.44

   

$

18.57

   

Total Return

   

3.84

%(b)

   

(6.96

)%(c)

   

14.04

%(b)

   

22.00

%

   

(10.11

)%(b)

   

22.09

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

 

Total gross expenses (d)

   

1.60

%(e)

   

1.42

%

   

1.51

%

   

1.43

%

   

1.45

%

   

1.38

%

 

Total net expenses (d)

   

1.45

%(e)

   

1.42

%

   

1.45

%

   

1.42

%(f)

   

1.40

%(f)

   

1.38

%(f)

 

Net investment income

   

1.22

%(e)

   

1.06

%

   

1.05

%

   

1.57

%

   

0.77

%

   

0.57

%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

   

31

%

   

61

%

   

74

%

   

58

%

   

44

%

   

37

%

 

Net assets, end of period (000s)

 

$

19,970

   

$

20,365

   

$

24,923

   

$

24,816

   

$

24,019

   

$

31,669

   

Notes to Financial Highlights

(a)  Rounds to zero.

(b)  Had the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates not waived a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.

(c)  The Fund received proceeds from regulatory settlements. Had the Fund not received these proceeds, the total return would have been lower by 0.01%.

(d)  In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.

(e)  Annualized.

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

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13




Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.  Nature of Operations

Wanger International Select (the Fund), a series of Wanger Advisors Trust (the Trust), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as 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 participating variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and may also be offered directly to certain qualified pension and retirement plans.

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which 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 income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies 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 (the Board). 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. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are valued at their closing net asset value as reported on the applicable exchange. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued at the mean of the latest bid and ask quotations.

Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are marked-to-market based upon foreign currency exchange rates provided by a pricing service.

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.

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.

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.

Derivative instruments

The Fund invests in forward foreign currency exchange contracts on a very limited basis, as detailed below. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are derivative instruments whose values depend on, or are derived from, in whole or in part, the value of one or more other assets, in this case, currencies. Derivatives may involve various risks, including the potential inability of the counterparty to fulfill its obligation under the terms of the contract, the potential for an illiquid secondary market (making it difficult for the Fund to sell, including at favorable prices) and the potential for market movements which may expose the Fund to gains or losses in excess of the amount shown in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are agreements between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set price on a future date. The Fund utilized forward foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge the currency exposure associated with some or all of the Fund's securities. These instruments may be used for other purposes in the future. The Fund's use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts was not material to the net assets of the Fund.

The values of forward foreign currency exchange contracts fluctuate daily with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Changes in the value of these contracts are recorded as unrealized appreciation or depreciation until the contracts is exercised or has expired. The Fund will realize a gain or loss when the forward foreign currency exchange contract is closed or expires.

The use of forward foreign currency exchange contracts does not eliminate fluctuations in the prices of the Fund's portfolio securities. The risks of forward foreign currency exchange contracts include movement in the values of the foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar (or other foreign currencies) and the possibility that counterparties will not complete their contractual obligations, which may be in excess of the amount reflected, if any, in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

Effects of derivative transactions in the financial statements

The following tables are intended to provide additional information about the effect of derivatives on the financial statements of the Fund, including: the fair value of derivatives by risk category and the location of those fair values in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; and the impact of derivative transactions over the period in the Statement of Operations, including realized gains or losses and unrealized gains or losses. The derivative schedules following the Statement of Investments present additional information regarding derivative instruments outstanding at the end of the period, if any.

The following table provides a summary of the fair value of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) at June 30, 2015:

 

Liability Derivatives

 
Risk Exposure Category   Statement of Assets
and Liabilities Location
  Fair
Value
 
Foreign exchange risk
 
 
 
  Unrealized depreciation
on forward foreign
currency exchange
contracts
 

$

(15,845

)

 


14



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

The following table indicates the effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) in the Statement of Operations for the six months ended June 30, 2015:

Amount of Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income

Risk Exposure Category

  Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
 

Foreign exchange risk

 

$

19,451

   

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives
Recognized in Income

Risk Exposure Category

  Forward Foreign Currency
Exchange Contracts
 

Foreign exchange risk

 

$

(9,366

)

 

The following table provides a summary of the average outstanding volume by derivative instrument for the six months ended June 30, 2015:

Derivative Instrument

  Average
unrealized
appreciation*
  Average
unrealized
depreciation*
 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

 

$

   

$

(11,011

)

 

*  Based on the ending quarterly outstanding amounts for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

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 may receive distributions from holdings in equity securities, ETFs, other regulated investment companies (RICs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which report information on the tax character of their distributions annually. These distributions are allocated to dividend income, capital gain and return of capital based on actual information reported. Return of capital is recorded

as a reduction of the cost basis of securities held. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities, return of capital is recorded as a realized gain. With respect to REITs, to the extent actual information has not yet been reported, estimates for return of capital may be made by the Fund's management. Management's estimates are subsequently adjusted when the actual character of the distributions is disclosed by the REITs, which could result in a proportionate change in return of capital to shareholders.

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.

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.

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 the economic equivalent 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 exceeded 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. The income earned from the securities lending program is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, the Fund's lending agent, and borrower rebates. The Fund's investment manager, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (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 by the Fund as of June 30, 2015, is included in the Statement of Operations.

Offsetting of Assets and Liabilities

The following table presents the Fund's gross and net amount of assets and liabilities available for offset under netting agreements and under a securities lending agreement as well as the related collateral received by the Fund as of June 30, 2015:

   

Goldman Sachs & Co. ($)

 

Morgan Stanley ($)

 

Total ($)

 

Liabilities

             

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

   

   

$

15,845

   

$

15,845

   

Securities loaned

   

689,662

     

     

689,662

   

Total Liabilities

   

689,662

     

15,845

     

705,507

   

Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets

   

(689,662

)

   

(15,845

)

   

(705,507

)

 

Financial instruments

   

652,198

     

     

652,198

   

Net Amount (a)

   

(37,464

)

   

(15,845

)

   

(53,309

)

 

(a)  Represents the net amount due from/(to) counterparties in the event of default.


15



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

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 substantially 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.

Foreign capital gains taxes

Gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction. The amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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 remote.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures

In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. ASU No. 2014-11 changes the accounting for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings and expands disclosure requirements related to securities lending and similar transactions. The disclosure requirements are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of this guidance and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and footnote disclosures, if any.

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.

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 in the Fund 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 Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management), which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's business affairs.

CWAM receives a monthly advisory fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets at the following annual rates:

Average Daily Net Assets

 

Annual Fee Rate

 

Up to $500 million

   

0.94

%

 
$500 million and over    

0.89

%

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the annualized effective investment advisory fee rate was 0.94% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Through April 30, 2016, CWAM has contractually agreed to bear a portion of the Fund's expenses so that its ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with the Fund's investment in other investment companies, if any), after giving effect to any balance credits from the Fund's custodian, do not exceed the annual rate of 1.45% of the Fund's average daily net assets. The reimbursement to the Fund for the six months ended June 30, 2015, was $15,182.

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 six months ended June 30, 2015, the annualized effective administration fee rate was 0.05% of the Fund's average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management responsibility to provide certain sub-administrative services to the Fund.

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (CMID), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, serves as the Fund's distributor and principal underwriter.

Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (CMIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is the transfer agent to the Fund. For its services, the Fund pays CMIS a monthly fee at the annual rate of $21.00 per open account. CMIS also receives reimbursement from the Fund for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

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 has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer of 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.

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 in accordance with the plan.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund engaged in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment manager (or affiliated investment managers), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. Those purchase transactions complied with provisions of Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and were $470,370.


16



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

5.  Borrowing Arrangements

During the period January 1, 2015 through April 29, 2015, the Trust participated in a credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., along with Columbia Acorn Trust, another trust managed by CWAM, in the amount of $150 million. Effective April 30, 2015, the Trust entered into a revolving credit facility in the amount of $400 million with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Under each facility, interest is charged to each participating Fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.00%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.08% 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 disclosed as a part of "Other expenses" in the Statements of Operations. The Trust expects to renew this line of credit for one year durations each April at then current market rates and terms.

No amounts were borrowed for the benefit of the Fund under the line of credit during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

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:



  (Unaudited)
Six months ended
June 30, 2015
 
Year ended
December 31, 2014
 

Shares sold

   

40,635

     

109,349

   
Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividend distributions
   

83,553

     

69,611

   

Less shares redeemed

   

(104,500

)

   

(261,572

)

 

Net increase in shares outstanding

   

19,688

     

(82,612

)

 

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2015, were $6,292,092 and $5,823,804, respectively. The amount of purchase and sales activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.

8.  Regulatory Settlements

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund received $3,626 as a result of a regulatory settlement proceeding brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission against an unaffiliated third party relating to market timing and/or late trading of mutual funds. This amount represented the Fund's portion of the proceeds

from the settlement (neither the Fund nor the Investment Manager were a party to the proceeding). The payments have been included in "Proceeds from regulatory settlements" in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.

9.  Shareholder Concentration

At June 30, 2015, two unaffiliated shareholder accounts owned an aggregate of 100.0% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund has no knowledge about whether any portion of those shares was owned beneficially by such accounts. Subscription and redemption activity by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Fund.

10.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

11.  Information Regarding Pending and Settled Legal Proceedings

Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased fund redemptions, reduced sale of fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.


17




Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

Wanger Advisors Trust (the "Trust") has an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC ("CWAM") under which CWAM manages Wanger International Select (the "Fund"). More than 75% of the trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") are persons who have no direct or indirect interest in the Advisory Agreement and are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Trust (the "Independent Trustees"). The Trustees oversee the management of the Fund and, as required by law, determine at least annually whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

The Contract Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Trustees (the "Board"), which is comprised solely of Independent Trustees, makes recommendations to the Board regarding any proposed continuation of the Advisory Agreement. After the Committee has made its recommendations, the full Board determines whether to approve continuation of the Advisory Agreement. The Board also considers matters bearing on the Advisory Agreement at its various meetings throughout the year, meets at least quarterly with CWAM's portfolio managers (as does the Board's Investment Performance Analysis Committee), and receives monthly reports from CWAM on the performance of the Fund.

In connection with their most recent consideration of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Committee and all Trustees received and reviewed a substantial amount of information provided by CWAM, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC ("Columbia Management") and Ameriprise Financial, Inc. ("Ameriprise") in response to written requests from the Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the Management Fee Evaluation dated June 2015 (the "Fee Evaluation") prepared by the Trust's chief compliance officer, senior vice president and general counsel, at the request of the Board. Throughout the process, the Trustees had numerous opportunities to ask questions of and request additional materials from CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise.

During each meeting at which the Committee or the Independent Trustees considered the Advisory Agreement, they met in executive session with their independent legal counsel. The Committee also met with representatives of CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise on several occasions. In all, the Committee convened formally on six separate occasions to consider the continuation of the Advisory Agreement. The Board and/or some or all of the Independent Trustees met on other occasions to receive the Committee's status reports, receive presentations from CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise representatives, and to discuss outstanding issues. In addition, the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board, also comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees, reviewed the performance of the Fund, met in a joint meeting with the Contract Committee, and presented its findings to the Board and the Committee throughout the year. The Compliance Committee of the Board also provided information to the Committee with respect to relevant matters.

The materials reviewed by the Committee and the Trustees included, among other items, (i) information on the investment performance of the Fund and of independently selected peer groups of funds and of the Fund's performance benchmark over various time periods, (ii) information on the Fund's advisory fees and other expenses, including information comparing the Fund's fees and expenses to those of peer groups of funds and information about any applicable expense limitations and fee breakpoints, (iii) data on sales and redemptions of Fund shares, and (iv) information on the profitability to CWAM and Ameriprise, as well as potential "fall-out" or ancillary benefits that CWAM and its affiliates may receive as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Trustees also considered other information such as (i) CWAM's financial condition, (ii) the Fund's investment objective and strategy, (iii) the size, education and experience of CWAM's investment staff and its use of technology, external research and trading cost measurement tools, (iv) the portfolio manager compensation framework, (v) the allocation of the Fund's brokerage, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research products and services, (vi) CWAM's risk management program, and (vii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the Fund's investment policies and restrictions, policies on personal securities transactions and other compliance policies.

At a meeting held on June 2, 2015 ("Contract Meeting"), the Board considered and unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement. In considering the continuation of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees reviewed and analyzed various factors that they determined were relevant, none of which by itself was considered dispositive. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees' determination to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Nature, quality and extent of services. The Trustees reviewed the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by CWAM and its affiliates to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement, taking into account the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, its shareholder base, and knowledge gained from meetings with management, which were held on at least a quarterly basis. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the available resources and key personnel of CWAM and its affiliates, especially those providing investment management services to the Fund. The Trustees also considered other services provided to the Fund by CWAM and its affiliates, including: managing the execution of portfolio transactions and selecting broker-dealers for those transactions; monitoring adherence to the Fund's investment restrictions; producing shareholder reports; providing support services for the Board and committees of the Board; managing the Fund's securities lending program; communicating with shareholders; serving as the Fund's administrator; and overseeing the activities of the Fund's other service providers, including monitoring for compliance with various policies and procedures as well as applicable securities laws and regulations.

The Trustees concluded that the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by CWAM and its affiliates to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement were appropriate for the Fund and that the Fund was likely to benefit from the continued provision of those services by CWAM. They also concluded that CWAM currently had sufficient personnel, with appropriate education and experience, to serve the Fund effectively, and that the firm had demonstrated its continuing ability to attract and retain well-qualified personnel. The Trustees also considered that Ameriprise had committed to the Board that CWAM would have sufficient resources to improve performance, including but not limited to resources to hire additional analysts and other investment and operational personnel. Based on those assurances, the Trustees believed that CWAM would have sufficient resources to attract new personnel to help improve performance. In addition, they considered the quality of CWAM's compliance record.

Performance of the Fund. The Trustees received and considered detailed performance information at various meetings of the Board, the Committee and the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board throughout the year. They reviewed information comparing the Fund's performance with that of its benchmark(s) and with the performance of comparable funds and peer groups as identified by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and Morningstar, Inc. ("Morningstar"). The Trustees evaluated the performance of the Fund over various time periods, including over the one-, three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014. The Trustees also considered peer performance rankings for similar time periods, although they generally focused more on the three-year period.

The Trustees considered that the Fund's performance was well below the median in the Morningstar rankings for the three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014, although the one-year performance was above the median. The Trustees noted that the Fund had outperformed its benchmark during the five-year period, but not in the more recent periods. The Trustees considered CWAM's explanation for the underperformance, which focused on risk aversion. The Trustees had received a plan for the improved performance for the Fund from CWAM, which they continued to monitor.

The Trustees concluded that CWAM had taken and continued to take a number of corrective steps to improve performance of the Fund, that CWAM had reported that these steps were being successfully implemented although still in process; and that the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board was monitoring the Fund's performance closely. In addition the Trustees considered that the current and former Chief Investment Officer (the "CIO") of CWAM had reported to them at numerous Committee and Board meetings on the corrective steps being taken to improve performance, and Committee representatives met separately with the CIO on multiple occasions to discuss the Fund.


18



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by CWAM. At various Committee and Board meetings, the Trustees examined detailed information on the fees and expenses of the Fund in comparison to information for comparable funds provided by Lipper and Morningstar. The Trustees noted that the Fund's net expenses were higher than both the Lipper and Morningstar peer groups. The Trustees also took into account that the actual advisory fees paid by the Fund were higher than the median versus Lipper peers and lower than the median of Morningstar peers.

The Trustees also reviewed the advisory fee rates charged by CWAM for managing other investment companies, sub-advised funds and other institutional separate accounts with similar investment strategies, as detailed in materials provided to the Committee by CWAM and in the Fee Evaluation. The Trustees noted that the Fund's advisory fees were generally comparable to the Columbia Acorn International Select Fund's advisory fees at the same asset levels.

The Trustees concluded that the rate of advisory fees payable to CWAM was reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services to be provided and the investment performance of the Fund, taking into account CWAM's recent steps to improve performance of the Fund.

The Trustees reviewed the analysis of the historic profitability of CWAM in serving as the Fund's investment adviser and of CWAM and its affiliates in their relationships with the Fund. The Committee and Trustees met with representatives from Ameriprise to discuss its methodologies for calculating profitability and allocating costs. They considered that Ameriprise calculated profitability and allocated costs on a contract-by-contract and Fund-by-Fund basis. The Trustees also considered the methodology used by CWAM and Ameriprise in determining compensation payable to portfolio managers and the competitive market for investment management talent. The Trustees were also provided with profitability information from Lipper, which compared CWAM's profitability to other similar investment advisers in the mutual fund industry. The Trustees discussed, however, that profitability comparisons among fund managers may not always be meaningful due to the lack of consistency in data, small number of publicly-owned managers, and the fact that profitability of any investment manager is affected by numerous factors, including its particular organizational structure, the types of funds and other accounts managed, other lines of business, expense allocation methodology, capital structure and other factors. The Trustees evaluated CWAM's profitability in light of the additional resources to be provided to it by Ameriprise to assist in improving performance.

Economies of Scale. At various Committee and Board meetings and other informal meetings, the Trustees considered information about the extent to which CWAM realizes economies of scale in connection with an increase in Fund assets. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints in the rate of fees at various asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the fee structure of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund reflected a sharing of economies of scale between CWAM and the Fund.

Other Benefits to CWAM. The Trustees also reviewed benefits that accrue to CWAM and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, based upon information provided to them by Ameriprise and as outlined in the Fee Evaluation. They noted that the Fund's transfer agency services are performed by Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., an affiliate of Ameriprise, which receives compensation from the Fund for its services provided. They considered that an affiliate of Ameriprise, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. ("CMID"), serves as the Fund's distributor under an underwriting agreement but receives no fees for its services to the Fund. In addition, Columbia Management provides sub-administration services to the Fund. The Committee received information regarding the profitability of the Fund agreement with CWAM affiliates. The Committee and the Board also reviewed information about and discussed the capabilities of each affiliated entity in performing its duties.

The Trustees considered other ways that the Fund and CWAM may potentially benefit from their relationship with each other. For example, the Trustees considered CWAM's use of commissions paid by the Fund on its portfolio brokerage transactions to obtain research products and services benefiting the Fund and/or other clients of CWAM. The Compliance Committee of the Board reviewed CWAM's annual "soft dollar" report during the year and met with representatives from CWAM to review CWAM's soft

dollar spending. The Trustees also considered that the Compliance Committee regularly reviewed third-party prepared reports that evaluated the quality of CWAM's execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions. The Trustees noted that these reports showed that CWAM's execution capabilities were generally better than industry peers. The Trustees determined that CWAM's use of the Fund's "soft" commission dollars to obtain research products and services was consistent with current regulatory requirements and guidance. They also concluded that CWAM benefits from the receipt of proprietary research products and services acquired through commissions paid on portfolio transactions of the Fund, and that the Fund benefitted from CWAM's receipt of those products and services as well as research products and services acquired through commissions paid by other clients of CWAM.

After full consideration of the above factors, as well as other factors that were instructive in evaluating the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees by separate vote, concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable and that the continuation of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interest of the Fund. At the Contract Meeting, the Trustees approved continuation of the Advisory Agreement through July 31, 2016.


19



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Proxy Voting Results

Results of Special Meeting of Shareholders
(UNAUDITED)

A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Wanger Advisors Trust (the Trust), was held on February 27, 2015 to ask shareholders to vote in favor of the election of nine nominated trustees to the Board. A proxy statement that described the proposals was mailed to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2014.

Proposal: Each of the trustee nominees was elected to the Board as follows:

Trustee

 

For

 

Against/Withhold

  Abstain/Broker
Non-Votes
 

Laura M. Born

   

38,573,110.511

     

1,474,696.806

     

0

   

Maureen M. Culhane

   

38,532,107.983

     

1,515,699.334

     

0

   

Margaret M. Eisen

   

38,602,975.936

     

1,444,831.381

     

0

   

Thomas M. Goldstein

   

38,638,023.815

     

1,409,783.502

     

0

   

John C. Heaton

   

38,662,930.626

     

1,384,876.691

     

0

   

Steven N. Kaplan

   

38,557,270.785

     

1,490,536.532

     

0

   

Charles R. Phillips

   

38,564,485.454

     

1,483,321.863

     

0

   

David J. Rudis

   

38,588,800.594

     

1,459,006.723

     

0

   

P. Zachary Egan

   

38,642,128.122

     

1,405,679.195

     

0

   


20



Wanger International Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Columbia Wanger Funds

Trustees

Laura M. Born, Chair of the Board
Steven N. Kaplan, Vice Chair of the Board
Maureen M. Culhane
P. Zachary Egan
Margaret M. Eisen
Thomas M. Goldstein
John C. Heaton
Charles R. Phillips
David J. Rudis
Ralph Wanger (Trustee Emeritus)

Officers

P. Zachary Egan
President

Alan G. Berkshire
Vice President

Robert A. Chalupnik
Vice President

Michael G. Clarke
Assistant Treasurer

Joseph F. DiMaria
Assistant Treasurer

William J. Doyle
Vice President

David L. Frank
Vice President

Paul B. Goucher
Assistant Secretary

Fritz Kaegi
Vice President

John M. Kunka
Treasurer and Principal
Financial and
Accounting Officer

Stephen Kusmierczak
Vice President

Joseph C. LaPalm
Vice President

Ryan C. Larrenaga
Assistant Secretary

Satoshi Matsunaga
Vice President

Charles P. McQuaid
Vice President

Louis J. Mendes
Vice President

Robert A. Mohn
Vice President

Christopher J. Olson
Vice President

Robert P. Scales
Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer,
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel

Matthew S. Szafranski
Vice President

Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg
Vice President

Linda K. Roth-Wiszowaty
Secretary

Investment Manager

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

Transfer Agent,
Dividend Disbursing Agent

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

Distributor

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts
02110

Legal Counsel to the Funds

Perkins Coie 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 document contains Global Industry Classification Standard data. The Global Industry Classification Standard ("GICS") was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. ("MSCI") and Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") and is licensed for use by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC ("CWAM"). Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

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

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 our website, columbiathreadneedle.com/us, (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, and (iii) 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.columbiathreadneedle.com/us approximately 30 to 40 days after each month-end.




COLUMBIA WANGER FUNDS

© 2015 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. All rights reserved.  C-1455 F (8/15) 1274594




SEMIANNUAL REPORT

June 30, 2015

COLUMBIA WANGER FUNDS

Managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC

WANGER SELECT



Wanger Select

2015 Semiannual Report

    Table of Contents

 

1

   

Understanding Your Expenses

 
 

2

   

Battery Technology and its Implications

 
  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

 
  16    

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

 
  20    

Results of Special Meeting of Shareholders

 

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM) is one of the leading global small- and mid-cap equity managers in the United States with over 40 years of small- and mid-cap investment experience. As of June 30, 2015, CWAM managed $27 billion in assets. CWAM is the investment manager to Wanger USA, Wanger International, Wanger Select and Wanger International Select (together, the Columbia Wanger Funds) and the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds.

An important note: Columbia Wanger Funds are available only through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by participating insurance companies or certain eligible retirement plans. Columbia Wanger Funds are not offered directly to the public and are not available in all contracts, policies or plans. Contact your financial advisor or insurance representative for more information. Columbia Wanger Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and are managed by CWAM.

Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks and expenses of the Fund before investing. For variable fund and variable contract prospectuses, which contain this and other important information, including the fees and expenses imposed under your contract, investors should contact their financial advisor or insurance representative. Read the prospectuses for the Fund and your variable contract carefully before investing.

The views expressed in "Battery Technology and its Implications" 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.

A Comment on Trading Volumes

Market conditions are always changing and vary by country and industry sector, and investing in international markets involves unique risks. In the wake of the 2007-2009 financial crisis, trading volumes in both emerging and developed international markets declined significantly and have stayed at generally reduced levels since then. Although it is difficult to accurately assess trends in trading volumes in foreign markets, because some amount of activity has migrated to alternative trading venues, a reduction in trading volumes poses challenges to the Fund. This is particularly so because the Fund focuses on small- and mid-cap companies that usually have lower trading volumes and often takes sizeable positions in portfolio companies. As a result of lower trading volumes, it may take longer to buy or sell securities, which can exacerbate the Fund's exposure to volatile markets. The Fund may also be limited in its ability to execute favorable trades in portfolio securities in response to changes in company prices and fundamentals. If the Fund is forced to sell securities to meet redemption requests or other cash needs, or in the case of an event affecting liquidity in a particular market or markets, it may be forced to dispose of those securities under disadvantageous circumstances and at a loss. As the Fund grows in size, these considerations take on increasing significance and may adversely impact performance.




Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Understanding Your Expenses

As a shareholder, you incur three types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include management fees and other expenses for Wanger Select (the Fund). Lastly, there may be additional fees or charges imposed by the insurance company that sponsors your variable annuity and/or variable life insurance product. The following information is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you 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 actual and hypothetical information in the table below is based on an initial investment of $1,000 at the beginning of the period indicated and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different information. The amount listed in the "Actual" column is calculated using the Fund's actual operating expenses and total return for the period. You may use the Actual information, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the results by the expenses paid during the period under the Actual column. The amount listed in the "Hypothetical" column assumes a 5% annual rate of return before expenses (which is not the Fund's actual return) 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" below for details on how to use the hypothetical data.

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 hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports 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 only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical calculations are useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included in these calculations, your costs would be higher.

January 1, 2015 – June 30, 2015

  Account value at the
beginning of the period ($)
  Account value at the
end of the period ($)
  Expenses paid during
period ($)
  Fund's annualized
expense ratio (%)*
 

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

 

Wanger Select

   

1,000.00

     

1,000.00

     

1,059.70

     

1,020.38

     

4.55

     

4.46

     

0.89

   

* 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.

Had the investment manager and/or certain of its affiliates not waived/reimbursed certain fees and expenses, account value at the end of the period would have been reduced. See Note 4 to the Financial Statements (Unaudited).

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.


1



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Battery Technology and its Implications

Battery History

Alessandro Volta was a professor of physics at the University of Pavia in Italy at a time of great debate about electricity. He was also a skilled maker of scientific instruments, including machines that could generate an electrostatic charge. After reading a paper noting a torpedo fish could create electric shocks, and proposing that the process creating the charge could be imitated, Volta created the undisputed first battery.1 As described in a paper he wrote in March 1800, the battery consisted of a column of zinc and copper discs separated by brine-soaked cardboard.2

Within months, others were making variations of Volta's battery and improved versions were developed. The batteries were largely used in laboratory equipment, often to enable electrolysis, which resulted in scientific discoveries such as the separation of water into oxygen and hydrogen, as well as discoveries of other elements including sodium and magnesium.3 For several decades, electroplating of metal appears to have been the primary commercial use of batteries.4

All batteries have anode and cathode electrodes as well as an acid or alkaline electrolyte, which facilitates movement of electricity between the electrodes. Components in existing batteries have been refined over time and often later replaced by new materials. In 1839, Sir William Robert Grove, a Welsh judge and physical scientist, made a version utilizing zinc in sulfuric acid and platinum in nitric acid, which produced a then-powerful charge of 1.8 volts but emitted poisonous nitric oxide gas. In the 1850s, German chemist Robert Bunsen created a much cheaper version of Grove's battery by substituting carbon for platinum.5

Telegraphs were developed in the 1830s and 1840s, and became widespread after inventor Samuel Morse's 1844 Washington, D.C. to Baltimore link. That initial line used huge Grove batteries at both ends plus 150-pound Grove batteries at relay points in between. Within 30 years there were 650,000 land miles of telegraph cable6 and, since telegraphs then needed battery powered relays every few miles to boost their signals, commercial demand for batteries boomed. Telegraph office batteries initially needed regular care on strict schedules. The electrodes had to be cleaned or replaced, and the electrolyte needed replenishing.7

The first practical rechargeable battery was developed in 18598 by French physicist Gaston Planté using lead because it was readily available, cheap and amenable to recharging.9 The next battery breakthrough came in 1866 when French engineer Georges Leclanché created a simple, cheap battery consisting of a glass jar with manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes, a small bar of carbon, and an ammonium chloride electrolyte, which was then a common household chemical (sal ammoniac) used in cleaning and baking. This was the first battery not to use acid and, when discharged, replacing the sal ammoniac would revitalize it. Millions were produced for telegraphs, doorbells and telephones, though the battery was good only for intermittent use.10

German chemist Carl Gassner in 1887 patented his "dry cell" battery, consisting of a zinc can as the anode, ammonium chloride and plaster of paris as a dry electrolyte and carbon as the cathode. Producing a steady 1.5 volts, this was apparently the first battery requiring no maintenance. This compact six-inch long battery was durable and was mass-produced to power alarm clocks and bicycle lights.11

Batteries powered many of the first cars. The 1894 Electrobat had 1,500 pounds of lead-acid batteries.12 Of the 4,200 automobiles sold in the United States in the year 1900, battery powered cars were the most popular, followed by steam powered cars. Fewer than 1,000 were powered by gasoline.13

American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison was a proponent of battery-powered cars, and was determined to create a new rechargeable battery with triple the capacity of the lead-acid battery.14 His team experimented with hundreds of different compounds for a better automotive battery. When chided about failed experiments, he said, "No, I didn't fail. I discovered 24,999 ways that the storage battery does not work."15 Ultimately he developed a battery with nickel and iron electrodes and a potassium-based electrolyte that outperformed existing lead-acid batteries by 233%.16 But it was expensive and gasoline-powered cars dominated once the automatic starter (as opposed to a crank) became ubiquitous.

In the 1950s, inventor Samuel Ruben created the alkaline manganese battery in a new AAA size, and licensed it to Mallory, which later became

Duracell. That battery was popular in Kodak flash cameras. Canadian-American chemist Lewis Urry of Eveready invented the modern alkaline battery in 1959.17 His primary innovation was to use powdered zinc, which has dramatically more surface area than solid zinc. Labelled the Energizer, it had 40 times the capacity of the then-ubiquitous zinc-carbon battery.18

As power-hungry portable electronics took off after 1980, the quest for high energy, rechargeable batteries intensified. Nickel-cadmium batteries were invented, but had a "memory effect," which reduced capacity if recharged before depletion, and contained toxic cadmium. Nickel-metal-hydride batteries were also developed, powering cell phones and the first hybrid cars. These batteries had high capacity for the time, but tended to self-discharge when not in use.

Lithium Batteries

Chemists were long aware of lithium's potential in batteries. Lithium is the lightest metal, has half the density of water and, pound per pound, a lithium battery should be able to produce 30 times the energy of a lead-acid battery. However, lithium is too volatile to exist by itself in nature. It will burn or explode when exposed to air and pure lithium must be stored in oil to prevent it from reacting.

Exxon had a venture capital division that recruited British chemist Stanley Whittingham in the 1970s to pursue development of lithium batteries. Whittingham created a coin-sized battery with a lithium-aluminum alloy and a sulfide electrode. The first rechargeable lithium battery was used in a solar-powered watch shipped in 1977. But larger batteries ignited in Exxon's laboratories, and Exxon later exited the business and sold its patents. 19

John Goodenough achieved the breakthrough in lithium batteries. A University of Chicago Ph.D. working at Oxford, he experimented with metal oxides, which could be charged and discharged at higher voltages than sulfides. He also realized that as lithium ions migrate from a sulfide-based cathode, sections of the cathode tend to hollow out and collapse, reducing the ability of the battery to be recharged. Metal oxides in the cathode, in effect, reinforce its structure.

In 1980, Goodenough's team announced the lithium-cobalt-oxide battery.20 His belief in oxides proved correct, as the battery produced about


2



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

4 volts versus the 2.4 volts Whittingham achieved.21 "It was the first lithium-ion cathode with the capacity to power both compact and relatively large devices...far superior to anything on the market," said author Steve Levine in his recently published book, The Powerhouse.22 Yet because the battery was unusual, no companies in Europe or the Americas licensed it.

South African Ph.D. Mike Thackeray joined Goodenough during a stint at Oxford and helped invent a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode in place of Goodenough's lithium-cobalt-oxide. The NMC version has less safety risk than Goodenough's first lithium battery and theoretically should provide more energy.23 A version of this battery is used in the Chevrolet Volt.

Battery research funding diminished in the United States during the 1980s, a period of low oil prices and excitement about superconductivity. In Japan, however, battery research continued in earnest. After a decade of work, Japanese researcher Akira Yoshino combined Goodenough's lithium-cobalt-oxide cathode with a carbon anode and, in 1991, Sony shipped a resulting lithium-ion battery for small electronic devices. Later, Sony changed the anode to graphite, which was benign and better absorbed lithium ions, resulting in more power for longer periods. The Sony batteries were wildly successful, spurring knockoffs as well as additional lithium battery research.24

Electric Cars and Other Uses for Batteries

Improving performance and dropping costs have enabled much more sophisticated portable electronics but the biggest potential market for batteries is in automobiles. Thomas Edison said that the internal combustion engine would be a bridge between generations of battery powered cars, and he yet could be proven right (albeit late).25

The basic physics problem confronting battery powered vehicles is the energy density of gasoline versus batteries. A kilogram of gasoline contains about 12,700 watt hours of energy,26 while lithium batteries currently used in automobiles have energy densities ranging from 155 to 233 watt hours per kilogram.27 However, electric motors are over 90% efficient, three times that of gasoline engines,28 and electric vehicles can recapture up to half of energy expended through regenerative breaking,29

reducing the effective energy density gap somewhat.

Another key use for improved batteries is within the electric grid. Renewable power from solar and wind is by nature intermittent, and higher capacity, lower cost batteries will allow the adoption of more renewable energy. As battery performance improves and costs fall, expect to see more electric automobiles and renewable energy.

Potential Breakthroughs

In his book, Levine describes the inventions of various forms of lithium batteries and Argonne National Laboratory's successful effort to win funding as The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research. Argonne's goal is another battery breakthrough, achieving five times the performance at one-fifth the cost in five years. The Joint Center is looking beyond lithium. Argonne's senior scientist George Crabtree notes that new concepts, such as use of materials with double ions, use of reactions on the electrode surface instead of inside them and liquid electrodes, are worth exploring.

Investment Implications

Predicting which battery technology will succeed and which battery companies will profit is extremely difficult and risky. I've been on numerous battery technology wild goose chases, and can vaguely recall talking to Argonne researchers back in the late 1970s. The Columbia Wanger Funds' shareholders have instead benefited from investing downstream, in companies that prospered from improved battery technology. For example, domestic funds had profitable investments in cell phone service providers as the industry consolidated years ago, and more recently in cell tower companies.

Charles P. McQuaid
Portfolio Manager, Analyst and Advisor
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC

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 here 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 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.

1  In 1936 in Eastern Iraq, archeologist Wilhelm Koenig found a five- by three-inch broken clay jar that held a rolled sheet of copper and an iron rod. It dated back to between 200 BC and 200 AD. Koenig realized that with an acid or alkaline liquid, the device would be a functioning battery. Several similar jars have since been found. Google "Baghdad battery" to pursue the mystery and controversy.

2  Seth Fletcher, Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars, and the New Lithium Economy (New York, Hill and Wang, 2011), p. 11.

3  Henry Schlesinger, The Battery: How Portable Power Sparked a Technological Revolution (New York, HarperCollins, 2010), p. 77.

4  Ibid., p. 50, 65.

5  Ibid., p. 96.

6  Ibid., p. 110, 130.

7  Ibid., p. 139.

8  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 13.

9  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 145.

10  Ibid., p. 142-143.

11  Ibid., p. 179.

12  Ibid., p. 174.

13  Jim Motavalli, High Voltage: The Fast Track To Plug In the Auto Industry (New York, Rodale, 2011), p. xii.

14  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 14.

15  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 174.

16  Fletcher, op. cit., 15.

17  NNDB website: nndb.com/people/004/000206383. Accessed April 2, 2015.

18  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 250.

19  Steve Levine, The Powerhouse: Inside the Invention of a Battery to Save the World (New York, Viking, 2015), p. 21.

20  Ibid., p. 25.

21  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 44.

22  Levine, op. cit., p. 25.

23  Ibid., p. 41-44.

24  Ibid., p. 35.

25  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 174.

26  Hypertextbook website: hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/ArthurGolnik.shtml. Accessed April 1, 2015.

27  Luke Ottaway, "What Makes Tesla's Batteries So Great?" Torque News, October 19, 2014, on website at: torquenews.com/2250/what-makes-tesla-s-batteries-so-great. Accessed April 3, 2015.

28  Tobias Fleiter and Wolfgang Eichhammer, "Energy efficiency in electric motor systems: Technology, saving potentials and policy options for developing countries," Working Paper 11/2011 published by United Nations Industrial Development Organization, p. 5, unido.org. Accessed April 21, 2015.

29  Source: ProEv Inc. article titled, "Regenerative Braking Efficiency," 2015.


3




Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Performance Review Wanger Select

 

 
Robert A. Chalupnik
Lead Portfolio Manager
  Matthew S. Szafranski
Co-Portfolio Manager
 

Performance data shown represents past performance and is not a 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. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/us for most recent month-end performance updates.

Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. Foreign investments subject the Fund to risks, including political, economic, market, social and other risks, within a particular country, as well as to potential currency instabilities and less stringent financial and accounting standards generally applicable to U.S. issuers. Risks are enhanced for emerging market issuers. The Fund may invest significantly in issuers within a particular sector, which may be negatively affected by market, economic or other conditions, making the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in the sector. Please also see "A Comment on Trading Volumes" on the inside cover of this report.

Wanger Select ended the first half of 2015 up 5.97%, outperforming the 4.20% gain of its primary benchmark, the S&P MidCap 400® Index. Solid performance from Fund health care stocks, specifically biotech-related names, contributed to the Fund's outperformance for the period. Being underweight in utilities also benefited the Fund, as this sector was down nearly 12% year to date in the benchmark. We have not held any utility stocks during the past year due to high valuations for these low-growth companies.

Synageva BioPharma, a biotech company focused on orphan diseases, surged 120% in the half-year period after announcing that the company was being acquired by Alexion Pharmaceuticals. We chose to sell this position on the positive news. Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical is also focused on drugs that treat very rare diseases. Its stock was up 109%, as the sector bounced with Synageva. Ultragenyx also benefited from favorable news for several of its pipeline drugs.

Other winners included SEI Investments, a mutual fund administrator and investment manager, which gained 23% for the half year on strong cash inflows into its actively managed investment strategies. WNS, a provider of offshore business process outsourcing services, gained 29%, benefiting from better-than-expected earnings driven by a new CEO who has been successful in spurring company growth. LKQ, a distributor of alternative auto parts for the collision industry, gained 7% for the half year on sales growth across all of its business segments. The company also benefited from a rebound in margins after a tough fourth quarter.

In addition to Synageva BioPharma, the issuers of two other Fund positions announced that they were being sold during the second quarter. Pall, a life science and industrial filtration company, gained 22% following the news that it was being acquired by Danaher. Informatica, an enterprise data integration software company, was the third acquisition and gained 25% for the semiannual period. We sold out of both positions following the announcements.

On the downside, several Fund consumer stocks declined in the period. The Fresh Market, a specialty food retailer, was off 22% for the half year. While earnings were slightly above industry estimates, comparative quarterly sales data missed expectations. An unusually large number of

competitive store openings have hurt the company's overall sales, but we expect this trend to normalize. Fossil, a manufacturer of watches and jewelry, fell 14% as a decline in North American sales of its Michael Kors line, and buzz around the Apple Watch and other wearable technology, negatively impacted returns. United Natural Foods, a distributor of natural/organic foods to grocery stores, was off 18% for the half, as the specialty grocery industry experienced a general slowdown early in the year.

Other laggards included Solera Holdings, a developer of software for the automotive insurance claims processing industry, which fell 9%. With 60% of its sales outside of the United States, currency headwinds played a role in Solera's decline. Donaldson, an air filtration company, was off over 6% for the half year, suffering from weaker sales to its agriculture end market. The company's offshore operations were also impacted by the strong U.S. dollar.

After several years of no take-out activity in the Fund, Wanger Select had four in the first half of 2015. Acquisitions of Fund holdings have benefited the Fund historically, and typically confirm the investment merit of the business.

Our strategy remains unchanged. We continue to invest in growing businesses that trade at what we believe to be reasonable valuations relative to the quality and fundamentals of the business.

Matthew S. Szafranski was named co-portfolio manager of Wanger Select on May 1, 2015. As an analyst, Mr. Szafranski covers leisure, lodging, gaming, restaurants and consumer staples companies for our domestic team.

Fund's Positions in Mentioned Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 6/30/15

Donaldson

   

5.2

%

 

LKQ

   

5.1

   

SEI Investments

   

4.6

   

The Fresh Market

   

3.6

   

Solera Holdings

   

2.8

   

WNS

   

2.1

   

Fossil

   

2.0

   

United Natural Foods

   

1.5

   

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical

   

1.4

   

Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. Top holdings exclude short-term holdings and cash, if applicable.


4



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Wanger Select
February 1, 1999 (inception date) through June 30, 2015

Performance data shown represents past performance and is not a 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. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Performance results reflect any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment adviser and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results would have been lower. For most recent month-end performance updates, please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/us.

This graph compares the results of $10,000 invested in Wanger Select on February 1, 1999 (the date the Fund began operations) through June 30, 2015, 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 6/30/15

1. Ametek
Aerospace/Industrial Instruments
  6.4

%

 
2. Donaldson
Industrial Air Filtration
  5.2
 
3. LKQ
Alternative Auto Parts Distribution
  5.1
 
4. SEI Investments
Mutual Fund Administration & Investment Management
  4.6
 
5. The Fresh Market
Specialty Food Retailer
  3.6
 
6. Vail Resorts
Ski Resort Operator & Developer
  3.3
 
7. Associated Banc-Corp
Midwest Bank
  3.1
 
8. Nordson
Dispensing Systems for Adhesives & Coatings
  3.0
 
9. Airgas
Industrial Gas Distributor
  3.0
 
10. Amphenol
Electronic Connectors
  2.8
 

Top 5 Industries

As a percentage of net assets, as of 6/30/15

Industrial Goods & Services

   

30.2

%

 

Information

   

24.9

   

Consumer Goods & Services

   

15.1

   

Finance

   

12.4

   

Health Care

   

6.4

   

Results as of June 30, 2015

 

2nd quarter*

 

Year to date*

 

1 year

 

5 years

 

10 years

 

Wanger Select

   

3.37

%

   

5.97

%

   

7.77

%

   

13.72

%

   

8.41

%

 

S&P MidCap 400 Index**

   

-1.06

     

4.20

     

6.40

     

17.82

     

9.74

   

S&P 500 Index

   

0.28

     

1.23

     

7.42

     

17.34

     

7.89

   

NAV as of 6/30/15: $25.56

* Not annualized.

** The Fund's primary benchmark.

Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses but do not include any fees and expenses imposed under your variable annuity contract or life insurance policy or qualified pension or retirement plan. If performance numbers included the effect of these additional charges, they would be lower.

The Fund's annual operating expense ratio of 0.73% is stated in the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2015, as supplemented May 1, 2015. Differences in expense ratios disclosed elsewhere in this report may result from including fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as well as different time periods used in calculating the ratios.

All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions.

The S&P MidCap 400 Index 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 caps 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. Indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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


5




Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Equities – 98.1%

 
   

Industrial Goods & Services – 30.2%

 
   

Machinery – 16.4%

 
 

193,000

    Ametek
Aerospace/Industrial Instruments
 

$

10,572,540
 
 

241,000

    Donaldson
Industrial Air Filtration
  8,627,800
 
 

64,000

    Nordson
Dispensing Systems for Adhesives & Coatings
  4,984,960
 
 

75,000

    Generac (a) (b)
Standby Power Generators
  2,981,250
 
     

27,166,550

   
   

Other Industrial Services – 9.0%

 
 

281,000

    LKQ (a)
Alternative Auto Parts Distribution
  8,498,845
 
 

74,000

    Expeditors International of Washington
International Freight Forwarder
  3,411,770
 
 

54,000

    Robert Half International
Temporary & Permanent Staffing in Finance,
Accounting & other Professions
  2,997,000
 
     

14,907,615

   
   

Industrial Distribution – 3.0%

 
 

47,000

    Airgas
Industrial Gas Distributor
  4,971,660
 
   

Outsourcing Services – 1.8%

 
 

106,000

    Quanta Services (a)
Electrical Transmission & Pipeline Contracting Services
  3,054,920
 
       

Total Industrial Goods & Services

   

50,100,745

   
   

Information – 24.9%

 
   

Business Software – 7.2%

 
 

103,000

    Solera Holdings
Software for Automotive Insurance Claims Processing
  4,589,680
 
 

42,000

    Ansys (a)
Simulation Software for Engineers & Designers
  3,832,080
 
 

21,000

    Ultimate Software (a)
Human Capital Management Systems
  3,451,140
 
     

11,872,900

   
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Instrumentation – 4.4%

 
 

12,300

    Mettler-Toledo International (a)
Laboratory Equipment
 

$

4,199,958
 
 

133,000

    Trimble Navigation (a)
GPS-based Instruments
  3,120,180
 
     

7,320,138

   
   

Computer Hardware & Related Equipment – 2.8%

 
 

80,000

    Amphenol
Electronic Connectors
  4,637,600
 
   

Telecommunications Equipment – 2.5%

 
 

35,000

    F5 Networks (a)
Internet Traffic Management Equipment
  4,212,250
 
   

Mobile Communications – 2.2%

 
 

46,000

    Crown Castle International
Communications Towers
  3,693,800
 
   

Computer Services – 2.1%

 
 

131,000

    WNS - ADR (a)
Offshore Business Process Outsourcing Services
  3,504,250
 
   

Business Information & Marketing Services – 1.6%

 
 

246,000

    Bankrate (a)
Internet Advertising for the Insurance, Credit Card &
Banking Markets
  2,580,540
 
   

Internet Related – 1.4%

 
 

475,000

    Vonage (a)
Business & Consumer Internet Telephony
  2,332,250
 
   

Semiconductors & Related Equipment – 0.7%

 
 

125,000

    Atmel
Microcontrollers, Radio Frequency & Memory
Semiconductors
  1,231,875
 
       

Total Information

   

41,385,603

   
   

Consumer Goods & Services – 15.1%

 
   

Retail – 5.6%

 
 

184,000

    The Fresh Market (a) (b)
Specialty Food Retailer
  5,913,760
 
 

49,000

    Fossil (a)
Watch Designer & Retailer
  3,398,640
 
     

9,312,400

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Travel – 3.3%

 
 

50,000

    Vail Resorts
Ski Resort Operator & Developer
 

$

5,460,000
 
   

Other Durable Goods – 2.8%

 
 

280,000

    Gentex
Manufacturer of Auto Parts
  4,597,600
 
   

Other Consumer Services – 1.8%

 
 

75,000

    Blackhawk Network (a)
Third-party Distributor of Prepaid Content, Mostly
Gift Cards
  3,090,000
 
   

Consumer Goods Distribution – 1.5%

 
 

39,000

    United Natural Foods (a)
Distributor of Natural/Organic Foods to Grocery Stores
  2,483,520
 
   

Food & Beverage – 0.1%

 
 

538,000

    GLG Life Tech (Canada) (a)
Producer of an All-natural Sweetener Extracted from
the Stevia Plant
  137,839
 
       

Total Consumer Goods & Services

   

25,081,359

   
   

Finance – 12.4%

 
   

Brokerage & Money Management – 6.8%

 
 

156,000

    SEI Investments
Mutual Fund Administration & Investment Management
  7,648,680
 
 

95,000

    Eaton Vance
Specialty Mutual Funds
  3,717,350
 
     

11,366,030

   
   

Banks – 3.1%

 
 

255,000

    Associated Banc-Corp
Midwest Bank
  5,168,850
 
   

Insurance – 2.5%

 
 

226,000

    CNO Financial Group
Life, Long-term Care & Medical Supplement Insurance
  4,147,100
 
       

Total Finance

   

20,681,980

   
   

Health Care – 6.4%

 
   

Medical Supplies – 5.0%

 
 

70,000

    Cepheid (a)
Molecular Diagnostics
  4,280,500
 
 

104,400

    VWR (a)
Distributor of Lab Supplies
  2,790,612
 
 

9,000

    Henry Schein (a)
Distributor of Dental, Vet & Medical Products
  1,279,080
 
     

8,350,192

   
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Biotechnology & Drug Delivery – 1.4%

 
 

22,000

    Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (a)
Biotech Focused on "Ultra-Orphan" Drugs
 

$

2,252,580
 
       

Total Health Care

   

10,602,772

   
   

Energy & Minerals – 4.7%

 
   

Agricultural Commodities – 1.5%

 
 

261,363

    Union Agriculture Group
(Uruguay) (a) (c) (d)
Farmland Operator in Uruguay
  2,467,267
 
   

Mining – 1.2%

 
 

17,000

    Core Labs (Netherlands) (b)
Oil & Gas Reservoir Consulting
  1,938,680
 
   

Oil & Gas Producers – 1.2%

 
 

33,000

    Carrizo Oil & Gas (a)
Oil & Gas Producer
  1,624,920
 
 

3,600,000

    Canadian Overseas Petroleum
(Canada) (a) (d)
   

219,055

   
  184,000     Canadian Overseas Petroleum
(Canada) (a)
Oil & Gas Exploration Offshore West Africa
  11,785
 
 

1,217,000

    Petromanas (Canada) (a) (b)
Exploring for Oil in Albania
  53,591
 

   

1,909,351

   
   

Oil Services – 0.8%

 
 

35,000

    Gulfport Energy (a)
Oil & Gas Producer Focused on Utica Shale in Ohio
  1,408,750
 
       

Total Energy & Minerals

   

7,724,048

   
   

Other Industries – 4.4%

 
   

Real Estate – 4.4%

 
 

51,000

    Post Properties
Multifamily Properties
  2,772,870
 
 

73,000

    EdR
Student Housing
  2,289,280
 
 

35,000

    Extra Space Storage
Self Storage Facilities
  2,282,700
 
     

7,344,850

   
       

Total Other Industries

   

7,344,850

   
Total Equities
(Cost: $123,534,725) – 98.1%
   

162,921,357

(e)

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 

Short-Term Investments – 1.5%

 
 

2,536,913

    JPMorgan U.S. Government Money
Market Fund, IM Shares
(7 day yield of 0.01%)
 

$

2,536,913

   
Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost: $2,536,913) – 1.5%
   

2,536,913

   

Securities Lending Collateral – 3.5%

 
 

5,863,150

    Dreyfus Government Cash
Management Fund, Institutional
Shares (7 day yield of 0.01%) (f)
   

5,863,150

   
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $5,863,150) – 3.5%
   

5,863,150

   
Total Investments
(Cost: $131,934,788) (g) – 103.1%
   

171,321,420

   
Obligation to Return Collateral for
Securities Loaned – (3.5)%
   

(5,863,150

)

 

Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities – 0.4%

   

729,732

   

Net Assets – 100.0%

 

$

166,188,002

   

  ADR = American Depositary Receipts

Notes to Statement of Investments

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at June 30, 2015. The total market value of securities on loan at June 30, 2015 was $5,743,626.

(c)  Illiquid security.

(d)  Denotes a restricted security, which is subject to restrictions on resale under federal securities laws. These securities are valued at fair value determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by the Fund's Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2015, the market value of these securities amounted to $2,686,322, which represented 1.62% of total net assets. Additional information on these securities is as follows:


Security
  Acquisition
Dates
  Shares/
Units
 
Cost
 

Value

 

Union Agriculture Group

  12/8/10-
6/27/12
   

261,363

   

$

2,999,999

   

$

2,467,267

   
Canadian Overseas
Petroleum
 

11/24/10

   

3,600,000

     

1,539,065

     

219,055

   
           

$

4,539,064

   

$

2,686,322

   

(e)  On June 30, 2015, the market value of foreign securities represented 2.91% of total net assets. The Fund's foreign portfolio was diversified as follows:

Country

 

Value

  Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Uruguay

 

$

2,467,267

     

1.49

   

Netherlands

   

1,938,680

     

1.17

   

Canada

   

422,270

     

0.25

   

Total Foreign Portfolio

 

$

4,828,217

     

2.91

   

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

(g)  At June 30, 2015, for federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments was approximately $131,934,788 and net unrealized appreciation was $39,386,632 consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $46,317,696 and gross unrealized depreciation of $6,931,064.

Fair Value Measurements

  Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

  Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

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

  Level 3 – prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management's own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)

  The inputs or methodology 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 CWAM's Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

  The Committee is responsible for applying the Trust's Portfolio Pricing Policy and the CWAM pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board.

  The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the investment manager believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger Select

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund's investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.

  For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund's securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.

The following table summarizes the inputs used, as of June 30, 2015, 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

 
Industrial Goods &
Services
 

$

50,100,745

   

$

   

$

   

$

50,100,745

   

Information

   

41,385,603

     

     

     

41,385,603

   
Consumer Goods &
Services
   

25,081,359

     

     

     

25,081,359

   

Finance

   

20,681,980

     

     

     

20,681,980

   

Health Care

   

10,602,772

     

     

     

10,602,772

   

Energy & Minerals

   

5,037,726

     

219,055

     

2,467,267

     

7,724,048

   

Other Industries

   

7,344,850

     

     

     

7,344,850

   

Total Equities

   

160,235,035

     

219,055

     

2,467,267

     

162,921,357

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

2,536,913

     

     

     

2,536,913

   
Total Securities Lending
Collateral
   

5,863,150

     

     

     

5,863,150

   

Total Investments

 

$

168,635,098

   

$

219,055

   

$

2,467,267

   

$

171,321,420

   

  The Fund's assets assigned to the Level 2 input category are generally valued using a market approach, in which a security's value is determined through its correlation to prices and information from observable market transactions for similar or identical assets. Securities acquired via private placement that have a holding period or an extended settlement period are valued at a discount to the same shares that are trading freely on the market. These discounts are determined by the investment manager's experience with similar securities or situations. Factors may include, but are not limited to, trade volume, shares outstanding and stock price.

  There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.

The following table reconciles asset balances for the period ending June 30, 2015, in which significant observable and/or unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:

Investments in
Securities
  Balance as of
December 31,
2014
  Realized
Gain (Loss)
  Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Purchases

 

Sales

  Transfers
into
Level 3
  Transfers
out of
Level 3
  Balance as of
June 30,
2015
 

Equities

 

Energy & Minerals

 

$

2,386,244

   

$

   

$

81,023

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

   

$

2,467,267

   

  The information in the above reconciliation table represents fiscal year to date activity for any securities identified as using Level 3 inputs at either the beginning or the end of the current fiscal period.

  The change in unrealized appreciation attributed to securities owned at June 30, 2015, which were valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), amounted to $81,023.

Quantitative information pertaining to Level 3 unobservable fair value measurements

    Fair Value
at June 30, 2015
 

Valuation Technique(s)

 

Unabservable Input(s)

  Range
(Weighted Average)
 

Energy & Minerals

 

$

2,467,267

   

Market comparable companies

 

Discount for lack of marketability

   

7

% — 23%

 

  Certain securities classified as Level 3 are valued by the Committee using a market approach, as determined in good faith under consistently applied procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board. To determine fair value for these securities, for which no market exists, the Committee utilizes the valuation technique it deems most appropriate in the circumstances, using some unobservable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to estimated earnings of the company and the position of the security within the company's capital structure. The Committee also may use some observable inputs, which may include, but are not limited to, trades of similar securities and market multiples derived from a set of comparable companies. Significant increases or decreases to any of these inputs could result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9




Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Assets:

 

Investments, at cost

 

$

131,934,788

   
Investments, at value (including securities on
loan of $5,743,626)
 

$

171,321,420

   

Receivable for:

 

Investments sold

   

1,455,904

   

Fund shares sold

   

632

   

Securities lending income

   

1,396

   

Dividends

   

98,600

   

Prepaid expenses

   

26,185

   

Total Assets

   

172,904,137

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on securities loaned

   

5,863,150

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

576,432

   

Fund shares redeemed

   

200,489

   

Investment advisory fee

   

2,723

   

Administration fee

   

227

   

Transfer agent fee

   

1

   

Trustees' fees

   

39,123

   

Custody fee

   

3,203

   

Reports to shareholders

   

20,689

   

Chief compliance officer expenses

   

73

   

Other liabilities

   

10,025

   

Total Liabilities

   

6,716,135

   

Net Assets

 

$

166,188,002

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

97,151,326

   

Overdistributed net investment income

   

(76,673

)

 

Accumulated net realized gain

   

29,726,707

   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

39,386,632

   

Foreign currency translations

   

10

   

Net Assets

 

$

166,188,002

   

Fund Shares Outstanding

   

6,502,887

   
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
 

$

25.56

   

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Investment Income:

 

Dividends (net foreign taxes withheld of $1,980)

 

$

720,329

   

Income from securities lending – net

   

7,176

   

Total Investment Income

   

727,505

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fee

   

684,896

   

Transfer agency fees

   

114

   

Administration fee

   

42,806

   

Trustees' fees

   

5,906

   

Custody fees

   

5,498

   

Reports to shareholders

   

38,167

   

Audit fees

   

14,809

   

Legal fees

   

15,873

   

Chief compliance officer expenses

   

3,010

   

Commitment fee for line of credit (Note 5)

   

1,299

   

Other expenses

   

9,227

   

Total Expenses

   

821,605

   

Less advisory fee waiver

   

(56,921

)

 

Net Expenses

   

764,684

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(37,179

)

 
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on
Investments:
 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

29,983,268

   

Foreign currency translations

   

(938

)

 

Net realized gain

   

29,982,330

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on:
 

Investments

   

(20,126,825

)

 

Foreign currency translations

   

10

   

Net change in unrealized depreciation

   

(20,126,815

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

9,855,515

   

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

$

9,818,336

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets:

  (Unaudited)
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2015
  Year Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Operations:

 

Net investment loss

 

$

(37,179

)

 

$

(444,641

)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

29,983,268

     

47,154,484

   

Foreign currency translations

   

(938

)

   

(1,001

)

 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

(20,126,825

)

   

(41,047,938

)

 

Foreign currency translations

   

10

     

   

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

   

9,818,336

     

5,660,904

   

Distributions to Shareholders From:

 

Net realized gains

   

(46,251,052

)

   

(27,182,215

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(46,251,052

)

   

(27,182,215

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Subscriptions

   

979,006

     

3,027,845

   

Distributions reinvested

   

46,251,052

     

27,182,215

   

Redemptions

   

(36,255,864

)

   

(74,952,830

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions

   

10,974,194

     

(44,742,770

)

 

Total Decrease in Net Assets

   

(25,458,522

)

   

(66,264,081

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

191,646,524

     

257,910,605

   

End of period

 

$

166,188,002

   

$

191,646,524

   

Overdistributed Net Investment Income

 

$

(76,673

)

 

$

(39,494

)

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11




Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Financial Highlights

The following table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of the expenses that apply to the variable accounts or contract charges, if any. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

    (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

32.99

   

$

36.41

   

$

27.54

   

$

23.35

   

$

28.99

   

$

23.05

   

Income from Investment Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

(0.01

)

   

(0.07

)

   

(0.05

)

   

0.16

     

(0.06

)

   

(0.09

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

2.06

     

1.07

     

9.46

     

4.15

     

(4.99

)

   

6.17

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

2.05

     

1.00

     

9.41

     

4.31

     

(5.05

)

   

6.08

   

Less Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

     

     

(0.09

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.14

)

 

Net realized gains

   

(9.48

)

   

(4.42

)

   

(0.45

)

   

     

     

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(9.48

)

   

(4.42

)

   

(0.54

)

   

(0.12

)

   

(0.59

)

   

(0.14

)

 

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

25.56

   

$

32.99

   

$

36.41

   

$

27.54

   

$

23.35

   

$

28.99

   

Total Return

   

5.97

%

   

3.17

%

   

34.58

%

   

18.46

%

   

(17.68

)%

   

26.57

%

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

 

Total gross expenses (a)

   

0.96

%(b)

   

0.93

%(c)

   

0.93

%

   

0.92

%

   

0.93

%

   

0.93

%

 

Total net expenses (a)

   

0.89

%(b)

   

0.93

%(c)

   

0.93

%

   

0.91

%(d)

   

0.93

%(d)

   

0.93

%(d)

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

(0.04

)%(b)

   

(0.20

)%

   

(0.15

)%

   

0.60

%

   

(0.24

)%

   

(0.38

)%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

   

34

%

   

18

%

   

24

%

   

20

%

   

23

%

   

30

%

 

Net assets, end of period (000s)

 

$

166,188

   

$

191,647

   

$

257,911

   

$

235,155

   

$

242,543

   

$

345,960

   

Notes to Financial Highlights

(a)  In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.

(b)  Annualized.

(c)  Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.

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

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12




Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.  Nature of Operations

Wanger Select (the Fund), a series of Wanger Advisors Trust (the Trust), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as 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 participating variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and may also be offered directly to certain qualified pension and retirement plans.

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which 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 income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies 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 (the Board). 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. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are valued at their closing net asset value as reported on the applicable exchange. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued at the mean of the latest bid and ask quotations.

Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

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.

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.

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.

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 may receive distributions from holdings in equity securities, ETFs, other regulated investment companies (RICs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which report information on the tax character of their distributions annually. These distributions are allocated to dividend income, capital gain and return of capital based on actual information reported. Return of capital is recorded as a reduction of the cost basis of securities held. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities, return of capital is recorded as a realized gain. With respect to REITs, to the extent actual information has not yet been reported, estimates for return of capital may be made by the Fund's management. Management's estimates are subsequently adjusted when the actual character of the distributions is disclosed by the REITs, which could result in a proportionate change in return of capital to shareholders.

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.

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.

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 the economic equivalent 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 exceeded 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. The income earned from the securities lending program is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, the Fund's lending agent, and borrower rebates. The Fund's investment manager, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (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


13



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

net lending income earned by the Fund as of June 30, 2015, is included in the Statement of Operations.

Offsetting of Financial Assets

The following table presents the Fund's gross and net amount of assets available for offset under a securities lending agreement as well as the related collateral received by the Fund as of June 30, 2015:

    Goldman
Sachs & Co. ($)
 

Liabilities

 

Securities loaned

   

5,863,150

   

Total Liabilities

   

5,863,150

   

Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets

   

(5,863,150

)

 

Financial Instruments

   

5,743,626

   

Net Amount (a)

   

(119,524

)

 

(a) Represents the net amount due from/(to) counterparties in the event of default.

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 substantially 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.

Foreign capital gains taxes

Gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction. The amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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 remote.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures
In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11,
Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. ASU No. 2014-11 changes the accounting for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings and expands disclosure requirements related to securities lending and similar transactions. The disclosure requirements are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of this guidance and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and footnote disclosures, if any.

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.

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 in the Fund 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 Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management), which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's business affairs.

CWAM receives a monthly advisory fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets at the following annual rates:

Average Daily Net Assets

 

Annual Fee Rate

 

Up to $500 million

   

0.80

%

 
$500 million and over    

0.78

%

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the annualized effective investment advisory fee rate, net of fee waivers, was 0.73% of the Fund's average daily net assets.

Effective May 1, 2015, CWAM has contractually agreed to waive 0.20% of the advisory fee through April 30, 2016. When determining whether the Fund's total expenses exceed the voluntary expense cap described below, the Fund's net advisory fee, reflecting application of the 0.20% waiver, will be used to calculate the Fund's total expenses. This arrangement may be modified or amended with approval from all parties to the arrangement.

Through April 30, 2016, CWAM has contractually agreed to bear a portion of the Fund's expenses so that its ordinary operating expenses (excluding transaction costs and certain other investment-related expenses, interest and fees on borrowings and expenses associated with the Fund's investment in other investment companies, if any), after giving effect to any balance credits from the Fund's custodian, do not exceed the annual rate of 1.35% of the Fund's average daily net assets. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund was not reimbursed any expenses by CWAM.

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

%

 


14



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the annualized effective administration fee rate was 0.05% of the Fund's average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management responsibility to provide certain sub-administrative services to the Fund.

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (CMID), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, serves as the Fund's distributor and principal underwriter.

Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (CMIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is the transfer agent to the Fund. For its services, the Fund pays CMIS a monthly fee at the annual rate of $21.00 per open account. CMIS also receives reimbursement from the Fund for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

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 has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer of 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.

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 in accordance with the plan.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund engaged in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment manager (or affiliated investment managers), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. Those purchase and sale transactions complied with provisions of Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and were $104,910 and $477,765, respectively.

5.  Borrowing Arrangements

During the period January 1, 2015 through April 29, 2015, the Trust participated in a credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., along with Columbia Acorn Trust, another trust managed by CWAM, in the amount of $150 million. Effective April 30, 2015, the Trust entered into a revolving credit facility in the amount of $400 million with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Under each facility, interest is charged to each participating Fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.00%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.08% 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 disclosed as a part of "Other expenses" in the Statements of Operations. The Trust expects to renew this line of credit for one year durations each April at then current market rates and terms.

No amounts were borrowed for the benefit of the Fund under the line of credit during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

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:

    (Unaudited)
Six months ended
June 30, 2015
  Year ended
December 31, 2014
 

Shares sold

   

30,405

     

89,274

   
Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividend distributions
   

1,794,763

     

852,642

   

Less shares redeemed

   

(1,132,322

)

   

(2,214,780

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

   

692,846

     

(1,272,864

)

 

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2015, were $56,500,356 and $89,969,084, respectively. The amount of purchase and sales activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.

8.  Shareholder Concentration

At June 30, 2015, two unaffiliated shareholder accounts owned an aggregate of 90.3% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund has no knowledge about whether any portion of those shares was owned beneficially by such accounts. Subscription and redemption activity by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Fund.

9.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

10.  Information Regarding Pending and Settled Legal Proceedings

Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased fund redemptions, reduced sale of fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.


15




Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

Wanger Advisors Trust (the "Trust") has an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC ("CWAM") under which CWAM manages Wanger Select (the "Fund"). More than 75% of the trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") are persons who have no direct or indirect interest in the Advisory Agreement and are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Trust (the "Independent Trustees"). The Trustees oversee the management of the Fund and, as required by law, determine at least annually whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

The Contract Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Trustees (the "Board"), which is comprised solely of Independent Trustees, makes recommendations to the Board regarding any proposed continuation of the Advisory Agreement. After the Committee has made its recommendations, the full Board determines whether to approve continuation of the Advisory Agreement. The Board also considers matters bearing on the Advisory Agreement at its various meetings throughout the year, meets at least quarterly with CWAM's portfolio managers (as does the Board's Investment Performance Analysis Committee), and receives monthly reports from CWAM on the performance of the Fund.

In connection with their most recent consideration of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Committee and all Trustees received and reviewed a substantial amount of information provided by CWAM, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC ("Columbia Management") and Ameriprise Financial, Inc. ("Ameriprise") in response to written requests from the Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the Management Fee Evaluation dated June 2015 (the "Fee Evaluation") prepared by the Trust's chief compliance officer, senior vice president and general counsel, at the request of the Board. Throughout the process, the Trustees had numerous opportunities to ask questions of and request additional materials from CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise.

During each meeting at which the Committee or the Independent Trustees considered the Advisory Agreement, they met in executive session with their independent legal counsel. The Committee also met with representatives of CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise on several occasions. In all, the Committee convened formally on six separate occasions to consider the continuation of the Advisory Agreement. The Board and/or some or all of the Independent Trustees met on other occasions to receive the Committee's status reports, receive presentations from CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise representatives, and to discuss outstanding issues. In addition, the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board, also comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees, reviewed the performance of the Fund, met in a joint meeting with the Contract Committee, and presented its findings to the Board and the Committee throughout the year. The Compliance Committee of the Board also provided information to the Committee with respect to relevant matters.

The materials reviewed by the Committee and the Trustees included, among other items, (i) information on the investment performance of the Fund and of independently selected peer groups of funds and of the Fund's performance benchmark over various time periods, (ii) information on the Fund's advisory fees and other expenses, including information comparing the Fund's fees and expenses to those of peer groups of funds and information about any applicable expense limitations and fee breakpoints, (iii) data on sales and redemptions of Fund shares, and (iv) information on the profitability to CWAM and Ameriprise, as well as potential "fall-out" or ancillary benefits that CWAM and its affiliates may receive as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Trustees also considered other information such as (i) CWAM's financial condition, (ii) the Fund's investment objective and strategy, (iii) the size, education and experience of CWAM's investment staff and its use of technology, external research and trading cost measurement tools, (iv) the portfolio manager compensation framework, (v) the allocation of the Fund's brokerage, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research products and services, (vi) CWAM's risk management program, and (vii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the Fund's investment policies and restrictions, policies on personal securities transactions and other compliance policies.

At a meeting held on June 2, 2015 ("Contract Meeting"), the Board considered and unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement. In considering the continuation of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees reviewed and analyzed various factors that they determined were relevant, none of which by itself was considered dispositive. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees' determination to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Nature, quality and extent of services. The Trustees reviewed the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by CWAM and its affiliates to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement, taking into account the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, its shareholder base, and knowledge gained from meetings with management, which were held on at least a quarterly basis. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the available resources and key personnel of CWAM and its affiliates, especially those providing investment management services to the Fund. The Trustees also considered other services provided to the Fund by CWAM and its affiliates, including: managing the execution of portfolio transactions and selecting broker-dealers for those transactions; monitoring adherence to the Fund's investment restrictions; producing shareholder reports; providing support services for the Board and committees of the Board; managing the Fund's securities lending program; communicating with shareholders; serving as the Fund's administrator; and overseeing the activities of the Fund's other service providers, including monitoring for compliance with various policies and procedures as well as applicable securities laws and regulations.

The Trustees concluded that the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by CWAM and its affiliates to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement were appropriate for the Fund and that the Fund was likely to benefit from the continued provision of those services by CWAM. They also concluded that CWAM currently had sufficient personnel, with appropriate education and experience, to serve the Fund effectively, and that the firm had demonstrated its continuing ability to attract and retain well-qualified personnel. The Trustees also considered that Ameriprise had committed to the Board that CWAM would have sufficient resources to improve performance, including but not limited to resources to hire additional analysts and other investment and operational personnel. Based on these assurances, the Trustees believed that CWAM would have sufficient resources to attract new personnel to help improve performance. In addition, they considered the quality of CWAM's compliance record.

Performance of the Fund. The Trustees received and considered detailed performance information at various meetings of the Board, the Committee and the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board throughout the year. They reviewed information comparing the Fund's performance with that of its benchmark(s) and with the performance of comparable funds and peer groups as identified by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and Morningstar, Inc. ("Morningstar"). The Trustees evaluated the performance of the Fund over various time periods, including over the one-, three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014. The Trustees also considered peer performance rankings for similar time periods, although they generally focused on more recent performance in order to evaluate CWAM's remediation efforts.

The Trustees considered that the Fund had underperformed its peers and benchmark over the one-, three-, and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014 and exposed investors to more risk and volatility versus its peers. The Trustees considered that CWAM had taken steps to reduce risk and volatility in the Fund's portfolio and added additional resources to the management of the Fund in the past year in order to improve performance. The Trustees believed that CWAM was devoting appropriate resources to the Fund's underperformance.

The Trustees concluded that CWAM had taken and continued to take a number of corrective steps to improve performance of the Fund, that CWAM had reported that these steps were being successfully implemented although still in process; and that the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board was monitoring the Fund's performance closely. In addition the Trustees considered that the current and former Chief Investment Officer (the "CIO") of CWAM had reported to them at numerous Committee and Board meetings on the corrective steps being taken to improve performance, and Committee representatives met separately with the CIO on multiple occasions to discuss the Fund.


16



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by CWAM. At various Committee and Board meetings, the Trustees examined detailed information on the fees and expenses of the Fund in comparison to information for comparable funds provided by Lipper and Morningstar. The Trustees noted that the Fund's net expenses were higher than the Lipper and Morningstar peer groups. The Trustees also took into account that the actual advisory fees paid by the Fund were higher than the median versus Lipper and Morningstar peers. In light of the sustained underperformance of the Fund, the Trustees requested and received at the Contract Meeting a contractual fee waiver from CWAM in the amount of 20 basis points for the 2015/2016 fiscal year.

The Trustees also reviewed the advisory fee rates charged by CWAM for managing other investment companies, sub-advised funds and other institutional separate accounts with similar investment strategies, as detailed in materials provided to the Committee by CWAM and in the Fee Evaluation. The Trustees noted that the Fund's advisory fees were generally comparable to the Columbia Acorn Select Fund's advisory fees at the same asset levels.

The Trustees reviewed the analysis of the historic profitability of CWAM in serving as the Fund's investment adviser and of CWAM and its affiliates in their relationships with the Fund. The Committee and Trustees met with representatives from Ameriprise to discuss its methodologies for calculating profitability and allocating costs. They considered that Ameriprise calculated profitability and allocated costs on a contract-by-contract and Fund-by-Fund basis. The Trustees also considered the methodology used by CWAM and Ameriprise in determining compensation payable to portfolio managers and the competitive market for investment management talent. The Trustees were also provided with profitability information from Lipper, which compared CWAM's profitability to other similar investment advisers in the mutual fund industry. The Trustees discussed, however, that profitability comparisons among fund managers may not always be meaningful due to the lack of consistency in data, small number of publicly-owned managers, and the fact that profitability of any investment manager is affected by numerous factors, including its particular organizational structure, the types of funds and other accounts managed, other lines of business, expense allocation methodology, capital structure and other factors. The Trustees evaluated CWAM's profitability in light of the additional resources to be provided to it by Ameriprise to assist in improving performance.

Economies of Scale. At various Committee and Board meetings and other informal meetings, the Trustees considered information about the extent to which CWAM realizes economies of scale in connection with an increase in Fund assets. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints in the rate of fees at various asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the fee structure of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund reflected a sharing of economies of scale between CWAM and the Fund.

Other Benefits to CWAM. The Trustees also reviewed benefits that accrue to CWAM and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, based upon information provided to them by Ameriprise and as outlined in the Fee Evaluation. They noted that the Fund's transfer agency services are performed by Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., an affiliate of Ameriprise, which receives compensation from the Fund for its services provided. They considered that an affiliate of Ameriprise, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. ("CMID"), serves as the Fund's distributor under an underwriting agreement but receives no fees for its services to the Fund. In addition, Columbia Management provides sub-administration services to the Fund. The Committee received information regarding the profitability of the Fund agreement with CWAM affiliates. The Committee and the Board also reviewed information about and discussed the capabilities of each affiliated entity in performing its duties.

The Trustees considered other ways that the Fund and CWAM may potentially benefit from their relationship with each other. For example, the Trustees considered CWAM's use of commissions paid by the Fund on its portfolio brokerage transactions to obtain research products and services benefiting the Fund and/or other clients of CWAM. The Compliance Committee of the Board reviewed CWAM's annual "soft dollar" report during the year and met with representatives from CWAM to review CWAM's soft dollar spending. The Trustees also considered that the Compliance Committee regularly reviewed third-party prepared reports that evaluated the quality of CWAM's

execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions. The Trustees noted that these reports showed that CWAM's execution capabilities were generally better than industry peers. The Trustees determined that CWAM's use of the Fund's "soft" commission dollars to obtain research products and services was consistent with current regulatory requirements and guidance. They also concluded that CWAM benefits from the receipt of proprietary research products and services acquired through commissions paid on portfolio transactions of the Fund, and that the Fund benefitted from CWAM's receipt of those products and services as well as research products and services acquired through commissions paid by other clients of CWAM.

After full consideration of the above factors, as well as other factors that were instructive in evaluating the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees by separate vote, concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable and that the continuation of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interest of the Fund. At the Contract Meeting, the Trustees approved continuation of the Advisory Agreement through July 31, 2016.


17



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

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18



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

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19



Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Proxy Voting Results

Results of Special Meeting of Shareholders
(UNAUDITED)

A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Wanger Advisors Trust (the Trust), was held on February 27, 2015 to ask shareholders to vote in favor of the election of nine nominated trustees to the Board. A proxy statement that described the proposals was mailed to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2014.

Proposal: Each of the trustee nominees was elected to the Board as follows:

Trustee

 

For

 

Against/Withhold

  Abstain/Broker
Non-Votes
 

Laura M. Born

   

38,573,110.511

     

1,474,696.806

     

0

   

Maureen M. Culhane

   

38,532,107.983

     

1,515,699.334

     

0

   

Margaret M. Eisen

   

38,602,975.936

     

1,444,831.381

     

0

   

Thomas M. Goldstein

   

38,638,023.815

     

1,409,783.502

     

0

   

John C. Heaton

   

38,662,930.626

     

1,384,876.691

     

0

   

Steven N. Kaplan

   

38,557,270.785

     

1,490,536.532

     

0

   

Charles R. Phillips

   

38,564,485.454

     

1,483,321.863

     

0

   

David J. Rudis

   

38,588,800.594

     

1,459,006.723

     

0

   

P. Zachary Egan

   

38,642,128.122

     

1,405,679.195

     

0

   


20




Wanger Select 2015 Semiannual Report

Columbia Wanger Funds

Trustees

Laura M. Born, Chair of the Board
Steven N. Kaplan, Vice Chair of the Board
Maureen M. Culhane
P. Zachary Egan
Margaret M. Eisen
Thomas M. Goldstein
John C. Heaton
Charles R. Phillips
David J. Rudis
Ralph Wanger (Trustee Emeritus)

Officers

P. Zachary Egan
President

Alan G. Berkshire
Vice President

Robert A. Chalupnik
Vice President

Michael G. Clarke
Assistant Treasurer

Joseph F. DiMaria
Assistant Treasurer

William J. Doyle
Vice President

David L. Frank
Vice President

Paul B. Goucher
Assistant Secretary

Fritz Kaegi
Vice President

John M. Kunka
Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Stephen Kusmierczak
Vice President

Joseph C. LaPalm
Vice President

Ryan C. Larrenaga
Assistant Secretary

Satoshi Matsunaga
Vice President

Charles P. McQuaid
Vice President

Louis J. Mendes
Vice President

Robert A. Mohn
Vice President

Christopher J. Olson
Vice President

Robert P. Scales
Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Matthew S. Szafranski
Vice President

Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg
Vice President

Linda K. Roth-Wiszowaty
Secretary

Investment Manager

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

Transfer Agent,
Dividend Disbursing Agent

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

Distributor

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts
02110

Legal Counsel to the Funds

Perkins Coie 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 document contains Global Industry Classification Standard data. The Global Industry Classification Standard ("GICS") was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. ("MSCI") and Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") and is licensed for use by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC ("CWAM"). Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

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

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 our website, columbiathreadneedle.com/us, (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, and (iii) 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.columbiathreadneedle.com/us approximately 30 to 40 days after each month-end.



COLUMBIA WANGER FUNDS

© 2015 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. All rights reserved.  C-1465 F (8/15) 1274575




SEMIANNUAL REPORT

June 30, 2015

COLUMBIA WANGER FUNDS

Managed by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC

WANGER USA



Wanger USA

2015 Semiannual Report

    Table of Contents

 

1

   

Understanding Your Expenses

 
  2    

Battery Technology and its Implications

 
  4    

Performance Review

 
  6    

Statement of Investments

 
  12    

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
  12    

Statement of Operations

 
  13    

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 
  14    

Financial Highlights

 
  15    

Notes to Financial Statements

 
  18    

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

 
  20    

Results of Special Meeting of Shareholders

 

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (CWAM) is one of the leading global small- and mid-cap equity managers in the United States with over 40 years of small- and mid-cap investment experience. As of June 30, 2015, CWAM managed $27 billion in assets. CWAM is the investment manager to Wanger USA, Wanger International, Wanger Select and Wanger International Select (together, the Columbia Wanger Funds) and the Columbia Acorn Family of Funds.

An important note: Columbia Wanger Funds are available only through variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by participating insurance companies or certain eligible retirement plans. Columbia Wanger Funds are not offered directly to the public and are not available in all contracts, policies or plans. Contact your financial advisor or insurance representative for more information. Columbia Wanger Funds are distributed by Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc., member FINRA, and are managed by CWAM.

Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks and expenses of the Fund before investing. For variable fund and variable contract prospectuses, which contain this and other important information, including the fees and expenses imposed under your contract, investors should contact their financial advisor or insurance representative. Read the prospectuses for the Fund and your variable contract carefully before investing.

The views expressed in "Battery Technology and its Implications" 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 2015 Semiannual Report

Understanding Your Expenses

As a shareholder, you incur three types of costs. There are transaction costs, which generally include sales charges on purchases and may include redemption fees. There are also ongoing costs, which generally include management fees and other expenses for Wanger USA (the Fund). Lastly, there may be additional fees or charges imposed by the insurance company that sponsors your variable annuity and/or variable life insurance product. The following information is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to help you 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 actual and hypothetical information in the table below is based on an initial investment of $1,000 at the beginning of the period indicated and held for the entire period. Expense information is calculated two ways and each method provides you with different information. The amount listed in the "Actual" column is calculated using the Fund's actual operating expenses and total return for the period. You may use the Actual information, together with the amount invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the results by the expenses paid during the period under the Actual column. The amount listed in the "Hypothetical" column assumes a 5% annual rate of return before expenses (which is not the Fund's actual return) 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" below for details on how to use the hypothetical data.

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 hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports 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 only and do not reflect any transaction costs, such as sales charges, redemption or exchange fees. Therefore, the hypothetical calculations are useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If transaction costs were included in these calculations, your costs would be higher.

January 1, 2015 – June 30, 2015

    Account value at the
beginning of the period ($)
  Account value at the
end of the period ($)
  Expenses paid during
period ($)
  Fund's annualized
expense ratio (%)*
 
   

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

Actual

 

Hypothetical

 

 

Wanger USA

   

1,000.00

     

1,000.00

     

1,078.70

     

1,019.89

     

5.10

     

4.96

     

0.99

   

* 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.


1



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Battery Technology and its Implications

Battery History

Alessandro Volta was a professor of physics at the University of Pavia in Italy at a time of great debate about electricity. He was also a skilled maker of scientific instruments, including machines that could generate an electrostatic charge. After reading a paper noting a torpedo fish could create electric shocks, and proposing that the process creating the charge could be imitated, Volta created the undisputed first battery.1 As described in a paper he wrote in March 1800, the battery consisted of a column of zinc and copper discs separated by brine-soaked cardboard.2

Within months, others were making variations of Volta's battery and improved versions were developed. The batteries were largely used in laboratory equipment, often to enable electrolysis, which resulted in scientific discoveries such as the separation of water into oxygen and hydrogen, as well as discoveries of other elements including sodium and magnesium.3 For several decades, electroplating of metal appears to have been the primary commercial use of batteries.4

All batteries have anode and cathode electrodes as well as an acid or alkaline electrolyte, which facilitates movement of electricity between the electrodes. Components in existing batteries have been refined over time and often later replaced by new materials. In 1839, Sir William Robert Grove, a Welsh judge and physical scientist, made a version utilizing zinc in sulfuric acid and platinum in nitric acid, which produced a then-powerful charge of 1.8 volts but emitted poisonous nitric oxide gas. In the 1850s, German chemist Robert Bunsen created a much cheaper version of Grove's battery by substituting carbon for platinum.5

Telegraphs were developed in the 1830s and 1840s, and became widespread after inventor Samuel Morse's 1844 Washington, D.C. to Baltimore link. That initial line used huge Grove batteries at both ends plus 150-pound Grove batteries at relay points in between. Within 30 years there were 650,000 land miles of telegraph cable6 and, since telegraphs then needed battery powered relays every few miles to boost their signals, commercial demand for batteries boomed. Telegraph office batteries initially needed regular care on strict schedules. The electrodes had to be cleaned or replaced, and the electrolyte needed replenishing.7

The first practical rechargeable battery was developed in 18598 by French physicist Gaston Planté using lead because it was readily available, cheap and amenable to recharging.9 The next battery breakthrough came in 1866 when French engineer Georges Leclanché created a simple, cheap battery consisting of a glass jar with manganese dioxide and zinc electrodes, a small bar of carbon, and an ammonium chloride electrolyte, which was then a common household chemical (sal ammoniac) used in cleaning and baking. This was the first battery not to use acid and, when discharged, replacing the sal ammoniac would revitalize it. Millions were produced for telegraphs, doorbells and telephones, though the battery was good only for intermittent use.10

German chemist Carl Gassner in 1887 patented his "dry cell" battery, consisting of a zinc can as the anode, ammonium chloride and plaster of paris as a dry electrolyte and carbon as the cathode. Producing a steady 1.5 volts, this was apparently the first battery requiring no maintenance. This compact six-inch long battery was durable and was mass-produced to power alarm clocks and bicycle lights.11

Batteries powered many of the first cars. The 1894 Electrobat had 1,500 pounds of lead-acid batteries.12 Of the 4,200 automobiles sold in the United States in the year 1900, battery powered cars were the most popular, followed by steam powered cars. Fewer than 1,000 were powered by gasoline.13

American inventor and businessman Thomas Edison was a proponent of battery-powered cars, and was determined to create a new rechargeable battery with triple the capacity of the lead-acid battery.14 His team experimented with hundreds of different compounds for a better automotive battery. When chided about failed experiments, he said, "No, I didn't fail. I discovered 24,999 ways that the storage battery does not work."15 Ultimately he developed a battery with nickel and iron electrodes and a potassium-based electrolyte that outperformed existing lead-acid batteries by 233%.16 But it was expensive and gasoline-powered cars dominated once the automatic starter (as opposed to a crank) became ubiquitous.

In the 1950s, inventor Samuel Ruben created the alkaline manganese battery in a new AAA size, and licensed it to Mallory, which later became Duracell. That battery was popular in

Kodak flash cameras. Canadian-American chemist Lewis Urry of Eveready invented the modern alkaline battery in 1959.17 His primary innovation was to use powdered zinc, which has dramatically more surface area than solid zinc. Labelled the Energizer, it had 40 times the capacity of the then-ubiquitous zinc-carbon battery.18

As power-hungry portable electronics took off after 1980, the quest for high energy, rechargeable batteries intensified. Nickel-cadmium batteries were invented, but had a "memory effect," which reduced capacity if recharged before depletion, and contained toxic cadmium. Nickel-metal-hydride batteries were also developed, powering cell phones and the first hybrid cars. These batteries had high capacity for the time, but tended to self-discharge when not in use.

Lithium Batteries

Chemists were long aware of lithium's potential in batteries. Lithium is the lightest metal, has half the density of water and, pound per pound, a lithium battery should be able to produce 30 times the energy of a lead-acid battery. However, lithium is too volatile to exist by itself in nature. It will burn or explode when exposed to air and pure lithium must be stored in oil to prevent it from reacting.

Exxon had a venture capital division that recruited British chemist Stanley Whittingham in the 1970s to pursue development of lithium batteries. Whittingham created a coin-sized battery with a lithium-aluminum alloy and a sulfide electrode. The first rechargeable lithium battery was used in a solar-powered watch shipped in 1977. But larger batteries ignited in Exxon's laboratories, and Exxon later exited the business and sold its patents. 19

John Goodenough achieved the breakthrough in lithium batteries. A University of Chicago Ph.D. working at Oxford, he experimented with metal oxides, which could be charged and discharged at higher voltages than sulfides. He also realized that as lithium ions migrate from a sulfide-based cathode, sections of the cathode tend to hollow out and collapse, reducing the ability of the battery to be recharged. Metal oxides in the cathode, in effect, reinforce its structure.

In 1980, Goodenough's team announced the lithium-cobalt-oxide battery.20 His belief in oxides proved correct, as the battery produced about 4 volts versus the 2.4 volts Whittingham


2



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

achieved.21 "It was the first lithium-ion cathode with the capacity to power both compact and relatively large devices...far superior to anything on the market," said author Steve Levine in his recently published book, The Powerhouse.22 Yet because the battery was unusual, no companies in Europe or the Americas licensed it.

South African Ph.D. Mike Thackeray joined Goodenough during a stint at Oxford and helped invent a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode in place of Goodenough's lithium-cobalt-oxide. The NMC version has less safety risk than Goodenough's first lithium battery and theoretically should provide more energy.23 A version of this battery is used in the Chevrolet Volt.

Battery research funding diminished in the United States during the 1980s, a period of low oil prices and excitement about superconductivity. In Japan, however, battery research continued in earnest. After a decade of work, Japanese researcher Akira Yoshino combined Goodenough's lithium-cobalt-oxide cathode with a carbon anode and, in 1991, Sony shipped a resulting lithium-ion battery for small electronic devices. Later, Sony changed the anode to graphite, which was benign and better absorbed lithium ions, resulting in more power for longer periods. The Sony batteries were wildly successful, spurring knockoffs as well as additional lithium battery research.24

Electric Cars and Other Uses for Batteries

Improving performance and dropping costs have enabled much more sophisticated portable electronics but the biggest potential market for batteries is in automobiles. Thomas Edison said that the internal combustion engine would be a bridge between generations of battery powered cars, and he yet could be proven right (albeit late).25

The basic physics problem confronting battery powered vehicles is the energy density of gasoline versus batteries. A kilogram of gasoline contains about 12,700 watt hours of energy,26 while lithium batteries currently used in automobiles have energy densities ranging from 155 to 233 watt hours per kilogram.27 However, electric motors are over 90% efficient, three times that of gasoline engines,28 and electric vehicles can recapture up to half of energy expended through regenerative breaking,29 reducing the effective energy density gap somewhat.

Another key use for improved batteries is within the electric grid. Renewable power from solar and wind is by nature intermittent, and higher capacity, lower cost batteries will allow the adoption of more renewable energy. As battery performance improves and costs fall, expect to see more electric automobiles and renewable energy.

Potential Breakthroughs

In his book, Levine describes the inventions of various forms of lithium batteries and Argonne National Laboratory's successful effort to win funding as The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research. Argonne's goal is another battery breakthrough, achieving five times the performance at one-fifth the cost in five years. The Joint Center is looking beyond lithium. Argonne's senior scientist George Crabtree notes that new concepts, such as use of materials with double ions, use of reactions on the electrode surface instead of inside them and liquid electrodes, are worth exploring.

Investment Implications

Predicting which battery technology will succeed and which battery companies will profit is extremely difficult and risky. I've been on numerous battery technology wild goose chases, and can vaguely recall talking to Argonne researchers back in the late 1970s. The Columbia Wanger Funds' shareholders have instead benefited from investing downstream, in companies that prospered from improved battery technology. For example, domestic funds had profitable investments in cell phone service providers as the industry consolidated years ago, and more recently in cell tower companies.

Charles P. McQuaid
Portfolio Manager, Analyst and Advisor
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC

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 here 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 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.

1  In 1936 in Eastern Iraq, archeologist Wilhelm Koenig found a five- by three-inch broken clay jar that held a rolled sheet of copper and an iron rod. It dated back to between 200 BC and 200 AD. Koenig realized that with an acid or alkaline liquid, the device would be a functioning battery. Several similar jars have since been found. Google "Baghdad battery" to pursue the mystery and controversy.

2  Seth Fletcher, Bottled Lightning: Superbatteries, Electric Cars, and the New Lithium Economy (New York, Hill and Wang, 2011), p. 11.

3  Henry Schlesinger, The Battery: How Portable Power Sparked a Technological Revolution (New York, HarperCollins, 2010), p. 77.

4  Ibid., p. 50, 65.

5  Ibid., p. 96.

6  Ibid., p. 110, 130.

7  Ibid., p. 139.

8  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 13.

9  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 145.

10  Ibid., p. 142-143.

11  Ibid., p. 179.

12  Ibid., p. 174.

13  Jim Motavalli, High Voltage: The Fast Track To Plug In the Auto Industry (New York, Rodale, 2011), p. xii.

14  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 14.

15  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 174.

16  Fletcher, op. cit., 15.

17  NNDB website: nndb.com/people/004/000206383. Accessed April 2, 2015.

18  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 250.

19  Steve Levine, The Powerhouse: Inside the Invention of a Battery to Save the World (New York, Viking, 2015), p. 21.

20  Ibid., p. 25.

21  Fletcher, op. cit., p. 44.

22  Levine, op. cit., p. 25.

23  Ibid., p. 41-44.

24  Ibid., p. 35.

25  Schlesinger, op. cit., p. 174.

26  Hypertextbook website: hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/ArthurGolnik.shtml. Accessed April 1, 2015.

27  Luke Ottaway, "What Makes Tesla's Batteries So Great?" Torque News, October 19, 2014, on website at: torquenews.com/2250/what-makes-tesla-s-batteries-so-great. Accessed April 3, 2015.

28  Tobias Fleiter and Wolfgang Eichhammer, "Energy efficiency in electric motor systems: Technology, saving potentials and policy options for developing countries," Working Paper 11/2011 published by United Nations Industrial Development Organization, p. 5, unido.org. Accessed April 21, 2015.

29  Source: ProEv Inc. article titled, "Regenerative Braking Efficiency," 2015.


3




Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Performance Review Wanger USA

 

 
Robert A. Mohn*
Lead Portfolio Manager
  William J. Doyle*
Co-Portfolio Manager
 

Performance data shown represents past performance and is not a 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. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/us for most recent month-end performance updates.

Market risk may affect a single issuer, sector of the economy, industry or the market as a whole. Investments in small- and mid-cap companies involve risks and volatility and possible illiquidity greater than investments in larger, more established companies. The Fund may invest significantly in issuers within a particular sector, which may be negatively affected by market, economic or other conditions, making the Fund more vulnerable to unfavorable developments in the sector.

Wanger USA gained 7.87% for the semiannual period ended June 30, 2015, outperforming its primary benchmark, the Russell 2000 Index, which rose 4.75%. Strong performance in the health care sector, particularly in biotech stocks, fueled the Fund's strong relative performance.

Three of the top five contributors to Fund performance in the half year period were biotech names that develop drugs to fight orphan diseases—rare diseases that affect a small percentage of the population. Focusing on orphan drug companies has been one of the Fund's investment themes. With the support of our health care analyst, we believe we have done an excellent job for our shareholders in selecting stocks within this niche of the biotech sector. Synageva BioPharma gained 120% in the half on news it was being acquired by Alexion Pharmaceuticals. We sold the Fund's position in the stock to capture its strong gains. Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical saw its stock rise on Synageva's announcement and on news of positive test results for an orphan drug in its pipeline. Ultragenyx was up 137% for the half year. Sarepta Therapeutics gained 110% for the period, as it also bounced on the Synageva news, and on a favorable review from the FDA of its drug to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. An additional winner in the biotech sector was Seattle Genetics, a developer of antibody-based therapies for cancer, which gained 51% on sector strength.

Other winners included Extra Space Storage, a self-storage facilities owner benefiting from strong same-store operating income growth, along with a spate of accretive acquisitions. Its stock gained 13% for the period. IPG Photonics, a maker of fiber lasers, was also up 13% on solid year-over-year revenue growth.

Rental car companies Hertz and Avis Budget Group were the Fund's biggest detractors in the half, falling 27% and 33%, respectively. Rental car pricing year over year grew less than Wall Street analysts believed it would, but we are comfortable with the rate of pricing growth.

Other laggards in the period included hardwood flooring retailer Lumber Liquidators, which fell 63% after the company received negative publicity early in the period. The Fresh Market, a specialty food retailer, fell 22%. While earnings were slightly above industry estimates, comparative quarterly sales data missed expectations.

Amber Road, a developer of global trade management software delivered via the web, was added to the Fund in the period but had a rough start, falling 30% on disappointing revenue growth guidance. Generac, a manufacturer of standby power generators, had weak year-over-year sales, as electrical power outages fell well below trend. Generac's stock dropped 15% in the semiannual period.

We are encouraged by Wanger USA's performance to date in 2015 and with the progress being made in the Fund's longer term results. For the one-year period ended June 30, 2015, Wanger USA's 9.29% gain was well ahead of the 6.49% return of its benchmark, and Fund results for the five- and 10-year periods also topped the benchmark. During this period, we also saw our orphan drug biotech theme come to fruition. Orphan pharmaceutical Synageva BioPharma, for example, was added to the Fund in the first quarter of 2012 and the position had a cumulative gain of 578% upon its sale in May of this year. After the biotech group's multi-year run-up, we believe that the sector's valuations appear stretched. With the removal of Synageva BioPharma from the portfolio and some selective trimming of other positions, we have recently reduced the Fund's exposure to this area.

Fund's Positions in Mentioned Holdings

As a percentage of net assets, as of 6/30/15

Extra Space Storage

   

2.9

%

 

IPG Photonics

   

2.4

   

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical

   

1.5

   

Avis Budget Group

   

1.4

   

The Fresh Market

   

1.2

   

Sarepta Therapeutics

   

1.0

   

Generac

   

0.9

   

Hertz

   

0.7

   

Seattle Genetics

   

0.7

   

Amber Road

   

0.4

   

Lumber Liquidators

   

0.1

   

Fund holdings are as of the date given, are subject to change at any time, and are not recommendations to buy or sell any security. Top holdings exclude short-term holdings and cash, if applicable.

* It is expected that Robert A. Mohn, lead portfolio manager of Wanger USA, will step down in the fourth quarter of 2015. William J. Doyle, current co-portfolio manager of Wanger USA, will continue in that role. Mr. Mohn will continue to perform portfolio management services for the Fund leading up to his departure to ensure a smooth transition in management.


4



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Growth of a $10,000 Investment in Wanger USA
May 3, 1995 (inception date) through June 30, 2015

Performance data shown represents past performance and is not a 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. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown. Performance results reflect any fee waivers or reimbursements of Fund expenses by the investment adviser and/or any of its affiliates. Absent these fee waivers and/or expense reimbursement arrangements, performance results would have been lower. For most recent month-end performance updates, please visit columbiathreadneedle.com/us.

This graph compares the results of $10,000 invested in Wanger USA on May 3, 1995 (the date the Fund began operations) through June 30, 2015, 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 6/30/15

1. Ametek
Aerospace/Industrial Instruments
  3.3
 

%

 
2. Mettler-Toledo International
Laboratory Equipment
  3.1
 
 
3. Nordson
Dispensing Systems for Adhesives & Coatings
  3.0
 
 
4. Extra Space Storage
Self Storage Facilities
  2.9
 
 
5. HEICO
FAA-approved Aircraft Replacement Parts
  2.8
 
 
6. Donaldson
Industrial Air Filtration
  2.6
 
 
7. IPG Photonics
Fiber Lasers
  2.4
 
 
8. Cepheid
Molecular Diagnostics
  2.1
 
 
9. Drew Industries
RV & Manufactured Home Components
  1.7
 
 
10. Ansys
Simulation Software for Engineers & Designers
  1.6
 
 

Top 5 Industries

As a percentage of net assets, as of 6/30/15

Information

   

23.0

%

 

Industrial Goods & Services

   

21.2

   

Consumer Goods & Services

   

14.6

   

Finance

   

13.7

   

Health Care

   

12.2

   

Results as of June 30, 2015

   

2nd quarter*

 

Year to date*

 

1 year

 

5 years

 

10 years

 

Wanger USA

   

2.49

%

   

7.87

%

   

9.29

%

   

18.15

%

   

8.53

%

 

Russell 2000 Index**

   

0.42

     

4.75

     

6.49

     

17.08

     

8.40

   

NAV as of 6/30/15: $34.46

*  Not annualized.

** The Fund's primary benchmark.

Performance numbers reflect all Fund expenses but do not include any fees and expenses imposed under your variable annuity contract or life insurance policy or qualified pension or retirement plan. If performance numbers included the effect of these additional charges, they would be lower.

The Fund's annual operating expense ratio of 0.96% is stated as of the Fund's prospectus dated May 1, 2015, and differences in expense ratios disclosed elsewhere in this report may result from including fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements as well as different time periods used in calculating the ratios.

All results shown assume reinvestment of distributions.

The Russell 2000 Index measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000 Index, which represents approximately 10% of the total market capitalization of the Russell 3000 Index. Indexes are not managed and do not incur fees or expenses. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

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


5




Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
       

Equities – 92.3%

         
   

Information – 23.0%

 
   

Business Software – 7.0%

 
 

138,329

    Ansys (a)
Simulation Software for Engineers & Designers
 

$

12,621,138
 
 

147,514

    SPS Commerce (a)
Supply Chain Management Software Delivered via the Web
  9,706,421
 
 

118,500

    DemandWare (a)
E-Commerce Website Platform for Retailers & Apparel
Manufacturers
  8,422,980
 
 

289,690

    Textura (a) (b)
Construction Vendor Management Software
  8,062,073
 
  66,679     NetSuite (a)
Enterprise Software Delivered via the Web
  6,117,798
 
 

118,000

    Solera Holdings
Software for Automotive Insurance Claims Processing
  5,258,080
 
 

491,228

    Amber Road (a)
Global Trade Management Software Delivered via the Web
  3,448,420
 
 

189,302

    inContact (a)
Call Center Systems Delivered via the Web & Telco
Services
  1,868,411
 
 

18,505

    Cvent (a)
Software for Corporate Event Planners & Marketing Platform
for Hotels
  477,059
 
             

55,982,380

   
   

Instrumentation – 5.5%

 
 

71,802

    Mettler-Toledo International (a)
Laboratory Equipment
  24,517,511
 
 

230,348

    IPG Photonics (a)
Fiber Lasers
  19,619,891
 
             

44,137,402

   
   

Computer Services – 3.4%

 
 

333,000

    ExlService Holdings (a)
Business Process Outsourcing
  11,515,140
 
 

139,000

    Virtusa (a)
Offshore IT Outsourcing
  7,144,600
 
 

175,000

    WNS - ADR (a)
Offshore Business Process Outsourcing Services
  4,681,250
 
 

199,000

    Hackett Group
IT Integration & Best Practice Research
  2,672,570
 
 

205,000

    RCM Technologies
Technology & Engineering Services
  1,160,300
 
             

27,173,860

   
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Computer Hardware & Related Equipment – 1.0%

 
 

68,000

    Rogers (a)
Printed Circuit Materials & High Performance Foams
 

$

4,497,520
 
 

44,000

    Belden
Specialty Cable
  3,574,120
 
             

8,071,640

   
   

Business Information & Marketing Services – 1.0%

 
 

432,000

    Bankrate (a)
Internet Advertising for the Insurance, Credit Card &
Banking Markets
  4,531,680
 
 

220,200

    Navigant Consulting (a)
Financial Consulting Firm
  3,274,374
 
             

7,806,054

   
   

Mobile Communications – 0.9%

 
 

241,063

    Gogo (a) (b)
Provider of Wi-Fi on Airplanes
  5,165,980
 
 

433,701

    Audience (a) (b)
Improving Voice Quality for Mobile Devices
  2,120,798
 
             

7,286,778

   
   

Financial Processors – 0.8%

 
 

46,311

    Global Payments
Credit Card Processor
  4,790,873
 
 

176,018

    Liquidity Services (a)
E-Auctions for Surplus & Salvage Goods
  1,695,053
 
             

6,485,926

   
   

Semiconductors & Related Equipment – 0.8%

 
 

83,000

    Monolithic Power Systems
High Performance Analog & Mixed Signal Integrated Circuits
  4,208,930
 
 

150,000

    Atmel
Microcontrollers, Radio Frequency & Memory
Semiconductors
  1,478,250
 
 

300,000

    Rubicon Technology (a) (b)
Producer of Sapphire for the Lighting, Electronics &
Automotive Industries
  729,000
 
             

6,416,180

   
   

Telephone & Data Services – 0.8%

 
 

431,000

    Boingo Wireless (a)
Wi-Fi & Cellular Communications Networks
  3,560,060
 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
6



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Telephone & Data Services – 0.8% (cont)

 
 

183,958

    Lumos Networks
Telephone & Fiber Optic Data Services
 

$

2,720,739
 
             

6,280,799

   
   

Telecommunications Equipment – 0.7%

 
 

267,000

    Infinera (a)
Optical Networking Equipment
  5,601,660
 
   

Internet Related – 0.6%

 
 

149,847

    RetailMeNot (a) (b)
Digital Coupon Marketplace
  2,671,772
 
 

496,000

    Vonage (a)
Business & Consumer Internet Telephony
  2,435,360
 
             

5,107,132

   
   

Contract Manufacturing – 0.5%

 
 

211,000

    Sanmina (a)
Electronic Manufacturing Services
  4,253,760
 
       

Total Information

   

184,603,571

   
   

Industrial Goods & Services – 21.2%

 
   

Machinery – 18.0%

 
 

476,934

    Ametek
Aerospace/Industrial Instruments
  26,126,445
 
 

309,737

    Nordson
Dispensing Systems for Adhesives & Coatings
  24,125,415
 
 

436,336

    HEICO
FAA-approved Aircraft Replacement Parts
  22,152,779
 
 

580,000

    Donaldson
Industrial Air Filtration
  20,764,000
 
 

143,141

    Moog (a)
Motion Control Products for Aerospace, Defense &
Industrial Markets
  10,117,206
 
 

133,517

    Toro
Turf Maintenance Equipment
  9,049,782
 
 

179,000

    Generac (a) (b)
Standby Power Generators
  7,115,250
 
 

167,000

    ESCO Technologies
Industrial Filtration & Advanced Measurement Equipment
  6,247,470
 
 

48,000

    Middleby (a)
Manufacturer of Cooking Equipment
  5,387,040
 
 

109,325

    Dorman Products (a) (b)
Aftermarket Auto Parts Distributor
  5,210,429
 
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
 

100,000

    Oshkosh Corporation
Specialty Truck Manufacturer
 

$

4,238,000
 
 

85,000

    Kennametal
Consumable Cutting Tools
  2,900,200
 
 

46,000

    Graham
Designer & Builder of Vacuum & Heat Transfer Equipment
for Process Industries
  942,540
 
             

144,376,556

   
   

Industrial Materials & Specialty Chemicals – 1.7%

 
 

234,000

    Drew Industries
RV & Manufactured Home Components
  13,576,680
 
   

Construction – 0.6%

 
 

234,000

    PGT (a)
Wind Resistant Windows & Doors
  3,395,340
 
 

57,000

    Lumber Liquidators (a) (b)
Hardwood Flooring Retailer
  1,180,470
 
             

4,575,810

   
   

Industrial Distribution – 0.5%

 
 

54,128

    WESCO International (a)
Industrial Distributor
  3,715,346
 
   

Electrical Components – 0.4%

 
 

141,162

    Thermon (a)
Global Engineered Thermal Solutions
  3,397,769
 
       

Total Industrial Goods & Services

   

169,642,161

   
   

Consumer Goods & Services – 14.6%

 
   

Travel – 3.2%

 
 

256,179

    Avis Budget Group (a)
Car Rental Company
  11,292,370
 
 

304,000

    Hertz (a)
U.S. Rental Car Operator
  5,508,480
 
 

148,000

    HomeAway (a)
Vacation Rental Online Marketplace
  4,605,760
 
 

42,814

    Choice Hotels
Franchisor of Budget Hotel Brands
  2,322,660
 
 

17,000

    Vail Resorts
Ski Resort Operator & Developer
  1,856,400
 
             

25,585,670

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
7



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Retail – 2.5%

 
 

302,000

    The Fresh Market (a) (b)
Specialty Food Retailer
 

$

9,706,280
 
 

51,782

    Casey's General Stores
Owner/Operator of Convenience Stores
  4,957,609
 
 

151,929

    Zulily (a) (b)
E-Commerce Retailer Offering Flash Sale Events
  1,981,154
 
 

54,000

    Blue Nile (a)
Online Jewelry Retailer
  1,641,060
 
 

20,000

    Fossil (a)
Watch Designer & Retailer
  1,387,200
 
 

116,229

    Gaiam (a)
Promoter of Healthy Living through Catalogs, E-Commerce &
Gaiam TV
  760,137
 
             

20,433,440

   
   

Other Durable Goods – 2.4%

 
 

112,467

    Cavco Industries (a)
Manufactured Homes
  8,484,510
 
 

226,624

    Select Comfort (a)
Specialty Mattresses
  6,814,584
 
 

246,000

    Gentex
Manufacturer of Auto Parts
  4,039,320
 
             

19,338,414

   
   

Consumer Goods Distribution – 2.0%

 
 

150,000

    Pool
Swimming Pool Supplies & Equipment Distributor
  10,527,000
 
 

61,000

    United Natural Foods (a)
Distributor of Natural/Organic Foods to Grocery Stores
  3,884,480
 
 

78,000

    The Chefs' Warehouse (a) (b)
Distributor of Specialty Foods to Fine Dining Restaurants
  1,656,720
 
             

16,068,200

   
   

Furniture & Textiles – 1.5%

 
 

90,561

    Caesarstone (Israel)
Quartz Countertops
  6,207,051
 
 

230,000

    Knoll
Office Furniture
  5,756,900
 
             

11,963,951

   
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Restaurants – 1.3%

 
 

83,000

    Papa John's International
Franchisor of Pizza Restaurants
 

$

6,275,630
 
 

78,500

    Fiesta Restaurant Group (a)
Owner/Operator of Two Restaurant Chains: Pollo Tropical &
Taco Cabana
  3,925,000
 
             

10,200,630

   
   

Other Consumer Services – 0.9%

 
 

179,500

    Blackhawk Network (a)
Third-party Distributor of Prepaid Content, Mostly Gift Cards
  7,395,400
 
   

Leisure Products – 0.8%

 
 

218,414

    Performance Sports Group (a)
Sporting Goods Manufacturer
  3,931,452
 
 

67,486

    Arctic Cat
Manufacturer of ATVs & Snowmobiles
  2,241,210
 
     

6,172,662

   
       

Total Consumer Goods & Services

   

117,158,367

   
   

Finance – 13.7%

 
   

Banks – 7.8%

 
 

79,000

    SVB Financial Group (a)
Bank to Venture Capitalists
  11,374,420
 
 

253,000

    Lakeland Financial
Indiana Bank
  10,972,610
 
 

318,000

    MB Financial
Chicago Bank
  10,951,920
 
 

529,000

    Associated Banc-Corp
Midwest Bank
  10,722,830
 
 

161,194

    Hancock Holding
Gulf Coast Bank
  5,143,700
 
 

666,200

    First Busey
Illinois Bank
  4,376,934
 
 

417,993

    TrustCo Bank
New York State Bank
  2,938,491
 
 

97,858

    Sandy Spring Bancorp
Baltimore & Washington, D.C. Bank
  2,738,067
 
 

187,000

    First Commonwealth
Western Pennsylvania Bank
  1,793,330
 
 

100,890

    Guaranty Bancorp
Colorado Bank
  1,665,694
 
             

62,677,996

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
8



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Finance Companies – 2.2%

 
 

294,748

    CAI International (a)
International Container Leasing
 

$

6,068,861
 
 

65,000

    World Acceptance (a) (b)
Personal Loans
  3,998,150
 
 

128,900

    McGrath Rentcorp
Mini-rental Conglomerate
  3,922,427
 
 

200,760

    Marlin Business Services
Small Equipment Leasing
  3,388,829
 
             

17,378,267

   
   

Brokerage & Money Management – 1.3%

 
 

206,000

    SEI Investments
Mutual Fund Administration & Investment Management
  10,100,180
 
   

Insurance – 1.0%

 
 

298,518

    Patriot National (a)
Underwriting, Claims Administration & Case Management
Outsourcing for Workers Comp Insurers
  4,776,288
 
 

81,000

    Allied World Assurance
Company Holdings
Commercial Lines Insurance/Reinsurance
  3,500,820
 
             

8,277,108

   
   

Savings & Loans – 1.0%

 
 

253,600

    LegacyTexas
Texas Thrift
  7,658,720
 
   

Diversified Financial Companies – 0.4%

 
 

146,500

    Leucadia National
Holding Company
  3,557,020
 
       

Total Finance

   

109,649,291

   
   

Health Care – 12.2%

 
   

Biotechnology & Drug Delivery – 4.3%

 
 

115,200

    Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical (a)
Biotech Focused on "Ultra-Orphan" Drugs
  11,795,328
 
 

258,000

    Sarepta Therapeutics (a) (b)
Biotech Focused on Rare Diseases
  7,850,940
 
 

110,000

    Seattle Genetics (a)
Antibody-based Therapies for Cancer
  5,324,000
 
 

156,200

    Celldex Therapeutics (a)
Biotech Developing Drugs for Cancer
  3,939,364
 
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
 

28,000

    Agios Pharmaceuticals (a) (b)
Biotech Focused on Cancer & Orphan Diseases
 

$

3,111,920
 
 

10,000

    Intercept Pharmaceuticals (a)
Biotech Developing Drugs for Several Diseases
  2,413,800
 
             

34,435,352

   
   

Medical Supplies – 3.3%

 
 

270,000

    Cepheid (a)
Molecular Diagnostics
  16,510,500
 
 

68,500

    Bio-Techne
Maker of Consumables & Systems for the Life
Science Market
  6,745,195
 
 

139,800

    VWR (a)
Distributor of Lab Supplies
  3,736,854
 
             

26,992,549

   
   

Health Care Services – 2.1%

 
 

111,000

    Medidata Solutions (a)
Cloud-based Software for Drug Studies
  6,029,520
 
 

303,900

    Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (a)
Health Care IT
  4,157,352
 
 

87,000

    HealthSouth
Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities & Home Health Care
  4,007,220
 
 

70,000

    Envision Healthcare Holdings (a)
Provider of Health Care Outsourcing Services
  2,763,600
 
             

16,957,692

   
   

Medical Equipment & Devices – 1.3%

 
 

154,000

    Wright Medical Group (a)
Foot & Ankle Replacement
  4,044,040
 
 

38,000

    Sirona Dental Systems (a)
Manufacturer of Dental Equipment
  3,815,960
 
 

47,000

    Abaxis
Instruments & Tests for Vet & Medical Markets
  2,419,560
 
             

10,279,560

   
   

Pharmaceuticals – 1.2%

 
 

218,712

    Akorn (a)
Developer, Manufacturer & Distributor of Specialty
Generic Drugs
  9,548,966
 
       

Total Health Care

   

98,214,119

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
9



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Number of
Shares
     

Value

 
   

Other Industries – 5.1%

 
   

Real Estate – 3.4%

 
 

353,000

    Extra Space Storage
Self Storage Facilities
 

$

23,022,660
 
 

137,300

    EdR
Student Housing
  4,305,728
 
             

27,328,388

   
   

Transportation – 1.7%

 
 

281,523

   

Rush Enterprises, Class A (a)

   

7,378,718

   
  63,150     Rush Enterprises, Class B (a)
Truck Sales & Service
  1,515,600
 
 

250,000

    Heartland Express
Regional Trucker
  5,057,500
 

   

13,951,818

   
       

Total Other Industries

   

41,280,206

   
   

Energy & Minerals – 2.5%

 
   

Oil & Gas Producers – 1.6%

 
 

83,000

    Carrizo Oil & Gas (a)
Oil & Gas Producer
  4,086,920
 
 

59,000

    PDC Energy (a)
Oil & Gas Producer in the United States
  3,164,760
 
 

61,000

    SM Energy
Oil & Gas Producer
  2,813,320
 
 

40,000

    Clayton Williams (a) (b)
Oil & Gas Producer
  2,630,000
 
             

12,695,000

   
   

Oil Services – 0.5%

 
 

56,000

    Gulfport Energy (a)
Oil & Gas Producer Focused on Utica Shale in Ohio
  2,254,000
 
 

80,000

    Hornbeck Offshore (a)
Supply Vessel Operator in Gulf of Mexico
  1,642,400
 
             

3,896,400

   
   

Mining – 0.4%

 
 

30,000

    Core Labs (Netherlands) (b)
Oil & Gas Reservoir Consulting
  3,421,200
 
       

Total Energy & Minerals

   

20,012,600

   
Total Equities
(Cost: $419,626,082) – 92.3%
   

740,560,315

(c)

 
Number of
Shares
     

Value

 

Short-Term Investments – 8.1%

 
 

64,667,857

    JPMorgan U.S. Government
Money Market Fund, Agency
Shares (7 day yield of 0.01%)
 

$

64,667,857

   
Total Short-Term Investments
(Cost: $64,667,857) – 8.1%
   

64,667,857

   

Securities Lending Collateral – 3.5%

 
 

28,183,600

    Dreyfus Government Cash
Management Fund,
Institutional Shares
(7 day yield of 0.01%) (d)
   

28,183,600

   
Total Securities Lending Collateral
(Cost: $28,183,600) – 3.5%
   

28,183,600

   
Total Investments
(Cost: $512,477,539) (e) – 103.9%
   

833,411,772

   
Obligation to Return Collateral for
Securities Loaned – (3.5)%
   

(28,183,600

)

 

Cash and Other Assets Less Liabilities – (0.4)%

   

(2,961,636

)

 

Net Assets – 100.0%

 

$

802,266,536

   

ADR = American Depositary Receipts

Notes to Statement of Investments:

(a)  Non-income producing security.

(b)  All or a portion of this security was on loan at June 30, 2015. The total market value of securities on loan at June 30, 2015 was $28,066,648.

(c)  On June 30, 2015, the market value of foreign securities represented 1.20% of total net assets. The Fund's foreign portfolio was diversified as follows:

Country

 

Value

  Percentage of
Net Assets
 

Israel

 

$

6,207,051

     

0.77

   

Netherlands

   

3,421,200

     

0.43

   

Total Foreign Portfolio

 

$

9,628,251

     

1.20

   

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

(e)  At June 30, 2015, for federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments was approximately $512,477,539 and net unrealized appreciation was $320,934,233 consisting of gross unrealized appreciation of $337,245,032 and gross unrealized depreciation of $16,310,799.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
10



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Wanger USA

Statement of Investments (Unaudited), June 30, 2015

Fair Value Measurements

  Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments, following the input prioritization hierarchy established by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:

  Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical securities

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

  Level 3prices determined using significant unobservable inputs where quoted prices or observable inputs are unavailable or less reliable (including management's own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment)

  The inputs or methodology 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 CWAM's Valuation Committee (the Committee) that rely on significant observable inputs are also included in Level 2. Typical Level 3 securities include any security fair valued by the Committee that relies on significant unobservable inputs.

  The Committee is responsible for applying the Trust's Portfolio Pricing Policy and the CWAM pricing procedures (the Policies), which are approved by and subject to the oversight of the Board.

  The Committee meets as necessary, and no less frequently than quarterly, to determine fair values for securities for which market quotations are not readily available or for which the investment manager believes that available market quotations are unreliable. The Committee also reviews the continuing appropriateness of the Policies. In circumstances where a security has been fair valued, the Committee will also review the continuing appropriateness of the current value of the security. The Policies address, among other things: circumstances under which market quotations will be deemed readily available; selection of third party pricing vendors; appropriate pricing methodologies; events that require fair valuation and fair value techniques; circumstances under which securities will be deemed to pose a potential for stale pricing, including when securities are illiquid, restricted, or in default; and certain delegations of authority to determine fair values to the Fund's investment manager. The Committee may also meet to discuss additional valuation matters, which may include review of back-testing results, review of time-sensitive information or approval of other valuation related actions, and to review the appropriateness of the Policies.

  For investments categorized as Level 3, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Fund's securities may include: (i) data specific to the issuer or comparable issuers, (ii) general market or specific sector news and (iii) quoted prices and specific or similar security transactions. The Committee considers this data and any changes from prior periods in order to assess the reasonableness of observable and unobservable inputs, any assumptions or internal models

used to value those securities and changes in fair value. Significant changes in any of these factors could result in lower or higher fair value measurements. Various factors impact the frequency of monitoring (which may occur as often as daily), however the Committee may determine that changes to inputs, assumptions and models are not required with the same frequency.

The following table summarizes the inputs used, as of June 30, 2015, 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

 

$

184,603,571

   

$

   

$

   

$

184,603,571

   
Industrial Goods &
Services
   

169,642,161

     

     

     

169,642,161

   
Consumer Goods &
Services
   

117,158,367

     

     

     

117,158,367

   

Finance

   

109,649,291

     

     

     

109,649,291

   

Health Care

   

98,214,119

     

     

     

98,214,119

   

Other Industries

   

41,280,206

     

     

     

41,280,206

   

Energy & Minerals

   

20,012,600

     

     

     

20,012,600

   

Total Equities

   

740,560,315

     

     

     

740,560,315

   
Total Short-Term
Investments
   

64,667,857

     

     

     

64,667,857

   
Total Securities
Lending Collateral
   

28,183,600

     

     

     

28,183,600

   

Total Investments

 

$

833,411,772

   

$

   

$

   

$

833,411,772

   

  There were no transfers of financial assets between levels during the period.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
11




Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Assets:

 

Investments, at cost

 

$

512,477,539

   
Investments, at value (including securities on
loan of $28,066,648)
 

$

833,411,772

   

Receivable for:

 

Investments sold

   

1,337,133

   

Fund shares sold

   

16,750

   

Securities lending income

   

26,055

   

Dividends

   

274,729

   

Trustees' deferred compensation plan

   

145,259

   

Prepaid expenses

   

55,798

   

Total Assets

   

835,267,496

   

Liabilities:

 

Collateral on securities loaned

   

28,183,600

   

Payable for:

 

Investments purchased

   

3,271,772

   

Fund shares redeemed

   

1,312,459

   

Investment advisory fee

   

18,850

   

Administration fee

   

1,093

   

Transfer agent fee

   

2

   

Trustees' fees

   

1,424

   

Custody fee

   

4,096

   

Reports to shareholders

   

50,883

   

Chief compliance officer expenses

   

499

   

Trustees' deferred compensation plan

   

145,259

   

Other liabilities

   

11,023

   

Total Liabilities

   

33,000,960

   

Net Assets

 

$

802,266,536

   

Composition of Net Assets:

 

Paid-in capital

 

$

362,157,440

   

Overdistributed net investment income

   

(958,424

)

 

Accumulated net realized gain

   

120,133,287

   

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

320,934,233

   

Net Assets

 

$

802,266,536

   

Fund Shares Outstanding

   

23,281,074

   
Net asset value, offering price and redemption
price per share
 

$

34.46

   

Statement of Operations
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2015 (Unaudited)

Investment Income:

 

Dividends (net foreign taxes withheld of $4,950)

 

$

2,963,722

   

Income from securities lending—net

   

147,359

   

Total Investment Income

   

3,111,081

   

Expenses:

 

Investment advisory fee

   

3,437,681

   

Transfer agent fees

   

291

   

Administration fee

   

199,458

   

Trustees' fees

   

24,395

   

Custody fees

   

9,397

   

Reports to shareholders

   

133,671

   

Audit fees

   

18,551

   

Legal fees

   

72,141

   

Chief compliance officer expenses

   

14,378

   

Commitment fee for line of credit (Note 5)

   

6,115

   

Other expenses

   

17,083

   

Total Expenses

   

3,933,161

   

Net Investment Loss

   

(822,080

)

 

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments:

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

121,855,236

   

Net realized gain

   

121,855,236

   
Net change in unrealized appreciation
(depreciation) on:
 

Investments

   

(60,182,305

)

 

Net change in unrealized depreciation

   

(60,182,305

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain

   

61,672,931

   

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

 

$

60,850,851

   

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
12



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

  (Unaudited)
Six Months
Ended
June 30,
2015
  Year Ended
December 31,
2014
 

Operations:

 

Net investment loss

 

$

(822,080

)

 

$

(1,263,876

)

 

Net realized gain (loss) on:

 

Investments

   

121,855,236

     

126,938,117

   

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

 

Investments

   

(60,182,305

)

   

(89,118,632

)

 

Net Increase in Net Assets from Operations

   

60,850,851

     

36,555,609

   

Distributions to Shareholders From:

 

Net realized gains

   

(125,247,249

)

   

(104,323,181

)

 

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(125,247,249

)

   

(104,323,181

)

 

Share Transactions:

 

Subscriptions

   

6,956,105

     

7,982,236

   

Distributions reinvested

   

125,247,249

     

104,323,181

   

Redemptions

   

(66,473,203

)

   

(155,747,913

)

 

Net Increase (Decrease) from Share Transactions

   

65,730,151

     

(43,442,496

)

 

Total Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

   

1,333,753

     

(111,210,068

)

 

Net Assets:

 

Beginning of period

   

800,932,783

     

912,142,851

   

End of period

 

$

802,266,536

   

$

800,932,783

   

Overdistributed Net Investment Income

 

$

(958,424

)

 

$

(136,344

)

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
13




Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Financial Highlights

The following table is intended to help you understand the Fund's financial performance. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share held for the periods shown. Per share net investment income (loss) amounts are calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. Total return assumes reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any. Total return does not reflect payment of the expenses that apply to the variable accounts or contract charges, if any. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments and certain derivatives, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate may be higher.

    (Unaudited)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
 

Year Ended December 31,

 

Selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

2012

 

2011

 

2010

 

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

 

$

37.71

   

$

41.13

   

$

33.84

   

$

29.80

   

$

33.86

   

$

27.45

   

Income from Investment Operations:

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

(0.04

)

   

(0.06

)

   

(0.05

)

   

0.15

     

(0.13

)

   

(0.10

)

 

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

   

3.08

     

1.70

     

10.79

     

5.63

     

(0.82

)

   

6.51

   

Total from Investment Operations

   

3.04

     

1.64

     

10.74

     

5.78

     

(0.95

)

   

6.41

   

Less Distributions to Shareholders:

 

Net investment income

   

     

     

(0.06

)

   

(0.11

)

   

     

   

Net realized gains

   

(6.29

)

   

(5.06

)

   

(3.39

)

   

(1.63

)

   

(3.11

)

   

   

Total Distributions to Shareholders

   

(6.29

)

   

(5.06

)

   

(3.45

)

   

(1.74

)

   

(3.11

)

   

   

Net Asset Value, End of Period

 

$

34.46

   

$

37.71

   

$

41.13

   

$

33.84

   

$

29.80

   

$

33.86

   

Total Return

   

7.87

%

   

4.78

%

   

33.75

%

   

20.02

%(a)

   

(3.49

)%(a)

   

23.35

%(a)

 

Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data:

 

Total gross expenses (b)

   

0.99

%(c)

   

0.96

%

   

0.96

%

   

0.96

%

   

0.94

%

   

0.98

%(d)

 

Total net expenses (b)

   

0.99

%(c)

   

0.96

%

   

0.96

%

   

0.96

%(e)

   

0.93

%(e)

   

0.97

%(d)(e)

 

Net investment income (loss)

   

(0.21

)%(c)

   

(0.15

)%

   

(0.12

)%

   

0.45

%

   

(0.40

)%

   

(0.35

)%

 

Portfolio turnover rate

   

18

%

   

14

%

   

15

%

   

12

%

   

10

%

   

27

%

 

Net assets, end of period (000s)

 

$

802,267

   

$

800,933

   

$

912,143

   

$

782,222

   

$

757,562

   

$

911,424

   

Notes to Financial Highlights

(a)  Had the Investment Manager and/or its affiliates not waived a portion of expenses, total return would have been reduced.

(b)  In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests, if any. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund's reported expense ratios.

(c)  Annualized.

(d)  Ratios include line of credit interest expense which is less than 0.01%.

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

See accompanying notes to financial statements.
14




Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements (Unaudited)

1.  Nature of Operations

Wanger USA (the Fund), a series of Wanger Advisors Trust (the Trust), is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as 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 participating variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies and may also be offered directly to certain qualified pension and retirement plans.

2.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The Fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies (ASC 946). The financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) which 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 income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies 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 (the Board). 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. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are valued at their closing net asset value as reported on the applicable exchange. A security for which there is no reported sale on the valuation date is valued at the mean of the latest bid and ask quotations.

Short-term investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

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.

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 may receive distributions from holdings in equity securities, ETFs, other regulated investment companies (RICs), and real estate investment trusts (REITs), which report information on the tax character of their distributions annually. These

distributions are allocated to dividend income, capital gain and return of capital based on actual information reported. Return of capital is recorded as a reduction of the cost basis of securities held. If the Fund no longer owns the applicable securities, return of capital is recorded as a realized gain. With respect to REITs, to the extent actual information has not yet been reported, estimates for return of capital may be made by the Fund's management. Management's estimates are subsequently adjusted when the actual character of the distributions is disclosed by the REITs, which could result in a proportionate change in return of capital to shareholders.

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.

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.

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 the economic equivalent 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 exceeded 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. The income earned from the securities lending program is paid to the Fund, net of any fees remitted to Goldman Sachs Agency Lending, the Fund's lending agent, and borrower rebates. The Fund's investment manager, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC (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 by the Fund as of June 30, 2015, is included in the Statement of Operations.

Offsetting of Financial Assets

The following table presents the Fund's gross and net amount of assets available for offset under a securities lending agreement as well as the related collateral received by the Fund as of June 30, 2015:

    Goldman
Sachs & Co.
$
 

Liabilities

 

Securities loaned

   

28,183,600

   

Total Liabilities

   

28,183,600

   

Total Financial and Derivative Net Assets

   

(28,183,600

)

 

Financial instruments

   

28,066,648

   

Net Amount (a)

   

(116,952

)

 

(a) Represents the net amount due from/(to) counterparties in the event of default.


15



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

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 substantially 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.

Foreign capital gains taxes

Gains in certain countries may be subject to foreign taxes at the fund level. The Fund accrues for such foreign taxes on realized and unrealized gains at the appropriate rate for each jurisdiction. The amount, if any, is disclosed as a liability on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

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 remote.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures
In June 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860), Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures. ASU No. 2014-11 changes the accounting for transactions accounted for as secured borrowings and expands disclosure requirements related to securities lending and similar transactions. The disclosure requirements are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2014, and for interim periods beginning after March 15, 2015. At this time, management is evaluating the implications of this guidance and the impact it will have on the financial statement amounts and footnote disclosures, if any.

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.

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 in the Fund 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 Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management), which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). CWAM furnishes continuing investment supervision to the Fund and is responsible for the overall management of the Fund's business affairs.

CWAM receives a monthly advisory fee based on the Fund's average daily net assets at the following annual rates:

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 six months ended June 30, 2015, the annualized effective investment advisory fee rate was 0.86% of the Fund's 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 six months ended June 30, 2015, the annualized effective administration fee rate was 0.05% of the Fund's average daily net assets. CWAM has delegated to Columbia Management responsibility to provide certain sub-administrative services to the Fund.

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. (CMID), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, serves as the Fund's distributor and principal underwriter.

Columbia Management Investment Services Corp. (CMIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, is the transfer agent to the Fund. For its services, the Fund pays CMIS a monthly fee at the annual rate of $21.00 per open account. CMIS also receives reimbursement from the Fund for certain out-of-pocket expenses.

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 has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer of 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.

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 in accordance with the plan.

For the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Fund engaged in purchase and sales transactions with funds that have a common investment manager (or affiliated investment managers), common directors/trustees, and/or common officers. Those purchase transactions complied with provisions of Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act and were $23,444,690.

5.  Borrowing Arrangements

During the period January 1, 2015 through April 29, 2015, the Trust participated in a credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., along with Columbia Acorn Trust, another trust managed by CWAM, in the amount of $150 million. Effective April 30, 2015, the Trust entered into a revolving credit facility in the amount of $400 million


16



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Notes to Financial Statements, continued (Unaudited)

with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to facilitate portfolio liquidity. Under each facility, interest is charged to each participating Fund based on its borrowings at a rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Rate plus 1.00%. In addition, a commitment fee of 0.08% 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 disclosed as a part of "Other expenses" in the Statements of Operations. The Trust expects to renew this line of credit for one year durations each April at then current market rates and terms.

No amounts were borrowed for the benefit of the Fund under the line of credit during the six months ended June 30, 2015.

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:

    (Unaudited)
Six months ended
June 30, 2015
  Year ended
December 31, 2014
 

Shares sold

   

183,299

     

208,916

   
Shares issued in reinvestment
of dividend distributions
   

3,591,834

     

2,944,487

   

Less shares redeemed

   

(1,735,185

)

   

(4,090,881

)

 

Net increase (decrease) in shares outstanding

   

2,039,948

     

(937,478

)

 

7.  Investment Transactions

The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales other than short-term obligations for the six months ended June 30, 2015, were $138,549,323 and $235,395,883, respectively. The amount of purchase and sales activity impacts the portfolio turnover rate reported in the Financial Highlights.

8.  Shareholder Concentration

At June 30, 2015, two unaffiliated shareholder accounts owned an aggregate of 32.6% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. The Fund has no knowledge about whether any portion of those shares was owned beneficially by such accounts. Affiliated shareholder accounts owned 60.6% of the outstanding shares of the Fund. Subscription and redemption activity by concentrated accounts may have a significant effect on the operations of the Fund.

9.  Subsequent Events

Management has evaluated the events and transactions that have occurred through the date the financial statements were issued and noted no items requiring adjustment of the financial statements or additional disclosure.

10.  Information Regarding Pending and Settled Legal Proceedings

Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates have historically been involved in a number of legal, arbitration and regulatory proceedings, including routine litigation, class actions, and governmental actions, concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their business activities. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at www.sec.gov.

There can be no assurance that these matters, or the adverse publicity associated with them, will not result in increased fund redemptions, reduced sale of fund shares or other adverse consequences to the Fund. Further, although we believe proceedings are not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund, these

proceedings are subject to uncertainties and, as such, we are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss that may result. An adverse outcome in one or more of these proceedings could result in adverse judgments, settlements, fines, penalties or other relief that could have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of Ameriprise Financial.


17




Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

Wanger Advisors Trust (the "Trust") has an investment advisory agreement (the "Advisory Agreement") with Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC ("CWAM") under which CWAM manages Wanger USA (the "Fund"). More than 75% of the trustees of the Trust (the "Trustees") are persons who have no direct or indirect interest in the Advisory Agreement and are not "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act")) of the Trust (the "Independent Trustees"). The Trustees oversee the management of the Fund and, as required by law, determine at least annually whether to continue the Advisory Agreement for the Fund.

The Contract Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Trustees (the "Board"), which is comprised solely of Independent Trustees, makes recommendations to the Board regarding any proposed continuation of the Advisory Agreement. After the Committee has made its recommendations, the full Board determines whether to approve continuation of the Advisory Agreement. The Board also considers matters bearing on the Advisory Agreement at its various meetings throughout the year, meets at least quarterly with CWAM's portfolio managers (as does the Board's Investment Performance Analysis Committee), and receives monthly reports from CWAM on the performance of the Fund.

In connection with their most recent consideration of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund, the Committee and all Trustees received and reviewed a substantial amount of information provided by CWAM, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC ("Columbia Management") and Ameriprise Financial, Inc. ("Ameriprise") in response to written requests from the Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the Management Fee Evaluation dated June 2015 (the "Fee Evaluation") prepared by the Trust's chief compliance officer, senior vice president and general counsel, at the request of the Board. Throughout the process, the Trustees had numerous opportunities to ask questions of and request additional materials from CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise.

During each meeting at which the Committee or the Independent Trustees considered the Advisory Agreement, they met in executive session with their independent legal counsel. The Committee also met with representatives of CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise on several occasions. In all, the Committee convened formally on six separate occasions to consider the continuation of the Advisory Agreement. The Board and/or some or all of the Independent Trustees met on other occasions to receive the Committee's status reports, receive presentations from CWAM, Columbia Management and Ameriprise representatives, and to discuss outstanding issues. In addition, the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board, also comprised exclusively of Independent Trustees, reviewed the performance of the Fund, met in a joint meeting with the Contract Committee, and presented its findings to the Board and the Committee throughout the year. The Compliance Committee of the Board also provided information to the Committee with respect to relevant matters.

The materials reviewed by the Committee and the Trustees included, among other items, (i) information on the investment performance of the Fund and of independently selected peer groups of funds and of the Fund's performance benchmark over various time periods, (ii) information on the Fund's advisory fees and other expenses, including information comparing the Fund's fees and expenses to those of peer groups of funds and information about any applicable expense limitations and fee breakpoints, (iii) data on sales and redemptions of Fund shares, and (iv) information on the profitability to CWAM and Ameriprise, as well as potential "fall-out" or ancillary benefits that CWAM and its affiliates may receive as a result of their relationships with the Fund. The Trustees also considered other information such as (i) CWAM's financial condition, (ii) the Fund's investment objective and strategy, (iii) the size, education and experience of CWAM's investment staff and its use of technology, external research and trading cost measurement tools, (iv) the portfolio manager compensation framework, (v) the allocation of the Fund's brokerage, and the use of "soft" commission dollars to pay for research products and services, (vi) CWAM's risk management program, and (vii) the resources devoted to, and the record of compliance with, the Fund's investment policies and restrictions, policies on personal securities transactions and other compliance policies.

At a meeting held on June 2, 2015 ("Contract Meeting), the Board considered and unanimously approved the continuation of the Advisory Agreement. In considering the continuation of the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees reviewed and analyzed various factors that they determined were relevant, none of which by itself was considered dispositive. The material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Trustees' determination to approve the continuation of the Advisory Agreement are discussed below.

Nature, quality and extent of services. The Trustees reviewed the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by CWAM and its affiliates to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement, taking into account the investment objective and strategy of the Fund, its shareholder base, and knowledge gained from meetings with management, which were held on at least a quarterly basis. In addition, the Trustees reviewed the available resources and key personnel of CWAM and its affiliates, especially those providing investment management services to the Fund. The Trustees also considered other services provided to the Fund by CWAM and its affiliates, including: managing the execution of portfolio transactions and selecting broker-dealers for those transactions; monitoring adherence to the Fund's investment restrictions; producing shareholder reports; providing support services for the Board and committees of the Board; managing the Fund's securities lending program; communicating with shareholders; serving as the Fund's administrator; and overseeing the activities of the Fund's other service providers, including monitoring for compliance with various policies and procedures as well as applicable securities laws and regulations.

The Trustees concluded that the nature, quality and extent of the services provided by CWAM and its affiliates to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement were appropriate for the Fund and that the Fund was likely to benefit from the continued provision of those services by CWAM. They also concluded that CWAM currently had sufficient personnel, with appropriate education and experience, to serve the Fund effectively, and that the firm had demonstrated its continuing ability to attract and retain well-qualified personnel. The Trustees also considered that Ameriprise had committed to the Board that CWAM would have sufficient resources to improve performance, including but not limited to resources to hire additional analysts and other investment and operational personnel. Based on those assurances, the Trustees believed that CWAM would have sufficient resources to attract new personnel to help improve performance. In addition, they considered the quality of CWAM's compliance record.

Performance of the Fund. The Trustees received and considered detailed performance information at various meetings of the Board, the Committee and the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board throughout the year. They reviewed information comparing the Fund's performance with that of its benchmark(s) and with the performance of comparable funds and peer groups as identified by Lipper Inc. ("Lipper") and Morningstar, Inc. ("Morningstar"). The Trustees evaluated the performance of the Fund over various time periods, including over the one-, three- and five-year periods ending December 31, 2014. The Trustees also considered peer performance rankings for similar time periods, although they generally focused more on the three-year period.

The Trustees considered that the Fund had outperformed its Morningstar peer group for the three-year period ending December 31, 2014 but lagged peers in the one- and five-year periods. The Trustees noted that the Fund had also underperformed its benchmark in all periods. The Trustees also considered the Fund's risk ratings versus peers. The Trustees considered CWAM's explanation for the Fund's underperformance and believed the performance remediation plan provided by CWAM was reasonably designed to improve the Fund's performance.

The Trustees concluded that CWAM had taken and continued to take a number of corrective steps to improve performance of the Fund, that CWAM had reported that these steps were being successfully implemented although still in process; and that the Investment Performance Analysis Committee of the Board was monitoring the Fund's performance closely. In addition the Trustees considered that the current and former Chief Investment Officer (the "CIO") of CWAM had reported to them at numerous Committee and Board meetings on the corrective steps being taken to improve performance, and Committee representatives met separately with the CIO on multiple occasions to discuss the Fund.


18



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Board Approval of the Advisory Agreement

Costs of Services and Profits Realized by CWAM. At various Committee and Board meetings, the Trustees examined detailed information on the fees and expenses of the Fund in comparison to information for comparable funds provided by Lipper and Morningstar. The Trustees noted that the Fund's net expenses and actual advisory fees paid were higher than the median of both the Lipper and Morningstar peer groups.

The Trustees also reviewed the advisory fee rates charged by CWAM for managing other investment companies, sub-advised funds and other institutional separate accounts, as detailed in materials provided to the Committee by CWAM and in the Fee Evaluation. The Trustees noted that the Fund's advisory fees were generally comparable to the Columbia Acorn USA Fund's advisory fees at the same asset levels. The Trustees also examined CWAM's institutional separate account fees for parallel investment strategies and determined that institutional account advisory fees tended to be lower than the Fund. The Trustees noted that CWAM performs significant additional services for the Fund that it does not provide to sub-advised funds or non-mutual fund clients, including administrative services, oversight of the Fund's other service providers, Trustee support, regulatory compliance and numerous other services, and that, in servicing the Fund, CWAM assumes many legal and business risks that it does not assume in servicing many of its non-fund clients.

The Trustees concluded that the rate of advisory fees payable to CWAM was reasonable in relation to the nature and quality of the services to be provided and the investment performance of the Fund, taking into account CWAM's recent steps to improve performance of the Fund.

The Trustees reviewed the analysis of the historic profitability of CWAM in serving as the Fund's investment adviser and of CWAM and its affiliates in their relationships with the Fund. The Committee and Trustees met with representatives from Ameriprise to discuss its methodologies for calculating profitability and allocating costs. They considered that Ameriprise calculated profitability and allocated costs on a contract-by-contract and Fund-by-Fund basis. The Trustees also considered the methodology used by CWAM and Ameriprise in determining compensation payable to portfolio managers and the competitive market for investment management talent. The Trustees were also provided with profitability information from Lipper, which compared CWAM's profitability to other similar investment advisers in the mutual fund industry. The Trustees discussed, however, that profitability comparisons among fund managers may not always be meaningful due to the lack of consistency in data, small number of publicly-owned managers, and the fact that profitability of any investment manager is affected by numerous factors, including its particular organizational structure, the types of funds and other accounts managed, other lines of business, expense allocation methodology, capital structure and other factors. The Trustees evaluated CWAM's profitability in light of the additional resources to be provided to it by Ameriprise to assist in improving performance.

Economies of Scale. At various Committee and Board meetings and other informal meetings, the Trustees considered information about the extent to which CWAM realizes economies of scale in connection with an increase in Fund assets. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedule for the Fund includes breakpoints in the rate of fees at various asset levels. The Trustees concluded that the fee structure of the Advisory Agreement for the Fund reflected a sharing of economies of scale between CWAM and the Fund.

Other Benefits to CWAM. The Trustees also reviewed benefits that accrue to CWAM and its affiliates from their relationships with the Fund, based upon information provided to them by Ameriprise and as outlined in the Fee Evaluation. They noted that the Fund's transfer agency services are performed by Columbia Management Investment Services Corp., an affiliate of Ameriprise, which receives compensation from the Fund for its services provided. They considered that an affiliate of Ameriprise, Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc. ("CMID"), serves as the Fund's distributor under an underwriting agreement but receives no fees for its services to the Fund. In addition, Columbia Management provides sub-administration services to the Fund. The Committee received information regarding the profitability of the Fund agreement with CWAM affiliates. The Committee and the Board also reviewed information about and discussed the capabilities of each affiliated entity in performing its duties.

The Trustees considered other ways that the Fund and CWAM may potentially benefit from their relationship with each other. For example, the Trustees considered CWAM's use of commissions paid by the Fund on its portfolio brokerage transactions to obtain research products and services benefiting the Fund and/or other clients of CWAM. The Compliance Committee of the Board reviewed CWAM's annual "soft dollar" report during the year and met with representatives from CWAM to review CWAM's soft dollar spending. The Trustees also considered that the Compliance Committee regularly reviewed third-party prepared reports that evaluated the quality of CWAM's execution of the Fund's portfolio transactions. The Trustees noted that these reports showed that CWAM's execution capabilities were generally better than industry peers. The Trustees determined that CWAM's use of the Fund's "soft" commission dollars to obtain research products and services was consistent with current regulatory requirements and guidance. They also concluded that CWAM benefits from the receipt of proprietary research products and services acquired through commissions paid on portfolio transactions of the Fund, and that the Fund benefitted from CWAM's receipt of those products and services as well as research products and services acquired through commissions paid by other clients of CWAM.

After full consideration of the above factors, as well as other factors that were instructive in evaluating the Advisory Agreement, the Trustees, including the Independent Trustees by separate vote, concluded that the advisory fees were reasonable and that the continuation of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interest of the Fund. At the Contract Meeting, the Trustees approved continuation of the Advisory Agreement through July 31, 2016.


19




Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Proxy Voting Results

Results of Special Meeting of Shareholders
(UNAUDITED)

A Special Meeting of Shareholders of Wanger Advisors Trust (the Trust), was held on February 27, 2015 to ask shareholders to vote in favor of the election of nine nominated trustees to the Board. A proxy statement that described the proposals was mailed to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2014.

Proposal: Each of the trustee nominees was elected to the Board as follows:

Trustee

 

For

 

Against/Withhold

  Abstain/Broker
Non-Votes
 

Laura M. Born

   

38,573,110.511

     

1,474,696.806

     

0

   

Maureen M. Culhane

   

38,532,107.983

     

1,515,699.334

     

0

   

Margaret M. Eisen

   

38,602,975.936

     

1,444,831.381

     

0

   

Thomas M. Goldstein

   

38,638,023.815

     

1,409,783.502

     

0

   

John C. Heaton

   

38,662,930.626

     

1,384,876.691

     

0

   

Steven N. Kaplan

   

38,557,270.785

     

1,490,536.532

     

0

   

Charles R. Phillips

   

38,564,485.454

     

1,483,321.863

     

0

   

David J. Rudis

   

38,588,800.594

     

1,459,006.723

     

0

   

P. Zachary Egan

   

38,642,128.122

     

1,405,679.195

     

0

   


20



Wanger USA 2015 Semiannual Report

Columbia Wanger Funds

Trustees

Laura M. Born, Chair of the Board
Steven N. Kaplan,
Vice Chair of the Board
Maureen M. Culhane
P. Zachary Egan
Margaret M. Eisen
Thomas M. Goldstein
John C. Heaton
Charles R. Phillips
David J. Rudis
Ralph Wanger (Trustee Emeritus)

Officers

P. Zachary Egan
President

Alan G. Berkshire
Vice President

Robert A. Chalupnik
Vice President

Michael G. Clarke
Assistant Treasurer

Joseph F. DiMaria
Assistant Treasurer

William J. Doyle
Vice President

David L. Frank
Vice President

Paul B. Goucher
Assistant Secretary

Fritz Kaegi
Vice President

John M. Kunka
Treasurer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer

Stephen Kusmierczak
Vice President

Joseph C. LaPalm
Vice President

Ryan C. Larrenaga
Assistant Secretary

Satoshi Matsunaga
Vice President

Charles P. McQuaid
Vice President

Louis J. Mendes
Vice President

Robert A. Mohn
Vice President

Christopher J. Olson
Vice President

Robert P. Scales
Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Matthew S. Szafranski
Vice President

Andreas Waldburg-Wolfegg
Vice President

Linda K. Roth-Wiszowaty
Secretary

Investment Manager

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

Transfer Agent,
Dividend Disbursing Agent

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

Distributor

Columbia Management Investment Distributors, Inc.
225 Franklin Street
Boston, Massachusetts
02110

Legal Counsel to the Funds

Perkins Coie 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 document contains Global Industry Classification Standard data. The Global Industry Classification Standard ("GICS") was developed by and is the exclusive property and a service mark of MSCI Inc. ("MSCI") and Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC ("S&P") and is licensed for use by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, LLC ("CWAM"). Neither MSCI, S&P, nor any other party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications makes any express or implied warranties or representations with respect to such standard or classification (or the results to be obtained by the use thereof), and all such parties hereby expressly disclaim all warranties of originality, accuracy, completeness, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose with respect to any of such standard or classification. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI, S&P, any of their affiliates or any third party involved in making or compiling the GICS or any GICS classifications have any liability for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, consequential or any other damages (including lost profits) even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

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

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 our website, columbiathreadneedle.com/us, (ii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, and (iii) 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.columbiathreadneedle.com/us approximately 30 to 40 days after each month end.




COLUMBIA WANGER FUNDS

© 2015 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. All rights reserved.  C-1470 F (8/15) 1274606




 

Item 2. Code of Ethics.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

 

Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

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 were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors.

 

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 material 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: Not applicable for semiannual reports.

 

(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/ P. Zachary Egan

 

 

 

P. Zachary Egan, President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

August 19, 2015

 

 

 

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/ P. Zachary Egan

 

 

P. Zachary Egan, President

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

August 19, 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By (Signature and Title)

 

/s/ John M. Kunka

 

 

 

John M. Kunka, Treasurer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

August 19, 2015