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 811-21624
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN | 55416-1297 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., 3435 Stelzer Road, Columbus, OH 43219-8000
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 1-800-624-0197
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: December 31, 2014
Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.
AZL® Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 12
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 13
Other Information
Page 14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 15
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 17
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL® Balanced Index Strategy Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Balanced Index Strategy Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Balanced Index Strategy Fund had a total return of 6.11%. That compared to a 9.79% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index, which is comprised of an equal weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund is a fund of funds that pursues broad diversification across four equity sub-portfolios and one fixed-income sub-portfolio. The four equity sub-portfolios pursue passive strategies that aim to achieve, before fees, returns similar to the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 400 Index, the S&P 600 Index, and the MSCI EAFE Index, which represents shares of large companies in developed foreign markets. The fixed income sub-portfolio is an enhanced bond index strategy that seeks to achieve a return that exceeds the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Generally, the Fund allocates 40% to 60% of its assets to the underlying equity index funds and between 40% and 60% to the underlying bond index fund.
The U.S. equity market produced positive returns during the period, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 13.69%. Economic activity recovered after facing a contraction at the start of the year as extreme weather conditions across much of the U.S. created a challenging economic environment. Several economic indicators showed positive direction for most of the year. The U.S. employment situation improved, consumer confidence rose higher, the manufacturing sector rebounded, inflation remained below its long-term trend and the housing sector steadily improved. Consumers also benefited from the significant drop in oil prices that occurred toward the end of the year. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) exited its quantitative easing program by slowly reducing its bond purchases throughout the year, and concluded the program by making the final $15 billion purchase in October. Despite the continued economic gains, the Fed remained committed to keeping short-term interest rates anchored near zero until the economy could show further improvement.
Developed international equity markets lagged, with the MSCI EAFE Index declining 4.90% during the period. A continued weakness in Europe in addition to the contraction in Japan’s gross domestic product3 signaled further divergence between the U.S. and other major developed
economies in 2014. Attempts to stimulate growth in Europe and Japan were met with varying degrees of success. One outcome from these stimulative efforts has been continued strength in the U.S. dollar. This currency impact has created an additional headwind for international returns.*
Fixed income markets benefited from a decline in long-term interest rates during the last 12 months with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropping 87 basis points (0.87%) during this period. Bond prices increase when interest rates decrease. Against this backdrop, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 5.97%.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark in 2014 due in large part to its exposure to international equity and small- and mid-cap stocks. The Fund’s relative results were also hurt by the underlying fixed income fund’s modest underperformance compared to its stated benchmark during the period.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL® Balanced Index Strategy Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation with preservation of capital as an important consideration. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of Permitted Underlying Funds that represent different classes in the Fund’s asset allocation.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in underlying funds, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of those underlying funds. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by each of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Indices because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception (7/10/09) | |||||||||||||
AZL® Balanced Index Strategy Fund | 6.11 | % | 9.74 | % | 8.38 | % | 10.28 | % | ||||||||
Balanced Composite Index | 9.79 | % | 11.39 | % | 10.20 | % | 12.08 | % | ||||||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 20.41 | % | 15.45 | % | 19.30 | % | ||||||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.66 | % | 4.45 | % | 4.57 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL® Balanced Index Strategy Fund | 0.70 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the Permitted Underlying Funds. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.08%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 50% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 50% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,011.90 | $ | 0.41 | 0.08 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.80 | $ | 0.41 | 0.08 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Fixed Income | 50.3 | % | |||
Domestic Equities | 37.4 | ||||
International Equities | 12.2 | ||||
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Total Investment Securities | 99.9 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 0.1 | ||||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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3
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies (99.9%): | |||||||
19,804,160 | AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund | $ | 220,420,305 | |||||
3,512,525 | AZL International Index Fund | 53,671,377 | ||||||
1,406,573 | AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 33,040,394 | ||||||
7,852,357 | AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2 | 113,073,935 | ||||||
1,158,162 | AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund | 17,870,443 | ||||||
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| Total Affiliated Investment Companies (Cost $344,748,234) | 438,076,454 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities (Cost $344,748,234)(a) — 99.9% | 438,076,454 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 0.1% | 574,120 | ||||||
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| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 438,650,574 | |||||
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Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | $ | 344,748,234 | |||
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Investments in affiliates, at value | $ | 438,076,454 | |||
Receivable for capital shares issued | 611,466 | ||||
Receivable for affiliated investments sold | 432,179 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 3,647 | ||||
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Total Assets | 439,123,746 | ||||
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Liabilities: | |||||
Cash overdraft | 432,179 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 3,422 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 18,547 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 3,771 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 356 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 1,237 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 25 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 13,635 | ||||
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Total Liabilities | 473,172 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 438,650,574 | |||
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Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 333,286,680 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 4,617,148 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 7,418,526 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 93,328,220 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 438,650,574 | |||
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Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 27,563,236 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 15.91 | |||
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Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 4,662,417 | |||
Foreign tax reclaims received | 1,396 | ||||
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Total Investment Income | 4,663,813 | ||||
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Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 212,276 | ||||
Administration fees | 53,381 | ||||
Custodian fees | 1,581 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 5,802 | ||||
Trustee fees | 22,402 | ||||
Professional fees | 18,720 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 13,630 | ||||
Other expenses | 8,084 | ||||
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Total expenses | 335,876 | ||||
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Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 4,327,937 | ||||
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Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 6,280,152 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 2,091,460 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions | 1,598 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 12,413,607 | ||||
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Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 20,786,817 | ||||
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Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 25,114,754 | |||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 4,327,937 | $ | 4,213,776 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 8,373,210 | 6,894,634 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 12,413,607 | 35,462,711 | ||||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from operations | 25,114,754 | 46,571,121 | ||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (6,008,353 | ) | (6,512,409 | ) | ||||||
From net realized gains | (5,277,414 | ) | (1,087,438 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (11,285,767 | ) | (7,599,847 | ) | ||||||
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Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 41,123,732 | 47,430,337 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 11,285,767 | 7,599,846 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (41,570,033 | ) | (34,130,779 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 10,839,466 | 20,899,404 | ||||||||
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Change in net assets | 24,668,453 | 59,870,678 | ||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 413,982,121 | 354,111,443 | ||||||||
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End of period | $ | 438,650,574 | $ | 413,982,121 | ||||||
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Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 4,617,148 | $ | 6,008,337 | ||||||
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Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 2,613,550 | 3,212,441 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 720,215 | 519,825 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (2,646,644 | ) | (2,322,343 | ) | ||||||
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Change in shares | 687,121 | 1,409,923 | ||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 15.40 | $ | 13.91 | $ | 12.84 | $ | 12.63 | $ | 11.43 | |||||||||||||||
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Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.16 | 0.15 | 0.13 | 0.10 | 0.06 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.78 | 1.63 | 1.19 | 0.20 | 1.14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Total from Investment Activities | 0.94 | 1.78 | 1.32 | 0.30 | 1.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.23 | ) | (0.25 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.09 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains | (0.20 | ) | (0.04 | ) | (0.06 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||||||
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Total Dividends | (0.43 | ) | (0.29 | ) | (0.25 | ) | (0.09 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||
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Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 15.91 | $ | 15.40 | $ | 13.91 | $ | 12.84 | $ | 12.63 | |||||||||||||||
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Total Return(a) | 6.11 | % | 12.93 | % | 10.29 | % | 2.41 | % | 10.50 | % | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 438,651 | $ | 413,982 | $ | 354,111 | $ | 298,174 | $ | 219,392 | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 1.02 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.08 | % | 1.10 | % | 0.58 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(b) | 0.08 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.10 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions* | 0.08 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.09 | % | 0.10 | % | |||||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 9 | % | 8 | % | 7 | % | 6 | % | 4 | % |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(b) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, and reclassification of certain distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
8
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund | 0.05 | % | 0.20 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund | $ | 203,106,444 | $ | 23,645,726 | $ | (15,256,606 | ) | $ | (188,741 | ) | $ | 9,113,482 | $ | 220,420,305 | $ | 2,118,681 | |||||||||||||||||||
AZL International Index Fund | 52,704,199 | 9,365,286 | (4,106,722 | ) | 771,804 | (5,063,190 | ) | 53,671,377 | 935,211 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 31,706,819 | 3,112,230 | (3,368,412 | ) | 876,943 | 712,814 | 33,040,394 | 209,576 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2 | 108,740,465 | 6,836,132 | (15,120,240 | ) | 4,483,332 | 8,134,246 | 113,073,935 | 1,295,359 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund | 17,122,526 | 2,163,781 | (1,268,933 | ) | 336,814 | (483,745 | ) | 17,870,443 | 103,590 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 413,380,453 | $ | 45,123,155 | $ | (39,120,913 | ) | $ | 6,280,152 | $ | 12,413,607 | $ | 438,076,454 | $ | 4,662,417 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $5,063 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
9
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Companies | $ | 438,076,454 | $ | — | $ | 438,076,454 | |||||||||
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Total Investment Securities | $ | 438,076,454 | $ | — | $ | 438,076,454 | |||||||||
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5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 45,123,155 | $ | 39,120,913 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund did not directly invest in derivatives.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $345,514,555. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 93,328,220 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (766,321 | ) | ||
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Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 92,561,899 | ||
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The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 6,008,353 | $ | 5,277,414 | $ | 11,285,767 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 6,512,409 | $ | 1,087,438 | $ | 7,599,847 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
10
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/(Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 4,617,147 | $ | 8,184,848 | $ | — | $ | 92,561,899 | $ | 105,363,894 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
11
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Balanced Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
12
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 25.66% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $5,277,414.
13
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
15
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
17
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014 |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
18
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL® Growth Index Strategy Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 12
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 13
Other Information
Page 14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 15
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 17
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL® Growth Index Strategy Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® Growth Index Strategy Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® Growth Index Strategy Fund returned 6.53%1. That compared to a 11.73% total return for its benchmark, the Growth Composite Index, which is comprised of a 75% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 25% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund is a fund of funds that pursues broad diversification across four equity sub-portfolios and one fixed-income sub-portfolio. The four equity sub-portfolios pursue passive strategies that aim to achieve, before fees, returns similar to the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 400 Index3, the S&P 600 Index4, and the MSCI EAFE Index5, which represents shares of large companies in developed foreign markets. The fixed income sub-portfolio is an enhanced bond index strategy that seeks to achieve a return that exceeds the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Generally, the Fund allocates 65% to 85% of its assets to the underlying equity index funds and between 15% and 35% to the underlying bond index fund.
The U.S. equity market produced positive returns during the period, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 13.69%. Economic activity recovered after facing a contraction at the start of the year as extreme weather conditions across much of the U.S. created a challenging economic environment. Several economic indicators showed positive direction for most of the year. The U.S. employment situation improved, consumer confidence rose higher, the manufacturing sector rebounded, inflation remained below its long-term trend and the housing sector steadily improved. Consumers also benefited from the significant drop in oil prices that occurred toward the end of the year. The Federal Reserve (the Fed) exited its quantitative easing program by slowly reducing its bond purchases throughout the year, and concluded the program by making the final $15 billion purchase in October. Despite the continued economic gains, the Fed remained committed to keeping short-term interest rates anchored near zero until the economy could show further improvement.
Developed international equity markets lagged, with the MSCI EAFE Index declining 4.90% during the period. Continued weakness in Europe and a contraction in Japan’s gross domestic product6 signaled further divergence between the U.S. and other major developed economies in 2014. Attempts to stimulate growth in Europe and Japan were met with varying degrees of success. One outcome from these stimulative efforts has been continued strength in the U.S. dollar. This currency impact has created an additional headwind for international returns.
Fixed income markets benefited from a decline in long-term interest rates during the last 12 months with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropping 87 basis points (0.87%) during
this period. Bond prices increase when interest rates decrease. Against this backdrop, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 5.97%.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark during the period due to its exposure to international equity and small- and mid-cap stocks, and due to the slight underperformance from the underlying fixed income fund compared to its benchmark.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | The Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index (“S&P 400”) is the most widely used index for mid-sized companies. The S&P 400 covers 7% of the U.S. equities market, and is part of a series of S&P U.S. indices that can be used as building blocks for portfolio composition. |
4 | The Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index (“S&P 600”) covers approximately 3% of the domestic equities market. Measuring the small-cap segment of the market that is typically renowned for poor trading liquidity and financial instability, the index is designed to be an efficient portfolio of companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are investable and financially viable. |
5 | The Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. |
6 | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
1
AZL® Growth Index Strategy Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of Permitted Underlying Funds that represent different classes in the Fund’s asset allocation.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in underlying funds, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of those underlying funds. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by each of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Indices because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception (7/10/09) | |||||||||||||
AZL® Growth Index Strategy Fund | 6.53 | % | 13.49 | % | 10.64 | % | 13.12 | % | ||||||||
Growth Composite Index | 11.73 | % | 15.87 | % | 12.89 | % | 15.73 | % | ||||||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 20.41 | % | 15.45 | % | 19.30 | % | ||||||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.66 | % | 4.45 | % | 4.57 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL® Growth Index Strategy Fund | 0.67 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the Permitted Underlying Funds. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.07%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Growth Composite Index”), which is comprised of 75% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 25% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,009.80 | $ | 0.35 | 0.07 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.85 | $ | 0.36 | 0.07 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Domestic Equities | 56.6 | % | |||
Fixed Income | 25.0 | ||||
International Equities | 18.5 | ||||
Money Market | — | ^ | |||
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Total Investment Securities | 100.1 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | (0.1 | ) | |||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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^ | Represents less than 0.05% |
3
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies (100.1%): |
| ||||||
32,282,739 | AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund | $ | 359,306,887 | |||||
17,450,976 | AZL International Index Fund | 266,650,920 | ||||||
6,891,358 | AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 161,878,009 | ||||||
39,611,232 | AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2 | 570,401,744 | ||||||
5,331,387 | AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund | 82,263,307 | ||||||
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| Total Affiliated Investment Companies (Cost $1,078,171,426) | 1,440,500,867 | ||||||
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| Unaffiliated Investment Company (0.0%): | |||||||
471,087 | Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(a) | 471,087 | ||||||
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| Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $471,087) | 471,087 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities (Cost $1,078,642,513)(b) —100.1% | 1,440,971,954 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — (0.1)% | (1,423,909 | ) | |||||
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| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 1,439,548,045 | |||||
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Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 471,087 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 1,078,171,426 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 1,078,642,513 | |||
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Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 471,087 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 1,440,500,867 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at value | 1,440,971,954 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 12,061 | ||||
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Total Assets | 1,440,984,015 | ||||
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Liabilities: | |||||
Payable for affiliated investments purchased | 471,087 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 858,119 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 61,258 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 3,488 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 393 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 3,690 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 74 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 37,861 | ||||
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Total Liabilities | 1,435,970 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 1,439,548,045 | |||
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Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 1,044,581,095 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 16,616,452 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 16,021,057 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 362,329,441 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 1,439,548,045 | |||
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Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 76,923,504 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 18.71 | |||
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Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 16,203,105 | |||
Foreign tax reclaims received | 449 | ||||
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Total Investment Income | 16,203,554 | ||||
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Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 700,188 | ||||
Administration fees | 60,030 | ||||
Custodian fees | 1,807 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 19,036 | ||||
Trustee fees | 73,007 | ||||
Professional fees | 61,115 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 38,762 | ||||
Other expenses | 27,279 | ||||
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Total expenses | 981,224 | ||||
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Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 15,222,330 | ||||
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Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 9,535,900 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 9,979,081 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions | 7,340 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 53,635,818 | ||||
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Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 73,158,139 | ||||
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Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 88,380,469 | |||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 15,222,330 | $ | 13,754,079 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 19,522,321 | 9,088,898 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 53,635,818 | 194,361,517 | ||||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from operations | 88,380,469 | 217,204,494 | ||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (16,767,136 | ) | (14,002,980 | ) | ||||||
From net realized gains | (6,699,515 | ) | (2,637,482 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (23,466,651 | ) | (16,640,462 | ) | ||||||
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Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 120,876,423 | 214,946,967 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 23,466,651 | 16,640,462 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (117,544,432 | ) | (47,458,985 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 26,798,642 | 184,128,444 | ||||||||
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Change in net assets | 91,712,460 | 384,692,476 | ||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 1,347,835,585 | 963,143,109 | ||||||||
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End of period | $ | 1,439,548,045 | $ | 1,347,835,585 | ||||||
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Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 16,616,452 | $ | 16,767,102 | ||||||
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Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 6,625,896 | 12,978,538 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 1,270,528 | 1,001,834 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (6,453,249 | ) | (2,894,753 | ) | ||||||
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Change in shares | 1,443,175 | 11,085,619 | ||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 17.86 | $ | 14.96 | $ | 13.37 | $ | 13.44 | $ | 11.85 | |||||||||||||||
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Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.20 | 0.16 | 0.13 | 0.07 | 0.07 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.96 | 2.97 | 1.64 | (0.07 | ) | 1.52 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Total from Investment Activities | 1.16 | 3.13 | 1.77 | — | 1.59 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.22 | ) | (0.20 | ) | (0.16 | ) | (0.07 | ) | — | (a) | |||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains | (0.09 | ) | (0.03 | ) | (0.02 | ) | — | (a) | — | ||||||||||||||||
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Total Dividends | (0.31 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.18 | ) | (0.07 | ) | — | (a) | |||||||||||||||
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Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 18.71 | $ | 17.86 | $ | 14.96 | $ | 13.37 | $ | 13.44 | |||||||||||||||
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Total Return(b) | 6.53 | % | 21.07 | % | 13.33 | % | 0.01 | % | 13.42 | % | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 1,439,548 | $ | 1,347,836 | $ | 963,143 | $ | 764,506 | $ | 384,050 | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 1.09 | % | 1.20 | % | 1.10 | % | 1.16 | % | 0.82 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(c) | 0.07 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.08 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions* | 0.07 | % | 0.07 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.08 | % | 0.08 | % | |||||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 7 | % | 3 | % | 6 | % | 3 | % | 9 | % |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | Represents less than $0.005. |
(b) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(c) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, and reclassification of certain distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund | 0.05 | % | 0.20 | % |
8
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund | $ | 331,199,907 | $ | 60,897,150 | $ | (47,561,097 | ) | $ | (560,965 | ) | $ | 15,331,892 | $ | 359,306,887 | $ | 3,470,794 | |||||||||||||||||||
AZL International Index Fund | 258,583,865 | 36,920,629 | (7,922,869 | ) | 996,055 | (21,926,760 | ) | 266,650,920 | 4,658,706 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 148,403,937 | 9,212,258 | (3,015,194 | ) | 514,104 | 6,762,904 | 161,878,009 | 1,036,999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2 | 533,471,868 | 19,386,280 | (45,238,749 | ) | 8,356,494 | 54,425,851 | 570,401,744 | 6,563,029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund | 74,370,084 | 9,804,147 | (1,183,067 | ) | 230,212 | (958,069 | ) | 82,263,307 | 473,577 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 1,346,029,661 | $ | 136,220,464 | $ | (104,920,976 | ) | $ | 9,535,900 | $ | 53,635,818 | $ | 1,440,500,867 | $ | 16,203,105 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $16,586 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
9
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Companies | $ | 1,440,500,867 | $ | — | $ | 1,440,500,867 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Company | 471,087 | — | 471,087 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investment Securities | $ | 1,440,971,954 | $ | — | $ | 1,440,971,954 | |||||||||
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5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 136,220,464 | $ | 104,920,976 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund did not directly invest in derivatives.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $1,081,313,941. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 362,329,441 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (2,671,428 | ) | ||
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Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 359,658,013 | ||
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The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 16,767,136 | $ | 6,699,515 | $ | 23,466,651 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 14,002,980 | $ | 2,637,482 | $ | 16,640,462 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
10
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 16,616,452 | $ | 18,692,485 | $ | — | $ | 359,658,013 | $ | 394,966,950 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.
On December 9 and 10, 2014, the Trustees approved changes to the Fund, which included changing the name from AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund to AZL DFA Multi-Strategy Fund and changing the investment strategy of the Fund effective April 27, 2015. There are no other subsequent events to report.
11
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL Growth Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the custodian and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
12
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 41.95% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $6,699,515.
13
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
15
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
17
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
18
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL® MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 13
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 14
Other Information
Page 15
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Oficers
Page 18
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL® MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund returned 6.09%. That compared to a 9.79% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index, which is comprised of an 50% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 50% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL® MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund is a fund of funds that pursues broad diversification across four equity sub-portfolios and one fixed-income sub-portfolio. The four equity sub-portfolios pursue passive strategies that aim to achieve, before fees, returns similar to the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 400 Index3, the S&P 600 Index4, and the MSCI EAFE Index5, which represents shares of large companies in developed foreign markets. The fixed income sub-portfolio is an enhanced bond index strategy that seeks to achieve a return that exceeds the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Generally, the Fund allocates 40% to 60% of its assets to the underlying equity index funds and between 40% and 60% to the underlying bond index fund. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process that is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.
The U.S. equity market produced positive returns during the period, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 13.69%. Economic activity recovered after facing a contraction at the start of the year as extreme weather conditions across much of the U.S. created a challenging economic environment. Several economic indicators showed positive direction for most of the year. The U.S. employment situation improved, consumer confidence rose higher, the manufacturing sector rebounded, inflation remained below its long-term trend and the housing sector steadily improved. Consumers also benefited from the significant drop in oil prices that occurred toward the end of the year. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) exited its quantitative easing program by slowly reducing its bond purchases throughout the year, and concluded the program by making the final $15 billion purchase in October. Despite the continued economic gains, the Fed remained committed to keeping short-term interest rates anchored near zero until the economy could show further improvement.
Developed international equity markets lagged, with the MSCI EAFE Index declining 4.90% during the period. A continued weakness in Europe in addition to the contraction in Japan’s gross domestic product6 signaled further divergence between the U.S. and other major developed economies in 2014. Attempts to stimulate growth in Europe and Japan were met with varying degrees of success. One outcome from these stimulative efforts has been continued strength in the U.S. dollar. This currency impact has created an additional headwind for international returns.
Fixed income markets benefited from a decline in long-term interest rates during the last 12 months with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropping 87 basis points (0.87%) during this period. Bond prices increase when interest rates decrease. Against this backdrop, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 5.97%.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark in 2014 due in large part to its exposure to international equity and small- and mid-cap stocks. The Fund’s relative results were also hurt by the underlying fixed income fund’s modest underperformance compared to its stated benchmark during the period.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | The Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index (“S&P 400”) is the most widely used index for mid-sized companies. The S&P 400 covers 7% of the U.S. equities market, and is part of a series of S&P U.S. indices that can be used as building blocks for portfolio composition. |
4 | The Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index (“S&P 600”) covers approximately 3% of the domestic equities market. Measuring the small-cap segment of the market that is typically renowned for poor trading liquidity and financial instability, the index is designed to be an efficient portfolio of companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are investable and financially viable. |
5 | The Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. |
6 | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL® MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation with preservation of capital as an important consideration. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of Permitted Underlying Funds that represent different classes in the Fund’s asset allocation.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in underlying funds, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of those underlying funds. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by each of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Indices because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
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1 Year | Since Inception (1/10/12) | |||||||
AZL® MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | 6.09 | % | 9.09 | % | ||||
Balanced Composite Index | 9.79 | % | 10.99 | % | ||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 19.50 | % | ||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.71 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL® MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | 0.76 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the Permitted Underlying Funds. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.17%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 50% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 50% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,012.10 | $ | 0.71 | 0.14 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.50 | $ | 0.71 | 0.14 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Fixed Income | 47.7 | % | |||
Domestic Equities | 34.9 | ||||
International Equities | 12.3 | ||||
Money Market | 2.6 | ||||
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Total Investment Securities | 97.5 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 2.5 | ||||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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3
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies (94.9%): |
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8,930,462 | AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund | $ | 99,396,044 | |||||
1,676,230 | AZL International Index Fund | 25,612,787 | ||||||
666,932 | AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 15,666,234 | ||||||
3,391,714 | AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2 | 48,840,683 | ||||||
542,626 | AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund | 8,372,725 | ||||||
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| Total Affiliated Investment Companies (Cost $179,266,519) | 197,888,473 | ||||||
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| Unaffiliated Investment Company (2.6%): | |||||||
5,500,144 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | 5,500,144 | ||||||
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| Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $5,500,144) | 5,500,144 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities (Cost $184,766,663)(b) — 97.5% | 203,388,617 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 2.5% | 5,229,826 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 208,618,443 | |||||
|
|
Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $4,967,966 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 41 | $ | 5,198,672 | $ | 28,161 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 50 | 5,131,000 | 81,180 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 109,341 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 5,500,144 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 179,266,519 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 184,766,663 | |||
|
| ||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 5,500,144 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 197,888,473 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment securities, at value | 203,388,617 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 4,967,966 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 18 | ||||
Receivable for capital shares issued | 346,679 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 8,969 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 1,707 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Assets | 208,713,956 | ||||
|
| ||||
Liabilities: | |||||
Cash overdraft | 7,296 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 60,750 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 17,418 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 3,351 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 642 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 522 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 10 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 5,524 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Liabilities | 95,513 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 208,618,443 | |||
|
| ||||
Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 185,766,359 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 1,897,488 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 2,223,301 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 18,731,295 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 208,618,443 | |||
|
| ||||
Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 16,607,265 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 12.56 | |||
|
|
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 2,030,823 | |||
Dividends | 163 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment Income | 2,030,986 | ||||
|
| ||||
Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 182,260 | ||||
Administration fees | 51,646 | ||||
Custodian fees | 2,190 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 2,433 | ||||
Trustee fees | 9,364 | ||||
Professional fees | 8,138 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 6,242 | ||||
Other expenses | 3,165 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total expenses | 265,438 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 1,765,548 | ||||
|
| ||||
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 785,505 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 953,805 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 801,560 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 6,369,014 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 8,909,884 | ||||
|
| ||||
Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 10,675,432 | |||
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 1,765,548 | $ | 1,260,086 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 2,540,870 | 1,673,628 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 6,369,014 | 10,528,247 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | 10,675,432 | 13,461,961 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (1,840,865 | ) | — | |||||||
From net realized gains | (1,270,967 | ) | (28,076 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (3,111,832 | ) | (28,076 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 55,390,586 | 73,823,727 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 3,111,832 | 28,076 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (12,994,224 | ) | (5,569,194 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 45,508,194 | 68,282,609 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets | 53,071,794 | 81,716,494 | ||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 155,546,649 | 73,830,155 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
End of period | $ | 208,618,443 | $ | 155,546,649 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 1,897,488 | $ | 1,840,863 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 4,472,211 | 6,510,623 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 251,563 | 2,458 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (1,046,419 | ) | (491,436 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in shares | 3,677,355 | 6,021,645 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended 2014 | Year Ended 2013 | January 10, 2012 December 31, | |||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 12.03 | $ | 10.69 | $ | 10.00 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.08 | 0.10 | 0.08 | ||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.65 | 1.24 | 0.77 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total from Investment Activities | 0.73 | 1.34 | 0.85 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.12 | ) | — | (0.14 | ) | ||||||||||
Net Realized Gains | (0.08 | ) | — | (b) | (0.02 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Dividends | (0.20 | ) | — | (b) | (0.16 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 12.56 | $ | 12.03 | $ | 10.69 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Return(c) | 6.09 | % | 12.56 | % | 8.50 | %(d) | |||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 208,618 | $ | 155,547 | $ | 73,830 | |||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss)(e) | 0.97 | % | 1.09 | % | 1.41 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(e)(f) | 0.15 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.39 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions*(e) | 0.15 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.21 | % | |||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 6 | % | 4 | % | 11 | %(d) |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | Period from commencement of operations. During the period from January 10, 2012 to December 10, 2012, the Fund’s primary vehicle for gaining exposure to derivatives was through investments in its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary , the AZL MVP BIS Investments Trust (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary was liquidated on December 10, 2012 at its net asset value on such date. The Subsidiary’s operations have been consolidated with the operations of the Fund through its liquidation on December 10, 2012. |
(b) | Represents less than $0.005. |
(c) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(d) | Not annualized. |
(e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(f) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in
8
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $10.3 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 81,180 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 28,161 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 637,042 | $ | (55,429 | ) | ||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 164,518 | 96,470 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | 0.10 | % | 0.20 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
9
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund | $ | 73,471,092 | $ | 26,358,981 | $ | (3,902,528 | ) | $ | (133,410 | ) | $ | 3,601,909 | $ | 99,396,044 | $ | 921,186 | |||||||||||||||||||
AZL International Index Fund | 19,715,869 | 8,810,998 | (874,223 | ) | 24,605 | (2,064,462 | ) | 25,612,787 | 431,131 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 11,679,444 | 4,321,919 | (1,015,029 | ) | 93,743 | 586,157 | 15,666,234 | 95,686 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2 | 36,694,050 | 11,828,956 | (4,701,127 | ) | 749,631 | 4,269,173 | 48,840,683 | 535,640 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund | 6,236,854 | 2,902,997 | (753,258 | ) | 50,936 | (64,804 | ) | 8,372,725 | 47,180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|
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|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 147,797,309 | $ | 54,223,851 | $ | (11,246,165 | ) | $ | 785,505 | $ | 6,327,973 | $ | 197,888,473 | $ | 2,030,823 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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|
Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $2,117 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
10
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Companies | $ | 197,888,473 | $ | — | $ | 197,888,473 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Company | 5,500,144 | — | 5,500,144 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 203,388,617 | — | 203,388,617 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 109,341 | — | 109,341 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 203,497,958 | $ | — | $ | 203,497,958 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 54,223,851 | $ | 11,246,165 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $185,031,183. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 18,621,954 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (264,520 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 18,357,434 | ||
|
|
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 2,099,871 | $ | 1,011,961 | $ | 3,111,832 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 11,244 | $ | 16,832 | $ | 28,076 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
11
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund | $ | 2,234,513 | $ | 2,260,137 | $ | — | $ | 18,357,434 | $ | 22,852,084 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
12
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
13
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 22.68% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $1,011,960.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $259,006.
14
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
15
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
16
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
17
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
18
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014 |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
19
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL® MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Consolidated Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 25
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Page 25
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 26
Consolidated Financial Highlights
Page 27
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Page 28
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 39
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 40
Other Information
Page 41
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 42
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 44
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL® MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund returned 2.18%. That compared to a 4.18% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index which is comprised of a 36% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1, a 24% weighting in the FTSE World ex U.S. Index2, 24% weighting in the BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index3 and a 16% weighting in the Citigroup (Non-USD) World Government Bond Index4.
The AZL® MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund is a fund of funds that invests primarily in the shares of the AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund—managed by the Manager. This underlying holding invests in a global portfolio of equity, debt, and money market securities. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk-management process that primarily uses derivatives and is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.*
U.S. equity markets outperformed most international equity markets for the 12-month period, while fixed income markets offered modest gains. Global equity markets started out on a negative note: Slowing growth in China, softer economic data in the U.S. and expectations that the Federal Reserve would soon end its stimulus efforts all weighed on investors. Stocks recovered quickly, however, with new data showing that growth in the U.S. remained strong and the European Central Bank exhibiting a willingness to act to combat low inflation in the eurozone.
Market volatility increased through the year due in part to geopolitical crises, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the ground war in Gaza. Signs of a stronger U.S. economic recovery and flagging global growth helped support strength in the U.S. dollar. The appreciating dollar put pressure on commodity prices, particularly oil, later in the period. It also led many foreign equity markets to underperform in U.S. dollar terms, despite posting gains in local currency terms. Concerns around weak global growth, along with the strong U.S. currency, drove investors to seek safety in U.S. Treasuries later in the period, bidding up prices on those securities and driving down interest rates.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark for the period under review primarily due to a combination of stock selection, country and sector allocations, and exposure to cash securities. From a country perspective, a smaller-than-benchmark exposure to U.S. equities as well as stock selection in that country weighed on results. Stock selection in Canada and Europe, most notably in France and Germany, also dragged on relative performance. At the sector level, stock selection and overweight positions in the materials and industrials sectors hurt the Fund’s performance, as did selection in information technology and financials. A larger-than-benchmark holding of gold-related securities detracted from relative performance as commodities prices fell during the period. The Fund’s cash-equivalent holdings—which were used to help mitigate portfolio volatility and as a source of funds for new investments—dragged on results given the low-interest rate environment and the fully invested nature of the benchmark.*
The Fund’s relative performance benefited from stock selection in Japan and an overweight allocation to that country. Strong corporate earnings and stimulus
efforts by the Japanese central bank helped buoy the nation’s equity markets. From a sector perspective, an overweight allocation to health care holdings, along with stock selection within that sector, helped boost relative performance. An underweight allocation to fixed income securities in general helped improve the Fund’s relative returns, as did a smaller-than-benchmark position in Japanese government bonds. The Fund’s overweight allocation to emerging market sovereign bonds also contributed positively to relative performance. From a currency perspective, the Fund benefited from a larger-than-benchmark exposure to U.S. currency-denominated securities as the U.S. dollar strengthened relative to other foreign currencies.*
The Fund uses derivatives, which may include options, futures, swaps and forward contracts both to enhance returns of the Fund and to hedge (or protect) against adverse movements in currency exchange rates, interest rates and movements in the securities markets. During the period, the Fund’s use of derivatives had a positive impact on the absolute performance of the Fund.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Financial Times Stock Exchange World ex U.S. Index (“FTSE World Index”) is part of a range of indexes designed to help United States investors benchmark their international investments. The index comprises large- (84%) and mid- (16%) cap stocks providing coverage of Developed and Emerging Markets (46 countries) excluding the United States. The index is derived from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS), which covers 98% of the world’s investable market capitalization. |
3 | The BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index is designed to track the total return of the current coupon 5-Year U.S. Treasury bond. |
4 | The Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index is a market capitalization-weighted index that tracks 10 government bond indices, excluding the United States. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL® MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek high total investment return. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in shares of another mutual fund managed by the manager; the AZL® BlackRock Global Allocation Fund, combined with the MVP risk management process.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in an underlying fund, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of that underlying fund. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | Since Inception (1/10/12) | |||||||
AZL® MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | 2.18 | % | 7.61 | % | ||||
Balanced Composite Index | 4.18 | % | 9.18 | % | ||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 19.50 | % | ||||
FTSE World ex U.S. Index | -3.74 | % | 9.43 | % | ||||
BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index | 2.93 | % | 0.92 | % | ||||
Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index | -2.68 | % | -1.67 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL® MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | 1.21 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.15% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.13%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 36% Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”); 24% FTSE World ex U.S. Index; 24% BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index; and 16% Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The FTSE World ex U.S. Index is part of a range of indexes designed to help U.S. investors benchmark their international investments. The index comprises large- (84%) and mid- (16%) cap stocks providing coverage of Developed and Emerging Markets (46 countries) excluding the U.S. The index is derived from the FTSE Global Equity Index Series (GEIS), which covers 98% of the world’s investable market capitalization. The BofA Merrill Lynch 5-Year U.S. Treasury Bond Index is designed to track the total return of the current coupon 5-Year U.S. Treasury bond. The Citigroup Non-U.S. Dollar World Government Bond Index is a market capitalization-weighted index that tracks 10 government bond indices, excluding the United States. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 984.90 | $ | 5.75 | 1.15 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,019.41 | $ | 5.85 | 1.15 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Common Stocks | 51.7 | % | |||
U.S. Treasury Obligations | 23.1 | ||||
Foreign Bonds | 8.7 | ||||
Securities Held as Collateral on Loan | 5.6 | ||||
Money Market | 3.4 | ||||
Yankee Dollars | 2.6 | ||||
Corporate Bonds | 2.3 | ||||
Convertible Bonds | 2.0 | ||||
Preferred Stocks | 1.8 | ||||
Purchased Options | 1.3 | ||||
Floating Rate Loans | 1.0 | ||||
Exchange Traded Funds | 0.7 | ||||
Convertible Preferred Stocks | 0.3 | ||||
U.S. Government Mortgage | 0.1 | ||||
Warrants | — | ^ | |||
Right | — | ^ | |||
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| ||||
Total Investment Securities | 104.6 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | (4.6 | ) | |||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
United States | 64.4 | % | |||
Japan | 8.8 | ||||
United Kingdom | 5.1 | ||||
Mexico | 3.3 | ||||
France | 2.6 | ||||
Australia | 2.1 | ||||
Switzerland | 2.0 | ||||
Netherlands | 1.9 | ||||
Germany | 1.4 | ||||
Canada | 1.4 | ||||
All other countries | 11.6 | ||||
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Total Investment Securities | 104.6 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | (4.6 | ) | |||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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^ | Represents less than 0.05%. |
3
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks (51.7%): |
| ||||||
| Aerospace & Defense (1.0%): |
| ||||||
989 | Boeing Co.(a) | $ | 128,550 | |||||
38,316 | European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV(a) | 1,902,823 | ||||||
1,417 | General Dynamics Corp.(a) | 195,008 | ||||||
1,326 | L-3 Communications Holdings, Inc.(a) | 167,354 | ||||||
1,490 | Northrop Grumman Corp.(a) | 219,611 | ||||||
7,481 | Precision Castparts Corp.(a) | 1,802,023 | ||||||
1,856 | Raytheon Co.^(a) | 200,764 | ||||||
39,335 | Safran SA(a) | 2,420,742 | ||||||
14,421 | United Technologies Corp.(a) | 1,658,415 | ||||||
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| |||||||
8,695,290 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Air Freight & Logistics (0.4%): |
| ||||||
12,245 | Deutsche Post AG(a) | 400,592 | ||||||
5,823 | FedEx Corp.(a) | 1,011,222 | ||||||
21,832 | United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B(a) | 2,427,064 | ||||||
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| |||||||
3,838,878 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Airlines (0.4%): |
| ||||||
54,500 | Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.(a) | 1,592,243 | ||||||
28,986 | United Continental Holdings, Inc.*(a) | 1,938,874 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,531,117 | ||||||||
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| Auto Components (1.1%): |
| ||||||
20,600 | Aisin Sieki Co., Ltd.(a) | 740,544 | ||||||
15,601 | BorgWarner, Inc.^(a) | 857,275 | ||||||
48,200 | Bridgestone Corp.(a) | 1,675,272 | ||||||
134,683 | Cheng Shin Rubber Industry Co., Ltd.(a) | 315,944 | ||||||
14,952 | Delphi Automotive plc(a) | 1,087,309 | ||||||
46,900 | DENSO Corp.(a) | 2,186,167 | ||||||
23,600 | Futaba Industrial Co., Ltd.^(a) | 110,441 | ||||||
2,082 | Hyundai Wia Corp.(a) | 331,521 | ||||||
5,000 | Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.(a) | 152,524 | ||||||
2,059 | Lear Corp.(a) | 201,947 | ||||||
3,100 | Stanley Electric Co., Ltd.(a) | 67,018 | ||||||
38,900 | Toyota Industries Corp.(a) | 1,988,016 | ||||||
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9,713,978 | ||||||||
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| |||||||
| Automobiles (1.8%): |
| ||||||
7,073 | Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW)(a) | 768,063 | ||||||
1,900 | Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.^(a) | 24,927 | ||||||
108,000 | Dongfeng Motor Corp., H Shares(a) | 150,993 | ||||||
130,023 | Ford Motor Co.(a) | 2,015,357 | ||||||
120,100 | Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.(a) | 4,230,034 | ||||||
42,300 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd.(a) | 1,230,277 | ||||||
5,313 | Hyundai Motor Co.(a) | 806,721 | ||||||
45,400 | Isuzu Motors, Ltd.(a) | 554,001 | ||||||
9,127 | Maruti Suzuki India, Ltd.(a) | 479,883 | ||||||
63,300 | Suzuki Motor Corp.(a) | 1,903,179 | ||||||
27,300 | Toyota Motor Corp.(a) | 1,702,728 | ||||||
270 | Volkswagen AG(a) | 58,825 | ||||||
165,770 | Yulon Motor Co., Ltd.(a) | 242,482 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
14,167,470 | ||||||||
|
|
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Banks (4.4%): |
| ||||||
23,504 | Axis Bank, Ltd.(a) | $ | 185,708 | |||||
82,439 | Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA(a) | 775,784 | ||||||
214,213 | Bank of America Corp.(a) | 3,832,271 | ||||||
22,000 | Bank of Yokohama, Ltd. (The)(a) | 119,425 | ||||||
29,503 | BNP Paribas SA(a) | 1,733,517 | ||||||
19,000 | Chiba Bank, Ltd. (The)(a) | 124,723 | ||||||
75,000 | Chuo Mitsui Trust Holdings, Inc.(a) | 286,277 | ||||||
51,579 | Citigroup, Inc.(a) | 2,790,940 | ||||||
10,992 | Commonwealth Bank of Australia(a) | 763,211 | ||||||
26,241 | Fifth Third Bancorp(a) | 534,660 | ||||||
77,000 | Fukuoka Financial Group, Inc.(a) | 397,615 | ||||||
16,682 | HDFC Bank, Ltd.(a) | 250,205 | ||||||
259,946 | HSBC Holdings plc(a) | 2,456,313 | ||||||
31,485 | ICICI Bank, Ltd.(a) | 174,895 | ||||||
370,849 | Intesa Sanpaolo SpA(a) | 1,072,680 | ||||||
63,564 | JPMorgan Chase & Co.(a) | 3,977,835 | ||||||
9,846 | Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.(a) | 196,066 | ||||||
623,354 | Lloyds Banking Group plc*(a) | 736,008 | ||||||
330,600 | Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.(a) | 1,812,368 | ||||||
94,004 | Regions Financial Corp.(a) | 992,682 | ||||||
13,000 | Shizuoka Bank, Ltd. (The)(a) | 118,932 | ||||||
8,086 | Societe Generale(a) | 339,744 | ||||||
46,800 | Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.(a) | 1,691,283 | ||||||
7,951 | Svenska Handelsbanken AB, A Shares(a) | 371,499 | ||||||
13,504 | Toronto-Dominion Bank (The)(a) | 645,378 | ||||||
29,962 | U.S. Bancorp(a) | 1,346,792 | ||||||
59,657 | UniCredit SpA(a) | 380,179 | ||||||
82,892 | Wells Fargo & Co.(a) | 4,544,138 | ||||||
17,557 | Westpac Banking Corp.(a) | 471,882 | ||||||
17,236 | Yes Bank, Ltd.(a) | 209,115 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
33,332,125 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Beverages (0.7%): |
| ||||||
2,692 | Anheuser-Busch InBev NV(a) | 302,905 | ||||||
51,823 | Coca-Cola Co. (The)(a) | 2,187,967 | ||||||
1,846 | Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A*(a) | 181,222 | ||||||
8,367 | Diageo plc, Sponsored ADR(a) | 954,590 | ||||||
6,528 | Diageo plc(a) | 187,208 | ||||||
21,800 | Kirin Holdings Co., Ltd.(a) | 270,085 | ||||||
9,502 | Remy Cointreau SA(a) | 634,610 | ||||||
13,805 | SABMiller plc(a) | 714,353 | ||||||
10,300 | Suntory Beverage & Food, Ltd.(a) | 355,696 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,788,636 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Biotechnology (0.9%): |
| ||||||
4,336 | Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*(a) | 802,290 | ||||||
13,796 | Amgen, Inc.(a) | 2,197,565 | ||||||
3,082 | Biogen Idec, Inc.*(a) | 1,046,185 | ||||||
12,697 | Celgene Corp.*(a) | 1,420,286 | ||||||
8,576 | Gilead Sciences, Inc.*(a) | 808,374 | ||||||
62,008 | Mesoblast, Ltd.*^(a) | 220,168 |
Continued
4
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Biotechnology, continued |
| ||||||
767 | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*^(a) | $ | 314,662 | |||||
8,926 | Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*(a) | 1,060,409 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
7,869,939 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Building Products (0.2%): |
| ||||||
16,904 | Compagnie de Saint-Gobain SA(a) | 711,562 | ||||||
13,500 | Daikin Industries, Ltd.(a) | 870,859 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,582,421 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Capital Markets (0.7%): |
| ||||||
1,250 | Ameriprise Financial, Inc.(a) | 165,313 | ||||||
19,715 | Bank of New York Mellon Corp.(a) | 799,838 | ||||||
25,666 | Charles Schwab Corp. (The)(a) | 774,857 | ||||||
34,739 | Deutsche Bank AG, Registered Shares(a) | 1,049,888 | ||||||
4,909 | Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)(a) | 951,510 | ||||||
97,829 | UBS Group AG*(a) | 1,682,159 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,423,565 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Chemicals (1.9%): |
| ||||||
15,338 | Akzo Nobel NV(a) | 1,063,482 | ||||||
8,897 | Arkema, Inc.(a) | 589,932 | ||||||
90,000 | Asahi Kasei Corp.(a) | 824,931 | ||||||
3,482 | BASF SE(a) | 294,311 | ||||||
526 | CF Industries Holdings, Inc.(a) | 143,356 | ||||||
4,461 | Dow Chemical Co. (The)(a) | 203,466 | ||||||
17,683 | FMC Corp.^(a) | 1,008,462 | ||||||
31,400 | Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd.(a) | 556,321 | ||||||
37,200 | JSR Corp.^(a) | 638,898 | ||||||
14,014 | Koninklijke DSM NV(a) | 852,041 | ||||||
45,000 | Kuraray Co., Ltd.(a) | 513,136 | ||||||
3,245 | Linde AG(a) | 605,185 | ||||||
7,201 | LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A(a) | 571,687 | ||||||
22,700 | Nitto Denko Corp.(a) | 1,269,676 | ||||||
9,207 | Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc.(a) | 325,554 | ||||||
1,021 | PPG Industries, Inc.(a) | 236,004 | ||||||
30,800 | Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.(a) | 2,004,098 | ||||||
7,584 | Syngenta AG, Registered Shares(a) | 2,435,961 | ||||||
247,000 | Ube Industries, Ltd.^(a) | 369,113 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
14,505,614 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Commercial Services & Supplies (0.0%): |
| ||||||
2,017 | Cintas Corp.^(a) | 158,213 | ||||||
3,100 | Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.^(a) | 74,541 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
232,754 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Communications Equipment (0.6%): |
| ||||||
102,128 | Cisco Systems, Inc.(a) | 2,840,690 | ||||||
18,395 | El Towers SpA*(a) | 920,676 | ||||||
1,869 | Harris Corp.(a) | 134,232 | ||||||
1,960 | Motorola Solutions, Inc.^(a) | 131,477 | ||||||
14,107 | QUALCOMM, Inc.(a) | 1,048,573 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,075,648 | ||||||||
|
|
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Construction & Engineering (0.2%): |
| ||||||
4,791 | Bouygues SA(a) | $ | 172,864 | |||||
25,000 | JGC Corp.(a) | 515,313 | ||||||
4,000 | Kinden Corp.(a) | 40,511 | ||||||
2,000 | Maeda Road Construction Co., Ltd.^(a) | 29,737 | ||||||
84,000 | Okumura Corp.^(a) | 377,720 | ||||||
92,000 | Toda Corp.^(a) | 363,380 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,499,525 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Consumer Finance (0.6%): |
| ||||||
26,951 | American Express Co.(a) | 2,507,521 | ||||||
15,015 | Capital One Financial Corp.(a) | 1,239,488 | ||||||
21,298 | Discover Financial Services(a) | 1,394,806 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,141,815 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Containers & Packaging (0.2%): |
| ||||||
16,318 | Crown Holdings, Inc.*^(a) | 830,586 | ||||||
20,018 | Sealed Air Corp.(a) | 849,364 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,679,950 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Distributors (0.0%): |
| ||||||
2,200 | Canon Marketing Japan, Inc.(a) | 36,960 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Diversified Financial Services (0.1%): |
| ||||||
5,630 | Deutsche Boerse AG(a) | 403,421 | ||||||
83,371 | ING Groep NV*(a) | 1,079,327 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,482,748 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.9%): |
| ||||||
39,563 | AT&T, Inc.^(a) | 1,328,921 | ||||||
114,563 | BT Group plc(a) | 711,070 | ||||||
42,017 | Deutsche Telekom AG, Registered Shares(a) | 673,380 | ||||||
20,604 | France Telecom SA(a) | 350,356 | ||||||
11,200 | Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.(a) | 576,426 | ||||||
24,588 | Oi SA, ADR*(a) | 78,437 | ||||||
332,000 | Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.(a) | 974,800 | ||||||
327 | Swisscom AG, Registered Shares^(a) | 171,760 | ||||||
23,018 | TDC A/S(a) | 175,445 | ||||||
251,712 | Telecom Italia SpA(a) | 266,914 | ||||||
32,883 | Telecom Italia SpA(a) | 27,482 | ||||||
152,500 | Telekom Malaysia Berhad(a) | 299,261 | ||||||
8,280 | Verizon Communications, Inc.(a) | 385,753 | ||||||
56,872 | Verizon Communications, Inc.(a) | 2,660,472 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
8,680,477 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Electric Utilities (0.4%): |
| ||||||
19,181 | American Electric Power Co., Inc.(a) | 1,164,669 | ||||||
22,500 | Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.*(a) | 264,744 | ||||||
1,898 | Duke Energy Corp.(a) | 158,559 | ||||||
156,961 | Enel SpA(a) | 701,728 | ||||||
8,232 | Exelon Corp.^(a) | 305,243 | ||||||
4,303 | FirstEnergy Corp.(a) | 167,774 | ||||||
5,142 | NRG Yield, Inc.^(a) | 242,394 | ||||||
11,138 | PPL Corp.(a) | 404,644 | ||||||
42,011 | Terna—Rete Elettrica Nationale SpA(a) | 190,291 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,600,046 | ||||||||
|
|
Continued
5
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Electrical Equipment (0.7%): |
| ||||||
21,750 | Eaton Corp. plc(a) | $ | 1,478,130 | |||||
43,000 | GS Yuasa Corp.^(a) | 182,937 | ||||||
2,000 | Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.(a) | 78,831 | ||||||
93,000 | Mitsubishi Electric Corp.(a) | 1,107,446 | ||||||
16,186 | Rockwell Automation, Inc.(a) | 1,799,883 | ||||||
13,003 | Schneider Electric SA(a) | 944,711 | ||||||
2,009 | Schneider Electric SE^(a) | 145,311 | ||||||
40,500 | Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.(a) | 505,396 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,242,645 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components (0.5%): |
| ||||||
3,065 | Avnet, Inc.(a) | 131,856 | ||||||
3,300 | Hitachi High-Technologies Corp.(a) | 95,231 | ||||||
232,000 | Hitachi, Ltd.(a) | 1,697,888 | ||||||
22,400 | HOYA Corp.(a) | 750,099 | ||||||
400 | Keyence Corp.(a) | 177,205 | ||||||
4,427 | Keysight Technologies, Inc.*(a) | 149,500 | ||||||
14,500 | Kyocera Corp.(a) | 664,701 | ||||||
5,700 | Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.(a) | 622,735 | ||||||
6,200 | Omron Corp.(a) | 277,933 | ||||||
2,753 | TE Connectivity, Ltd.(a) | 174,127 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,741,275 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Energy Equipment & Services (0.7%): |
| ||||||
95,700 | Dropbox, Inc.*(a)(b)(c) | 1,827,985 | ||||||
1,698 | Helmerich & Payne, Inc.(a) | 114,479 | ||||||
17,702 | Ocean Rig UDW, Inc.(a) | 164,275 | ||||||
30,284 | Oceaneering International, Inc.(a) | 1,781,002 | ||||||
149,099 | SBM Offshore NV*(a) | 1,767,900 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,655,641 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Food & Staples Retailing (0.1%): |
| ||||||
2,061 | CVS Health Corp.(a) | 198,495 | ||||||
3,600 | FamilyMart Co., Ltd.(a) | 134,416 | ||||||
11,194 | Fresh Market, Inc. (The)*^(a) | 461,193 | ||||||
3,225 | Kroger Co. (The)(a) | 207,077 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,001,181 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Food Products (0.9%): |
| ||||||
20,000 | Ajinomoto Co., Inc.(a) | 370,657 | ||||||
3,207 | Archer Daniels Midland Co.(a) | 166,764 | ||||||
57,961 | Cosan, Ltd., A Shares(a) | 449,198 | ||||||
6,008 | Danone SA(a) | 395,198 | ||||||
46,949 | Nestle SA, Registered Shares(a) | 3,442,473 | ||||||
27,712 | SLC Agricola SA(a) | 147,049 | ||||||
60,391 | Unilever NV(a) | 2,372,044 | ||||||
17,190 | Unilever plc(a) | 698,185 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
8,041,568 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Gas Utilities (0.2%): |
| ||||||
14,273 | Gas Natural SDG SA(a) | 359,021 | ||||||
79,899 | Snam Rete Gas SpA(a) | 394,105 | ||||||
259,000 | Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.(a) | 1,397,840 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,150,966 | ||||||||
|
|
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.5%): |
| ||||||
1,032 | Becton Dickinson & Co.(a) | $ | 143,613 | |||||
885 | C.R. Bard, Inc.(a) | 147,459 | ||||||
2,904 | CareFusion Corp.*(a) | 172,323 | ||||||
25,562 | Getinge AB, B Shares(a) | 580,995 | ||||||
17,050 | Medtronic, Inc.^(a) | 1,231,010 | ||||||
18,122 | Mindray Medical International, Ltd., Sponsored ADR^(a) | 478,421 | ||||||
5,116 | Zimmer Holdings, Inc.(a) | 580,257 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,334,078 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Health Care Providers & Services (2.1%): |
| ||||||
17,679 | Aetna, Inc.(a) | 1,570,426 | ||||||
35,516 | Al Noor Hospitals Group plc(a) | 545,346 | ||||||
1,846 | AmerisourceBergen Corp.(a) | 166,435 | ||||||
1,413 | Anthem, Inc.(a) | 177,572 | ||||||
1,222,800 | Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Co., Ltd., Class F(a) | 636,562 | ||||||
87,500 | Bumrungrad Hospital Public Co., Ltd.(a) | 374,655 | ||||||
2,262 | Cardinal Health, Inc.(a) | 182,611 | ||||||
13,130 | Catamaran Corp.*(a) | 679,478 | ||||||
23,895 | Envision Healthcare Holdings, Inc.*(a) | 828,918 | ||||||
5,802 | Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA(a) | 302,946 | ||||||
23,930 | HCA Holdings, Inc.*(a) | 1,756,223 | ||||||
436,104 | Healthscope, Ltd.*(a) | 965,350 | ||||||
9,772 | HealthSouth Corp.^(a) | 375,831 | ||||||
7,337 | Humana, Inc.(a) | 1,053,813 | ||||||
633,400 | IHH Healthcare Berhad(a) | 871,996 | ||||||
105,242 | Life Healthcare Group Holdings Pte, Ltd.(a) | 388,110 | ||||||
11,050 | McKesson, Inc.(a) | 2,293,758 | ||||||
60,203 | NMC Health plc(a) | 429,300 | ||||||
382,799 | PT Siloam International Hospital Tbk*(a) | 423,743 | ||||||
102,000 | Raffles Medical Group, Ltd.(a) | 299,349 | ||||||
9,900 | Ship Healthcare Holdings, Inc.^(a) | 224,985 | ||||||
97,197 | Sinopharm Group Co., H Shares(a) | 342,147 | ||||||
137,245 | Spire Healthcare Group plc*(a) | 807,289 | ||||||
12,100 | Tenet Healthcare Corp.*^(a) | 613,107 | ||||||
15,574 | UnitedHealth Group, Inc.(a) | 1,574,376 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
17,884,326 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.3%): |
| ||||||
18,709 | McDonald’s Corp.(a) | 1,753,033 | ||||||
12,153 | SeaWorld Entertainment, Inc.(a) | 217,539 | ||||||
1,889 | Wyndham Worldwide Corp.(a) | 162,001 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,132,573 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Household Durables (0.1%): |
| ||||||
3,000 | Alpine Electronics, Inc.^(a) | 49,342 | ||||||
31,698 | Cyrela Brazil Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes(a) | 131,936 | ||||||
104,000 | Haier Electronics Group Co., Ltd.(a) | 245,813 | ||||||
41,778 | MRV Engenharia e Participacoes SA(a) | 117,919 | ||||||
7,300 | Rinnai Corp.(a) | 491,643 | ||||||
18,900 | Sony Corp.(a) | 384,846 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,421,499 | ||||||||
|
|
Continued
6
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Household Products (0.8%): |
| ||||||
14,895 | Colgate-Palmolive Co.(a) | $ | 1,030,585 | |||||
1,043 | Energizer Holdings, Inc.(a) | 134,088 | ||||||
5,451 | Kimberly-Clark Corp.(a) | 629,809 | ||||||
50,384 | Procter & Gamble Co. (The)(a) | 4,589,478 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,383,960 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers (0.5%): |
| ||||||
51,570 | AES Corp. (The)(a) | 710,119 | ||||||
46,687 | Calpine Corp.*(a) | 1,033,183 | ||||||
5,123 | NextEra Energy Partners LP^(a) | 172,901 | ||||||
11,954 | NextEra Energy, Inc.(a) | 1,270,591 | ||||||
32,297 | NRG Energy, Inc.^(a) | 870,404 | ||||||
9,032 | TerraForm Power, Inc.*(a)(b)(c) | 264,963 | ||||||
3,476 | TerraForm Power, Inc., Class A(a) | 107,339 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,429,500 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Industrial Conglomerates (1.3%): |
| ||||||
858 | 3M Co.(a) | 140,987 | ||||||
170,219 | Beijing Enterprises Holdings, Ltd.(a) | 1,330,826 | ||||||
7,944 | Danaher Corp.(a) | 680,880 | ||||||
142,156 | General Electric Co.(a) | 3,592,282 | ||||||
197,000 | Keppel Corp., Ltd.(a) | 1,314,863 | ||||||
12,446 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV(a) | 361,329 | ||||||
25,119 | Siemens AG, Registered Shares(a) | 2,848,413 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
10,269,580 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Insurance (1.8%): |
| ||||||
1,398 | ACE, Ltd.(a) | 160,602 | ||||||
124,400 | AIA Group, Ltd.(a) | 685,079 | ||||||
8,082 | Allstate Corp.(a) | 567,761 | ||||||
27,295 | American International Group, Inc.(a) | 1,528,793 | ||||||
44,805 | AXA SA(a) | 1,034,718 | ||||||
2,505 | Axis Capital Holdings, Ltd.(a) | 127,980 | ||||||
4 | Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.*(a) | 904,000 | ||||||
12,164 | Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.*(a) | 1,826,424 | ||||||
1,093 | Chubb Corp. (The)(a) | 113,093 | ||||||
3,178 | CNA Financial Corp.^(a) | 123,020 | ||||||
102,653 | Legal & General Group plc(a) | 394,223 | ||||||
4,130 | Lincoln National Corp.(a) | 238,177 | ||||||
16,385 | Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.(a) | 937,877 | ||||||
14,847 | MetLife, Inc.(a) | 803,074 | ||||||
22,300 | MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.(a) | 529,755 | ||||||
19,500 | NKSJ Holdings, Inc.(a) | 490,117 | ||||||
6,067 | Prudential Financial, Inc.(a) | 548,821 | ||||||
49,043 | Prudential plc(a) | 1,128,447 | ||||||
1,725 | Reinsurance Group of America, Inc.(a) | 151,145 | ||||||
35,500 | Sony Financial Holdings, Inc.(a) | 523,570 | ||||||
46,600 | Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.(a) | 1,513,577 | ||||||
15,776 | XL Group plc, Class B(a) | 542,221 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
14,872,474 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Internet & Catalog Retail (0.2%): |
| ||||||
5,842 | Amazon.com, Inc.*(a) | 1,813,065 | ||||||
|
|
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Internet Software & Services (2.2%): |
| ||||||
30,100 | DeNA Co., Ltd.^(a) | $ | 359,673 | |||||
44,191 | eBay, Inc.*(a) | 2,479,999 | ||||||
15,437 | Facebook, Inc., Class A*(a) | 1,204,395 | ||||||
4,936 | Google, Inc., Class A*(a) | 2,619,338 | ||||||
7,064 | Google, Inc., Class C*(a) | 3,718,489 | ||||||
63,300 | Gree, Inc.^(a) | 381,582 | ||||||
28,140 | SINA Corp.*(a) | 1,052,717 | ||||||
83,283 | Twitter, Inc.*^(a) | 2,987,361 | ||||||
17,133 | Uber Technologies, Inc.*(a)(b)(c) | 2,283,315 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
17,086,869 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| IT Services (1.2%): |
| ||||||
1,652 | Accenture plc, Class A(a) | 147,540 | ||||||
523 | Alliance Data Systems Corp.*(a) | 149,604 | ||||||
3,055 | Amdocs, Ltd.(a) | 142,531 | ||||||
14,472 | Atos Origin SA(a) | 1,145,077 | ||||||
2,856 | Computer Sciences Corp.(a) | 180,071 | ||||||
2,987 | Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.(a) | 185,791 | ||||||
6,293 | International Business Machines Corp.(a) | 1,009,649 | ||||||
35,888 | MasterCard, Inc., Class A(a) | 3,092,111 | ||||||
10,391 | Visa, Inc., Class A(a) | 2,724,520 | ||||||
52,314 | Worldline SA*(a) | 1,011,917 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
9,788,811 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Leisure Products (0.1%): |
| ||||||
5,600 | Namco Bandai Holdings, Inc.(a) | 118,882 | ||||||
24,500 | Nikon Corp.^(a) | 325,366 | ||||||
22,500 | Sega Sammy Holdings, Inc.(a) | 288,710 | ||||||
7,700 | Yamaha Corp.(a) | 114,389 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
847,347 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Life Sciences Tools & Services (0.5%): |
| ||||||
24,519 | Agilent Technologies, Inc.(a) | 1,003,808 | ||||||
855 | Mettler-Toledo International, Inc.*^(a) | 258,603 | ||||||
13,897 | PerkinElmer, Inc.^(a) | 607,716 | ||||||
15,190 | Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.(a) | 1,903,155 | ||||||
4,825 | Waters Corp.*(a) | 543,874 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,317,156 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Machinery (1.1%): |
| ||||||
4,016 | CNH Industrial NV(a) | 32,366 | ||||||
29,402 | Colfax Corp.*^(a) | 1,516,262 | ||||||
75,747 | Cummins India, Ltd.(a) | 1,044,108 | ||||||
1,915 | Dover Corp.^(a) | 137,344 | ||||||
2,900 | Fanuc, Ltd.(a) | 478,692 | ||||||
164,090 | Haitian International Holdings, Ltd.(a) | 344,105 | ||||||
122,000 | IHI Corp.(a) | 619,538 | ||||||
17,100 | Komatsu, Ltd.(a) | 379,162 | ||||||
29,000 | Kubota Corp.(a) | 421,187 | ||||||
129,000 | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.(a) | 713,381 | ||||||
5,700 | Nabtesco Corp.^(a) | 136,864 | ||||||
11,448 | PACCAR, Inc.(a) | 778,578 | ||||||
1,065 | Parker Hannifin Corp.^(a) | 137,332 | ||||||
13,332 | Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.(a) | 239,762 |
Continued
7
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Machinery, continued |
| ||||||
1,000 | SMC Corp.(a) | $ | 260,451 | |||||
14,343 | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.(a) | 1,378,075 | ||||||
3,200 | THK Co., Ltd.(a) | 77,272 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
8,694,479 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Media (0.8%): |
| ||||||
38,908 | Comcast Corp., Class A(a) | 2,257,053 | ||||||
10,852 | DISH Network Corp., Class A*(a) | 791,002 | ||||||
33,104 | Grupo Televisa SAB*(a) | 225,750 | ||||||
14,308 | Liberty Broadband Corp., Class C*^(a) | 712,825 | ||||||
7,085 | Liberty Broadband Corp., Class A*(a) | 354,888 | ||||||
45,381 | Liberty Media Corp., Class C*(a) | 1,589,696 | ||||||
20,948 | Liberty Media Corp.*(a) | 738,836 | ||||||
17,990 | Manchester United plc, Class A*(a) | 286,041 | ||||||
101,700 | RAI Way SpA*(a) | 392,522 | ||||||
2,382 | RTL Group(a) | 226,333 | ||||||
1,128 | Time Warner Cable, Inc.(a) | 171,524 | ||||||
2,200 | TV Asahi Holdings Corp.(a) | 34,736 | ||||||
1,429 | Viacom, Inc., Class B(a) | 107,532 | ||||||
56,459 | Zon Multimedia Servicos de Telecommunicacoes e Multimedia SGPS SA(a) | 357,371 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
8,246,109 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Metals & Mining (2.1%): |
| ||||||
177,923 | Antofagasta plc(a) | 2,065,482 | ||||||
63,228 | Barrick Gold Corp.(a) | 679,701 | ||||||
40,304 | BHP Billiton plc(a) | 861,989 | ||||||
53,384 | Constellium NV*(a) | 877,099 | ||||||
60,918 | Eldorado Gold Corp.(a) | 371,330 | ||||||
136,556 | First Quantum Minerals, Ltd.(a) | 1,941,059 | ||||||
145,209 | Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.(a) | 3,392,084 | ||||||
76,765 | Goldcorp, Inc.(a) | 1,421,688 | ||||||
303,956 | Platinum Group Metals, Ltd.*(a) | 143,931 | ||||||
73,949 | Rio Tinto plc(a) | 3,406,600 | ||||||
57,449 | Southern Copper Corp.^(a) | 1,620,062 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
16,781,025 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Multiline Retail (0.0%): |
| ||||||
2,175 | Kohl’s Corp.^(a) | 132,762 | ||||||
2,073 | Macy’s, Inc.^(a) | 136,300 | ||||||
2,800 | Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.(a) | 346,036 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
615,098 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Multi-Utilities (0.5%): |
| ||||||
23,266 | CenterPoint Energy, Inc.(a) | 545,122 | ||||||
14,815 | Dominion Resources, Inc.(a) | 1,139,274 | ||||||
41,698 | GDF Suez(a) | 973,754 | ||||||
67,090 | National Grid plc(a) | 956,306 | ||||||
7,813 | RWE AG(a) | 244,580 | ||||||
9,816 | Sempra Energy(a) | 1,093,110 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,952,146 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (4.7%): |
| ||||||
28,501 | Anadarko Petroleum Corp.(a) | 2,351,332 | ||||||
19,173 | Antero Midstream Partners LP*(a) | 527,258 |
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued |
| ||||||
112,886 | Athabasca Oil Corp.*(a) | $ | 251,722 | |||||
42,054 | BG Group plc(a) | 559,701 | ||||||
59,649 | Cameco Corp.(a) | 978,840 | ||||||
2,987 | Chevron Corp.(a) | 335,082 | ||||||
3,655 | Cimarex Energy Co.(a) | 387,430 | ||||||
31,317 | CONSOL Energy, Inc.^(a) | 1,058,828 | ||||||
23,787 | Diamondback Energy, Inc.*^(a) | 1,421,987 | ||||||
30,140 | Eclipse Resources Corp.*^(a) | 211,884 | ||||||
3,818 | EOG Resources, Inc.(a) | 351,523 | ||||||
4,771 | EQT Corp.(a) | 361,165 | ||||||
19,714 | Gulfport Energy Corp.*(a) | 822,862 | ||||||
136,400 | INPEX Corp.(a) | 1,513,657 | ||||||
27,615 | KazMunaiGas Exploration Production JSC, Registered Shares, GDR(a) | 400,372 | ||||||
63,925 | Lookout, Inc.*(a)(b)(c) | 730,222 | ||||||
135,128 | Lundin Petroleum AB*^(a) | 1,933,490 | ||||||
3,387 | Marathon Oil Corp.(a) | 95,818 | ||||||
1,960 | Marathon Petroleum Corp.(a) | 176,910 | ||||||
15,127 | Oasis Petroleum, Inc.*^(a) | 250,201 | ||||||
154,200 | Oil & Natural Gas Corp., Ltd.(a) | 830,962 | ||||||
277,414 | Ophir Energy plc*(a) | 602,282 | ||||||
116,157 | Palantir Technologies, Inc.*(a)(b)(c) | 931,579 | ||||||
7,669 | Parsley Energy, Inc., Class A*^(a) | 122,397 | ||||||
71,761 | Petroleo Brasileiro SA, Sponsored ADR(a) | 523,856 | ||||||
49,178 | Phillips 66(a) | 3,526,062 | ||||||
4,315 | Pioneer Natural Resources Co.(a) | 642,288 | ||||||
52,935 | Royal Dutch Shell plc, Sponsored ADR(a) | 3,543,997 | ||||||
203,628 | Statoil ASA(a) | 3,570,909 | ||||||
22,665 | Stone Energy Corp.*^(a) | 382,585 | ||||||
4,475 | Suncor Energy, Inc.(a) | 142,216 | ||||||
32,673 | Talisman Energy, Inc.(a) | 255,830 | ||||||
10,686 | Tesoro Corp.^(a) | 794,504 | ||||||
20,473 | Total SA(a) | 1,055,447 | ||||||
41,344 | Total SA, Sponsored ADR^(a) | 2,116,812 | ||||||
47,155 | TransCanada Corp.^(a) | 2,318,166 | ||||||
3,490 | Valero Energy Corp.(a) | 172,755 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
36,252,931 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Paper & Forest Products (0.0%): |
| ||||||
3,070 | International Paper Co.(a) | 164,491 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Personal Products (0.2%): |
| ||||||
10,433 | Beiersdorf AG^(a) | 850,841 | ||||||
79,423 | Hypermarcas SA*(a) | 497,664 | ||||||
2,428 | L’Oreal SA(a) | 407,582 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,756,087 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Pharmaceuticals (4.2%): |
| ||||||
51,662 | Abbvie, Inc.(a) | 3,380,761 | ||||||
10,955 | Actavis, Inc. plc*(a) | 2,819,927 | ||||||
4,859 | Allergan, Inc.(a) | 1,032,975 | ||||||
31,100 | Astellas Pharma, Inc.(a) | 432,910 | ||||||
22,957 | AstraZeneca plc(a) | 1,614,727 |
Continued
8
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Pharmaceuticals, continued |
| ||||||
5,926 | AstraZeneca plc, Sponsored ADR^(a) | $ | 417,072 | |||||
18,819 | Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.(a) | 1,110,886 | ||||||
23,382 | Catalent, Inc.*^(a) | 651,890 | ||||||
3,501 | Eli Lilly & Co.(a) | 241,534 | ||||||
59,309 | Merck & Co., Inc.(a) | 3,368,158 | ||||||
6,239 | Mylan, Inc.*(a) | 351,692 | ||||||
18,513 | Novartis AG, Registered Shares(a) | 1,703,108 | ||||||
15,800 | Otsuka Holdings Co., Ltd.(a) | 473,951 | ||||||
4,641 | Perrigo Co. plc(a) | 775,790 | ||||||
115,919 | Pfizer, Inc.(a) | 3,610,876 | ||||||
16,221 | Roche Holding AG(a) | 4,397,874 | ||||||
6,890 | Sanofi-Aventis SA, Sponsored ADR(a) | 314,253 | ||||||
26,019 | Sanofi-Aventis SA(a) | 2,370,983 | ||||||
2,100 | Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.^(a) | 121,003 | ||||||
20,453 | Shire plc(a) | 1,446,938 | ||||||
460,000 | Sino Biopharmaceutical, Ltd.(a) | 416,134 | ||||||
25,005 | Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd., Sponsored ADR(a) | 1,438,037 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
32,491,479 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Professional Services (0.1%): |
| ||||||
42,526 | Qualicorp SA*(a) | 444,913 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.4%): |
| ||||||
9,828 | American Capital Agency Corp.(a) | 214,545 | ||||||
7,794 | American Tower Corp.(a) | 770,437 | ||||||
10,532 | Crown Castle International Corp.(a) | 828,869 | ||||||
323,539 | Fibra UNO Amdinistracion SA(a) | 953,695 | ||||||
293,363 | TF Administradora Industrial S de RL de C.V.(a) | 613,953 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,381,499 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Management & Development (1.3%): |
| ||||||
74,935 | BR Malls Participacoes SA(a) | 463,338 | ||||||
649,000 | CapitaLand, Ltd.(a) | 1,612,926 | ||||||
338,000 | China Overseas Land & Investment, Ltd.(a) | 997,616 | ||||||
38,000 | Daikyo, Inc.*(a) | 58,855 | ||||||
4,400 | Daito Trust Construction Co., Ltd.(a) | 498,276 | ||||||
646,000 | Global Logistic Properties, Ltd.(a) | 1,208,475 | ||||||
21,000 | Nomura Real Estate Holdings, Inc.(a) | 360,923 | ||||||
67,467 | St. Joe Co. (The)*^(a) | 1,240,718 | ||||||
144,000 | Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.(a) | 2,177,721 | ||||||
180,000 | Wharf Holdings, Ltd. (The)(a) | 1,292,765 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
9,911,613 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Road & Rail (0.9%): |
| ||||||
16,462 | Canadian National Railway Co.^(a) | 1,134,396 | ||||||
24,792 | CSX Corp.(a) | 898,214 | ||||||
28,600 | East Japan Railway Co.(a) | 2,143,088 | ||||||
14,285 | J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.^(a) | 1,203,511 | ||||||
25,000 | Nippon Express Co., Ltd.(a) | 127,167 | ||||||
7,000 | Seino Holdings Co., Ltd.(a) | 70,426 | ||||||
16,898 | Union Pacific Corp.(a) | 2,013,059 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
7,589,861 | ||||||||
|
|
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.3%): |
| ||||||
12,006 | Infineon Technologies AG(a) | $ | 128,702 | |||||
4,467 | KLA-Tencor Corp.^(a) | 314,119 | ||||||
19,400 | ROHM Co., Ltd.(a) | 1,177,169 | ||||||
596 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.(a) | 716,521 | ||||||
142,000 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.(a) | 626,646 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,963,157 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Software (1.7%): |
| ||||||
86,301 | Activision Blizzard, Inc.(a) | 1,738,965 | ||||||
2,269 | Adobe Systems, Inc.*(a) | 164,956 | ||||||
2,045 | Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.*(a) | 160,676 | ||||||
11,900 | Electronic Arts, Inc.*(a) | 559,479 | ||||||
53,300 | Gungho Online Enetertainment, Inc.^(a) | 194,328 | ||||||
1,734 | Intuit, Inc.(a) | 159,857 | ||||||
44,916 | Microsoft Corp.(a) | 2,086,348 | ||||||
16,800 | Nexon Co., Ltd.(a) | 156,673 | ||||||
10,200 | Nintendo Co., Ltd.(a) | 1,063,234 | ||||||
80,656 | Oracle Corp.(a) | 3,627,101 | ||||||
9,978 | SAP AG(a) | 705,416 | ||||||
3,800 | Trend Micro, Inc.^(a) | 103,985 | ||||||
23,266 | UbiSoft Entertainment SA*(a) | 425,895 | ||||||
45,940 | Veeva Systems, Inc., Class A*^(a) | 1,213,275 | ||||||
4,253 | VMware, Inc., Class A*^(a) | 350,958 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
12,711,146 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Specialty Retail (0.2%): |
| ||||||
2,400 | Autobacs Seven Co., Ltd.(a) | 34,177 | ||||||
2,044 | Lowe’s Cos., Inc.(a) | 140,627 | ||||||
15,800 | Sanrio Co., Ltd.^(a) | 393,046 | ||||||
800 | Shimamura Co., Ltd.^(a) | 68,938 | ||||||
296,000 | Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.^(a) | 988,125 | ||||||
222,760 | Zhongsheng Group Holdings, Ltd.^(a) | 200,913 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,825,826 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.2%): |
| ||||||
2,278 | Apple, Inc.(a) | 251,446 | ||||||
211,000 | NEC Corp.(a) | 615,231 | ||||||
1,630 | Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.(a) | 169,489 | ||||||
2,448 | Seagate Technology plc(a) | 162,792 | ||||||
2,403 | Western Digital Corp.(a) | 266,012 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,464,970 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (0.4%): |
| ||||||
52,300 | Coach, Inc.(a) | 1,964,388 | ||||||
255 | Hermes International SA(a) | 91,046 | ||||||
8,056 | Lululemon Athletica, Inc.*^(a) | 449,444 | ||||||
4,361 | LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA(a) | 689,541 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,194,419 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Tobacco (0.1%): |
| ||||||
5,733 | Philip Morris International, Inc.(a) | 466,953 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Trading Companies & Distributors (0.7%): |
| ||||||
16,891 | Fastenal Co.^(a) | 803,336 | ||||||
68,000 | Mitsubishi Corp.(a) | 1,247,320 |
Continued
9
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Common Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Trading Companies & Distributors, continued |
| ||||||
197,900 | Mitsui & Co., Ltd.(a) | $ | 2,646,002 | |||||
67,600 | Sumitomo Corp.(a) | 694,435 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,391,093 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Transportation Infrastructure (0.0%): |
| ||||||
615,711 | Delta Topco, Ltd.*(a)(b)(c) | 365,178 | ||||||
4,000 | Kamigumi Co., Ltd.(a) | 35,580 | ||||||
16,337 | Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Trade Port JSC, Registered Shares, GDR(a) | 32,395 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
433,153 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Water Utilities (0.1%): |
| ||||||
14,148 | American Water Works Co., Inc.(a) | 754,088 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.5%): |
| ||||||
27,132 | America Movil SAB de C.V., Series L, Sponsored ADR^(a) | 601,788 | ||||||
341,400 | Axiata Group Berhad(a) | 687,886 | ||||||
105,029 | Far EasTone Telecommunications Co., Ltd.(a) | 241,816 | ||||||
14,300 | KDDI Corp.(a) | 894,904 | ||||||
9,900 | NTT DoCoMo, Inc.(a) | 144,942 | ||||||
73,000 | Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd.(a) | 241,094 | ||||||
156,902 | Vodafone Group plc(a) | 537,552 | ||||||
15,162 | Vodafone Group plc, Sponsored ADR(a) | 518,086 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,868,068 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Common Stocks (Cost $396,539,998) | 422,648,074 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Preferred Stocks (1.8%): |
| ||||||
| Auto Components (0.3%): |
| ||||||
61,095 | Mobileye N.V., Series F, Preferred Shares*(a)(b)(c) | 2,354,112 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Automobiles (0.2%): |
| ||||||
8,234 | Volkswagen AG, Preferred Shares(a) | 1,839,026 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Banks (0.9%): |
| ||||||
26,482 | Citigroup Capital XIII, Preferred Shares^(a) | 703,891 | ||||||
176,000 | Deutsche Bank Capital Funding Trust VII, Preferred Shares(a)(d) | 179,186 | ||||||
32,500 | GMAC Capital Trust I, Preferred Shares(a) | 857,349 | ||||||
15,683 | HSBC Holdings plc, Series 2, Preferred Shares(a) | 416,697 | ||||||
38,941 | Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Preferred Shares(a) | 507,060 | ||||||
21,833 | RBS Capital Fund Trust V, Series E, Preferred Shares(a) | 530,542 | ||||||
27,501 | RBS Capital Funding Trust VII, Series G, Preferred Shares(a) | 670,749 | ||||||
12,375 | Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Series M, Preferred Shares, Sponsored ADR^(a) | 305,168 | ||||||
9,710 | Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Series Q, Preferred Shares, Sponsored ADR(a) | 246,149 | ||||||
14,719 | Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc, Series T, Preferred Shares, Sponsored ADR(a) | 375,187 | ||||||
14,159 | U.S. Bancorp, Series F, Preferred Shares^(a) | 416,983 |
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Preferred Stocks, continued |
| ||||||
| Banks, continued |
| ||||||
7,409 | U.S. Bancorp, Series G, Preferred Shares(a) | $ | 200,932 | |||||
541,000 | USB Capital IX, Preferred Shares(a) | 435,505 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
5,845,398 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Diversified Financial Services (0.0%): |
| ||||||
41,670 | Fannie Mae, Series S, Preferred Shares(a) | 161,263 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Food & Staples Retailing (0.0%): |
| ||||||
10,967 | Companhia Brasileira de Destribuicao Grupo Pao de Acucar, Series A, Preferred Shares(a) | 407,073 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Health Care Providers & Services (0.0%): |
| ||||||
186,439 | Invitae Corp., Series F(a)(b)(c) | 372,878 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Machinery (0.0%): |
| ||||||
2,123 | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., Preferred Shares^(a) | 249,962 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Multi-Utilities (0.0%): |
| ||||||
7,500 | Dominion Resources, Inc., Preferred Shares(a) | 390,075 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.2%): |
| ||||||
2,976 | American Tower Corp., Series A, Preferred Shares(a) | 342,121 | ||||||
13,044 | Health Care REIT, Inc., Series I, Preferred Shares(a) | 861,311 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,203,432 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%): |
| ||||||
15,600 | Forestar Group, Inc., Preferred Shares(a) | 331,188 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.2%): |
| ||||||
1,918 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Preferred Shares(a) | 1,794,913 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Preferred Stocks (Cost $12,663,433) | 14,949,320 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Warrants (0.0%): | |||||||
| Paper & Forest Products (0.0%): |
| ||||||
157,250 | TFS Corp., Ltd.*(a)(d) | 96,646 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%): |
| ||||||
11,666 | Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd.*(a) | 29,489 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Warrants (Cost $—) | 126,135 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Convertible Preferred Stocks (0.3%): |
| ||||||
| Aerospace & Defense (0.0%): |
| ||||||
5,063 | United Technologies Corp., 0.49%(a) | 310,514 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Banks (0.0%): |
| ||||||
272 | Wells Fargo & Co., Series L, Class A, 0.02%(a) | 330,480 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Electric Utilities (0.1%): |
| ||||||
10,884 | NextEra Energy, Inc., 0.33%(a) | 746,098 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Metals & Mining (0.0%): |
| ||||||
11,422 | Cliffs Natural Resources, Inc., Series A, 4.18%(a) | 76,527 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.2%): |
| ||||||
8,784 | Crown Castle International Corp., Series A(a) | 904,665 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Convertible Preferred Stocks (Cost $2,318,154) | 2,368,284 | ||||||
|
|
Continued
10
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Right (0.0%): |
| ||||||
| Media (0.0%): |
| ||||||
4,279 | Liberty Broadband Corp.*(a) | $ | 40,651 | |||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Right (Cost $—) | 40,651 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Convertible Bonds (2.0%): |
| ||||||
| Automobiles (0.1%): |
| ||||||
$ | 800,000 | Volkswagen International Finance NV, 5.50%, 11/9/15+(a)(d) | 1,070,525 | |||||
|
| |||||||
| Banks (0.1%): |
| ||||||
753,000 | JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series Q, 5.15%, 12/31/49, Callable 5/1/23 @ 100, Perpetual Bond^(a)(e) | 709,326 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Biotechnology (0.4%): |
| ||||||
143,000 | BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc., 0.75%, 10/15/18(a) | 168,114 | ||||||
155,000 | BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc., 1.50%, 10/15/20^(a) | 189,972 | ||||||
244,000 | Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2.50%, 11/1/17(a) | 845,308 | ||||||
331,000 | Gilead Sciences, Inc., Series D, 1.63%, 5/1/16(a) | 1,369,925 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,573,319 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Energy Equipment and Services (0.0%): |
| ||||||
191,000 | Suzlon Energy, Ltd., Series SUEL, 3.25%, 7/16/19, Callable 1/16/15 @ 100.85(a)(d)(e) | 173,170 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Food & Staples Retailing (0.1%): |
| ||||||
500,000 | Olam International, Ltd., 6.00%, 10/15/16(a)(d) | 527,500 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Food Products (0.0%): |
| ||||||
400,000 | REI Agro, Ltd., Registered Shares, 5.50%, 11/13/14(a)(b)(f) | 39,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Health Care Providers & Services (0.1%): |
| ||||||
80,000 | Brookdale Senior Living, Inc., 2.75%, 6/15/18(a) | 108,950 | ||||||
463,000 | WellPoint, Inc., 2.75%, 10/15/42(a) | 796,939 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
905,889 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Internet Software & Services (0.0%): |
| ||||||
380,000 | SINA Corp., 1.00%, 12/1/18, Callable 12/1/16 @ 100(a) | 350,313 | ||||||
375,000 | Twitter, Inc., 1.00%, 9/15/21(a)(d) | 326,719 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
677,032 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.2%): |
| ||||||
886,000 | Cobalt International Energy, Inc., 2.63%, 12/1/19(a) | 534,923 | ||||||
1,111,000 | Cobalt International Energy, Inc., 3.13%, 5/15/24^(a) | 746,453 | ||||||
70,000 | Dana Gas Sukuk, Ltd., 7.00%, 10/31/17(a) | 61,600 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,342,976 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Pharmaceuticals (0.2%): |
| ||||||
402,000 | Mylan, Inc., 3.75%, 9/15/15(a) | 1,698,952 | ||||||
|
|
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Convertible Bonds, continued |
| ||||||
| Real Estate Management & Development (0.3%): |
| ||||||
$ | 750,000 | CapitaLand, Ltd., 2.10%, 11/15/16+(a)(d) | $ | 566,337 | ||||
1,500,000 | CapitaLand, Ltd., Series CAPL, 2.95%, 6/20/22, Callable 6/20/17 @ 100+(a)(d) | 1,137,998 | ||||||
500,000 | CapitaLand, Ltd., 1.95%, 10/17/23, Callable 10/17/18 @ 100+(a)(d) | 381,994 | ||||||
250,000 | CapitaLand, Ltd., 1.95%, 10/17/23, Callable 10/17/18 @ 100+(a)(d) | 190,997 | ||||||
406,000 | Forest City Enterprises, Inc., 4.25%, 8/15/18(a) | 463,348 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,740,674 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (0.1%): |
| ||||||
246,000 | Intel Corp., 3.25%, 8/1/39(a) | 427,733 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Software (0.1%): |
| ||||||
420,000 | Salesforce.com, Inc., 0.25%, 4/1/18(a) | 478,538 | ||||||
428,000 | Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., 1.75%, 12/1/16(a) | 647,350 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,125,888 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.3%): |
| ||||||
500,000 | Telecom Italia Finance SA, Registered Shares, 6.13%, 11/15/16+(a)(d) | 709,005 | ||||||
300,000 | Telefonica SA, Series TIT, 6.00%, 7/24/17+(a) | 372,772 | ||||||
900,000 | Telefonica SA, Series TEF, 4.90%, 9/25/17+(a)(d) | 1,094,905 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,176,682 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Convertible Bonds (Cost $15,152,025) | 16,188,666 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Floating Rate Loans (1.0%): |
| ||||||
| Biotechnology (0.2%): |
| ||||||
1,609,718 | Grifols Worldwide Operations USA, 3.17%, 3/3/21(a)(e) | 1,585,572 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Construction & Engineering (0.1%): |
| ||||||
304,147 | Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding GmbH, 3.33%, 12/10/18(a)(e) | 366,919 | ||||||
122,640 | Autobahn Tank & Rast Holding GmbH, 3.58%, 12/10/19(a)(e) | 147,479 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
514,398 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Energy Equipment & Services (0.2%): |
| ||||||
377,055 | Drillships Financing Holdings, Inc., 6.00%, 3/31/21(a)(e) | 293,869 | ||||||
478,006 | Drillships Ocean Ventures, Inc., 5.50%, 7/9/21(a)(e) | 382,405 | ||||||
405,533 | Fieldwood Energy LLC, 9.38%, 9/20/20(a)(e) | 294,518 | ||||||
1,299,698 | Seadrill, Ltd., 4.00%, 2/21/21(a)(e) | 1,005,317 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,976,109 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (0.2%): |
| ||||||
1,728,577 | Hilton Worldwide Finance LLC, 3.50%, 10/25/20(a)(e) | 1,706,244 | ||||||
|
|
Continued
11
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Floating Rate Loans, continued |
| ||||||
| Media (0.2%): |
| ||||||
$ | 292,000 | AP One Channel Center Owner LP, Series 4814, 5.00%, 7/15/19(a)(e) | $ | 292,000 | ||||
472,000 | Charter Communications Operating LLC, 4.25%, 8/12/21(a)(e) | 474,657 | ||||||
722,088 | Univision Communications, Inc., 4.00%, 3/1/20(a)(e) | 705,120 | ||||||
389,246 | Univision Communications, Inc., 4.00%, 3/1/20(a)(e) | 380,098 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,851,875 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.1%): |
| ||||||
104,864 | Sheridan Production Partners, 4.25%, 12/2/20(a)(e) | 82,843 | ||||||
753,671 | Sheridan Production Partners, 4.25%, 12/2/20(a)(e) | 595,399 | ||||||
39,120 | Sheridan Production Partners, 4.25%, 12/2/20(a)(e) | 30,905 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
709,147 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Pharmaceuticals (0.0%): |
| ||||||
188,674 | Mallinckrodt International Finance SA, 3.25%, 2/24/21(a)(e) | 184,806 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Floating Rate Loans (Cost $9,380,783) | 8,528,151 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Corporate Bonds (2.3%): |
| ||||||
| Automobiles (0.1%): |
| ||||||
620,000 | General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.50%, 7/10/19^(a) | 633,096 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Banks (0.4%): |
| ||||||
307,000 | Bank of America Corp., 1.32%, 3/22/18, MTN(a)(e) | 309,243 | ||||||
385,000 | Bank of America Corp., 2.60%, 1/15/19(a) | 387,994 | ||||||
430,000 | CIT Group, Inc., 4.75%, 2/15/15(a)(d) | 430,323 | ||||||
410,000 | HSBC USA, Inc., 1.63%, 1/16/18(a) | 408,421 | ||||||
290,000 | JPMorgan Chase & Co., 6.13%, 6/27/17(a) | 319,997 | ||||||
1,565,000 | JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series X, 6.10%, 10/29/49, Callable 10/1/24 @ 100(a)(e) | 1,561,087 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,417,065 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Beverages (0.0%): |
| ||||||
258,000 | Anheuser-Busch InBev NV Worldwide, Inc., 1.38%, 7/15/17(a) | 257,771 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Capital Markets (0.5%): |
| ||||||
1,258,000 | Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 1.72%, 12/6/17(a) | 1,244,999 | ||||||
408,000 | Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.38%, 1/16/18^(a) | 410,364 | ||||||
395,000 | Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.00%, 5/15/18(a) | 429,186 | ||||||
662,000 | Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), Series L, 5.70%, 12/29/49, Callable 5/10/19 @ 100^(a)(e) | 669,613 | ||||||
361,000 | Merrill Lynch & Co., 6.88%, 4/25/18, MTN(a) | 414,637 |
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Corporate Bonds, continued |
| ||||||
| Capital Markets, continued |
| ||||||
$ | 268,000 | Morgan Stanley, Series G, 7.30%, 5/13/19(a) | $ | 317,887 | ||||
489,000 | Morgan Stanley, Series H, 5.45%, 12/29/49, Callable 7/15/19 @ 100^(a)(e) | 489,880 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
3,976,566 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Communications Equipment (0.0%): |
| ||||||
110,000 | Hughes Satellite Systems Corp., 7.63%, 6/15/21(a) | 121,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Consumer Finance (0.2%): |
| ||||||
578,000 | Ally Financial, Inc., 2.75%, 1/30/17^(a) | 576,197 | ||||||
431,000 | Ally Financial, Inc., 3.50%, 1/27/19^(a) | 425,828 | ||||||
370,000 | Synchrony Financial, 3.75%, 8/15/21, Callable 6/15/21 @ 100(a) | 377,951 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,379,976 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Diversified Financial Services (0.3%): |
| ||||||
558,000 | Bank of America Corp., 2.00%, 1/11/18, MTN(a) | 557,576 | ||||||
298,000 | Citigroup, Inc., Series A, 5.95%, 12/29/49, Callable 1/30/23 @ 100^(a)(e) | 293,530 | ||||||
272,000 | General Electric Capital Corp., Series A, 5.55%, 5/4/20, MTN(a) | 312,603 | ||||||
600,000 | General Electric Capital Corp., Series B, 6.25%, 12/15/49, Callable 12/15/22 @ 100^(a)(e) | 653,251 | ||||||
420,000 | General Electric Capital Corp., 6.38%, 11/15/67, Callable 11/15/17 @ 100(a)(e) | 450,450 | ||||||
222,000 | Hyundai Capital America, Inc., 2.13%, 10/2/17(a)(d) | 223,082 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,490,492 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Health Care Equipment & Supplies (0.1%): |
| ||||||
820,000 | Medtronic, Inc., 3.15%, 3/15/22(a)(d) | 830,394 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| IT Services (0.0%): | |||||||
130,000 | SunGard Data Systems, Inc., 7.38%, 11/15/18, Callable 2/9/15 @ 105.53(a) | 135,200 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Media (0.1%): | |||||||
245,000 | Cablevision Systems Corp., 5.88%, 9/15/22^(a) | 248,063 | ||||||
200,000 | NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc., 5.25%, 12/31/99, Callable 3/19/21 @ 100(a)(d) | 207,500 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
455,563 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.2%): |
| ||||||
399,000 | Chesapeake Energy Corp., 3.48%, 4/15/19, Callable 4/15/15 @ 101(a)(e) | 391,020 | ||||||
325,000 | Reliance Holdings USA, Inc., 4.50%, 10/19/20(a)(d) | 339,608 | ||||||
250,000 | Reliance Holdings USA, Inc., 5.40%, 2/14/22(a)(d) | 270,827 | ||||||
270,000 | Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.63%, 4/15/23^(a) | 264,600 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,266,055 | ||||||||
|
|
Continued
12
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Corporate Bonds, continued |
| ||||||
| Pharmaceuticals (0.2%): |
| ||||||
$ | 475,000 | Forest Laboratories, Inc., 4.38%, 2/1/19(a)(d) | $ | 501,776 | ||||
331,000 | Forest Laboratories, Inc., 5.00%, 12/15/21, Callable 9/16/21 @ 100(a)(d) | 358,415 | ||||||
513,000 | Mylan, Inc., 2.55%, 3/28/19^(a) | 511,030 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,371,221 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.0%): |
| ||||||
162,000 | American Tower Corp., 3.40%, 2/15/19^(a) | 164,887 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Specialty Retail (0.0%): |
| ||||||
393,000 | Best Buy Co., Inc., 5.00%, 8/1/18(a) | 406,509 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals (0.0%): |
| ||||||
238,000 | Xerox Corp., 6.35%, 5/15/18^(a) | 269,111 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (0.0%): |
| ||||||
365,000 | Capital One Bank USA NA, Series BNKT, 2.15%, 11/21/18, Callable 10/21/18 @ 100(a) | 363,095 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Transportation Infrastructure (0.1%): |
| ||||||
516,343 | Delta Topco, Ltd., 10.00%, 11/24/60(a)(b)(c) | 518,360 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%): |
| ||||||
1,070,000 | AT&T, Inc., 2.38%, 11/27/18^(a) | 1,078,288 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $19,006,304) | 19,134,649 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Foreign Bonds (8.7%): |
| ||||||
| Banks (0.2%): |
| ||||||
610,000 | Lloyds TSB Bank plc , Series E, 13.00%, 1/29/49, Callable 1/21/29 @ 100+(a)(e) | 1,619,378 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Metals & Mining (0.0%): |
| ||||||
270,000 | Constellium NV , 7.00%, 1/15/23, Callable 1/15/18 @ 105.25+(a)(d) | 312,791 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Sovereign Bonds (8.5%): |
| ||||||
5,769,000 | Australian Government , Series 122, 5.25%, 3/15/19+(a) | 5,284,244 | ||||||
10,510,000 | Australian Government , Series 143, 2.75%, 10/21/19+(a) | 8,765,953 | ||||||
3,022,000 | Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional , Series NTNF, 0.32%, 1/1/17+(a)(g)(h) | 1,083,288 | ||||||
2,547,000 | Brazil Nota do Tesouro Nacional , Series NTNF, 1.86%, 1/1/21+(a)(g)(h) | 865,774 | ||||||
8,588,000 | Government of Poland , 5.75%, 10/25/21+(a) | 2,948,779 | ||||||
24,694,000,000 | Indonesia Government , Series FR69, 7.88%, 4/15/19+(a) | 2,007,135 | ||||||
6,272,000,000 | Indonesia Government , Series FR70, 8.38%, 3/15/24+(a) | 525,622 | ||||||
150,000,000 | Japan Treasury Discount Bill , Series 482, 0.00%, 1/8/15+(a)(g) | 1,252,505 | ||||||
160,000,000 | Japan Treasury Discount Bill , Series 499, 0.00%, 2/4/15+(a)(g) | 1,336,005 | ||||||
80,000,000 | Japan Treasury Discount Bill , Series 478, 0.00%, 3/10/15+(a)(g) | 667,969 | ||||||
160,000,000 | Japan Treasury Discount Bill , Series 500, 0.00%, 3/23/15+(a)(g) | 1,336,005 |
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Foreign Bonds, continued |
| ||||||
| Sovereign Bonds, continued |
| ||||||
$ | 49,273,000 | Mexican Bonos Desarr , 8.00%, 12/7/23+(a)(e)(i) | $ | 3,839,063 | ||||
96,411,800 | Mexican Bonos Desarr , Series M 20, 10.00%, 12/5/24+(a)(e)(i) | 8,561,039 | ||||||
220,707,000 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 1/22/15+(a)(i) | 1,494,024 | ||||||
74,245,400 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 2/5/15+(a)(i) | 501,988 | ||||||
117,581,800 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 2/19/15+(a)(i) | 794,156 | ||||||
198,377,600 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 3/5/15+(a)(i) | 1,338,028 | ||||||
225,021,200 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 3/19/15+(a)(i) | 1,515,798 | ||||||
150,698,400 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 4/1/15+(a)(i) | 1,014,059 | ||||||
115,860,000 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 4/16/15+(a)(i) | 778,647 | ||||||
152,284,900 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 4/30/15+(a)(i) | 1,022,225 | ||||||
235,914,000 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 5/28/15+(a)(i) | 1,580,010 | ||||||
231,730,000 | Mexican Cetes , Series BI, 0.00%, 6/11/15+(a)(i) | 1,549,318 | ||||||
2,278,000 | New Zealand Government , Series 319, 5.00%, 3/15/19+(a) | 1,875,365 | ||||||
4,019,000 | Nota do Tesouro Nacional , Series NTNB, 0.00%, 5/15/23+(a)(h) | 3,801,374 | ||||||
4,555,000 | Nota do Tesouro Nacional , Series NTNF, 0.97%, 1/1/25+(a)(g)(h) | 1,501,011 | ||||||
7,328,000 | Poland Government Bond , Series 1020, 5.25%, 10/25/20+(a) | 2,408,414 | ||||||
6,124,618 | United Kingdom Treasury , 2.25%, 9/7/23+(a)(d) | 10,000,895 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
69,648,693 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Foreign Bonds (Cost $76,543,041) | 71,580,862 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Yankee Dollars (2.6%): |
| ||||||
| Banks (0.7%): |
| ||||||
275,000 | Banco Estado Chile, 2.03%, 4/2/15(a) | 276,035 | ||||||
450,000 | Banco Santander Chile SA, 2.11%, 6/7/18(a)(d)(e) | 455,625 | ||||||
1,172,000 | BNP Paribas SA, 2.40%, 12/12/18^(a) | 1,183,159 | ||||||
253,000 | Export-Import Bank of Korea, 2.88%, 9/17/18(a) | 259,640 | ||||||
1,275,000 | HSBC Holdings plc, 6.38%, 12/29/49, Callable 9/17/24 @ 100^(a)(e) | 1,287,750 | ||||||
221,000 | Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 3.88%, 1/16/18^(a) | 230,095 | ||||||
1,065,000 | Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 3.88%, 1/15/19(a) | 1,102,694 | ||||||
200,000 | Lloyds Bank plc, 2.30%, 11/27/18(a) | 201,889 | ||||||
250,000 | Rabobank Nederland, 3.95%, 11/9/22(a) | 254,657 | ||||||
553,000 | State Bank of India, 3.62%, 4/17/19(a)(d) | 560,783 |
Continued
13
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Yankee Dollars, continued |
| ||||||
| Banks, continued |
| ||||||
$ | 460,000 | Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp., 2.45%, 1/10/19(a) | $ | 462,082 | ||||
366,000 | UBS AG Stamford CT, 2.38%, 8/14/19(a) | 365,978 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
6,640,387 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Capital Markets (0.2%): |
| ||||||
501,340 | Dana Gas Sukuk, Ltd., 9.00%, 10/31/17, Callable 10/13/17 @ 103(a)(d) | 451,206 | ||||||
1,098,330 | Dana Gas Sukuk, Ltd., 7.00%, 10/31/17(a)(d) | 966,530 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,417,736 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Diversified Financial Services (0.1%): |
| ||||||
400,000 | CSG Guernsey I, Ltd., Registered Shares, 7.88%, 2/24/41, Callable 8/24/16 @ 100(a)(d)(e) | 424,000 | ||||||
400,000 | Odebrecht Finance, Ltd., 4.38%, 4/25/25(a)(d) | 343,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
767,000 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Diversified Telecommunication Services (0.1%): |
| ||||||
489,000 | Intelsat Jackson Holdings SA, 7.50%, 4/1/21, Callable 4/1/15 @ 103.75(a) | 523,230 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Electric Utilities (0.0%): |
| ||||||
85,000 | Empresa Distribuidora Y Comercializadora Norte SA, 9.75%, 10/25/22, Callable 10/25/18 @ 104.88(a)(d) | 59,415 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Government (0.0%): |
| ||||||
178,000 | Provincia de Buenos Aires, 10.88%, 1/26/21(a)(d) | 161,980 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Industrial Conglomerates (0.1%): |
| ||||||
400,000 | Hutchison Whampoa International 11, Ltd., 3.50%, 1/13/17(a)(d) | 414,424 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Internet & Catalog Retail (0.2%): |
| ||||||
470,000 | Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., 3.13%, 11/28/21, Callable 9/28/21 @ 100(a)(d) | 464,349 | ||||||
725,000 | Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd., 3.60%, 11/28/24, Callable 8/28/24 @ 100(a)(d) | 719,086 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
1,183,435 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Media (0.0%): |
| ||||||
200,000 | Unitymedia Hessen, 5.50%, 1/15/23, Callable 1/15/18 @ 103(a)(d) | 209,000 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Oil Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.0%): |
| ||||||
229,000 | Petrobras International Finance Co., 5.38%, 1/27/21(a) | 212,185 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (0.3%): |
| ||||||
240,000 | Bumi Investment Pte, Ltd., 10.75%, 10/6/17, Callable 2/23/15 @ 105.38(a)(d)(f) | 53,400 | ||||||
1,102,000 | Petrobras Global Finance BV, 2.37%, 1/15/19(a)(e) | 977,562 | ||||||
533,000 | Petrobras Global Finance BV, 6.25%, 3/17/24^(a) | 507,171 |
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Yankee Dollars, continued |
| ||||||
| Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels, continued |
| ||||||
$ | 469,000 | YPF SA, 8.88%, 12/19/18^(a)(d) | $ | 484,993 | ||||
283,000 | YPF SA, 8.75%, 4/4/24(a)(d) | 287,599 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
2,310,725 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Paper & Forest Products (0.1%): |
| ||||||
425,000 | TFS Corp., Ltd., 11.00%, 7/15/18, Callable 7/15/15 @ 108(a)(d) | 450,500 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) (0.1%): |
| ||||||
516,000 | Trust F/1401, 5.25%, 12/15/24(a)(d) | 531,532 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Real Estate Management & Development (0.0%): |
| ||||||
200,000 | Sun Hung Kai Properties, Ltd., Series E, 4.50%, 2/14/22(a)(d) | 212,822 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Road & Rail (0.0%): |
| ||||||
495,000 | Inversiones Alsacia SA, 0.00%, 8/18/18(a)(k) | — | ||||||
388,779 | Inversiones Alsacia SA, 8.00%, 12/31/18, Callable 1/23/15 @ 100(a)(d) | 283,809 | ||||||
173,000 | Viterra, Inc., 5.95%, 8/1/20(a)(d) | 191,002 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
474,811 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Sovereign Bonds (0.6%): |
| ||||||
243,000 | Federal Republic of Brazil, 4.88%, 1/22/21(a) | 258,188 | ||||||
1,583,590 | Republic of Argentina, Series X, 2.46%, 4/17/17(a)(g) | 1,520,247 | ||||||
949,310 | Republic of Argentina, 0.93%, 5/7/24(a)(g) | 925,577 | ||||||
101,000 | Republic of Colombia, 7.38%, 1/27/17(a) | 111,858 | ||||||
178,000 | Republic of Hungary, 4.75%, 2/3/15(a) | 178,417 | ||||||
534,000 | Republic of Hungary, 4.13%, 2/19/18(a) | 553,800 | ||||||
1,028,000 | Republic of Turkey, 6.75%, 4/3/18(a) | 1,143,650 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
4,691,737 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Tobacco (0.0%): |
| ||||||
375,000 | B.A.T. International Finance plc, 2.13%, 6/7/17(a)(d) | 378,485 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Wireless Telecommunication Services (0.1%): |
| ||||||
200,000 | Colombia Telecomm SA ESP, 5.38%, 9/27/22, Callable 9/27/17 @ 102.69(a)(d) | 195,000 | ||||||
572,000 | Telecom Italia SpA, 5.30%, 5/30/24(a)(d) | 579,150 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
774,150 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Yankee Dollars (Cost $21,711,149) | 21,413,554 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| U.S. Government Agency Mortgage (0.1%): |
| ||||||
768,000 | Federal National Mortgage Association, 3.00%, 1/25/45(a) | 776,880 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total U.S. Government Agency Mortgage (Cost $768,360) | 776,880 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Obligations (23.1%): | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills (17.6%) | |||||||
4,230,000 | 0.01%, 1/2/15(a)(g) | 4,230,000 | ||||||
15,000,000 | 0.02%, 1/8/15(a)(g) | 14,999,969 | ||||||
10,507,000 | 0.02%, 1/15/15(a)(g) | 10,506,905 | ||||||
2,000,000 | 0.02%, 1/22/15(a)(g) | 1,999,966 | ||||||
1,521,000 | 0.00%, 2/5/15(a)(g) | 1,520,964 | ||||||
12,500,000 | 0.04%, 2/12/15(a)(g) | 12,499,750 | ||||||
34,484,000 | 0.02%, 2/19/15(a)(g) | 34,483,206 |
Continued
14
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Obligations, continued | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Bills, continued | |||||||
$ | 12,000,000 | 0.03%, 2/26/15(a)(g) | $ | 11,999,628 | ||||
13,000,000 | 0.03%, 3/5/15(a)(g) | 12,999,610 | ||||||
8,000,000 | 0.02%, 3/12/15(a)(g) | 7,999,616 | ||||||
2,715,000 | 0.02%, 3/19/15(a)(g) | 2,714,886 | ||||||
4,000,000 | 0.04%, 3/26/15(a)(g) | 3,999,840 | ||||||
3,000,000 | 0.04%, 4/2/15(a)(g) | 2,999,700 | ||||||
5,000,000 | 0.03%, 4/9/15(a)(g) | 4,999,630 | ||||||
7,250,000 | 0.06%, 5/14/15(a)(g) | 7,248,601 | ||||||
8,500,000 | 0.06%, 5/21/15(a)(g) | 8,498,113 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
143,700,384 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| U.S. Treasury Notes (5.5%) |
| ||||||
3,956,800 | 0.25%, 3/31/15(a) | 3,958,193 | ||||||
1,940,000 | 0.25%, 7/31/15(j) | 1,941,364 | ||||||
4,037,300 | 1.25%, 10/31/18(a) | 4,011,122 | ||||||
5,250,000 | 1.63%, 7/31/19(a) | 5,258,201 | ||||||
4,376,800 | 1.63%, 8/31/19(a) | 4,381,588 | ||||||
5,647,500 | 2.25%, 4/30/21(a) | 5,763,539 | ||||||
7,527,500 | 2.00%, 5/31/21(a) | 7,565,138 | ||||||
6,847,700 | 2.38%, 8/15/24(a) | 6,974,492 | ||||||
5,459,700 | 2.25%, 11/15/24(a) | 5,496,384 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
45,350,021 | ||||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $188,683,250) | 189,050,405 | ||||||
|
|
Contracts, Shares, Notional Amount or Principal Amount | Fair Value | |||||||
| Purchased Options (1.3%): |
| ||||||
| Total Purchased Options (Cost $8,743,630) | $ | 10,448,717 | |||||
|
| |||||||
| Exchange Traded Funds (0.7%): |
| ||||||
4,500 | ETFS Platinum Trust(j) | 526,725 | ||||||
5,330 | ETFS Physical Palladium Shares(j) | 413,022 | ||||||
112,395 | iShares Gold Trust(j) | 1,285,799 | ||||||
28,438 | SPDR Gold Trust(j) | 3,229,988 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Exchange Traded Fund (Cost $6,514,097) | 5,455,534 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan (5.6%): |
| ||||||
45,894,168 | Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust(m) | 45,894,168 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan | 45,894,168 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Unaffiliated Investment Companies (3.4%): |
| ||||||
872,166 | Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(g) (l) | 872,166 | ||||||
27,000,708 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.01%(g) | 27,000,708 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $27,872,874) | 27,872,874 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Investment Securities (Cost $831,791,266)(n) — 104.6% | 856,476,924 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — (4.6)% | (38,042,110 | ) | |||||
|
| |||||||
| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 818,434,814 | |||||
|
|
Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
ADR—American Depositary Receipt
GDR—Global Depositary Receipt
JPY—Notional amount stated is in Japanese Yen.
MTN—Medium Term Note
SPDR—Standard & Poor’s Depository Receipts
* | Non-income producing security. |
^ | This security or a partial position of this security was on loan as of December 31, 2014. The total value of securities on loan as of December 31, 2014, was $44,326,021. |
+ | The principal amount is disclosed in local currency and the fair value is disclosed in U.S. Dollars. |
(a) | These securities are held by the AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (the “VIP Subsidiary”). |
(b) | Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be illiquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. As of December 31, 2014, these securities represent 1.06% of the net assets of the fund. |
(c) | Security was valued in good faith pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of Trustees as of December 31, 2014. The total of all such securities represent 1.05% of the net assets of the fund. |
(d) | Rule 144A, Section 4(2) or other security which is restricted to resale to institutional investors. The sub-adviser has deemed these securities to be liquid based on procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. |
(e) | Variable rate security. The rate presented represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2014. The date presented represents the final maturity date. |
(f) | Defaulted bond. |
(g) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(h) | Principal amount is stated in 1,000 Brazilian Real Units. |
(i) | Principal amount is stated in 100 Mexican Peso Units. |
(j) | All or a portion of these securities are held by the AZL Cayman Global Allocation Fund, Ltd. (the “Cayman Subsidiary”). |
(k) | Escrow security due to bankruptcy. |
Continued
15
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
(l) | All or a portion of these securities are held by the VIP Subsidiary. |
(m) | Purchased with cash collateral held from securities lending. The value of the collateral could include collateral held for securities that were sold on or before December 31, 2014. |
(n) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
The following represents the concentrations by country of risk (based on the domicile of the security issuer) relative to the total fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014:
Country | Percentage | |||
Argentina | 0.5 | % | ||
Australia | 2.1 | % | ||
Belgium | — | %NM | ||
Bermuda | 0.1 | % | ||
Brazil | 1.3 | % | ||
Canada | 1.3 | % | ||
Cayman Islands | 0.5 | % | ||
Chile | 0.1 | % | ||
China | 0.1 | % | ||
Colombia | — | %NM | ||
Cyprus | — | %NM | ||
Denmark | — | %NM | ||
European Community | 0.1 | % | ||
France | 2.5 | % | ||
Germany | 1.3 | % | ||
Guernsey | 0.1 | % | ||
Hong Kong | 0.9 | % | ||
Hungary | 0.1 | % | ||
India | 0.5 | % | ||
Indonesia | 0.4 | % | ||
Ireland (Republic of) | 0.4 | % | ||
Israel | 0.2 | % | ||
Italy | 0.7 | % | ||
Japan | 8.4 | % | ||
Jersey | 0.2 | % |
Country | Percentage | |||
Kazakhstan | 0.1 | % | ||
Korea, Republic Of | 0.3 | % | ||
Luxembourg | 0.2 | % | ||
Malaysia | 0.2 | % | ||
Mexico | 3.2 | % | ||
Netherlands | 1.9 | % | ||
New Zealand | 0.2 | % | ||
Norway | 0.4 | % | ||
Poland | 0.6 | % | ||
Portugal | — | %NM | ||
Republic of Korea (South) | 0.2 | % | ||
Russian Federation | — | %NM | ||
Singapore | 1.0 | % | ||
South Africa | 0.1 | % | ||
Spain | 0.3 | % | ||
Sweden | 0.3 | % | ||
Switzerland | 1.8 | % | ||
Taiwan | 0.2 | % | ||
Thailand | 0.1 | % | ||
Turkey | 0.1 | % | ||
United Arab Emirates | 0.1 | % | ||
United Kingdom | 5.0 | % | ||
United States | 61.9 | % | ||
|
| |||
100.0 | % | |||
|
|
NM | Not meaningful, amount is less than 0.05%. |
Securities Sold Short (-0.1%):(a)
Security Description | Proceeds Received | Fair Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ Deprecation | |||||||||
Avery Dennison Corp. | $ | (383,876 | ) | $ | (394,392 | ) | $ | (10,516 | ) | |||
Campbell Soup Co. | (152,034 | ) | (154,440 | ) | (2,406 | ) | ||||||
Mead Johnson Nutrition Co. | (462,551 | ) | (468,315 | ) | (5,764 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||
$ | (998,461 | ) | $ | (1,017,147 | ) | $ | (18,686 | ) | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continued
16
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Futures Contracts
Cash of $14,053,643 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures (U.S. Dollar)(a) | Short | 3/20/15 | (135 | ) | $ | (13,853,700 | ) | $ | (124,563 | ) | ||||||||||
DJ EURO STOXX 50 March Futures (Euro)(a) | Long | 3/23/15 | 14 | 530,689 | 512 | |||||||||||||||
Tokyo Price Index March Futures (Japanese Yen)(a) | Long | 3/12/15 | 27 | 3,173,221 | (68,119 | ) | ||||||||||||||
ASX SPI 200 Index March Futures (Australian Dollar)(a) | Long | 3/20/15 | 1 | 109,840 | 4,550 | |||||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures (U.S. Dollar) | Long | 3/20/15 | 236 | 24,218,320 | 394,753 | |||||||||||||||
FTSE 100 Index March Futures (British Pounds)(a) | Long | 3/23/15 | 2 | 203,294 | 6,988 | |||||||||||||||
S&P/Toronto Stock Exchange 60 Index March Futures (Canadian Dollar)(a) | Long | 3/19/15 | 1 | 146,638 | 8,333 | |||||||||||||||
CAC 40 10 Euro January Futures (Euro)(a) | Long | 1/16/15 | 3 | 155,243 | 1,564 | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures (U.S. Dollar) | Long | 3/20/15 | 129 | 16,356,797 | 88,273 | |||||||||||||||
German Stock Index March Futures (Euro)(a) | Long | 3/20/15 | 3 | 893,229 | 26,461 | |||||||||||||||
NASDAQ 100 E-Mini March Futures (U.S. Dollar)(a) | Long | 3/20/15 | 2 | 169,310 | 5,967 | |||||||||||||||
NIKKEI 225 Index March Futures (Japanese Yen)(a) | Long | 3/12/15 | 60 | 4,336,172 | 23,759 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 368,478 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Option Contracts(a)
Over-the-counter options purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Description | Counterparty | Put/ Call | Strike Price | Expiration Date | Contracts | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
Abbvie, Inc. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 55.00 | 06/19/15 | 36,800 | $ | 417,774 | ||||||||||||||||
Aetna, Inc. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 80.00 | 06/19/15 | 30,000 | 332,207 | |||||||||||||||||
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 85.00 | 02/20/15 | 30,275 | 109,172 | |||||||||||||||||
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 85.00 | 02/20/15 | 8,325 | 30,020 | |||||||||||||||||
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 95.00 | 02/20/15 | 30,975 | 33,339 | |||||||||||||||||
Apache Corp. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 110.00 | 01/16/15 | 10,800 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Bank of America Corp. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 20.00 | 01/15/16 | 58,700 | 48,155 | |||||||||||||||||
Citigroup, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 70.00 | 01/15/16 | 40,400 | 27,931 | |||||||||||||||||
Coach, Inc. | Bank of America | Call | USD | 60.00 | 02/20/15 | 13,282 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||
Coca-Cola Co. (The) | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 45.00 | 01/16/15 | 59,130 | 3,222 | |||||||||||||||||
Delphi Automotive plc | Morgan Stanley | Call | USD | 72.50 | 01/16/15 | 1,900 | 2,776 | |||||||||||||||||
Devon Energy Corp. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 75.00 | 04/17/15 | 14,652 | 12,939 | |||||||||||||||||
Devon Energy Corp. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 75.00 | 04/17/15 | 14,653 | 12,940 | |||||||||||||||||
Electronic Arts, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 37.00 | 01/16/15 | 17,554 | 176,701 | |||||||||||||||||
EQT Corp. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 100.00 | 03/20/15 | 11,550 | 3,254 | |||||||||||||||||
EQT Corp. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 100.00 | 03/20/15 | 9,167 | 2,583 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | Goldman Sachs | Call | EUR | 3500.00 | 03/16/18 | 424 | 103,849 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | Morgan Stanley | Call | EUR | 3450.00 | 03/17/17 | 495 | 100,792 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | UBS Warburg | Call | EUR | 3600.00 | 06/15/18 | 206 | 43,865 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | EUR | 3500.00 | 06/16/17 | 462 | 86,873 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | Bank of America | Call | EUR | 3600.00 | 09/15/17 | 477 | 86,019 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | Deutsche Bank | Call | EUR | 3426.55 | 09/21/18 | 225 | 63,264 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | Barclays Bank | Call | EUR | 3500.00 | 12/15/17 | 488 | 110,818 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | Goldman Sachs | Call | EUR | 3293.01 | 12/16/16 | 1,161 | 277,013 | |||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | JPMorgan Chase | Call | EUR | 3325.00 | 12/18/15 | 515 | 77,844 | |||||||||||||||||
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 95.00 | 01/15/16 | 7,700 | 106,567 | |||||||||||||||||
GLDR Gold Shares(b) | JPMorgan Chase | Call | USD | 120.00 | 09/18/15 | 16,400 | 67,622 | |||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 220.00 | 01/15/16 | 5,500 | 34,506 | |||||||||||||||||
Google, Inc. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 600.00 | 01/16/15 | 1,437 | 77 | |||||||||||||||||
Hewlett-Packard Co. | UBS Warburg | Call | USD | 41.00 | 02/20/15 | 3,567 | 3,181 | |||||||||||||||||
Humana, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 125.00 | 06/19/15 | 18,048 | 405,881 | |||||||||||||||||
International Business Machines Corp. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 182.00 | 01/15/16 | 7,500 | 35,670 |
Continued
17
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Description | Counterparty | Put/ Call | Strike Price | Expiration Date | Contracts | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
International Business Machines Corp. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 182.00 | 01/15/16 | 7,500 | $ | 35,670 | ||||||||||||||||
Johnson & Johnson | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 110.00 | 07/17/15 | 76,700 | 169,717 | |||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase & Co. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 75.00 | 01/15/16 | 36,700 | 32,204 | |||||||||||||||||
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 90.00 | 04/17/15 | 7,233 | 45,999 | |||||||||||||||||
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 90.00 | 04/17/15 | 14,559 | 92,590 | |||||||||||||||||
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 100.00 | 04/17/15 | 18,250 | 43,351 | |||||||||||||||||
MetLife, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 57.50 | 01/15/16 | 60,533 | 158,701 | |||||||||||||||||
MS Japan Custom Index | Morgan Stanley | Call | JPY | 131.28 | 12/11/15 | 1,352,770 | 122,256 | |||||||||||||||||
MS Japan Custom Index | Morgan Stanley | Call | JPY | 139.99 | 12/11/15 | 349,532 | 31,932 | |||||||||||||||||
Mylan, Inc. | Bank of America | Call | USD | 47.00 | 01/16/15 | 18,200 | 172,130 | |||||||||||||||||
Mylan, Inc. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 47.00 | 01/16/15 | 14,158 | 133,902 | |||||||||||||||||
Mylan, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 55.00 | 01/16/15 | 18,200 | 40,066 | |||||||||||||||||
Nikkei 225 | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | JPY | 18000.00 | 03/13/15 | 30,220 | 126,442 | |||||||||||||||||
Oracle Corp. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 42.00 | 01/16/15 | 9,647 | 29,192 | |||||||||||||||||
Pfizer, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 33.00 | 01/15/16 | 151,300 | 181,085 | |||||||||||||||||
Phillips 66 | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 75.00 | 05/15/15 | 18,767 | 66,066 | |||||||||||||||||
Phillips 66 | UBS Warburg | Call | USD | 75.00 | 05/15/15 | 7,507 | 26,427 | |||||||||||||||||
Phillips 66 | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 75.00 | 05/15/15 | 3,737 | 13,155 | |||||||||||||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 90.00 | 01/15/16 | 46,970 | 384,302 | |||||||||||||||||
Siemens AG | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 150.00 | 01/16/15 | 18,114 | — | |||||||||||||||||
SPDR Gold Shares(b) | JPMorgan Chase | Call | USD | 133.44 | 03/20/15 | 9,230 | 1,699 | |||||||||||||||||
Stoxx Europe 600 Index | Credit Suisse First Boston | Call | EUR | 355.61 | 03/17/17 | 4,134 | 103,266 | |||||||||||||||||
Stoxx Europe 600 Index | JPMorgan Chase | Call | EUR | 372.06 | 09/15/17 | 3,057 | 62,851 | |||||||||||||||||
Stoxx Europe 600 Index | JPMorgan Chase | Call | EUR | 348.12 | 09/16/16 | 4,376 | 107,779 | |||||||||||||||||
Stoxx Europe 600 Index | Credit Suisse First Boston | Call | EUR | 347.97 | 12/16/16 | 3,668 | 97,033 | |||||||||||||||||
Taiwan Stock Exchange | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | TWD | 9000.77 | 09/21/16 | 6,700 | 123,543 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Morgan Stanley | Call | JPY | 1350.00 | 03/13/15 | 212,691 | 161,491 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Goldman Sachs | Call | JPY | 1288.50 | 06/12/15 | 261,314 | 327,687 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Morgan Stanley | Call | JPY | 1346.15 | 06/12/15 | 139,308 | 129,496 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Bank of America | Call | JPY | 1344.04 | 09/11/15 | 146,667 | 155,217 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | BNP Paribas | Call | JPY | 1357.29 | 09/11/15 | 117,540 | 116,689 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Morgan Stanley | Call | JPY | 1660.07 | 09/11/15 | 117,540 | 22,449 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Bank of America | Call | JPY | 1314.84 | 12/11/15 | 247,207 | 314,033 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | JPY | 1325.00 | 12/11/15 | 258,942 | 315,292 | |||||||||||||||||
Visa, Inc. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 220.00 | 01/16/15 | 4,800 | 203,453 | |||||||||||||||||
Wells Fargo & Co. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 60.00 | 01/15/16 | 18,400 | 29,195 | |||||||||||||||||
Chicago Board Options Exchange Index | Morgan Stanley | Put | USD | 16.00 | 02/18/15 | 7,941 | 10,633 | |||||||||||||||||
CONSOL Energy, Inc. | UBS Warburg | Put | USD | 38.00 | 04/17/15 | 18,350 | 94,313 | |||||||||||||||||
IBOV BC | Morgan Stanley | Put | USD | 55443.54 | 02/18/15 | 27 | 144,480 | |||||||||||||||||
Russell 2000 Index | Deutsche Bank | Put | USD | 1150.00 | 01/16/15 | 3,579 | 16,819 | |||||||||||||||||
Russell 2000 Index | Bank of America | Put | USD | 1165.00 | 02/20/15 | 3,447 | 70,794 | |||||||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index | Morgan Stanley | Put | USD | 2050.00 | 02/20/15 | 1,706 | 74,469 | |||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Morgan Stanley | Put | JPY | 1161.53 | 09/11/15 | 117,540 | 23,917 | |||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Ltd. | Deutsche Bank | Put | USD | 36.00 | 01/16/15 | 11,744 | 208,308 | |||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Ltd. | Goldman Sachs | Put | USD | 37.00 | 01/16/15 | 35,100 | 657,648 | |||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Ltd. | Bank of America | Put | USD | 38.00 | 01/16/15 | 21,131 | 417,034 | |||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Ltd. | Citigroup Global Markets | Put | USD | 26.00 | 05/15/15 | 59,581 | 523,816 | |||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
| $ | 9,235,457 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Continued
18
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Over-the-counter options written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Description | Counterparty | Put/ Call | Strike Price | Expiration Date | Contracts | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||
Abbvie, Inc. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 65.00 | 06/19/15 | 36,800 | $ | (171,105 | ) | |||||||||||||||
Aetna, Inc. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 90.00 | 06/19/15 | 30,000 | (145,196 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 95.00 | 02/20/15 | 30,975 | (33,339 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Cimarex Energy Co. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 130.00 | 03/20/15 | 3,655 | (6,037 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Delphi Automotive plc | Morgan Stanley | Call | USD | 82.50 | 01/16/15 | 1,900 | (36 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Diamondback Energy, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 65.00 | 01/16/15 | 7,375 | (6,790 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
eBay, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 57.50 | 01/16/15 | 7,014 | (2,763 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
EOG Resources, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 100.00 | 04/17/15 | 3,769 | (14,392 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 110.00 | 01/15/16 | 7,700 | (63,848 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
GLDR Gold Shares(b) | JPMorgan Chase | Call | USD | 140.00 | 09/18/15 | 16,400 | (15,739 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Humana, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 155.00 | 06/19/15 | 18,048 | (101,666 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Johnson & Johnson | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 117.50 | 07/17/15 | 76,700 | (60,597 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Lululemon Athletica, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 52.50 | 03/20/15 | 8,056 | (46,436 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Marathon Petroleum Corp. | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 100.00 | 04/17/15 | 18,250 | (43,351 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
MetLife, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Call | USD | 67.50 | 01/15/16 | 60,533 | (37,523 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Mylan, Inc. | Bank of America | Call | USD | 55.00 | 01/16/15 | 18,200 | (40,066 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Nikkei 225 | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | JPY | 19500.00 | 03/13/15 | 30,220 | (34,637 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Pfizer, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 37.50 | 01/15/16 | 151,300 | (55,547 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Prudential Financial, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 105.00 | 01/15/16 | 46,970 | (136,578 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Russell 2000 Index | Deutsche Bank | Call | USD | 1230.00 | 01/16/15 | 3,579 | (19,828 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Russell 2000 Index | Bank of America | Call | USD | 1255.00 | 02/20/15 | 3,447 | (31,666 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index | Morgan Stanley | Call | USD | 2155.00 | 02/20/15 | 1,706 | (10,623 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Tesoro Corp. | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | USD | 75.00 | 02/20/15 | 10,686 | (47,239 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Goldman Sachs | Call | JPY | 1490.61 | 06/12/15 | 261,314 | (95,683 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | BNP Paribas | Call | JPY | 1660.07 | 09/11/15 | 117,540 | (22,449 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Citigroup Global Markets | Call | JPY | 1600.00 | 12/11/15 | 258,942 | (93,363 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Bank of America | Call | JPY | 1627.28 | 12/11/15 | 247,207 | (78,521 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | Barclays Bank | Call | USD | 87.50 | 03/20/15 | 7,375 | (104,233 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Coach, Inc. | Bank of America | Put | USD | 42.50 | 02/20/15 | 13,282 | (70,641 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CONSOL Energy, Inc. | Barclays Bank | Put | USD | 38.00 | 04/17/15 | 18,350 | (94,313 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
CONSOL Energy, Inc. | UBS Warburg | Put | USD | 39.00 | 04/17/15 | 29,252 | (172,381 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Delphi Automotive plc | Morgan Stanley | Put | USD | 65.00 | 01/16/15 | 1,900 | (402 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Diamondback Energy, Inc. | Goldman Sachs | Put | USD | 65.00 | 01/16/15 | 7,375 | (45,799 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
EOG Resources, Inc. | Barclays Bank | Put | USD | 100.00 | 04/17/15 | 7,310 | (86,607 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Euro Stoxx 50 Index | Deutsche Bank | Put | EUR | 2586.07 | 09/21/18 | 225 | (88,336 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
General Electric Co. | Deutsche Bank | Put | USD | 23.00 | 06/19/15 | 73,725 | (42,265 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Gilead Sciences, Inc. | Citigroup Global Markets | Put | USD | 85.00 | 01/15/16 | 7,700 | (67,707 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
IBOV BC | Morgan Stanley | Put | USD | 50617.48 | 02/18/15 | 27 | (54,821 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
MS Japan Custom Index | Morgan Stanley | Put | JPY | 128.68 | 12/11/15 | 1,352,770 | (107,784 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
MS Japan Custom Index | Morgan Stanley | Put | JPY | 137.22 | 12/11/15 | 349,532 | (30,981 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Nikkei 225 | Citigroup Global Markets | Put | JPY | 15500.00 | 03/13/15 | 30,220 | (47,690 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Russell 2000 Index | Deutsche Bank | Put | USD | 1050.00 | 01/16/15 | 3,579 | (2,040 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Russell 2000 Index | Bank of America | Put | USD | 1085.00 | 02/20/15 | 3,447 | (27,065 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index | Morgan Stanley | Put | USD | 1935.00 | 02/20/15 | 1,706 | (32,850 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Taiwan Stock Exchange | Citigroup Global Markets | Put | TWD | 8100.70 | 09/21/16 | 6,700 | (85,059 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Tokyo Stock Exchange Price Index | Bank of America | Put | JPY | 1300.00 | 09/11/15 | 146,667 | (69,610 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Goldman Sachs | Put | JPY | 1136.91 | 06/12/15 | 261,314 | (29,181 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Morgan Stanley | Put | JPY | 1187.78 | 06/12/15 | 139,308 | (22,538 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | BNP Paribas | Put | JPY | 1161.53 | 09/11/15 | 117,540 | (23,917 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Morgan Stanley | Put | JPY | 1275.00 | 09/11/15 | 121,984 | (50,113 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Citigroup Global Markets | Put | JPY | 1170.00 | 12/11/15 | 258,942 | (75,548 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Topix Index | Bank of America | Put | JPY | 1171.64 | 12/11/15 | 247,207 | (72,814 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Ltd. | Citigroup Global Markets | Put | USD | 32.00 | 01/16/15 | 29,406 | (404,204 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Ltd. | Goldman Sachs | Put | USD | 32.00 | 01/16/15 | 14,699 | (202,046 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Ltd. | Goldman Sachs | Put | USD | 38.00 | 01/16/15 | 21,131 | (417,034 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total |
| $ | (3,942,997 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Continued
19
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Exchange-traded options purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Description | Put/ Call | Strike Price | Expiration Date | Contracts | Fair Value | |||||||||||
Coca-Cola Co. (The) | Call USD | 45.00 | 01/16/15 | 167 | $ | 919 | ||||||||||
SPDR Gold Shares(b) | Call USD | 135.00 | 06/19/15 | 146 | 10,074 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 10,993 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
Exchange-traded options written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Description | Put/ Call | Strike Price | Expiration Date | Contracts | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
Coca-Cola Co. (The) | Call USD | 44.00 | 02/20/15 | 85 | $ | (3,613 | ) | |||||||||||
Coca-Cola Co. (The) | Call USD | 45.00 | 05/15/15 | 88 | (6,160 | ) | ||||||||||||
Procter & Gamble Co. (The) | Call USD | 85.00 | 01/16/15 | 91 | (56,875 | ) | ||||||||||||
GLDR Gold Shares(b) | Put USD | 108.00 | 09/18/15 | 164 | (71,750 | ) | ||||||||||||
Ocean RIG UDW, Inc. | Put USD | 15.00 | 03/20/15 | 91 | (54,145 | ) | ||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | (192,543 | ) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
Over-the-counter interest rate swaptions purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Description | Counterparty | Put/ Call | Exercise Rate | Expiration Date | Notional Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR | Deutsche Bank | Call USD | 2.25 | 02/17/15 | 1,394 | $ | 388,096 | |||||||||||||
10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR | Bank of America | Call USD | 2.30 | 02/17/15 | 759 | 61,175 | ||||||||||||||
5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR | Deutsche Bank | Call USD | 1.65 | 03/09/15 | 4,590 | 106,596 | ||||||||||||||
5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR | Goldman Sachs | Call USD | 1.73 | 03/19/15 | 230,256 | 84,974 | ||||||||||||||
5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR | Goldman Sachs | Call USD | 1.75 | 03/19/15 | 1,528 | 63,234 | ||||||||||||||
5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR | Deutsche Bank | Call USD | 1.67 | 03/31/15 | 3,900 | 122,985 | ||||||||||||||
10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month JPY LIBOR | Goldman Sachs | Put JPY | 1.35 | 01/25/16 | 30,000 | 6,297 | ||||||||||||||
10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month JPY LIBOR | Goldman sachs | Put JPY | 1.35 | 01/25/16 | 13,882 | 2,914 | ||||||||||||||
10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month JPY LIBOR | Deutsche Bank | Put JPY | 1.25 | 07/29/16 | 1,937,701 | 9,024 | ||||||||||||||
5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month JPY LIBOR | Deutsche Bank | Put JPY | 1.07 | 04/04/18 | 1,006,980 | 5,028 | ||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 850,323 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Over-the-counter interest rate swaptions written as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Description | Counterparty | Put/ Call | Exercise Rate | Expiration Date | Notional Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
10-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR | Bank of America | Call USD | 2.05 | 02/17/15 | 759 | $ | (13,870 | ) | ||||||||||||
5-Year Interest Rate, Pay 6-Month USD LIBOR | Deutsche Bank | Call USD | 1.47 | 03/31/15 | 2,341 | (25,857 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | (39,727 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
Exchange-traded foreign currency options purchased as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Description | Counterparty | Strike Price | Expiration Date | Notional Amount | Fair Value | |||||||||||||
European Euro Call Currency Option (USD/EUR) | Morgan Stanley | 1.20 | 02/19/15 | 37,819 | $ | 38,328 | ||||||||||||
European Euro Call Currency Option (USD/EUR) | JPMorgan Chase | 1.20 | 03/05/15 | 43,114 | 50,807 | |||||||||||||
Japanese Yen Call Currency Option (USD/JPY) | JPMorgan Chase | 125.00 | 04/30/15 | 132,366 | 145,783 | |||||||||||||
European Euro Put Currency Option (USD/EUR) | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1.27 | 02/19/15 | 45,109 | 5,637 | |||||||||||||
European Euro Put Currency Option (USD/EUR) | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1.24 | 02/19/15 | 23,300 | 13,060 | |||||||||||||
European Euro Put Currency Option (USD/EUR) | Deutsche Bank | 1.24 | 03/03/15 | 113,371 | 63,045 | |||||||||||||
European Euro Put Currency Option (USD/EUR) | Deutsche Bank | 1.24 | 03/26/15 | 38,600 | 35,284 | |||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 351,944 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
Continued
20
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Forward Currency Contracts(a)
At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward currency contracts were as follows:
Type of Contract | Counterparty | Delivery Date | Contract Amount (Local Currency) | Contract Value | Value | Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||
Short Contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Australian Dollar | Morgan Stanley | 1/16/15 | 2,168,000 | $ | 1,918,008 | $ | 1,767,362 | $ | 150,646 | |||||||||||
Australian Dollar | Deutsche Bank | 1/23/15 | 2,140,754 | 1,858,175 | 1,744,218 | 113,957 | ||||||||||||||
Australian Dollar | Morgan Stanley | 1/23/15 | 940,000 | 781,065 | 765,882 | 15,183 | ||||||||||||||
Australian Dollar | Deutsche Bank | 2/6/15 | 2,127,401 | 1,823,821 | 1,731,577 | 92,244 | ||||||||||||||
Brazilian Real | Morgan Stanley | 1/16/15 | 4,683,262 | 1,815,218 | 1,754,726 | 60,492 | ||||||||||||||
Brazilian Real | BNP Paribas | 2/6/15 | 5,042,887 | 1,908,811 | 1,878,896 | 29,915 | ||||||||||||||
Brazilian Real | Deutsche Bank | 2/13/15 | 1,430,620 | 522,696 | 532,097 | (9,401 | ) | |||||||||||||
British Pound | HSBC Bank | 1/15/15 | 444,000 | 696,299 | 691,847 | 4,452 | ||||||||||||||
Chilean Peso | Morgan Stanley | 8/24/15 | 458,662,190 | 763,000 | 741,282 | 21,718 | ||||||||||||||
Chilean Peso | UBS Warburg | 8/26/15 | 460,660,910 | 766,000 | 744,394 | 21,606 | ||||||||||||||
Chilean Peso | JPMorgan Chase | 9/15/15 | 468,006,000 | 770,000 | 755,061 | 14,939 | ||||||||||||||
Chinese Renminbi | Deutsche Bank | 1/30/15 | 10,246,207 | 1,672,000 | 1,645,448 | 26,552 | ||||||||||||||
Chinese Renminbi | JPMorgan Chase | 1/30/15 | 4,087,158 | 668,000 | 656,360 | 11,640 | ||||||||||||||
Chinese Renminbi | JPMorgan Chase | 6/9/15 | 7,350,064 | 1,169,000 | 1,167,610 | 1,390 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | BNP Paribas | 1/8/15 | 1,285,000 | 1,636,583 | 1,554,856 | 81,727 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Deutsche Bank | 1/8/15 | 1,339,800 | 1,705,532 | 1,621,164 | 84,368 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | BNP Paribas | 1/9/15 | 1,502,000 | 1,901,998 | 1,817,445 | 84,553 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Deutsche Bank | 1/9/15 | 2,363,500 | 2,993,621 | 2,859,874 | 133,747 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | BNP Paribas | 1/15/15 | 1,498,000 | 1,910,054 | 1,812,714 | 97,340 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | UBS Warburg | 1/15/15 | 1,495,000 | 1,906,230 | 1,809,084 | 97,146 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | JPMorgan Chase | 1/22/15 | 528,100 | 656,201 | 639,094 | 17,107 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Morgan Stanley | 1/23/15 | 1,274,400 | 1,586,628 | 1,542,263 | 44,365 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Morgan Stanley | 1/30/15 | 1,321,600 | 1,626,863 | 1,599,497 | 27,366 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | UBS Warburg | 1/30/15 | 1,284,600 | 1,581,342 | 1,554,716 | 26,626 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Deutsche Bank | 2/5/15 | 824,800 | 1,024,443 | 998,272 | 26,171 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Morgan Stanley | 2/5/15 | 1,337,600 | 1,660,844 | 1,618,924 | 41,920 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Credit Suisse First Boston | 2/12/15 | 2,153,000 | 2,693,446 | 2,605,936 | 87,510 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Deutsche Bank | 2/12/15 | 2,201,100 | 2,752,509 | 2,664,155 | 88,354 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | UBS Warburg | 2/12/15 | 1,334,300 | 1,667,368 | 1,615,003 | 52,365 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | Credit Suisse First Boston | 2/13/15 | 1,317,000 | 1,633,896 | 1,594,073 | 39,823 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | JPMorgan Chase | 2/13/15 | 1,398,300 | 1,736,164 | 1,692,477 | 43,687 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1/8/15 | 324,640,128 | 2,909,626 | 2,710,951 | 198,675 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | UBS Warburg | 1/8/15 | 174,802,944 | 1,536,000 | 1,459,715 | 76,285 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | BNP Paribas | 1/9/15 | 205,051,417 | 1,859,436 | 1,712,324 | 147,112 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | UBS Warburg | 1/9/15 | 157,227,800 | 1,372,282 | 1,312,964 | 59,318 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1/15/15 | 175,494,774 | 1,533,000 | 1,465,585 | 67,415 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1/16/15 | 274,985,900 | 2,546,166 | 2,296,472 | 249,694 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Deutsche Bank | 1/22/15 | 154,375,325 | 1,335,265 | 1,289,294 | 45,971 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Morgan Stanley | 1/22/15 | 153,515,670 | 1,326,453 | 1,282,115 | 44,338 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Deutsche Bank | 1/23/15 | 159,548,882 | 1,383,268 | 1,332,514 | 50,754 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | JPMorgan Chase | 1/23/15 | 153,837,060 | 1,334,233 | 1,284,810 | 49,423 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1/29/15 | 82,763,425 | 709,599 | 691,258 | 18,341 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | JPMorgan Chase | 1/29/15 | 228,299,966 | 1,942,000 | 1,906,809 | 35,191 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1/30/15 | 83,827,000 | 700,438 | 700,147 | 291 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | JPMorgan Chase | 1/30/15 | 314,738,755 | 2,630,078 | 2,628,788 | 1,290 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Morgan Stanley | 2/4/15 | 160,000,000 | 1,341,393 | 1,336,421 | 4,972 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 2/5/15 | 140,851,348 | 1,186,616 | 1,176,489 | 10,127 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | UBS Warburg | 2/5/15 | 213,404,400 | 1,796,137 | 1,782,503 | 13,634 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | BNP Paribas | 2/6/15 | 173,572,532 | 1,464,142 | 1,449,811 | 14,331 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | JPMorgan Chase | 2/6/15 | 241,106,288 | 2,050,223 | 2,013,904 | 36,319 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 2/12/15 | 149,504,150 | 1,275,633 | 1,248,835 | 26,798 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | HSBC Bank | 2/12/15 | 163,526,060 | 1,395,155 | 1,365,962 | 29,193 |
Continued
21
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Type of Contract | Counterparty | Delivery Date | Contract Amount (Local Currency) | Contract Value | Value | Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | HSBC Bank | 3/10/15 | 80,000,000 | $ | 750,089 | $ | 668,419 | $ | 81,670 | |||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Morgan Stanley | 3/23/15 | 160,000,000 | 1,341,910 | 1,337,043 | 4,867 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | JPMorgan Chase | 5/7/15 | 377,979,550 | 3,118,000 | 3,160,316 | (42,316 | ) | |||||||||||||
Korean Won | Credit Suisse First Boston | 5/5/15 | 1,738,304,400 | 1,554,000 | 1,577,918 | (23,918 | ) | |||||||||||||
Korean Won | Deutsche Bank | 5/5/15 | 2,106,297,120 | 1,916,000 | 1,911,958 | 4,042 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | BNP Paribas | 1/22/15 | 22,070,700 | 1,661,387 | 1,494,263 | 167,124 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | Credit Suisse First Boston | 2/5/15 | 7,424,540 | 555,127 | 502,236 | 52,891 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | UBS Warburg | 2/6/15 | 15,393,725 | 1,125,305 | 1,041,250 | 84,055 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | Deutsche Bank | 2/19/15 | 11,758,180 | 879,675 | 794,700 | 84,975 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | HSBC Bank | 3/5/15 | 19,837,760 | 1,485,807 | 1,339,608 | 146,199 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | HSBC Bank | 3/19/15 | 14,897,770 | 1,107,624 | 1,005,133 | 102,491 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | JPMorgan Chase | 3/19/15 | 7,604,350 | 555,691 | 513,056 | 42,635 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | Credit Suisse First Boston | 4/1/15 | 15,069,840 | 1,100,261 | 1,015,912 | 84,349 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | UBS Warburg | 4/16/15 | 11,586,000 | 776,490 | 780,336 | (3,846 | ) | |||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | JPMorgan Chase | 4/30/15 | 15,228,490 | 1,115,804 | 1,024,784 | 91,020 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | BNP Paribas | 5/28/15 | 23,591,400 | 1,608,304 | 1,584,829 | 23,475 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | JPMorgan Chase | 6/11/15 | 23,173,000 | 1,548,459 | 1,555,382 | (6,923 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 103,632,891 | $ | 99,931,121 | $ | 3,701,770 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||
Long Contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||
British Pound | HSBC Bank | 1/15/15 | 444,000 | $ | 715,746 | $ | 691,847 | $ | (23,899 | ) | ||||||||||
British Pound | Brown Brothers Harriman | 1/26/15 | 139,400 | 217,984 | 217,195 | (789 | ) | |||||||||||||
Chilean Peso | JPMorgan Chase | 9/15/15 | 468,006,000 | 749,197 | 755,061 | 5,864 | ||||||||||||||
Chinese Renminbi | Deutsche Bank | 1/30/15 | 6,183,207 | 998,580 | 992,967 | (5,613 | ) | |||||||||||||
Chinese Renminbi | Deutsche Bank | 1/30/15 | 4,063,000 | 651,539 | 652,481 | 942 | ||||||||||||||
Chinese Renminbi | JPMorgan Chase | 1/30/15 | 4,087,158 | 653,579 | 656,361 | 2,782 | ||||||||||||||
European Euro | BNP Paribas | 1/8/15 | 1,285,000 | 1,580,479 | 1,554,856 | (25,623 | ) | |||||||||||||
European Euro | Brown Brothers Harriman | 1/26/15 | 689,900 | 856,473 | 834,934 | (21,539 | ) | |||||||||||||
Indian Rupee | Credit Suisse First Boston | 6/26/15 | 47,611,585 | 746,000 | 728,272 | (17,728 | ) | |||||||||||||
Indian Rupee | Credit Suisse First Boston | 6/26/15 | 42,139,033 | 661,627 | 644,563 | (17,064 | ) | |||||||||||||
Indian Rupee | Credit Suisse First Boston | 8/5/15 | 48,714,560 | 752,000 | 740,159 | (11,841 | ) | |||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | BNP Paribas | 1/9/15 | 205,051,417 | 1,709,895 | 1,712,325 | 2,430 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1/15/15 | 175,494,774 | 1,470,397 | 1,465,585 | (4,812 | ) | |||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1/16/15 | 274,985,900 | 2,270,969 | 2,296,472 | 25,503 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Deutsche Bank | 1/22/15 | 46,184,000 | 387,023 | 385,714 | (1,309 | ) | |||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | JPMorgan Chase | 1/29/15 | 228,299,966 | 1,921,393 | 1,906,809 | (14,584 | ) | |||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 1/30/15 | 83,827,000 | 695,478 | 700,147 | 4,669 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | Credit Suisse First Boston | 2/5/15 | 140,851,348 | 1,168,634 | 1,176,489 | 7,855 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | UBS Warburg | 2/5/15 | 213,404,400 | 1,781,577 | 1,782,503 | 926 | ||||||||||||||
Japanese Yen | JPMorgan Chase | 2/6/15 | 241,106,288 | 1,992,853 | 2,013,904 | 21,051 | ||||||||||||||
Mexican Peso | UBS Warburg | 2/6/15 | 11,317,746 | 784,000 | 765,546 | (18,454 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 22,765,423 | $ | 22,674,190 | $ | (91,233 | ) | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open forward cross currency contracts were as follows:
Purchase/Sale | Counterparty | Amount Purchased | Amount Sold | Contract Value | Value | Net Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||||
British Pound/European Euro | Deutsche Bank | 1,129,764 GBP | 1,421,400 EUR | $ | 1,777,029 | $ | 1,816,621 | $ | 39,592 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 1,777,029 | $ | 1,816,621 | $ | 39,592 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continued
22
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Over-the-Counter Credit Default Swap Agreements—Buy Protection(a)(c)
At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open over-the-counter credit default swap agreements were as follows:
Underlying Instrument | Counterparty | Expiration Date | Implied (%)(d) | Notional Amount ($)(e) | Fixed Rate (%) | Value ($) | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) ($) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | JPMorgan Chase | 6/20/19 | 6.58 | 222,736 | 1.00 | 43,382 | 4,770 | 38,612 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | JPMorgan Chase | 6/20/19 | 6.58 | 63,000 | 1.00 | 12,271 | 1,354 | 10,917 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | Barclays Bank | 6/20/19 | 6.58 | 159,000 | 1.00 | 30,969 | 3,449 | 27,520 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | Barclays Bank | 6/20/19 | 6.58 | 254,000 | 1.00 | 49,472 | 5,967 | 43,505 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | Barclays Bank | 6/20/19 | 6.58 | 105,719 | 1.00 | 20,591 | 2,354 | 18,237 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | Barclays Bank | 6/20/19 | 6.58 | 352,400 | 1.00 | 68,637 | 7,847 | 60,790 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | Citibank | 6/20/19 | 6.58 | 246,673 | 1.00 | 48,045 | 4,897 | 43,148 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transocean, Inc. | Barclays Bank | 6/20/19 | 6.75 | 125,000 | 1.00 | 24,346 | 3,870 | 20,476 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
297,713 | 34,508 | 263,205 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Centrally Cleared Credit Default Swap Agreements—Buy Protection(a)(c)
At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open centrally cleared credit default swap agreements were as follows:
Underlying Instrument | Clearing Agent | Expiration Date | Implied (%)(d) | Notional Amount ($)(e) | Fixed Rate (%) | Value ($) | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) ($) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||
CDX North America High Yield Index Swap Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Series 23 | JPMorgan Chase | 12/20/19 | 3.57 | 853,396 | 5.00 | (53,056 | ) | (64,138 | ) | 11,082 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
(53,056 | ) | (64,138 | ) | 11,082 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Centrally Cleared Interest Rate Swap Agreements(a)
At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open centrally cleared interest rate swap agreements were as follows:
Pay/ Receive Floating Rate | Floating Rate Index | Fixed Rate (%) | Expiration Date | Clearing Agent | Notional Amount (Local) | Upfront Premiums Paid/ (Received) | Value ($) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) ($) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Receive | 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA | 1.18 | 2/1/17 | JPMorgan Chase | 36,640,000 | USD | 424 | (160,060 | ) | (160,484 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
Receive | 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA | 1.03 | 3/11/17 | JPMorgan Chase | 20,300,000 | USD | 274 | 7,709 | 7,435 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Receive | 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA | 1.02 | 3/11/17 | JPMorgan Chase | 38,680,000 | USD | 522 | 25,266 | 24,744 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Receive | 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA | 0.99 | 3/17/17 | JPMorgan Chase | 38,670,000 | USD | 526 | 53,144 | 52,618 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pay | 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA | 2.19 | 2/1/20 | JPMorgan Chase | 14,660,000 | USD | 209 | 261,970 | 261,761 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pay | 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA | 1.88 | 3/11/20 | JPMorgan Chase | 8,260,000 | USD | 126 | 3,102 | 2,976 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pay | 6-Month Australian Bank Bill Rate | 2.89 | 6/11/20 | JPMorgan Chase | 963,198 | AUD | 12 | 5,882 | 5,870 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pay | 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA | 2.39 | 3/11/25 | JPMorgan Chase | 8,510,000 | USD | 152 | 34,640 | 34,488 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pay | 3-Month U.S. Dollar LIBOR BBA | 2.29 | 3/17/25 | JPMorgan Chase | 8,510,000 | USD | 153 | (45,795 | ) | (45,948 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
185,858 | 183,460 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Continued
23
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Over-the-Counter Interest Rate Swap Agreements
At December 31, 2014, the Fund’s open over-the-counter interest rate swap agreements were as follows:
Pay/Receive Floating Rate | Floating Rate Index | Fixed (%) | Expiration Date | Counterparty | Notional (Local) | Value ($) | Unrealized ($) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pay | 6-Month Poland Warsaw Interbank Offer Rate | 2.76 | 9/8/24 | Deutsche Bank | 2,385,000 | PLN | 34,663 | 34,663 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
34,663 | 34,663 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
Total Return Swaps at December 31, 2014(a)
Counterparty | Receive/Pay Total Return | Expiration Date | Notional Amount (Local) | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | NIKKEI 225 Dividend Index E-Mini March Futures | 4/05/16 | 26,350,000 | JPY | $ | 23,213 | ||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | NIKKEI 225 Dividend Index E-Mini March Futures | 4/05/16 | 26,800,000 | JPY | 19,456 | |||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | NIKKEI 225 Dividend Index E-Mini March Futures | 4/05/17 | 27,850,000 | JPY | 32,315 | |||||||||||
BNP Paribas SA | NIKKEI 225 Dividend Index E-Mini March Futures | 4/05/17 | 25,515,000 | JPY | 25,326 | |||||||||||
Citibank NA | PT Siloam International Hospitals Tbk | 3/15/15 | 206,614 | USD | 40,826 | |||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||
$ | 141,136 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
(a) | These securities are held by the AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (the “VIP Subsidiary”). |
(b) | All or portion of these securities are held by the AZL Cayman Global Allocation Fund, Ltd. (the “Subsidiary”). |
(c) | When a credit event occurs as defined under the terms of the swap agreement, the Fund as a seller of credit protection will either (i) pay to the buyer of protection an amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity and take delivery of the reference entity or (ii) pay a net amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity less its recovery value. Alternatively, the Fund as a buyer of credit protection will either (i) receive from the seller of protection an amount equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity and deliver the reference entity to the seller or (ii) receive a net amount of equal to the par value of the defaulted reference entity less its recovery value. |
(d) | Implied credit spread, represented in absolute terms, utilized in determining the market value of the credit default swap agreements as of period end will serve as an indicator of the current status of the payment/performance risk and represent the likelihood or risk of default for the credit derivative. The implied credit spread of a referenced entity reflects the cost of buying/selling protection and may include upfront or daily payments required to be made to enter into the agreement. Generally, wider credit spreads represent a perceived deterioration of the referenced entity’s credit soundness and a greater likelihood or risk of default or other credit event occurring as defined under the terms of the swap agreement. |
(e) | The notional amount represents the maximum potential amount the Fund could be required to make as a seller of credit protection if a credit event occurs, as defined under the terms of the swap agreement. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
24
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investment securities, at cost | $ | 831,791,266 | |||
|
| ||||
Investment securities, at value* | $ | 856,476,924 | |||
Cash | 63,679 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 15,611,868 | ||||
Deposits with brokers for securities sold short | 1,000,895 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 1,731,651 | ||||
Foreign currency, at value (cost $66,894) | 66,847 | ||||
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts | 3,899,788 | ||||
Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements | 439,004 | ||||
Receivable for capital shares issued | 43,322 | ||||
Proceeds paid on swap agreements | 34,508 | ||||
Receivable for investments sold | 841,932 | ||||
Reclaims receivable | 109,498 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on swaps | 37,275 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 198,834 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 25,154 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Assets | 880,581,179 | ||||
|
| ||||
Liabilities: | |||||
Cash received as collateral for derivatives | 5,640,000 | ||||
Written options (Proceeds received $3,023,316) | 4,175,267 | ||||
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts | 249,659 | ||||
Payable for collateral received on loaned securities | 45,894,168 | ||||
Payable for investments purchased | 3,896,295 | ||||
Securities sold short (Proceeds received $998,461) | 1,017,147 | ||||
Dividends payable on securities sold short | 1,747 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 301,102 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on swaps | 4,730 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 564,418 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 43,765 | ||||
Distribution fees payable | 164,973 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 82,715 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 3,856 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 78 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 106,445 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Liabilities | 62,146,365 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 818,434,814 | |||
|
| ||||
Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 720,989,396 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 16,232,346 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 53,168,727 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 28,044,345 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 818,434,814 | |||
|
| ||||
Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 66,983,376 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 12.22 | |||
|
|
* | Includes securities on loan of $44,326,021. |
Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends | $ | 11,113,894 | |||
Interest | 5,604,047 | ||||
Income from securities lending | 320,340 | ||||
Foreign withholding tax | (633,322 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Total Investment Income | 16,404,959 | ||||
|
| ||||
Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 6,213,960 | ||||
Administration fees | 397,544 | ||||
Distribution fees | 1,816,179 | ||||
Custodian fees | 348,279 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 20,055 | ||||
Trustee fees | 77,460 | ||||
Professional fees | 80,012 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 47,345 | ||||
Dividends on securities sold short | 17,332 | ||||
Other expenses | 31,900 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total expenses before reductions | 9,050,066 | ||||
Less expenses paid indirectly | (2,782 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Net expenses | 9,047,284 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 7,357,675 | ||||
|
| ||||
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains (losses) on securities transactions | 35,405,316 | ||||
Net realized gains (losses) on futures contracts | 439,866 | ||||
Net realized gains (losses) on options contracts | (1,031,132 | ) | |||
Net realized gains (losses) on swap agreements | 40,619 | ||||
Net realized gains (losses) on forward currency contracts | 8,777,270 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (34,974,443 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 8,657,496 | ||||
|
| ||||
Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 16,015,171 | |||
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
25
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, | For the Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||
Change In Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 7,357,675 | $ | 2,765,888 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 43,631,939 | 18,597,987 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (34,974,443 | ) | 44,442,327 | |||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | 16,015,171 | 65,806,202 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (363,407 | ) | — | |||||||
From net realized gains | (3,741,774 | ) | (186,015 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (4,105,181 | ) | (186,015 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 133,931,989 | 291,713,875 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 4,105,181 | 186,015 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (13,203,575 | ) | (2,372,363 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 124,833,595 | 289,527,527 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets | 136,743,585 | 355,147,714 | ||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 681,691,229 | 326,543,515 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
End of period | $ | 818,434,814 | $ | 681,691,229 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 16,232,346 | $ | 2,418,186 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 11,005,694 | 25,942,049 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 331,330 | 16,360 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (1,085,635 | ) | (206,067 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in shares | 10,251,389 | 25,752,342 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
26
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Consolidated Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, 2014 | Year Ended December 31, 2013 | January 10, 2012 to December 31, 2012 (a) | |||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 12.02 | $ | 10.54 | $ | 10.00 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.10 | 0.05 | 0.11 | ||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.16 | 1.43 | 0.56 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total from Investment Activities | 0.26 | 1.48 | 0.67 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | — | (b) | — | (0.12 | ) | ||||||||||
Realized Gains | (0.06 | ) | — | (b) | (0.01 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Dividends | (0.06 | ) | — | (b) | (0.13 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 12.22 | $ | 12.02 | $ | 10.54 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Return(c) | 2.18 | % | 14.08 | % | 6.71 | %(d) | |||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 818,435 | $ | 681,691 | $ | 326,544 | |||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss)(e) | 0.96 | % | 0.55 | % | 2.01 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions(e)(f) | 1.18 | % | 1.21 | % | 2.44 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions(e) | 1.18 | % | 1.21 | % | 2.37 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions, Excluding Expenses Paid Indirectly(e)(g) | 1.18 | % | 1.21 | % | 2.37 | % | |||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 61 | % | 40 | % | 119 | %(d) |
(a) | Period from commencement of operations. |
(b) | Less than $0.005. |
(c) | The return includes reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but excludes insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(d) | Not annualized. |
(e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(f) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
(g) | Expenses net of reductions excludes expenses paid indirectly, pursuant to a “commission recapture” program, which is used to pay certain Fund Expenses. See Note 2 in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
27
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.
Consolidation of Subsidiaries
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund primarily invested in shares of another mutual fund managed by the Manager, the AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund (the “VIP Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the Fund.
As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s aggregate investment in the VIP Subsidiary was $777,940,347, representing 95.1% of the Fund’s net assets.
The VIP Subsidiary’s primary vehicle for gaining exposure to the commodities markets is through investment in the AZL Cayman Global Allocation Fund, Ltd. (the “Cayman Subsidiary”), a wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary of the VIP Subsidiary formed in the Cayman Islands, which invests primarily in commodity-related instruments.
The Fund’s operations have been consolidated with the operations of the VIP Subsidiary and the Cayman Subsidiary.
Real Estate Investment Trusts
The Fund may own shares of real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) which report information on the source of their distributions annually. Certain distributions received from REITs during the year, which are known to be a return of capital, are recorded as a reduction to the cost of the individual REIT.
Foreign Currency Translation
The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars at the current rate of exchange to determine the fair value of investments, assets and liabilities. Purchases and sales of securities, and income and expenses are translated at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from fluctuations arising from changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included in the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investments and foreign currencies.
Floating Rate Loans
The Fund may invest in floating rate loans, which usually take the form of loan participations and assignments. These loans are made by banks and other large financial institutions to various companies and are typically senior in the borrowing companies’ capital structure. Coupon rates are floating, not fixed and are tied to a benchmark
28
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
lending rate. Loans involve a risk of loss in case of default or insolvency of the financial intermediaries who are parties to the transactions. A Fund records an investment when the borrower withdraws money and records the interest as earned.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Securities Lending
To generate additional income, the Fund may lend up to 33 1/3% of its assets pursuant to agreements requiring that the loan be continuously secured by any combination of cash, U.S. government or U.S. government agency securities, equal initially to at least 102% of the fair value plus accrued interest on the securities loaned (105% for foreign securities). The borrower of securities is at all times required to post collateral to the Fund in an amount equal to 100% of the fair value of the securities loaned based on the previous day’s fair value of the securities loaned, marked-to-market daily. Any collateral shortfalls are adjusted the next business day. The Fund bears all of the gains and losses on such investments. The Fund receives payments from borrowers equivalent to the dividends and interest that would have been earned on securities lent while simultaneously seeking to earn income on the investment of cash collateral received. In extremely low interest rate environments, the broker rebate fee may exceed the interest earned or the cash collateral which would result in a loss to the Fund. The investment of cash collateral deposited by the borrower is subject to inherent market risks such as interest rate risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and other risks that are present in the market, and as such, the value of these investments may not be sufficient, when liquidated, to repay the borrower when the loaned security is returned. There may be risks of delay in recovery of the securities or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower of the securities fail financially. However, loans will be made only to borrowers, such as broker-dealers, banks or institutional borrowers of securities, deemed by the Manager to be of good standing and credit worthy and when in its judgment, the consideration which can be earned currently from such securities loans justifies the attendant risks. Loans are subject to termination by the Trust or the borrower at any time, and are, therefore, not considered to be illiquid investments. Securities on loan at December 31, 2014 are presented on the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The average outstanding amount of securities on loan was $22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Securities Lending Collateral Trust (the “Securities Lending Collateral Trust”) managed by The Dreyfus Corporation, an affiliate of the Custodian and Securities Lending Agent. The Securities Lending Collateral Trust invests in short-term investments that have a remaining maturity of 397 days or less as calculated in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. The Fund pays the Securities Lending Agent 9% of the gross revenues received from securities lending activities and keeps 91%. The Fund paid securities lending fees of $31,704 during the year ended December 31, 2014. These fees have been netted against “Income from securities lending” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Commission Recapture
Certain Funds of the Trust participate in a commission recapture program. The Fund will utilize the recaptured commissions to pay for, in whole or part, certain expenses of the Fund, excluding investment advisory fees. Any amounts received by the Fund, if applicable, are disclosed as “Expenses paid indirectly” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The Fund ceased participation in the program in June 2014.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type.
Forward Currency Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into forward currency contracts as an economic hedge against either specific transactions or portfolio instruments or to obtain exposure to foreign currencies. In addition to the foreign currency risk related to the use of these contracts, the Fund could be exposed to risks if the counterparties to the contracts are unable to meet the terms of their contracts and from unanticipated movements in the value of a foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar. In the event of default by the counterparty to the transaction, the Fund’s maximum amount of loss, as either the buyer or the seller, is the unrealized appreciation of the contract. The forward currency contracts are adjusted by the daily exchange rate of the underlying currency and any gains or losses are recorded for financial statement purposes as unrealized gains or losses until the contract settlement date. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The contract amount of forward currency contracts outstanding was $128.2 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average amount for these contracts was $99.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
29
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $64.2 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $81.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Options Contracts
The Fund may purchase or write put and call options on a security or an index of securities. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund purchased and wrote call and put options to increase or decrease its exposure to underlying instruments (including equity risk, interest rate risk and/or foreign currency exchange rate risk) and/or, in the case of options written, to generate gains from options premiums.
Purchased Options Contracts — The Fund pays a premium which is included in “Investments, at value” on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and marked to market to reflect the current value of the option. Premiums paid for purchasing put options that expire are treated as realized losses. When a put option is exercised or closed, premiums paid for purchasing put options are offset against proceeds to determine the realized gain/loss on the transaction. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the premium and change in value should the counterparty not perform under the contract.
Written Options Contracts — The Fund receives a premium which is recorded as a liability and is subsequently adjusted to the current value of the options written. Premiums received from writing options that expire are treated as realized gains. Premiums received from writing options that are either exercised or closed are offset against the proceeds received or the amount paid on the transaction to determine realized gains or losses. The risk associated with writing an option is that the Fund bears the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of an underlying asset and is required to buy or sell an underlying asset under the contractual terms of the option at a price different from the current value.
Realized gains and losses, if any, are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on options contracts” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.
The Fund had the following transactions in purchased call and put options during the year ended December 31, 2014:
Number of Contracts | Notional | Cost | |||||||||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013 | 2,988,566 | 1,029,171 | $ | 4,217,942 | |||||||||||
Options purchased | 7,723,772 | 3,262,792 | 26,175,134 | ||||||||||||
Options exercised | (66,756 | ) | — | (149,158 | ) | ||||||||||
Options expired | (2,160,735 | ) | — | (4,306,881 | ) | ||||||||||
Options closed | (3,935,449 | ) | (627,294 | ) | (17,193,407 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014 | 4,549,398 | 3,664,669 | $ | 8,743,630 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Fund had the following transactions in written call and put options during the year ended December 31, 2014:
Number Contracts | Notional | Premiums Received | |||||||||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2013 | (58,831 | ) | (5,014 | ) | $ | (1,043,812 | ) | ||||||||
Options written | (8,905,644 | ) | (358,936 | ) | (12,611,314 | ) | |||||||||
Options exercised | 51,431 | — | 279,644 | ||||||||||||
Options expired | 596,561 | — | 1,199,447 | ||||||||||||
Options closed | 3,565,005 | 360,850 | 9,152,719 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Options outstanding at December 31, 2014 | (4,751,478 | ) | (3,100 | ) | $ | (3,023,316 | ) | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a) | Includes swaptions and currency options, as applicable. |
Swap Agreements
The Fund may invest in swap agreements. A swap is an agreement to exchange the return generated by one instrument for the return generated by another instrument. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over-the-counter (“OTC”) market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”). The Fund may enter into swap agreements to manage its exposure to market, interest rate and credit risk. The value of swap agreements are equal to the
30
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Fund’s obligations (or rights) under swap agreements, which will generally be equal to the net amounts to be paid or received under the agreements based upon the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreements. In connection with these arrangements, securities may be indentified as collateral in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements to provide assets of value and recourse in the event of default or bankruptcy by the counterparty.
Swaps are marked to market daily using pricing sources approved by the Trustees and the change in value, if any, is recorded as unrealized gain or loss. For OTC swaps, payments received or made at the beginning of the measurement period are recorded as realized gain or loss upon termination or maturity of the OTC swap. A liquidation payment received or made at the termination of the OTC swap is recorded as a realized gain or loss. Net periodic payments received or paid by the Fund are included as part of realized gains (losses). Upon entering a centrally cleared swap, the Fund is required to deposit initial margin with the broker in the form of cash or assets determined to be liquid (the amount is subject to the clearing organization that clears the trade). Daily changes in valuation of centrally cleared swaps, if any, are recorded as a receivable or payable, as applicable, for variation margin on centrally cleared swaps.
Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and exposure to loss. The primary risks associated with the use of swap agreements are imperfect correlation between movements in the notional amount and the price of the underlying instruments and the inability of counterparties or clearing house to perform. The counterparty risk for centrally cleared swap agreements is generally lower than for OTC swap agreements because generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a centrally cleared swap agreement and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to a clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members will satisfy its obligations to the Fund.
The notional amounts reflect the extent of the total investment exposure each Fund has under the swap agreement. The Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement (i.e., any unrealized appreciation) in the event of the default or bankruptcy of the swap agreement counterparty. The notional amount and related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of each swap agreement at period end is disclosed in the swap tables in the Consolidated Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Fund is party to International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) with select counterparties that govern transactions, such as OTC swap contracts, entered into by the Fund, through the VIP Subsidiary or Cayman Subsidiary, and those counterparties. The ISDA Master Agreements maintain provisions for general obligations, representations, agreements, collateral and events of default or termination. Events of termination include conditions that may entitle counterparties to elect to terminate early and cause settlement of all outstanding OTC swap transactions under the applicable ISDA Master Agreement.
Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of commitments to pay and receive interest based on a notional amount and are subject to interest rate risk exposure. Interest rate swaps do not involve the delivery of securities, other underlying assets or principal. Accordingly, the risk of loss with respect to interest rate swaps is limited to the net amount of interest payments that a Fund is contractually obligated to make. If the other party to an interest rate swap defaults, a Fund’s risk of loss consists of the net amount of interest payments that the Fund is contractually entitled to receive. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into OTC interest rate swap agreements to gain or reduce exposure to interest rates or to manage duration, the yield curve or interest rate risk by economically hedging the value of the fixed rate bonds which may decrease when interest rates rise (interest rate risk). The gross notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding was $175.7 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average gross notional amount for interest rate swaps was $57.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Total return swap agreements involve commitments to pay interest in exchange for a market-linked return, both based on notional amounts. To the extent the total return of the security or index underlying the transaction exceeds or falls short of the offsetting interest rate obligation, the Fund will receive a payment from or make a payment to the counterparty. The gross notional amount of total return swaps outstanding was $1.1 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average gross notional amount for total return swaps was $1.2 million to the year ended December 31, 2014.
Credit default swap agreements may have as reference obligations one or more securities that are not currently held by the Fund. The protection “buyer” in a credit default contract is generally obligated to pay the protection “seller” an upfront, periodic, or daily stream of payments over the term of the contract provided that no credit event, such as a default, on a reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller generally must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity described in the swap, or the seller may be required to deliver the related net cash amount, if the swap is cash settled. A Fund may be either the buyer or seller in the transaction. If the Fund is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Fund may recover nothing if the swap is held through its termination date. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer generally may elect to receive the full notional value of the swap in exchange for an equal face amount of deliverable obligations of the reference entity whose value may have significantly decreased. As a seller, a Fund generally receives an upfront payment or a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the swap provided that there is no credit event. As the seller, a Fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, a Fund would be subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
Credit default swap agreements involve greater risks than if a Fund had invested in the reference obligation directly since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A Fund will enter into credit default swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. A buyer generally also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the upfront, periodic, or daily payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value it pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the seller. The Fund’s obligations under a credit default swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund). In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the buyer, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid, or enter into certain offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the Fund’s exposure (any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the Fund to any counterparty), on a marked-to-market basis. In connection with credit default swaps in which a Fund is the seller, the Fund will segregate or “earmark” cash or assets determined to be liquid, or enter into offsetting positions, with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap (minus any amounts owed to the Fund). Such segregation or “earmarking” will ensure that the Fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to the transaction and will limit any potential leveraging of the Fund’s portfolio. Such segregation or “earmarking” will not limit the Fund’s exposure to loss. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund entered into credit default swaps to manage its exposure to the market or certain sectors of the market, to reduce its risk exposure to defaults of corporate and/or sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate and/or sovereign issuers to which they are not otherwise exposed (credit risk). The gross notional amount of OTC and centrally cleared credit default swaps outstanding was $2.4 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average gross notional amount for credit default swaps was $3.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
31
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value | Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts* | $ | 561,160 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts* | $ | 192,682 | ||||||
Option Contracts | Investment securities, at value (purchased options) | 10,448,717 | Written options | 4,175,267 | ||||||||
Total Return Swap Agreements | Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements | 141,136 | Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements | — | ||||||||
Credit Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Credit Default Swap Agreements | Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements | 274,287 | Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements | — | ||||||||
Interest Rate Risk | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate Swap Agreements | Unrealized appreciation on swap agreements | 424,555 | Unrealized depreciation on swap agreements | 206,432 | ||||||||
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Forward Currency Contracts | Unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts | 3,899,788 | Unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts | 249,659 |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation margin on futures contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Realized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Recognized as a Result from Operations | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Derivatives Recognized as a Result from Operations | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Futures Contracts | Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Swap Agreements | Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Option Contracts | Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Forward Currency Contracts | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on Investments | |||||||||||||||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | $ | 439,866 | $ | — | $ | (80,344 | ) | $ | — | $ | 2,367,308 | ||||||||||||||
Credit Risk Exposure | — | (19,079 | ) | — | — | 325,968 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | — | 59,698 | (702,135 | ) | — | 885,573 | |||||||||||||||||||
Foreign Exchange Rate Risk Exposure | — | — | (248,653 | ) | 8,777,270 | 2,534,352 |
Effective January 1, 2013, the Fund adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-01 “Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2013-01”) which amended Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 210-20, Balance Sheet Offsetting. ASU 2013-01 clarified the scope of ASU No. 2011-11 “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities” (“ASU 2011-11”). ASU 2011-11 requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of that entity’s financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. The objective of this disclosure is to facilitate comparison between those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of U.S. GAAP and those entities that prepare their financial statements on the basis of International Financial Reporting Standards. ASU 2013-01 clarifies the scope of ASU 2011-11 as applying to derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are offset either in accordance with other requirements of U.S. GAAP or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement.
The Fund is generally subject to master netting agreements that allow for amounts owed between the Fund and the counterparty to be netted. The party that has the larger payable pays the excess of the larger amount over the smaller amount to the other party. The master netting agreements do not apply to amounts owed to/from different counterparties. The amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities do not take into consideration the effects of legally enforceable master netting agreements. The table below presents the gross and net amounts of these assets and liabilities with any offsets to reflect the Fund’s ability to reflect the master netting agreements at December 31, 2014. For financial reporting purposes, the Fund does not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. This table also summarizes the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014.
32
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s derivative assets and liabilities by type are as follows:
Assets | Liabilities | |||||||||
Derivative Financial Instruments: | ||||||||||
Futures contracts | $ | 198,834 | $ | 301,102 | ||||||
Forward currency contracts | 3,899,788 | 249,659 | ||||||||
Option contracts* | 10,448,717 | 4,175,267 | ||||||||
Swap agreements | 476,279 | 4,730 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total derivative assets and liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 15,023,618 | 4,730,758 | ||||||||
Derivatives not subject to a master netting agreement or similar agreement (“MNA”) | (247,102 | ) | (520,703 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Total assets and liabilities subject to a MNA | $ | 14,776,516 | $ | 4,210,055 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
* | Includes option contracts purchased at value as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
The following table presents the Fund’s derivative assets by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral received by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:
Counterparty | Derivative Assets Subject to a MNA by Counterparty | Derivatives Available for Offset | Non-cash Collateral Received* | Cash Collateral Received* | Net Amount of Derivative Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bank of America | $ | 1,276,412 | $ | (404,253 | ) | $ | — | $ | (570,000 | ) | $ | 302,159 | |||||||||||||
Barclays Bank | 1,189,109 | (634,793 | ) | — | (550,000 | ) | 4,316 | ||||||||||||||||||
BNP Paribas | 865,006 | (71,989 | ) | — | — | 793,017 | |||||||||||||||||||
Citibank | 2,266,204 | (1,166,656 | ) | — | (1,099,548 | ) | — | ||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse First Boston | 1,092,937 | (75,363 | ) | — | — | 1,017,574 | |||||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank | 2,596,858 | (298,597 | ) | — | (1,400,000 | ) | 898,261 | ||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs | 2,309,100 | (950,114 | ) | — | (1,300,000 | ) | 58,986 | ||||||||||||||||||
HSBC | 364,005 | (23,899 | ) | — | — | 340,106 | |||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase | 938,252 | (79,562 | ) | — | — | 858,690 | |||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley | 1,278,886 | (310,148 | ) | — | (520,000 | ) | 448,738 | ||||||||||||||||||
UBS Warburg | 599,747 | (194,681 | ) | — | — | 405,066 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 14,776,516 | $ | (4,210,055 | ) | $ | — | $ | (5,439,548 | ) | $ | 5,126,913 | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the Fund’s derivative liabilities by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under a MNA and net of the related collateral pledged by the Fund as of December 31, 2014:
Counterparty | Derivative Liabilities Subject to a MNA by Counterparty | Derivatives Available for Offset | Non-cash Collateral Pledged* | Cash Collateral Pledged* | Net Amount of Derivative Liabilities | ||||||||||||||||||||
Bank of America | $ | 404,253 | $ | (404,253 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
Barclays Bank | 634,793 | (634,793 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
BNP Paribas | 71,989 | (71,989 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Citibank | 1,166,656 | (1,166,656 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Credit Suisse First Boston | 75,363 | (75,363 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Deutsche Bank | 298,597 | (298,597 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Goldman Sachs | 950,114 | (950,114 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
HSBC | 23,899 | (23,899 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
JPMorgan Chase | 79,562 | (79,562 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Morgan Stanley | 310,148 | (310,148 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
UBS Warburg | 194,681 | (194,681 | ) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 4,210,055 | $ | (4,210,055 | ) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | The actual collateral received or pledged may be in excess of the amounts shown in the table. The table only reflects collateral amounts up to the amount of the financial instrument disclosed on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has retained an independent money management organization (the “Subadviser”), to make investment decisions on behalf of the VIP Subsidiary. Pursuant to a portfolio management agreement with BlackRock Investment Management, LLC (“BlackRock Investment”), BlackRock Investment provides investment advisory services as the Subadviser for the VIP Subsidiary subject to the general supervision of the Trustees and the Manager.
33
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager is entitled to a fee, computed daily and paid monthly, based on the average daily net assets of the VIP Subsidiary. Expenses incurred by the Fund and the VIP Subsidiary for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.” For its services, the Subadviser is entitled to a fee payable by the Manager. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund and the VIP Subsidiary to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s and the VIP Subsidiary’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund and the VIP Subsidiary, through April 30, 2016.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | 0.10 | % | 0.15 | % | ||||||
AZL BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | 0.75 | % | 1.19 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the year can be found on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Consolidated Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $8,942 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). Equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if there is no sale, the last quoted bid price is used for long securities and the last quoted ask price is used for securities sold short. Securities listed on NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (“NASDAQ”) are valued at the official closing price as reported by NASDAQ. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as a Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Investments in open-end investment companies are valued at their respective net asset value as reported by such companies and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
34
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Debt and other fixed income securities are generally valued at an evaluated bid price provided by an independent pricing source approved by the Trustees. To value debt securities, pricing services may use various pricing techniques which take into account appropriate factors such as market activity, yield, quality, coupon rate, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes. Short term securities of sufficient credit quality with sixty days or less remaining until maturity may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. In each of these situations, valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
Forward currency contracts are generally valued at the foreign currency exchange rate as of the close of the NYSE and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Non exchange-traded derivatives, such as swaps and certain options, are generally valued by approved independent pricing services utilizing techniques which take into account factors such as yields, quality, maturity, type of issue, trading characteristics, call features, credit ratings and other data, as well as broker quotes and are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Other assets and securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees or persons acting on the behalf of the Trustees. Fair value pricing may be used for significant events such as securities whose trading has been suspended, whose price has become stale or for which there is no currently available price at the close of the NYSE. Depending on the source and relative significance of valuation inputs, these instruments may be classified as Level 2 or Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Fund utilizes a pricing service to assist in determining the fair value of securities when certain significant events occur that may affect the value of foreign securities.
In accordance with procedures adopted by the Trustees, fair value pricing may be used if events materially affecting the value of foreign securities occur between the time when the exchange on which they are traded closes and the time when the Fund’s net asset value is calculated. Management identifies possible fluctuation in international securities by monitoring the increase or decrease in the value of a designated benchmark index. In the event of an increase or decrease greater than predetermined levels, the Fund may use a systematic valuation model provided by an independent third party to fair value its international equity securities which are then typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Common Stocks | ||||||||||||||||||||
Aerospace & Defense | $ | 4,371,725 | $ | 4,323,565 | $ | — | $ | 8,695,290 | ||||||||||||
Air Freight & Logistics | 3,438,286 | 400,592 | — | 3,838,878 | ||||||||||||||||
Airlines | 1,938,874 | 1,592,243 | — | 3,531,117 | ||||||||||||||||
Auto Components | 2,146,531 | 7,567,447 | — | 9,713,978 | ||||||||||||||||
Automobiles | 2,015,357 | 12,152,113 | — | 14,167,470 | ||||||||||||||||
Banks | 18,664,696 | 14,667,429 | — | 33,332,125 | ||||||||||||||||
Beverages | 3,323,779 | 2,464,857 | — | 5,788,636 | ||||||||||||||||
Biotechnology | 7,649,771 | 220,168 | — | 7,869,939 | ||||||||||||||||
Building Products | — | 1,582,421 | — | 1,582,421 | ||||||||||||||||
Capital Markets | 4,373,677 | 1,049,888 | — | 5,423,565 | ||||||||||||||||
Chemicals | 2,488,529 | 12,017,085 | — | 14,505,614 | ||||||||||||||||
Commercial Services & Supplies | 158,213 | 74,541 | — | 232,754 | ||||||||||||||||
Communications Equipment | 4,154,972 | 920,676 | — | 5,075,648 | ||||||||||||||||
Construction & Engineering | — | 1,499,525 | — | 1,499,525 | ||||||||||||||||
Distributors | — | 36,960 | — | 36,960 | ||||||||||||||||
Diversified Financial Services | — | 1,482,748 | — | 1,482,748 | ||||||||||||||||
Diversified Telecommunication Services | 4,067,830 | 4,612,647 | — | 8,680,477 | ||||||||||||||||
Electric Utilities | 2,443,283 | 1,156,763 | — | 3,600,046 | ||||||||||||||||
Electrical Equipment | 3,278,013 | 2,964,632 | — | 6,242,645 | ||||||||||||||||
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components | 455,483 | 4,285,792 | — | 4,741,275 | ||||||||||||||||
Energy Equipment & Services | 2,059,756 | 1,767,900 | 1,827,985 | 5,655,641 | ||||||||||||||||
Food & Staples Retailing | 866,765 | 134,416 | — | 1,001,181 | ||||||||||||||||
Food Products | 615,962 | 7,425,606 | — | 8,041,568 | ||||||||||||||||
Gas Utilities | — | 2,150,966 | — | 2,150,966 | ||||||||||||||||
Health Care Equipment & Supplies | 2,753,083 | 580,995 | — | 3,334,078 | ||||||||||||||||
Health Care Providers & Services | 11,272,548 | 6,611,778 | — | 17,884,326 | ||||||||||||||||
Household Durables | — | 1,421,499 | — | 1,421,499 | ||||||||||||||||
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers | 4,164,537 | — | 264,963 | 4,429,500 | ||||||||||||||||
Industrial Conglomerates | 4,414,149 | 5,855,431 | — | 10,269,580 | ||||||||||||||||
Insurance | 8,572,988 | 6,299,486 | — | 14,872,474 | ||||||||||||||||
Internet Software & Services | 14,062,299 | 741,255 | 2,283,315 | 17,086,869 | ||||||||||||||||
IT Services | 7,631,817 | 2,156,994 | — | 9,788,811 | ||||||||||||||||
Leisure Products | — | 847,347 | — | 847,347 | ||||||||||||||||
Machinery | 3,979,957 | 4,714,522 | — | 8,694,479 | ||||||||||||||||
Media | 7,627,669 | 618,440 | — | 8,246,109 | ||||||||||||||||
Metals & Mining | 10,446,954 | 6,334,071 | — | 16,781,025 | ||||||||||||||||
Multiline Retail | 269,062 | 346,036 | — | 615,098 | ||||||||||||||||
Multi-Utilities | 2,777,506 | 2,174,640 | — | 4,952,146 |
35
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | $ | 24,124,310 | $ | 10,466,820 | $ | 1,661,801 | $ | 36,252,931 | ||||||||||||
Personal Products | — | 1,756,087 | — | 1,756,087 | ||||||||||||||||
Pharmaceuticals | 19,513,851 | 12,977,628 | — | 32,491,479 | ||||||||||||||||
Professional Services | — | 444,913 | — | 444,913 | ||||||||||||||||
Real Estate Management & Development | 1,240,718 | 8,670,895 | — | 9,911,613 | ||||||||||||||||
Road & Rail | 5,249,180 | 2,340,681 | — | 7,589,861 | ||||||||||||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | 314,119 | 2,649,038 | — | 2,963,157 | ||||||||||||||||
Software | 10,061,615 | 2,649,531 | — | 12,711,146 | ||||||||||||||||
Specialty Retail | 140,627 | 1,685,199 | — | 1,825,826 | ||||||||||||||||
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals | 680,250 | 784,720 | — | 1,464,970 | ||||||||||||||||
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods | 2,413,832 | 780,587 | — | 3,194,419 | ||||||||||||||||
Trading Companies & Distributors | 803,336 | 4,587,757 | — | 5,391,093 | ||||||||||||||||
Transportation Infrastructure | — | 67,975 | 365,178 | 433,153 | ||||||||||||||||
Wireless Telecommunication Services | 1,119,874 | 2,748,194 | — | 3,868,068 | ||||||||||||||||
All Other Common Stocks+ | 26,235,550 | — | — | 26,235,550 | ||||||||||||||||
Preferred Stocks | ||||||||||||||||||||
Auto Components | — | — | 2,354,112 | 2,354,112 | ||||||||||||||||
Automobiles | — | 1,839,026 | — | 1,839,026 | ||||||||||||||||
Banks | 4,723,647 | 1,121,751 | — | 5,845,398 | ||||||||||||||||
Food & Staples Retailing | — | 407,073 | — | 407,073 | ||||||||||||||||
Health Care Providers & Services | — | — | 372,878 | 372,878 | ||||||||||||||||
Real Estate Management & Development | — | 331,188 | — | 331,188 | ||||||||||||||||
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | — | 1,794,913 | — | 1,794,913 | ||||||||||||||||
All Other Preferred Stocks+ | 2,004,732 | — | — | 2,004,732 | ||||||||||||||||
Warrants | 29,489 | 96,646 | — | 126,135 | ||||||||||||||||
Convertible Preferred Stocks | ||||||||||||||||||||
Banks | — | 330,480 | — | 330,480 | ||||||||||||||||
All Other Convertible Preferred Stocks+ | 2,037,804 | — | — | 2,037,804 | ||||||||||||||||
Right | 40,651 | — | — | 40,651 | ||||||||||||||||
Convertible Bonds+ | — | 16,188,666 | — | 16,188,666 | ||||||||||||||||
Floating Rate Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||
Media | — | — | 292,000 | 292,000 | ||||||||||||||||
All Other Floating Rate Loans+ | — | 8,236,151 | — | 8,236,151 | ||||||||||||||||
Corporate Bonds | ||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation Infrastructure | — | — | 518,360 | 518,360 | ||||||||||||||||
All Other Corporate Bonds+ | — | 18,616,289 | — | 18,616,289 | ||||||||||||||||
Foreign Bonds+ | — | 71,580,862 | — | 71,580,862 | ||||||||||||||||
Yankee Dollars+ | — | 21,413,554 | — | 21,413,554 | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Government Agency Mortgage | — | 776,880 | — | 776,880 | ||||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury Obligations | — | 189,050,405 | — | 189,050,405 | ||||||||||||||||
Purchased Options | 10,993 | 10,437,724 | — | 10,448,717 | ||||||||||||||||
Exchange Traded Funds | 5,455,534 | — | — | 5,455,534 | ||||||||||||||||
Securities Held as Collateral for Securities on Loan | — | 45,894,168 | — | 45,894,168 | ||||||||||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Companies | 27,872,874 | — | — | 27,872,874 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 280,557,057 | 565,979,275 | 9,940,592 | 856,476,924 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Securities Sold Short | (1,017,147 | ) | — | — | (1,017,147 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments:* | ||||||||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 368,478 | — | — | 368,478 | ||||||||||||||||
Written Options | (84,018 | ) | (1,066,048 | ) | — | (1,150,066 | ) | |||||||||||||
Written Swaptions | — | (1,885 | ) | — | (1,885 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Forward Currency Contracts | — | 3,650,129 | — | 3,650,129 | ||||||||||||||||
Credit Default Swaps | — | 274,287 | — | 274,287 | ||||||||||||||||
Interest Rate Swaps | — | 218,123 | — | 218,123 | ||||||||||||||||
Total Return Swaps | — | 141,136 | — | 141,136 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 279,824,370 | $ | 569,195,017 | $ | 9,940,592 | $ | 858,959,979 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
+ | For detailed industry descriptions, see the accompanying Schedule of Portfolio Investments. |
* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts, written options, forward currency contracts, and swaps. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
A reconciliation of assets in which Level 3 inputs are used in determining fair value, along with additional quantitative disclosures, are presented when there are significant Level 3 investments at the end of the period.
36
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | $ | 500,771,721 | $ | 446,878,694 |
For the year ended December 31, 2014, purchases and sales on long-term U.S. government securities were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | $ | 60,327,084 | $ | 58,989,550 |
6. Restricted Securities
A restricted security is a security which has been purchased through a private offering and cannot be resold to the general public without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”) or pursuant to the resale limitations provided by Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Whether a restricted security is illiquid is determined pursuant to guidelines established by the Trustees. Not all restricted securities are considered illiquid. The illiquid restricted securities held as of December 31, 2014 are identified below.
Security | Acquisition Date(a) | Acquisition Cost | Shares or Principal Amount | Fair Value | Percentage of Net Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||
Delta Topco, Ltd. | 5/2/12 | $ | 379,997 | $ | 615,711 | $ | 365,178 | 0.05 | % | ||||||||||||||||
Delta Topco, Ltd., 10.00%, 11/24/60 | 5/2/12 | 650,228 | 516,343 | 518,360 | 0.06 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Dropbox, Inc. | 1/28/14 | 1,827,985 | 95,700 | 1,827,985 | 0.22 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Invitae Corp., Series F | 10/8/14 | 372,878 | 186,439 | 372,878 | 0.05 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Lookout, Inc. | 9/19/14 | 730,222 | 63,925 | 730,222 | 0.09 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Mobileye N.V., Series F, Preferred Shares | 8/15/13 | 426,443 | 61,095 | 2,354,113 | 0.29 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Palantir Technologies, Inc. | 3/27/14 | 712,042 | 116,157 | 931,579 | 0.11 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
REI Agro, Ltd., Registered Shares, 5.50%, 11/13/14 | 2/7/12 | 300,000 | 400,000 | 39,000 | 0.01 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
TerraForm Power, Inc. | 11/21/14 | 359,149 | 9,032 | 264,963 | 0.03 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Uber Technologies, Inc. | 3/21/14 | 1,063,120 | 17,133 | 2,283,315 | 0.28 | % |
(a) | Acquisition date represents the initial purchase date of the security. |
7. Investment Risks
Commodities-Related Investment Risk: Exposure to the commodities markets may subject the Fund to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities. The value of commodity-linked derivative investments may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates, or sectors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, weather, embargoes, tariffs and international economic, political and regulatory developments. The U.S. Commodities Futures Trading Commission has proposed changes to certain of its rules governing investment in commodities by mutual funds, such as the Fund. In the event these changes are adopted, or if there are changes in the tax treatment of the Fund’s direct and indirect investments in commodities, the Fund may be unable to obtain exposure to commodity markets, or may be limited in the extent to which or manner in which it can obtain such exposure.
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest in derivatives as a principal strategy. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The counterparty to a derivatives contract could default. As required by applicable law, a Fund that invests in derivatives segregates cash or liquid securities, or both, to the extent that its obligations under the instrument are not covered through ownership of the underlying security, financial instrument, or currency.
Emerging Markets Risk: Emerging markets may have less developed trading markets and exchanges which may make it more difficult to sell securities at an acceptable price and their prices may be more volatile than securities of companies in more developed markets. Settlements of trades may be subject to greater delays so that the Fund may not receive the proceeds of a sale of a security on a timely basis. Emerging countries may also have less developed legal and accounting systems and investments may be subject to greater risks of government restrictions, nationalization, or confiscation.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Investments in securities of foreign issuers carry certain risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities of domestic issuers. Such risks include future political and economic developments, and the possible imposition of exchange controls or other foreign governmental laws and restrictions. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there is the possibility of expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic developments which could adversely affect investments in those securities.
Security Quality Risk (also known as “High Yield Risk”): The Fund may invest in high yield, high risk debt securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (commonly known as “junk bonds”) may be subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risk than funds that do not invest in such securities. These securities are considered predominately
37
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. An economic downturn or period of rising interest rates could adversely affect the market for these securities and reduce the Fund’s ability to sell these securities (liquidity risk). If the issuer of a security is in default with respect to interest or principal payments, the Fund may lose the value of its entire investment.
8. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $833,975,987. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 61,235,992 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (38,735,055 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 22,500,937 | ||
|
|
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | $ | 1,807,855 | $ | 2,297,326 | $ | 4,105,181 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | $ | 97,679 | $ | 88,336 | $ | 186,015 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund | $ | 34,285,170 | $ | 41,619,827 | $ | — | $ | 21,571,169 | $ | 97,476,166 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains/losses on investments in passive foreign investment companies. |
9. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
38
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation Fund and Subsidiary (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the consolidated schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related consolidated statement of operations for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the consolidated financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended. These consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers, custodian and transfer agents of the underlying funds or by other appropriate auditing procedures. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
39
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 28.93% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $2,297,326.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $1,444,448.
40
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
41
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
42
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
43
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
44
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
45
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL® MVP Franklin Templeton
Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 12
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 13
Other Information
Page 14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 15
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 17
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL® MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance for year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund returned 2.33%. That compared to a 10.56% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index, which is comprised of an 60% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 40% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL® MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund is a fund of funds that invests primarily in the shares of another mutual fund—the AZL® Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund—managed by the Manager. This Fund invests in a combination of sub-portfolios, or strategies, each of which is managed by a Franklin Templeton asset manager.
• | Templeton Growth Strategy |
• | Franklin Mutual Shares Strategy |
• | Franklin Income Strategy |
• | Templeton Global Bond Strategy |
The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk-management process that primarily uses derivatives and is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.
The global economy grew moderately during 2014. U.S. economic growth accelerated while growth rates in much of the rest of the world declined. The U.S. Federal Reserve Board ended its asset purchase program in October, while keeping interest rates low. The European Central Bank reduced its main interest rate and implemented an asset purchase program. Japan’s economy entered a recession, and the Bank of Japan expanded its stimulus measures. Global developed market stocks advanced overall during the 12-month period amid a generally accommodative monetary policy environment and continued strength in corporate earnings. Meanwhile, emerging market stocks overall fell amid headwinds such as soft domestic demand, weak exports, plummeting crude oil prices, regional geopolitical tensions and concerns about possible U.S. interest rate increases.
The Fund’s absolute performance benefited from its component funds’ equity holdings in the health care and information technology sectors. However, the energy and industrials sectors weighed on absolute returns. Moreover, while holdings in the U.S. performed well, European stocks declined.*
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark. Relative performance was hurt by the AZL Templeton Growth Strategy Fund’s stock selection in the energy, industrials and consumer staples sectors. In addition, an overweight position and stock selection in Europe—particularly in the Netherlands and the U.K.—were detrimental. Detractors for the AZL Franklin Mutual Shares
Strategy Fund included holdings in a U.K.-based retailer, a natural resources company, and an offshore contract oil driller. Additionally, the AZL Templeton Global Bond Strategy Fund’s selected bond duration exposures in Europe and the U.S. detracted from relative performance.*
AZL Franklin Mutual Shares Strategy Fund’s investments in a U.S. technology leader, an Israel-based pharmaceutical firm, and a regional grocery retailer were key contributors to the Fund’s relative performance. Driven by modest earnings growth and U.S. economic and employment growth, the AZL Franklin Income Strategy Fund’s equities also performed well.*
The AZL Franklin Income Strategy Fund’s fixed income assets remained positioned largely in high-yield corporate bonds, which performed positively as long-term interest rates declined. Among fixed income investments, communications, consumer non-cyclical, and technology positions benefited performance.*
Some of the Fund’s underlying funds employed currency positions during the period, to varying effect. For instance, the AZL Franklin Mutual Shares Strategy Fund held currency forwards during the period with the goal of somewhat hedging the currency risk of the Fund’s non-U.S. dollar investments. The hedges had a positive impact on the Fund’s performance. However, exposure to several other currencies that also depreciated had a negative effect on relative returns, and overall currency exposures detracted from the Fund’s relative performance.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL® MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation with income as a secondary goal. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in shares of another mutual fund managed by the manager, the AZL® Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund, combined with the MVP risk management process.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in an underlying fund, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of that underlying fund. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by of the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | Since Inception (4/30/12) | |||||||
AZL® MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | 2.33 | % | 9.91 | % | ||||
Balanced Composite Index | 10.56 | % | 11.77 | % | ||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 18.16 | % | ||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.46 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL® MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | 1.16 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.15% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.17%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 60% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 40% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 967.10 | $ | 0.74 | 0.15 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.45 | $ | 0.77 | 0.15 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Fixed Income | 95.4 | % | |||
Money Market | 3.0 | ||||
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Total Investment Securities | 98.4 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 1.6 | ||||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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3
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Company (95.4%): |
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20,665,201 | AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 283,526,559 | |||||
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| Total Affiliated Investment Company (Cost $272,955,571) | 283,526,559 | ||||||
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| Unaffiliated Investment Company (3.0%): |
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9,000,236 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | 9,000,236 | ||||||
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| Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $9,000,236) | 9,000,236 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities (Cost $281,955,807)(b) — 98.4% | 292,526,795 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 1.6% | 4,663,883 | ||||||
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| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 297,190,678 | |||||
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Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $6,076,894 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 47 | $ | 5,959,453 | $ | 31,419 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 87 | 8,927,940 | 142,233 | |||||||||||||||
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Total | $ | 173,652 | ||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 9,000,236 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 272,955,571 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 281,955,807 | |||
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Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 9,000,236 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 283,526,559 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at value | 292,526,795 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 6,076,894 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 30 | �� | |||
Receivable for capital shares issued | 104,488 | ||||
Receivable for affiliated investments sold | 759,746 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 10,281 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 2,531 | ||||
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Total Assets | 299,480,765 | ||||
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| ||||
Liabilities: | |||||
Cash overdraft | 838,093 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 1,313,507 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 105,909 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 27,739 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 986 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 39 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 220 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 4 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 3,590 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Liabilities | 2,290,087 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 297,190,678 | |||
|
| ||||
Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 276,951,049 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 4,497,800 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 4,997,189 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 10,744,640 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 297,190,678 | |||
|
| ||||
Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 23,788,658 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 12.49 | |||
|
|
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 4,077,548 | |||
Dividends | 266 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment Income | 4,077,814 | ||||
|
| ||||
Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 259,299 | ||||
Administration fees | 51,897 | ||||
Custodian fees | 1,473 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 3,084 | ||||
Trustee fees | 11,838 | ||||
Professional fees | 10,399 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 20,625 | ||||
Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the manager | 26,314 | ||||
Other expenses | 4,000 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total expenses | 388,929 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 3,688,885 | ||||
|
| ||||
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 500,172 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 4,320,318 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 1,263,267 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (5,362,457 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 721,300 | ||||
|
| ||||
Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 4,410,185 | |||
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | ||||||||||
For the 2014 | For the 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 3,688,885 | $ | 2,057,931 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 6,083,757 | 2,052,051 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (5,362,457 | ) | 14,414,871 | |||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | 4,410,185 | 18,524,853 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (2,465,868 | ) | — | |||||||
From net realized gains | (1,821,593 | ) | (17,003 | ) | ||||||
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|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (4,287,461 | ) | (17,003 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 100,908,487 | 152,201,330 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 4,287,461 | 17,003 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (12,645,781 | ) | (10,854,959 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 92,550,167 | 141,363,374 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets | 92,672,891 | 159,871,224 | ||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 204,517,787 | 44,646,563 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
End of period | $ | 297,190,678 | $ | 204,517,787 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 4,497,800 | $ | 2,465,858 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 7,973,033 | 13,252,470 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 334,435 | 1,456 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (1,026,114 | ) | (990,777 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in shares | 7,281,354 | 12,263,149 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended 2014 | Year Ended 2013 | April 27, 2012 to December 31, 2012 (a) | |||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 12.39 | $ | 10.52 | $ | 10.00 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.12 | 0.12 | 0.13 | ||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.17 | 1.75 | 0.56 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total from Investment Activities | 0.29 | 1.87 | 0.69 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.11 | ) | — | (0.13 | ) | ||||||||||
Net Realized Gains | (0.08 | ) | — | (b) | (0.04 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Dividends | (0.19 | ) | — | (b) | (0.17 | ) | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 12.49 | $ | 12.39 | $ | 10.52 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Return(c) | 2.33 | % | 17.79 | % | 6.87 | %(d) | |||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 297,191 | $ | 204,518 | $ | 44,647 | |||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) (e) | 1.42 | % | 1.75 | % | 3.46 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(e)(f) | 0.15 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.48 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions*(e) | 0.15 | % | 0.15 | % | 0.15 | % | |||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 4 | % | 9 | % | 34 | %(d) |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | Period from commencement of operations. During the period from April 30, 2012 to December 10, 2012, the Fund’s primary vehicle for gaining exposure to derivatives was through investments in its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary , the AZL MVP FTFSP Investments Trust (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary was liquidated on December 10, 2012 at its net asset value on such date. The Subsidiary’s operations have been consolidated with the operations of the Fund through its liquidation on December 10, 2012. |
(b) | Represents less than $0.005. |
(c) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(d) | Not annualized. |
(e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(f) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold and on foreign currency transactions are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
8
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $14.9 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $13.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 142,233 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 31,419 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 1,069,768 | $ | (74,133 | ) | ||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 193,499 | 103,192 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | 0.10 | % | 0.15 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.”
At December 31, 2014, the contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years were as follows:
Expires 12/31/2015 | Expires 12/31/2016 | Total | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 7,308 | $ | 24,263 | $ | 31,571 |
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
9
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 194,037,955 | $ | 103,010,916 | $ | (8,630,967 | ) | $ | 500,172 | $ | (5,391,517 | ) | $ | 283,526,559 | $ | 4,077,548 | |||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
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|
|
|
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|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 194,037,955 | $ | 103,010,916 | $ | (8,630,967 | ) | $ | 500,172 | $ | (5,391,517 | ) | $ | 283,526,559 | $ | 4,077,548 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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|
|
Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $2,955 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1— quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2— other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3— significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Company | $ | 283,526,559 | $ | — | $ | 283,526,559 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Company | 9,000,236 | — | 9,000,236 | ||||||||||||
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|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 292,526,795 | — | 292,526,795 | ||||||||||||
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|
|
| ||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 173,652 | — | 173,652 | ||||||||||||
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|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 292,700,447 | $ | — | $ | 292,700,447 | |||||||||
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|
|
|
|
* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
10
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 103,010,916 | $ | 8,630,967 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $282,092,254. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 10,570,988 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (136,447 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 10,434,541 | ||
|
|
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 2,795,652 | $ | 1,491,809 | $ | 4,287,461 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 417 | $ | 16,586 | $ | 17,003 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund | $ | 5,014,725 | $ | 4,790,363 | $ | — | $ | 10,434,541 | $ | 20,239,629 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Concentration of Investments
As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s investment in the AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund, which is affiliated with the Investment Adviser, represented greater than 90% of the Fund’s net assets. The financial statements of the AZL Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund are attached hereto.
9. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
11
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
12
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 24.18% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $1,491,809.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $329,784.
13
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
15
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust | Term of Office(2)/ Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust | Term of Office(2)/ Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
17
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
18
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL MVP FusionSM Balanced Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 14
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 15
Other Information
Page 16
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 17
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 19
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL MVP FusionSM Balanced Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL MVP FusionSM Balanced Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL MVP FusionSM Balanced Fund returned 4.59%. That compared to a 9.79% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index, which is comprised of equal weightings in the S&P 500 Index1 and the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL MVP FusionSM Balanced Fund is a fund of funds that achieves broad diversification by investing in underlying funds. It was invested in 29 funds at year-end. The Balanced Fund typically holds between 40% and 60% of its assets in equity funds and 40% to 60% of its assets in fixed income funds. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process, which is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.*
The U.S. equity market produced positive returns during the period, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 13.69%. Economic activity recovered after facing a contraction at the start of the year as extreme weather conditions across much of the U.S. created a challenging economic environment. Several economic indicators showed positive direction for most of the year. The U.S. employment situation improved, consumer confidence rose higher, the manufacturing sector rebounded, inflation remained below its long-term trend and the housing sector steadily improved. Consumers also benefited from the significant drop in oil prices that occurred toward the end of the year. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) exited its quantitative easing program by slowly reducing its bond purchases throughout the year, and concluded the program by making the final $15 billion purchase in October. Despite the continued economic gains, the Fed remained committed to keeping short-term interest rates anchored near zero until the economy could show further improvement.
Developed international equity markets lagged, with the MSCI EAFE Index declining 4.90% during the period. A continued weakness in Europe in addition to the contraction in Japan’s gross domestic product3 signaled further divergence between the U.S. and other major developed economies in 2014. Attempts to stimulate growth in Europe and Japan were met with varying degrees of success. One outcome from these stimulative efforts has been continued strength in the U.S. dollar. This currency impact has created an additional headwind for international returns. Emerging markets also faced challenges in 2014, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index declining 2.19% during this period. Concerns about growth in China and the strength of the U.S. dollar weighed on the outlook for emerging countries in 2014.
Fixed income markets benefited from a decline in long-term interest rates during the last 12 months with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropping 87 basis points (0.87%) during this period. Bond prices increase when interest rates decrease. Against this backdrop, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 5.97%. Other segments of fixed income markets lagged during the year. Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS) trailed during the year.
High-yield bonds also faced lower returns as lower oil prices put pressure on leveraged companies in the energy sector and investors’ sensitivity to lower rated credit exposure increased. Global bonds experienced relative weakness during the period as well.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark in 2014 due to exposure to a broad range of asset classes that underperformed the composite benchmark, along with underperformance from a select group of underlying funds. Relative performance was hurt by the Fund’s allocation to small- and mid-cap stocks, international equities and emerging market equities. In the Fund’s fixed income holdings, exposure to TIPS, high-yield and global bonds detracted from results. The Fund’s relative performance was also hampered by a select number of underlying funds that lagged their stated benchmark. A select group of underlying funds within small cap, international equity and high-yield bonds beat their stated benchmark, positively contributing to relative performance.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL MVP FusionSM Balanced Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation with preservation of capital as an important consideration. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of Permitted Underlying Funds that represent different classes in the Fund’s asset allocation.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in underlying funds, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of those underlying funds. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by each of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception (4/29/05) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP FusionSM Balanced Fund | 4.59 | % | 9.10 | % | 7.40 | % | 5.34 | % | ||||||||
Balanced Composite Index | 9.79 | % | 11.39 | % | 10.20 | % | 7.00 | % | ||||||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 20.41 | % | 15.45 | % | 8.40 | % | ||||||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.66 | % | 4.45 | % | 4.78 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL MVP FusionSM Balanced Fund | 1.07 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.30% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the Permitted Underlying Funds. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.22%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 50% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 50% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,002.90 | $ | 1.11 | 0.22 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.10 | $ | 1.12 | 0.22 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Fixed Income | 47.5 | % | |||
Domestic Equities | 31.2 | ||||
International Equities | 16.4 | ||||
Money Market | 3.1 | ||||
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| ||||
Total Investment Securities | 98.2 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 1.8 | ||||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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3
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies (95.1%): |
| ||||||
1,066,866 | AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 19,875,712 | |||||
1,302,129 | AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund | 19,727,257 | ||||||
1,180,083 | AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund | 26,186,044 | ||||||
2,212,284 | AZL Gateway Fund | 26,259,806 | ||||||
2,384,090 | AZL International Index Fund | 36,428,892 | ||||||
1,989,506 | AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund | 32,548,310 | ||||||
2,026,476 | AZL Invesco International Equity Fund | 37,266,902 | ||||||
2,872,101 | AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund | 49,084,204 | ||||||
3,134,546 | AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund | 51,657,319 | ||||||
14,180,226 | AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund | 142,794,878 | ||||||
865,014 | AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund | 19,852,080 | ||||||
1,073,737 | AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund | 13,475,398 | ||||||
2,984,738 | AZL MFS Value Fund | 38,891,140 | ||||||
573,057 | AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 13,461,097 | ||||||
1,783,212 | AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund | 19,811,486 | ||||||
773,944 | AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund | 13,110,612 | ||||||
2,089,367 | AZL NFJ International Value Fund | 24,048,617 | ||||||
2,268,211 | AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund | 32,684,920 | ||||||
14,118,902 | AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund | 143,165,670 | ||||||
1,718,206 | AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | 29,398,512 |
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies, continued |
| ||||||
3,691,621 | AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | $ | 54,709,819 | |||||
1,608,247 | AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Class 2 | 11,804,530 | ||||||
1,764,358 | AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund | 19,884,319 | ||||||
1,441,724 | NFJ Dividend Value Portfolio | 19,823,707 | ||||||
1,307,698 | PIMCO PVIT Global Advantage Strategy Bond Portfolio | 12,318,514 | ||||||
4,881,409 | PIMCO PVIT High Yield Portfolio | 38,611,944 | ||||||
7,277,124 | PIMCO PVIT Low Duration Portfolio | 76,991,971 | ||||||
3,936,391 | PIMCO PVIT Real Return Portfolio | 50,425,165 | ||||||
12,753,854 | PIMCO PVIT Total Return Portfolio | 142,843,162 | ||||||
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| |||||||
| Total Affiliated Investment Companies (Cost $1,010,386,407) | 1,217,141,987 | ||||||
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| Unaffiliated Investment Company (3.1%): |
| ||||||
40,001,049 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | $ | 40,001,049 | |||||
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| Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $40,001,049) | 40,001,049 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities (Cost $1,050,387,456)(b) — 98.2% | $ | 1,257,143,036 | |||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 1.8% | 23,429,495 | ||||||
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| |||||||
| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 1,280,572,531 | |||||
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Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $24,302,966 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 253 | $ | 32,079,609 | $ | 172,552 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 309 | 31,709,580 | 508,596 | |||||||||||||||
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Total | $ | 681,148 | ||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 40,001,049 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 1,010,386,407 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 1,050,387,456 | |||
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Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 40,001,049 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 1,217,141,987 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at value | 1,257,143,036 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 24,302,966 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 1,408,367 | ||||
Receivable for affiliated investments sold | 727,118 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 56,908 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 10,755 | ||||
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Total Assets | 1,283,649,150 | ||||
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Liabilities: | |||||
Cash overdraft | 825,773 | ||||
Payable for affiliated investments purchased | 1,359,958 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 250,748 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on future contracts | 377,073 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 217,975 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 3,742 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 427 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 3,540 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 71 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 37,312 | ||||
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Total Liabilities | 3,076,619 | ||||
|
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Net Assets | $ | 1,280,572,531 | |||
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Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 1,022,254,900 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 16,427,354 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 34,453,549 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 207,436,728 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 1,280,572,531 | |||
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| ||||
Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 98,264,878 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 13.03 | |||
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Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 17,389,932 | |||
Dividends | 1,183 | ||||
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Total Investment Income | 17,391,115 | ||||
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Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 2,579,333 | ||||
Administration fees | 59,541 | ||||
Custodian fees | 1,978 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 17,546 | ||||
Trustee fees | 68,153 | ||||
Professional fees | 56,191 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 36,364 | ||||
Other expenses | 26,999 | ||||
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Total expenses | 2,846,105 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 14,545,010 | ||||
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Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 25,604,012 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 20,688,937 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 5,872,701 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (8,187,229 | ) | |||
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Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 43,978,421 | ||||
|
| ||||
Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 58,523,431 | |||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 14,545,010 | $ | 14,890,050 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 52,165,650 | 22,809,040 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (8,187,229 | ) | 87,492,609 | |||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from operations | 58,523,431 | 125,191,699 | ||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (17,586,673 | ) | (20,989,730 | ) | ||||||
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| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (17,586,673 | ) | (20,989,730 | ) | ||||||
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Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 29,886,573 | 59,235,936 | ||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued in merger | — | 163,914,260 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 17,586,673 | 20,989,730 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (90,500,923 | ) | (83,571,863 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | (43,027,677 | ) | 160,568,063 | |||||||
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| |||||||
Change in net assets | (2,090,919 | ) | 264,770,032 | |||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 1,282,663,450 | 1,017,893,418 | ||||||||
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| |||||||
End of period | $ | 1,280,572,531 | $ | 1,282,663,450 | ||||||
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Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 16,427,354 | $ | 17,586,643 | ||||||
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Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 2,325,667 | 4,878,467 | ||||||||
Shares issued in merger | — | 13,582,062 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 1,359,094 | 1,750,603 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (7,031,350 | ) | (6,931,870 | ) | ||||||
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| |||||||
Change in shares | (3,346,589 | ) | 13,279,262 | |||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 12.62 | $ | 11.52 | $ | 10.55 | $ | 10.92 | $ | 10.10 | |||||||||||||||
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Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.15 | 0.12 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.44 | 1.19 | 1.03 | (0.27 | ) | 1.00 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Total from Investment Activities | 0.59 | 1.31 | 1.20 | (0.10 | ) | 1.10 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.18 | ) | (0.21 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.27 | ) | (0.28 | ) | |||||||||||||||
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Total Dividends | (0.18 | ) | (0.21 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.27 | ) | (0.28 | ) | |||||||||||||||
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Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 13.03 | $ | 12.62 | $ | 11.52 | $ | 10.55 | $ | 10.92 | |||||||||||||||
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Total Return(a) | 4.59 | % | 11.46 | % | 11.39 | % | (0.90 | )% | 11.07 | % | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 1,280,573 | $ | 1,282,663 | $ | 1,017,893 | $ | 909,669 | $ | 818,193 | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 1.13 | % | 1.27 | % | 1.48 | % | 1.85 | % | 1.75 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(b) | 0.22 | % | 0.22 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.24 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions* | 0.22 | % | 0.21 | % | 0.18 | % | 0.18 | % | 0.19 | % | |||||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c) | 23 | % | 6 | % | 32 | % | 20 | % | 34 | % |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(b) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
(c) | The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, and reclassification of certain distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in
8
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $63.8 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $64.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 508,596 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 172,552 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 4,727,672 | $ | (644,832 | ) | ||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 1,145,029 | 762,337 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund | 0.20 | % | 0.30 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
9
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 33,933,292 | $ | 1,990,300 | $ | (15,202,122 | ) | $ | 6,271,290 | $ | (7,117,048 | ) | $ | 19,875,712 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund | 20,729,755 | 1,074,251 | (2,643,346 | ) | 662,769 | (96,172 | ) | 19,727,257 | 31,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Federated Clover Small Cap Value Fund | 27,211,930 | 3,424,247 | (3,073,243 | ) | 686,008 | (2,062,898 | ) | 26,186,044 | 216,160 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Gateway Fund | 24,882,176 | 970,474 | (75,624 | ) | 3,594 | 479,186 | 26,259,806 | 307,074 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL International Index Fund | 39,779,632 | 1,714,024 | (2,051,201 | ) | 335,372 | (3,348,935 | ) | 36,428,892 | 672,473 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund | 33,611,240 | 1,357,458 | (4,204,919 | ) | 1,029,337 | 755,194 | 32,548,310 | 322,167 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco International Equity Fund | 40,104,083 | 574,292 | (2,990,618 | ) | 545,939 | (966,794 | ) | 37,266,902 | 574,292 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund | 52,813,077 | 2,569,860 | (1,805,951 | ) | 151,635 | (4,644,417 | ) | 49,084,204 | 687,740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund | 53,175,292 | 562,772 | (8,674,417 | ) | 3,126,225 | 3,467,447 | 51,657,319 | 383,567 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund | — | 143,252,309 | (1,458,711 | ) | 9,818 | 991,462 | 142,794,878 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund | 27,274,954 | 539,234 | (9,445,696 | ) | 3,270,103 | (1,786,515 | ) | 19,852,080 | 142,035 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund | 14,167,709 | 599,579 | (2,077,304 | ) | 623,067 | 162,347 | 13,475,398 | 44,372 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Value Fund | 40,309,587 | 550,441 | (5,277,014 | ) | 1,600,404 | 1,707,722 | 38,891,140 | 535,465 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 14,081,751 | 546,501 | (1,789,823 | ) | 446,165 | 176,503 | 13,461,097 | 86,828 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund | 17,452,099 | 1,031,831 | (945,180 | ) | 95,167 | 2,177,569 | 19,811,486 | 185,731 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund | 14,157,027 | 1,786,732 | (1,800,977 | ) | 460,634 | (1,492,804 | ) | 13,110,612 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL NFJ International Value Fund | 26,544,103 | 1,690,413 | (1,396,604 | ) | (144,800 | ) | (2,644,495 | ) | 24,048,617 | 484,151 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund | 33,833,372 | 6,710,399 | (5,310,222 | ) | 1,119,849 | (3,668,478 | ) | 32,684,920 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund | 107,710,687 | 35,154,778 | (3,832,802 | ) | 41,345 | 4,091,662 | 143,165,670 | 2,027,679 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | 33,685,156 | 2,325,769 | (7,700,528 | ) | 2,204,374 | (1,116,259 | ) | 29,398,512 | 281,561 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | 53,011,675 | 7,397,370 | (6,432,153 | ) | 1,046,911 | (313,984 | ) | 54,709,819 | 807,287 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Class 2 | 12,215,936 | 952,308 | (672,660 | ) | (30,529 | ) | (660,525 | ) | 11,804,530 | 74,287 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund | — | 19,128,000 | (1,555,498 | ) | 116,785 | 2,195,032 | 19,884,319 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NFJ Dividend Value Portfolio | 20,519,827 | 1,096,910 | (2,598,603 | ) | 588,806 | 216,767 | 19,823,707 | 396,614 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Global Advantage Strategy Bond Portfolio | 35,431,823 | 1,126,591 | (24,396,369 | ) | (22,471 | ) | 178,940 | 12,318,514 | 368,160 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT High Yield Portfolio | 37,242,198 | 2,318,531 | (153,643 | ) | (2,610 | ) | (792,532 | ) | 38,611,944 | 2,041,431 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Low Duration Portfolio | 60,669,474 | 17,004,766 | (395,044 | ) | (5,847 | ) | (281,378 | ) | 76,991,971 | 830,251 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Real Return Portfolio | 60,373,633 | 1,033,895 | (12,152,704 | ) | (1,296,073 | ) | 2,466,414 | 50,425,165 | 745,544 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Total Return Portfolio | 235,341,567 | 24,924,072 | (122,704,051 | ) | 606,121 | 4,675,453 | 142,843,162 | 4,698,047 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Unconstrained Bond Portfolio | 48,043,051 | 3,089,204 | (52,143,681 | ) | 2,064,624 | (1,053,198 | ) | — | 446,016 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 1,218,306,106 | $ | 286,497,311 | $ | (304,960,708 | ) | $ | 25,604,012 | $ | (8,304,734 | ) | $ | 1,217,141,987 | $ | 17,389,932 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
10
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $15,479 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Company | $ | 1,217,141,987 | $ | — | $ | 1,217,141,987 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Company | 40,001,049 | — | 40,001,049 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investment Securities | 1,257,143,036 | — | 1,257,143,036 | ||||||||||||
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Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 681,148 | — | 681,148 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investments | $ | 1,257,824,184 | $ | — | $ | 1,257,824,184 | |||||||||
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* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund | $ | 286,497,311 | $ | 304,960,708 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
11
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $1,064,676,067. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 209,000,897 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (16,533,928 | ) | ||
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Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 192,466,969 | ||
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During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $923,166 in capital loss carry forwards to offset capital gains.
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund | $ | 17,586,673 | $ | — | $ | 17,586,673 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund | $ | 20,989,730 | $ | — | $ | 20,989,730 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ | Total Accumulated Earnings/ | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund | $ | 18,065,900 | $ | 47,784,762 | $ | — | $ | 192,466,969 | $ | 258,317,631 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Acquisition of Funds
On April 26, 2013, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of the AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund, an open-end investment company, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund shareholders on April 24, 2013. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two funds managed by the Manager with comparable investment objectives and strategies. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 13,582,062 shares of the Fund, valued at $163,914,260, for 14,487,093 shares of the AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund outstanding on April 26, 2013.
The investment portfolio of the AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund, with a fair value of $155,679,588 and identified cost of $145,773,551 at April 26, 2013, was the principal asset acquired by the Fund. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund’s realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes. Immediately prior to the merger, the net assets of the Fund were $1,049,479,786. All fees and expenses incurred by the AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund and the Fund directly in connection with the plan of reorganization were borne by the Funds.
Assuming the acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2013, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund’s pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013, are as follows:
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 15,146,714 | ||
Net realized/unrealized gains/losses) | 116,999,565 | |||
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Change in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 132,1496,279 | ||
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Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund that have been included in the Fund’s statement of operations since April 26, 2013.
12
AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
9. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
13
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP Fusion Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
14
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 26.01% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
15
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
16
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
17
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
18
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
19
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
20
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL MVP FusionSM Conservative Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 13
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 14
Other Information
Page 15
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 18
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL MVP FusionSM Conservative Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as Manager for the AZL MVP FusionSM Conservative Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL MVP FusionSM Conservative Fund returned 4.81%. That compared to an 8.63% total return for its benchmark, the Conservative Composite Index, which is comprised of a 35% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 65% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL MVP FusionSM Conservative Fund is a fund of funds that achieves broad diversification by investing in underlying funds. It was invested in 27 funds at year-end. The Conservative Fund typically holds between 25% and 45% of its assets in equity funds and 55% to 75% of its assets in fixed income funds. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process, which is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.*
The U.S. equity market produced positive returns during the period, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 13.69%. Economic activity recovered after facing a contraction at the start of the year as extreme weather conditions across much of the U.S. created a challenging economic environment. Several economic indicators showed positive direction for most of the year. The U.S. employment situation improved, consumer confidence rose higher, the manufacturing sector rebounded, inflation remained below its long-term trend and the housing sector steadily improved. Consumers also benefited from the significant drop in oil prices that occurred toward the end of the year. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) exited its quantitative easing program by slowly reducing its bond purchases throughout the year, and concluded the program by making the final $15 billion purchase in October. Despite the continued economic gains, the Fed remained committed to keeping short-term interest rates anchored near zero until the economy could show further improvement.
Developed international equity markets lagged, with the MSCI EAFE Index declining 4.90% during the period. A continued weakness in Europe in addition to the contraction in Japan’s gross domestic product3 signaled further divergence between the U.S. and other major developed economies in 2014. Attempts to stimulate growth in Europe and Japan were met with varying degrees of success. One outcome from these stimulative efforts has been continued strength in the U.S. dollar. This currency impact has created an additional headwind for international returns.
Fixed income markets benefited from a decline in long-term interest rates during the last 12 months with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropping 87 basis points (0.87%) during this period. Bond prices increase when interest rates decrease. Against this backdrop, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 5.97%. Other segments of fixed income markets lagged during the year. Treasury
inflation-protected securities (TIPS) trailed during the year. High-yield bonds also faced lower returns as lower oil prices put pressure on leveraged companies in the energy sector and investors’ sensitivity to lower rated credit exposure increased. Global bonds experienced relative weakness during the period as well.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark in 2014 due to exposure to a broad range of asset classes that underperformed the composite benchmark, along with underperformance from a select group of underlying funds. Relative performance was hurt by the Fund’s allocation to small- and mid-cap stocks and international equities. Among the Fund’s fixed income holdings, exposure to TIPS, high-yield and global bonds also dragged on relative results. The Fund’s relative performance was also hampered by a select number of underlying funds that lagged their stated benchmark. A select group of underlying funds within small cap international equity and high-yield bonds beat their stated benchmark, positively contributing to relative performance.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL MVP FusionSM Conservative Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation with preservation of capital as an important consideration. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of Permitted Underlying Funds that represent different classes in the Fund’s asset allocation.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in underlying funds, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of those underlying funds. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by each of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception (10/23/09) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP FusionSM Conservative Fund | 4.81 | % | 7.98 | % | 7.05 | % | 7.15 | % | ||||||||
Conservative Composite Index | 8.63 | % | 8.74 | % | 8.52 | % | 8.50 | % | ||||||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 20.41 | % | 15.45 | % | 15.67 | % | ||||||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.66 | % | 4.45 | % | 4.33 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL MVP FusionSM Conservative Fund | 1.03 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.35% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the Permitted Underlying Funds. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.24%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Conservative Composite Index”), which is comprised of 35% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 65% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,006.30 | $ | 1.21 | 0.24 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.00 | $ | 1.22 | 0.24 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Fixed Income | 61.5 | % | |||
Domestic Equities | 24.2 | ||||
International Equities | 9.0 | ||||
Money Market | 2.6 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment Securities | 97.3 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 2.7 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
|
|
3
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies (94.7%): |
| ||||||
146,453 | AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 2,728,425 | |||||
178,425 | AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund | 2,703,135 | ||||||
183,216 | AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund | 4,065,573 | ||||||
343,443 | AZL Gateway Fund | 4,076,672 | ||||||
349,857 | AZL International Index Fund | 5,345,818 | ||||||
411,989 | AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund | 6,740,134 | ||||||
295,275 | AZL Invesco International Equity Fund | 5,430,116 | ||||||
312,549 | AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund | 5,341,461 | ||||||
490,829 | AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund | 8,088,866 | ||||||
3,747,727 | AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund | 37,739,616 | ||||||
118,761 | AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund | 2,725,571 | ||||||
216,915 | AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund | 2,722,282 | ||||||
620,609 | AZL MFS Value Fund | 8,086,530 | ||||||
115,919 | AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 2,722,937 | ||||||
244,057 | AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund | 2,711,474 | ||||||
160,289 | AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund | 2,715,303 | ||||||
376,221 | AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund | 5,421,347 | ||||||
3,725,695 | AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund | 37,778,544 | ||||||
178,609 | AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | 3,056,008 | ||||||
567,236 | AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | 8,406,436 |
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies, continued |
| ||||||
241,571 | AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund | $ | 2,722,503 | |||||
295,599 | NFJ Dividend Value Portfolio | 4,064,492 | ||||||
282,510 | PIMCO PVIT Global Advantage Strategy Bond Portfolio | 2,661,241 | ||||||
1,728,945 | PIMCO PVIT High Yield Portfolio | 13,675,957 | ||||||
2,298,365 | PIMCO PVIT Low Duration Portfolio | 24,316,703 | ||||||
1,045,756 | PIMCO PVIT Real Return Portfolio | 13,396,134 | ||||||
3,371,455 | PIMCO PVIT Total Return Portfolio | 37,760,300 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Affiliated Investment Companies | 257,203,578 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Unaffiliated Investment Company (2.6%): | |||||||
7,000,184 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | 7,000,184 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $7,000,184) | 7,000,184 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Investment Securities (Cost $241,405,304)(b) — 97.3% | 264,203,762 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 2.7% | 7,239,662 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 271,443,424 | |||||
|
|
Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $6,563,539 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 69 | $ | 8,748,984 | $ | 47,763 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 45 | 4,617,900 | 74,479 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 122,242 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 7,000,184 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 234,405,120 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 241,405,304 | |||
|
| ||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 7,000,184 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 257,203,578 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment securities, at value | 264,203,762 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 6,563,539 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 394,561 | ||||
Receivable for capital shares issued | 780,703 | ||||
Receivable for investments sold | 58,539 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 15,094 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 2,308 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Assets | 272,018,506 | ||||
|
| ||||
Liabilities: | |||||
Cash overdraft | 74,326 | ||||
Payable for affiliated investments purchased | 381,775 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 5,431 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 54,675 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 46,027 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 3,679 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 494 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 762 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 15 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 7,898 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Liabilities | 575,082 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 271,443,424 | |||
|
| ||||
Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 237,131,203 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 3,752,329 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 7,639,192 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 22,920,700 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 271,443,424 | |||
|
| ||||
Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 21,483,583 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 12.63 | |||
|
|
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 4,022,789 | |||
Dividends | 207 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment Income | 4,022,996 | ||||
|
| ||||
Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 540,831 | ||||
Administration fees | 52,440 | ||||
Custodian fees | 2,218 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 3,674 | ||||
Trustee fees | 14,318 | ||||
Professional fees | 11,842 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 7,711 | ||||
Other expenses | 5,184 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total expenses | 638,218 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 3,384,778 | ||||
|
| ||||
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 4,994,111 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 3,145,842 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 1,000,784 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 263,260 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 9,403,997 | ||||
|
| ||||
Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 12,788,775 | |||
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 3,384,778 | $ | 3,335,241 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 9,140,737 | 6,941,188 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 263,260 | 9,649,110 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | 12,788,775 | 19,925,539 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (4,025,698 | ) | (5,617,234 | ) | ||||||
From net realized gains | (6,534,825 | ) | (2,647,800 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (10,560,523 | ) | (8,265,034 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 40,295,850 | 40,121,835 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 10,560,523 | 8,265,034 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (46,873,345 | ) | (48,139,776 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 3,983,028 | 247,093 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in net assets | 6,211,280 | 11,907,598 | ||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 265,232,144 | 253,324,546 | ||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
End of period | $ | 271,443,424 | $ | 265,232,144 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 3,752,329 | $ | 4,025,691 | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 3,167,571 | 3,248,870 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 844,166 | 687,035 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (3,694,660 | ) | (3,895,518 | ) | ||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||
Change in shares | 317,077 | 40,387 | ||||||||
|
|
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 12.53 | $ | 11.99 | $ | 11.05 | $ | 11.18 | $ | 10.08 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.16 | 0.16 | 0.14 | 0.04 | 0.13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.44 | 0.78 | 1.10 | 0.03 | 0.97 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Total from Investment Activities | 0.60 | 0.94 | 1.24 | 0.07 | 1.10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.19 | ) | (0.27 | ) | (0.20 | ) | (0.17 | ) | — | (a) | |||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains | (0.31 | ) | (0.13 | ) | (0.10 | ) | (0.03 | ) | — | (a) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Total Dividends | (0.50 | ) | (0.40 | ) | (0.30 | ) | (0.20 | ) | — | (a) | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 12.63 | $ | 12.53 | $ | 11.99 | $ | 11.05 | $ | 11.18 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
Total Return(b) | 4.81 | % | 7.96 | % | 11.27 | % | 0.64 | % | 10.96 | % | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 271,443 | $ | 265,232 | $ | 253,325 | $ | 188,191 | $ | 89,707 | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 1.25 | % | 1.29 | % | 1.65 | % | 2.12 | % | 2.04 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(c) | 0.24 | % | 0.24 | % | 0.25 | % | 0.28 | % | 0.34 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions* | 0.24 | % | 0.22 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.26 | % | |||||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d) | 36 | % | 15 | % | 36 | % | 19 | % | 34 | % |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | Represents less than $0.005. |
(b) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(c) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
(d) | The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, and reclassification of certain distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in
8
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $13.4 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $13.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 74,479 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Rate Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 47,763 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 697,654 | $ | (91,681 | ) | ||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 303,130 | 208,103 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund | 0.20 | % | 0.35 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
9
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 5,460,034 | $ | 894,898 | $ | (3,467,113 | ) | $ | 1,027,186 | $ | (1,186,580 | ) | $ | 2,728,425 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund | 2,731,509 | 495,749 | (612,329 | ) | 172,547 | (84,341 | ) | 2,703,135 | 4,316 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Federated Clover Small Cap Value Fund | 4,081,135 | 1,284,680 | (1,091,238 | ) | 88,876 | (297,880 | ) | 4,065,573 | 34,435 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Gateway Fund | 3,999,600 | 294,070 | (293,325 | ) | 16,722 | 59,605 | 4,076,672 | 48,481 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL International Index Fund | 5,503,873 | 1,150,292 | (886,230 | ) | 138,216 | (560,333 | ) | 5,345,818 | 96,910 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund | 6,755,153 | 1,658,497 | (2,085,441 | ) | 471,717 | (59,792 | ) | 6,740,134 | 67,544 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco International Equity Fund | 5,487,378 | 1,044,882 | (1,053,048 | ) | 162,512 | (211,608 | ) | 5,430,116 | 81,218 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund | 5,483,456 | 1,323,853 | (1,003,673 | ) | 74,958 | (537,133 | ) | 5,341,461 | 74,922 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund | 8,134,528 | 1,721,491 | (2,848,395 | ) | 836,237 | 245,005 | 8,088,866 | 60,625 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund | — | 37,812,340 | (336,443 | ) | 1,369 | 262,350 | 37,739,616 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund | 2,734,188 | 312,212 | (531,552 | ) | 133,060 | 77,663 | 2,725,571 | 19,776 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund | 2,738,800 | 356,582 | (536,901 | ) | 141,594 | 22,207 | 2,722,282 | 9,187 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Value Fund | 8,134,708 | 1,607,337 | (2,385,076 | ) | 604,029 | 125,532 | 8,086,530 | 112,643 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 2,719,390 | 441,749 | (577,545 | ) | 130,767 | 8,576 | 2,722,937 | 17,947 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund | 2,703,207 | 133,201 | (452,869 | ) | 31,666 | 296,269 | 2,711,474 | 25,912 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund | 2,745,430 | 981,099 | (819,097 | ) | 182,803 | (374,932 | ) | 2,715,303 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund | 5,440,628 | 2,655,850 | (2,293,846 | ) | 511,090 | (892,375 | ) | 5,421,347 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund | 29,981,879 | 10,267,893 | (3,624,219 | ) | 20,377 | 1,132,614 | 37,778,544 | 592,473 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | 3,068,982 | 517,376 | (649,485 | ) | 149,208 | (30,073 | ) | 3,056,008 | 29,573 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | 8,429,028 | 2,353,489 | (2,525,833 | ) | 368,103 | (218,351 | ) | 8,406,436 | 124,910 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund | — | 2,758,810 | (367,351 | ) | 24,249 | 306,795 | 2,722,503 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NFJ Dividend Value Portfolio | 4,070,935 | 827,383 | (1,011,958 | ) | 212,366 | (34,234 | ) | 4,064,492 | 82,459 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Global Advantage Strategy Bond Portfolio | 7,848,405 | 467,030 | (5,689,626 | ) | (30,460 | ) | 65,892 | 2,661,241 | 78,833 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT High Yield Portfolio | 10,592,161 | 4,559,252 | (1,163,218 | ) | 8,701 | (320,939 | ) | 13,675,957 | 674,971 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Low Duration Portfolio | 21,066,176 | 5,337,892 | (2,000,566 | ) | (21,837 | ) | (64,962 | ) | 24,316,703 | 268,033 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Real Return Portfolio | 18,354,376 | 1,410,780 | (6,738,791 | ) | (815,296 | ) | 1,185,065 | 13,396,134 | 197,585 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Total Return Portfolio | 62,046,456 | 8,345,600 | (33,949,059 | ) | (180,769 | ) | 1,498,072 | 37,760,300 | 1,201,918 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Unconstrained Bond Portfolio | 13,105,142 | 1,254,963 | (14,628,950 | ) | 534,120 | (265,275 | ) | — | 118,118 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 253,416,557 | $ | 92,269,250 | $ | (93,623,177 | ) | $ | 4,994,111 | $ | 146,837 | $ | 257,203,578 | $ | 4,022,789 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $3,246 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
10
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Companies | $ | 257,203,578 | $ | — | $ | 257,203,578 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Company | 7,000,184 | — | 7,000,184 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investment Securities | 264,203,762 | — | 264,203,762 | ||||||||||||
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Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 122,242 | — | 122,242 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investments | $ | 264,326,004 | $ | — | $ | 264,326,004 | |||||||||
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* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund | $ | 92,269,250 | $ | 93,623,177 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
11
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $242,837,378. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 23,783,524 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (2,417,140 | ) | ||
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Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 21,366,384 | ||
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The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund | $ | 4,342,171 | $ | 6,218,352 | $ | 10,560,523 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund | $ | 5,683,665 | $ | 2,581,369 | $ | 8,265,034 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund | $ | 4,227,032 | $ | 8,718,805 | $ | — | $ | 21,366,384 | $ | 34,312,221 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
12
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP Fusion Conservative Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with brokers and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
13
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 17.50% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $6,218,352.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $316,474.
14
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
15
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
16
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
17
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
18
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
19
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL MVP FusionSM Growth Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 13
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 14
Other Information
Page 15
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 18
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL MVP FusionSM Growth Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL MVP FusionSM Growth Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL MVP FusionSM Growth Fund returned 4.36%. That compared to a 12.12% total return for its benchmark, the Growth Composite Index, which is comprised of an 80% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 20% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund is a fund of funds that achieves broad diversification by investing in underlying funds. It was invested in 29 funds at year-end. The Growth Fund typically holds between 70% and 90% of its assets in equity funds and 10% to 30% of its assets in fixed income funds. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process, which is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.
The U.S. equity market produced positive returns during the period, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 13.69%. Economic activity recovered after facing a contraction at the start of the year as extreme weather conditions across much of the U.S. created a challenging economic environment. Several economic indicators showed positive direction for most of the year. The U.S. employment situation improved, consumer confidence rose higher, the manufacturing sector rebounded, inflation remained below its long-term trend and the housing sector steadily improved. Consumers also benefited from the significant drop in oil prices that occurred toward the end of the year. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) exited its quantitative easing program by slowly reducing its bond purchases throughout the year, and concluded the program by making the final $15 billion purchase in October. Despite the continued economic gains, the Fed remained committed to keeping short-term interest rates anchored near zero until the economy could show further improvement.
Developed international equity markets lagged, with the MSCI EAFE Index declining 4.90% during the period. A continued weakness in Europe in addition to the contraction in Japan’s gross domestic product3 signaled further divergence between the U.S. and other major developed economies in 2014. Attempts to stimulate growth in Europe and Japan were met with varying degrees of success. One outcome from these stimulative efforts has been continued strength in the U.S. dollar. This currency impact has created an additional headwind for international returns. Emerging markets also faced challenges in 2014, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index declining 2.19% during this period. Concerns about growth in China and the strength of the U.S. dollar weighed on the outlook for emerging countries in 2014.
Fixed income markets benefited from a decline in long-term interest rates during the last 12 months with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropping 87 basis points (0.87%) during this period. Bond prices increase when interest rates decrease. Against this backdrop, the Barclays Capital U.S.
Aggregate Bond Index gained 5.97%. Other segments of fixed income markets lagged during the year. Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS) trailed during the year. High-yield bonds also faced lower returns as lower oil prices put pressure on leveraged companies in the energy sector and investors’ sensitivity to lower rated credit exposure increased. Global bonds experienced relative weakness during the period as well.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark in 2014 due to exposure to a broad range of asset classes that underperformed the composite benchmark, along with underperformance from a select group of underlying funds. Relative performance was hurt from the Fund’s allocation to small- and mid-cap stocks, international equities and emerging market equities. In the Fund’s fixed income holdings, exposure to TIPS, high-yield and global bonds dragged on relative returns. The Fund’s relative performance was also hampered by a select number of underlying funds that lagged their stated benchmark. A select group of underlying funds within small cap, international equity and high-yield bonds beat their stated benchmark, positively contributing to relative performance.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fxed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL MVP FusionSM Growth Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of Permitted Underlying Funds that represent different classes in the Fund’s asset allocation.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in underlying funds, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of those underlying funds. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by each of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception (4/29/05) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP FusionSM Growth Fund | 4.36 | % | 12.08 | % | 8.73 | % | 5.19 | % | ||||||||
Growth Composite Index | 12.12 | % | 16.77 | % | 13.42 | % | 7.94 | % | ||||||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 20.41 | % | 15.45 | % | 8.40 | % | ||||||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.66 | % | 4.45 | % | 4.78 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL MVP FusionSM Growth Fund | 1.16 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.30% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the Permitted Underlying Funds. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.22%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index the (“Growth Composite Index”), which is comprised of 80% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 20% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 994.90 | $ | 1.11 | 0.22 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.10 | $ | 1.12 | 0.22 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Domestic Equities | 44.9 | % | |||
International Equities | 31.8 | ||||
Fixed Income | 18.4 | ||||
Money Market | 3.8 | ||||
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Total Investment Securities | 98.9 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 1.1 | ||||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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3
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies (95.1%): | |||||||
1,422,484 | AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 26,500,875 | |||||
1,742,135 | AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund | 26,393,340 | ||||||
1,196,454 | AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund | 26,549,309 | ||||||
2,177,722 | AZL Gateway Fund | 25,849,557 | ||||||
3,252,801 | AZL International Index Fund | 49,702,805 | ||||||
1,614,306 | AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund | 26,410,038 | ||||||
3,271,595 | AZL Invesco International Equity Fund | 60,164,639 | ||||||
3,943,547 | AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund | 67,395,226 | ||||||
3,172,449 | AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund | 52,281,965 | ||||||
3,351,000 | AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund | 33,744,568 | ||||||
776,091 | AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund | 17,811,292 | ||||||
1,428,141 | AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund | 17,923,175 | ||||||
2,685,082 | AZL MFS Value Fund | 34,986,619 | ||||||
386,782 | AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 9,085,516 | ||||||
2,349,057 | AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund | 26,098,025 | ||||||
1,051,223 | AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund | 17,807,714 | ||||||
2,872,242 | AZL NFJ International Value Fund | 33,059,509 | ||||||
1,838,780 | AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund | 26,496,826 | ||||||
3,315,402 | AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund | 33,618,179 | ||||||
1,293,804 | AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | 22,136,992 |
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies, continued | |||||||
2,653,531 | AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | $ | 39,325,334 | |||||
1,645,730 | AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Class 2 | 12,079,658 | ||||||
1,970,628 | AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund | 22,208,980 | ||||||
1,296,723 | NFJ Dividend Value Portfolio | 17,829,946 | ||||||
2,593,357 | PIMCO PVIT Global Advantage Strategy Bond Portfolio | 24,429,424 | ||||||
1,087,966 | PIMCO PVIT High Yield Portfolio | 8,605,808 | ||||||
811,704 | PIMCO PVIT Low Duration Portfolio | 8,587,823 | ||||||
1,282,451 | PIMCO PVIT Real Return Portfolio | 16,428,197 | ||||||
3,018,989 | PIMCO PVIT Total Return Portfolio | 33,812,676 | ||||||
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| Total Affiliated Investment Companies (Cost $613,439,194) | 817,324,015 | ||||||
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| Unaffiliated Investment Company (3.8%): | |||||||
33,000,865 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | 33,000,865 | ||||||
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| Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $33,000,865) | 33,000,865 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities (Cost $646,440,059)(b) — 98.9% | $ | 850,324,880 | |||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 1.1% | 9,448,493 | ||||||
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| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 859,773,373 | |||||
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Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $10,291,878 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 68 | $ | 8,622,188 | $ | 46,358 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 333 | 34,172,460 | 553,443 | |||||||||||||||
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Total | $ | 599,801 | ||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 33,000,865 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 613,439,194 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 646,440,059 | |||
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Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 33,000,865 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 817,324,015 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at value | 850,324,880 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 10,291,878 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 356,258 | ||||
Receivable for investments sold | 98,371 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 16,128 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 7,347 | ||||
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Total Assets | 861,094,862 | ||||
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Liabilities: | |||||
Cash overdraft | 149,516 | ||||
Payable for affiliated investments purchased | 344,720 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 240,793 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 406,014 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 146,978 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 3,866 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 448 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 2,465 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 49 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 26,640 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Liabilities | 1,321,489 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 859,773,373 | |||
|
| ||||
Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 790,660,475 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 9,834,469 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | (145,206,193 | ) | |||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 204,484,622 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 859,773,373 | |||
|
| ||||
Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 66,877,829 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 12.86 | |||
|
|
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 10,050,305 | |||
Dividends | 975 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment Income | 10,051,280 | ||||
|
| ||||
Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 1,797,662 | ||||
Administration fees | 56,907 | ||||
Custodian fees | 2,023 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 12,295 | ||||
Trustee fees | 47,896 | ||||
Professional fees | 38,858 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 25,653 | ||||
Other expenses | 19,238 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total expenses | 2,000,532 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 8,050,748 | ||||
|
| ||||
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 37,626,206 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 20,327,375 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 5,534,082 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (33,339,195 | ) | |||
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| ||||
Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 30,148,468 | ||||
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| ||||
Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 38,199,216 | |||
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|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 8,050,748 | $ | 9,805,613 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 63,487,663 | 27,772,737 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (33,339,195 | ) | 114,059,163 | |||||||
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| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | 38,199,216 | 151,637,513 | ||||||||
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| |||||||
Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (11,282,347 | ) | (11,573,333 | ) | ||||||
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| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (11,282,347 | ) | (11,573,333 | ) | ||||||
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| |||||||
Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 17,404,243 | 65,079,007 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 11,282,347 | 11,573,333 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (124,883,787 | ) | (112,784,551 | ) | ||||||
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| |||||||
Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | (96,197,197 | ) | (36,132,211 | ) | ||||||
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| |||||||
Change in net assets | (69,280,328 | ) | 103,931,969 | |||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 929,053,701 | 825,121,732 | ||||||||
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| |||||||
End of period | $ | 859,773,373 | $ | 929,053,701 | ||||||
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| |||||||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 9,834,469 | $ | 11,282,288 | ||||||
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| |||||||
Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 1,375,970 | 5,600,116 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 878,004 | 995,127 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (9,880,723 | ) | (9,837,483 | ) | ||||||
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| |||||||
Change in shares | (7,626,749 | ) | (3,242,240 | ) | ||||||
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|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 12.47 | $ | 10.61 | $ | 9.51 | $ | 10.15 | $ | 9.15 | |||||||||||||||
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Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.13 | 0.14 | 0.12 | 0.16 | 0.12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.42 | 1.88 | 1.14 | (0.61 | ) | 1.05 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Total from Investment Activities | 0.55 | 2.02 | 1.26 | (0.45 | ) | 1.17 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.16 | ) | (0.16 | ) | (0.16 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.17 | ) | |||||||||||||||
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Total Dividends | (0.16 | ) | (0.16 | ) | (0.16 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.17 | ) | |||||||||||||||
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Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 12.86 | $ | 12.47 | $ | 10.61 | $ | 9.51 | $ | 10.15 | |||||||||||||||
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Total Return(a) | 4.36 | % | 19.10 | % | 13.29 | % | (4.43 | )% | 12.90 | % | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 859,773 | $ | 929,054 | $ | 825,122 | $ | 727,185 | $ | 864,986 | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.90 | % | 1.12 | % | 1.16 | % | 1.32 | % | 1.16 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(b) | 0.22 | % | 0.22 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.24 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions* | 0.22 | % | 0.21 | % | 0.18 | % | 0.18 | % | 0.19 | % | |||||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c) | 15 | % | 8 | % | 25 | % | 24 | % | 48 | % |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(b) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
(c) | The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, and reclassification of certain distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
8
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $42.8 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $44.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 553,443 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 46,358 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 5,211,343 | $ | (776,316 | ) | ||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 322,739 | 212,877 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | 0.20 | % | 0.30 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
9
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 37,570,443 | $ | 2,720,987 | $ | (13,020,128 | ) | $ | 6,519,010 | $ | (7,289,437 | ) | $ | 26,500,875 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund | 28,245,459 | 2,085,036 | (4,722,448 | ) | 1,366,690 | (581,397 | ) | 26,393,340 | 42,367 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Federated Clover Small Cap Value Fund | 23,439,393 | 7,791,525 | (3,186,294 | ) | 524,420 | (2,019,735 | ) | 26,549,309 | 225,362 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Gateway Fund | 27,458,157 | 359,370 | (2,449,342 | ) | 89,396 | 391,976 | 25,849,557 | 316,770 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL International Index Fund | 56,254,746 | 950,751 | (3,303,669 | ) | 625,218 | (4,824,241 | ) | 49,702,805 | 943,767 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund | 32,791,050 | 1,119,529 | (9,052,315 | ) | 2,482,533 | (930,759 | ) | 26,410,038 | 265,699 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco International Equity Fund | 65,853,897 | 984,248 | (6,017,426 | ) | 1,524,870 | (2,180,950 | ) | 60,164,639 | 927,151 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund | 75,163,553 | 2,021,184 | (3,512,212 | ) | 291,277 | (6,568,576 | ) | 67,395,226 | 964,327 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund | 56,205,001 | 644,822 | (11,401,827 | ) | 5,970,064 | 863,905 | 52,281,965 | 396,253 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund | — | 33,585,025 | (75,412 | ) | 385 | 234,570 | 33,744,568 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund | 28,302,339 | 492,124 | (12,337,424 | ) | 6,656,844 | (5,302,591 | ) | 17,811,292 | 129,626 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund | 18,837,111 | 814,065 | (2,806,369 | ) | 1,100,835 | (22,467 | ) | 17,923,175 | 60,245 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Value Fund | 37,631,044 | 552,219 | (6,233,252 | ) | 2,151,441 | 885,167 | 34,986,619 | 490,517 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 9,410,972 | 374,379 | (1,128,422 | ) | 386,259 | 42,328 | 9,085,516 | 59,482 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund | 27,241,027 | 314,432 | (4,713,629 | ) | 569,878 | 2,686,317 | 26,098,025 | 252,292 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund | 18,871,314 | 3,583,835 | (3,270,074 | ) | 855,722 | (2,233,083 | ) | 17,807,714 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL NFJ International Value Fund | 36,878,350 | 2,764,148 | (2,796,576 | ) | (128,723 | ) | (3,657,690 | ) | 33,059,509 | 664,368 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund | 28,101,647 | 5,304,519 | (4,717,279 | ) | 917,855 | (3,109,916 | ) | 26,496,826 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund | 31,587,327 | 6,103,371 | (5,241,663 | ) | 51,122 | 1,118,022 | 33,618,179 | 499,213 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | 23,500,673 | 1,784,146 | (3,974,625 | ) | 947,695 | (120,897 | ) | 22,136,992 | 215,265 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | 42,073,933 | 4,238,134 | (7,603,795 | ) | 1,414,290 | (797,228 | ) | 39,325,334 | 588,411 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund | 13,400,361 | 792,273 | (1,422,138 | ) | 118,186 | (809,024 | ) | 12,079,658 | 76,019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund | — | 22,353,210 | (2,802,401 | ) | 174,339 | 2,483,832 | 22,208,980 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NFJ Dividend Value Portfolio | 23,369,218 | 1,091,856 | (7,457,032 | ) | 1,685,454 | (859,550 | ) | 17,829,946 | 368,805 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Global Advantage Strategy Bond Portfolio | 26,987,246 | 1,371,148 | (3,113,236 | ) | (81,828 | ) | (733,906 | ) | 24,429,424 | 515,089 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT High Yield Portfolio | 9,154,463 | 507,160 | (875,445 | ) | 5,049 | (185,419 | ) | 8,605,808 | 476,460 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Low Duration Portfolio | — | 9,144,469 | (496,367 | ) | (1,460 | ) | (58,819 | ) | 8,587,823 | 75,069 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Real Return Portfolio | 26,945,803 | 950,018 | (12,073,888 | ) | (234,992 | ) | 841,256 | 16,428,197 | 266,707 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Total Return Portfolio | 59,461,343 | 4,348,590 | (31,157,394 | ) | 859,279 | 300,858 | 33,812,676 | 1,015,448 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Unconstrained Bond Portfolio | 18,013,828 | 9,723,106 | (28,183,730 | ) | 785,098 | (338,302 | ) | — | 215,593 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | 882,749,698 | $ | 128,869,679 | $ | (199,145,812 | ) | $ | 37,626,206 | $ | (32,775,756 | ) | $ | 817,324,015 | $ | 10,050,305 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
10
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $10,850 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Companies | $ | 817,324,015 | $ | — | $ | 817,324,015 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Company | 33,000,865 | — | 33,000,865 | ||||||||||||
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| ||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 850,324,880 | — | 850,324,880 | ||||||||||||
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Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 599,801 | — | 599,801 | ||||||||||||
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| ||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 850,924,681 | $ | — | $ | 850,924,681 | |||||||||
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* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | $ | 128,869,679 | $ | 199,145,812 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
11
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $683,950,901. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 208,750,482 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (42,376,503 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 166,373,979 | ||
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As of the end of its tax year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund has capital loss carry forwards (“CLCFs”) as summarized in the tables below. CLCFs subject to expiration are applied as short-term capital loss regardless of whether the originating capital loss was short-term or long-term. CLCFs that are not subject to expiration must be utilized before those that are subject to expiration. The Board does not intend to authorize a distribution of any realized gain for the Fund until any applicable CLCF has been offset or expires.
CLCFs subject to expiration:
Expires 12/31/2017 | |||||
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | $ | 107,095,550 |
CLCFs not subject to expiration:
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $57,504,670 in CLCFs to offset capital gains.
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | $ | 11,282,347 | $ | — | $ | 11,282,347 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | $ | 11,573,333 | $ | — | $ | 11,573,333 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ | Total Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund | $ | 9,834,469 | $ | — | $ | (107,095,550 | ) | $ | 166,373,979 | $ | 69,112,898 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
12
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP Fusion Growth Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
13
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 35.81% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
14
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
15
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
16
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
17
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
18
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
19
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL MVP FusionSM Moderate Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 14
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 15
Other Information
Page 16
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 17
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 19
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL MVP FusionSM Moderate Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL MVP FusionSM Moderate Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance during the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL MVP FusionSM Moderate Fund returned 4.24%. That compared to a 10.95% total return for its benchmark, the Moderate Composite Index, which is comprised of a 65% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 35% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL MVP FusionSM Moderate Fund is a fund of funds that achieves broad diversification by investing in underlying funds. It was invested in 29 funds at year-end. The Moderate Fund typically holds between 55% and 75% of its assets in equity funds and 25% to 45% of its assets in fixed income funds. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process, which is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.*
The U.S. equity market produced positive returns during the period, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 13.69%. Economic activity recovered after facing a contraction at the start of the year as extreme weather conditions across much of the U.S. created a challenging economic environment. Several economic indicators showed positive direction for most of the year. The U.S. employment situation improved, consumer confidence rose higher, the manufacturing sector rebounded, inflation remained below its long-term trend and the housing sector steadily improved. Consumers also benefited from the significant drop in oil prices that occurred toward the end of the year. The U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) exited its quantitative easing program by slowly reducing its bond purchases throughout the year, and concluded the program by making the final $15 billion purchase in October. Despite the continued economic gains, the Fed remained committed to keeping short-term interest rates anchored near zero until the economy could show further improvement.
Developed international equity markets lagged, with the MSCI EAFE Index declining 4.90% during the period. A continued weakness in Europe in addition to the contraction in Japan’s gross domestic product3 signaled further divergence between the U.S. and other major developed economies in 2014. Attempts to stimulate growth in Europe and Japan were met with varying degrees of success. One outcome from these stimulative efforts has been continued strength in the U.S. dollar. This currency impact has created an additional headwind for international returns. Emerging markets also faced challenges in 2014, with the MSCI Emerging Markets Index declining 2.19% during this period. Concerns about growth in China and the strength of the U.S. dollar weighed on the outlook for emerging countries in 2014.
Fixed income markets benefited from a decline in long-term interest rates during the last 12 months with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropping 87 basis points (0.87%) during this period. Bond prices increase when interest rates decrease. Against this backdrop, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 5.97%. Other segments of fixed income markets lagged during the year. Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS) trailed during the year. High-yield bonds also faced lower returns as lower oil
prices put pressure on leveraged companies in the energy sector and investors’ sensitivity to lower rated credit exposure increased. Global bonds experienced relative weakness during the period as well.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark in 2014 due to exposure to a broad range of asset classes that underperformed the composite benchmark along with underperformance from a select group of underlying funds. Relative performance was hurt by the Fund’s allocation to small- and mid-cap stocks, international equities and emerging market equities. Among the Fund’s fixed income holdings, exposure to TIPS, high-yield and global bonds dragged on relative results.
The Fund’s relative performance was also hampered by a select number of underlying funds that lagged their stated benchmark. A select group of underlying funds within small cap, international equity and high-yield bonds beat their stated benchmarks, positively contributing to relative performance.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL MVP FusionSM Moderate Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of Permitted Underlying Funds that represent different classes in the Fund’s asset allocation.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in underlying funds, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of those underlying funds. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by each of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark, as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | �� | 3 Year | 5 Year | Since Inception (4/29/05) | ||||||||||||
AZL MVP FusionSM Moderate Fund | 4.24 | % | 10.55 | % | 7.96 | % | 5.26 | % | ||||||||
Moderate Composite Index | 10.95 | % | 14.07 | % | 11.83 | % | 7.51 | % | ||||||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 20.41 | % | 15.45 | % | 8.40 | % | ||||||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.66 | % | 4.45 | % | 4.78 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL MVP FusionSM Moderate Fund | 1.11 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.30% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the Permitted Underlying Funds. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.22%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index the (“Moderate Composite Index”), which is comprised of 65% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 35% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 996.80 | $ | 1.11 | 0.22 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.10 | $ | 1.12 | 0.22 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Domestic Equities | 37.6 | % | |||
Fixed Income | 32.9 | ||||
International Equities | 24.6 | ||||
Money Market | 3.5 | ||||
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Total Investment Securities | 98.6 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 1.4 | ||||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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3
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies (95.1%): |
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3,058,843 | AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 56,986,238 | |||||
3,737,506 | AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund | 56,623,219 | ||||||
2,534,773 | AZL Federated Clover Small Value Fund | 56,246,615 | ||||||
5,883,012 | AZL Gateway Fund | 69,831,357 | ||||||
8,365,396 | AZL International Index Fund | 127,823,253 | ||||||
5,131,539 | AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund | 83,951,971 | ||||||
7,914,597 | AZL Invesco International Equity Fund | 145,549,441 | ||||||
9,070,734 | AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund | 155,018,852 | ||||||
8,387,904 | AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund | 138,232,655 | ||||||
19,994,224 | AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund | 201,341,839 | ||||||
2,480,101 | AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund | 56,918,316 | ||||||
3,451,828 | AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund | 43,320,440 | ||||||
7,486,868 | AZL MFS Value Fund | 97,553,893 | ||||||
1,248,838 | AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 29,335,210 | ||||||
5,085,614 | AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund | 56,501,171 | ||||||
2,456,230 | AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund | 41,608,536 | ||||||
7,712,598 | AZL NFJ International Value Fund | 88,772,000 | ||||||
4,904,434 | AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund | 70,672,892 | ||||||
19,855,368 | AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund | 201,333,431 | ||||||
3,919,127 | AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | 67,056,266 | ||||||
7,252,243 | AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | 107,478,243 |
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies, continued |
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3,456,142 | AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Class 2 | $ | 25,368,083 | |||||
5,050,467 | AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund | 56,918,760 | ||||||
4,127,086 | NFJ Dividend Value Portfolio | 56,747,437 | ||||||
8,333,273 | PIMCO PVIT Global Advantage Strategy Bond Portfolio | 78,499,434 | ||||||
6,970,436 | PIMCO PVIT High Yield Portfolio | 55,136,145 | ||||||
7,784,929 | PIMCO PVIT Low Duration Portfolio | 82,364,548 | ||||||
6,286,760 | PIMCO PVIT Real Return Portfolio | 80,533,389 | ||||||
18,017,807 | PIMCO PVIT Total Return Portfolio | 201,799,438 | ||||||
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| Total Affiliated Investment Companies (Cost $2,095,111,324) | 2,589,523,072 | ||||||
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| Unaffiliated Investment Company (3.5%): | |||||||
96,002,517 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | 96,002,517 | ||||||
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| Total Unaffiliated Investment Company (Cost $96,002,517) | 96,002,517 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities | $ | 2,685,525,589 | |||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 1.4% | 38,885,959 | ||||||
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| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 2,724,411,548 | |||||
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Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $40,967,611 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 378 | $ | 47,929,219 | $ | 256,799 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 856 | 87,842,720 | 1,426,879 | |||||||||||||||
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Total | $ | 1,683,678 | ||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 96,002,517 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 2,095,111,324 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 2,191,113,841 | |||
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Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 96,002,517 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 2,589,523,072 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at value | 2,685,525,589 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 40,967,611 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 2,066,926 | ||||
Receivable for affiliated investments sold | 779,039 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 87,069 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 22,779 | ||||
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Total Assets | 2,729,449,013 | ||||
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Liabilities: | |||||
Cash overdraft | 953,640 | ||||
Payable for affiliated investments purchased | 1,998,403 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 491,624 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 1,044,327 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 464,292 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 3,704 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 461 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 7,254 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 145 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 73,615 | ||||
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Total Liabilities | 5,037,465 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 2,724,411,548 | |||
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Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 2,136,410,567 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 33,171,463 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 58,734,092 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 496,095,426 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 2,724,411,548 | |||
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Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 208,710,088 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 13.05 | |||
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Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 34,600,493 | |||
Dividends | 2,838 | ||||
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Total Investment Income | 34,603,331 | ||||
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Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 5,505,882 | ||||
Administration fees | 69,715 | ||||
Custodian fees | 2,291 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 37,460 | ||||
Trustee fees | 145,445 | ||||
Professional fees | 119,672 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 71,549 | ||||
Other expenses | 56,796 | ||||
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Total expenses | 6,008,810 | ||||
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Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 28,594,521 | ||||
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Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 57,100,965 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 50,283,378 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 14,755,578 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (35,669,080 | ) | |||
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Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 86,470,841 | ||||
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Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 115,065,362 | |||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 28,594,521 | $ | 29,736,844 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 122,139,921 | 41,394,331 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (35,669,080 | ) | 271,102,916 | |||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from operations | 115,065,362 | 342,234,091 | ||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (35,104,942 | ) | (36,803,773 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (35,104,942 | ) | (36,803,773 | ) | ||||||
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Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 58,591,865 | 148,369,871 | ||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued in merger | — | 316,567,026 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 35,104,942 | 36,803,773 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (202,433,238 | ) | (122,566,179 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | (108,736,431 | ) | 379,174,491 | |||||||
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Change in net assets | (28,776,011 | ) | 684,604,809 | |||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 2,753,187,559 | 2,068,582,750 | ||||||||
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End of period | $ | 2,724,411,548 | $ | 2,753,187,559 | ||||||
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Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 33,171,463 | $ | 35,104,890 | ||||||
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Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 4,555,478 | 12,332,796 | ||||||||
Shares issued in merger | — | 26,874,597 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 2,694,163 | 3,087,565 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (15,696,602 | ) | (10,402,400 | ) | ||||||
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Change in shares | (8,446,961 | ) | 31,892,558 | |||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 12.68 | $ | 11.17 | $ | 10.09 | $ | 10.58 | $ | 9.63 | |||||||||||||||
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Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.14 | 0.11 | 0.13 | 0.14 | 0.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.40 | 1.57 | 1.13 | (0.44 | ) | 1.07 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Total from Investment Activities | 0.54 | 1.68 | 1.26 | (0.30 | ) | 1.12 | |||||||||||||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.17 | ) | (0.17 | ) | (0.18 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.17 | ) | |||||||||||||||
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Total Dividends | (0.17 | ) | (0.17 | ) | (0.18 | ) | (0.19 | ) | (0.17 | ) | |||||||||||||||
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Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 13.05 | $ | 12.68 | $ | 11.17 | $ | 10.09 | $ | 10.58 | |||||||||||||||
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Total Return(a) | 4.24 | % | 15.17 | % | 12.53 | % | (2.84 | )% | 11.74 | % | |||||||||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 2,724,412 | $ | 2,753,188 | $ | 2,068,583 | $ | 1,808,566 | $ | 1,545,100 | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 1.04 | % | 1.22 | % | 1.34 | % | 1.63 | % | 1.47 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(b) | 0.22 | % | 0.22 | % | 0.23 | % | 0.22 | % | 0.24 | % | |||||||||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions* | 0.22 | % | 0.21 | % | 0.18 | % | 0.17 | % | 0.19 | % | |||||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c) | 20 | % | 5 | % | 23 | % | 19 | % | 32 | % |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(b) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
(c) | The portfolio turnover rate can be volatile due to the amount and timing of purchases and sales of fund shares during the period. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, and reclassification of certain distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in
8
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $135.8 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $137.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 1,426,879 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 256,799 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 13,034,145 | $ | (1,786,180 | ) | ||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 1,721,433 | 1,136,681 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund | 0.20 | % | 0.30 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
9
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL BlackRock Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 115,581,921 | $ | 5,642,914 | $ | (61,032,285 | ) | $ | 18,416,098 | $ | (21,622,410 | ) | $ | 56,986,238 | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||||
AZL Dreyfus Research Growth Fund | 59,676,396 | 2,976,592 | (7,652,286 | ) | 2,089,577 | (467,060 | ) | 56,623,219 | 87,892 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Federated Clover Small Cap Value Fund | 73,585,473 | 7,107,561 | (21,704,884 | ) | 4,621,578 | (7,363,113 | ) | 56,246,615 | 463,337 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Gateway Fund | 64,108,605 | 4,863,671 | (435,609 | ) | 17,685 | 1,277,005 | 69,831,357 | 819,330 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL International Index Fund | 138,577,462 | 3,830,745 | (3,857,221 | ) | 524,830 | (11,252,563 | ) | 127,823,253 | 2,400,837 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco Growth and Income Fund | 85,282,089 | 3,473,953 | (9,382,940 | ) | 2,286,968 | 2,291,901 | 83,951,971 | 824,477 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco International Equity Fund | 145,904,078 | 4,106,052 | (2,706,318 | ) | 445,981 | (2,200,352 | ) | 145,549,441 | 2,242,952 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL JPMorgan International Opportunities Fund | 165,794,478 | 6,774,715 | (3,204,284 | ) | 304,183 | (14,650,240 | ) | 155,018,852 | 2,215,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL JPMorgan U.S. Equity Fund | 142,763,569 | 1,022,793 | (23,143,849 | ) | 7,774,429 | 9,815,713 | 138,232,655 | 1,022,793 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MetWest Total Return Bond Fund | — | 201,116,856 | (1,182,412 | ) | 7,799 | 1,399,596 | 201,341,839 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Investors Trust Fund | 58,969,878 | 1,532,163 | (7,833,024 | ) | 2,096,518 | 2,152,781 | 56,918,316 | 403,574 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Mid Cap Value Fund | 44,831,986 | 1,912,691 | (5,944,331 | ) | 1,722,116 | 797,978 | 43,320,440 | 141,549 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MFS Value Fund | 100,843,193 | 1,332,974 | (12,897,354 | ) | 3,510,315 | 4,764,765 | 97,553,893 | 1,332,974 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 29,875,099 | 1,175,874 | (3,040,228 | ) | 715,466 | 608,999 | 29,335,210 | 186,824 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Morgan Stanley Global Real Estate Fund | 50,675,782 | 1,872,695 | (2,563,063 | ) | 232,027 | 6,283,730 | 56,501,171 | 524,750 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Morgan Stanley Mid Cap Growth Fund | 44,653,519 | 4,889,564 | (4,575,930 | ) | 1,067,824 | (4,426,441 | ) | 41,608,536 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL NFJ International Value Fund | 87,346,197 | 13,669,729 | (1,924,843 | ) | (229,030 | ) | (10,090,053 | ) | 88,772,000 | 1,797,213 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Oppenheimer Discovery Fund | 71,992,221 | 11,175,504 | (6,828,418 | ) | 1,436,552 | (7,102,967 | ) | 70,672,892 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Pyramis Core Bond Fund | 187,569,003 | 38,546,337 | (31,587,638 | ) | 173,866 | 6,631,863 | 201,333,431 | 2,713,804 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | 80,489,962 | 5,243,823 | (21,110,512 | ) | 6,044,560 | (3,611,567 | ) | 67,056,266 | 634,825 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | 99,150,050 | 17,498,970 | (10,514,671 | ) | 1,665,496 | (321,602 | ) | 107,478,243 | 1,574,967 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Schroder Emerging Markets Equity Fund | 24,776,480 | 3,298,336 | (1,246,726 | ) | 28,676 | (1,488,683 | ) | 25,368,083 | 159,644 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund | — | 53,036,546 | (2,413,732 | ) | 175,146 | 6,120,800 | 56,918,760 | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NFJ Dividend Value Portfolio | 57,493,173 | 3,120,767 | (6,137,973 | ) | 1,376,928 | 894,542 | 56,747,437 | 1,128,387 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Global Advantage Strategy Bond Portfolio | 76,358,466 | 5,216,182 | (239,271 | ) | (4,673 | ) | (2,831,270 | ) | 78,499,434 | 1,571,810 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT High Yield Portfolio | 51,103,132 | 5,194,632 | — | — | (1,161,619 | ) | 55,136,145 | 2,875,932 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Low Duration Portfolio | — | 82,932,199 | — | — | (567,651 | ) | 82,364,548 | 696,898 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Real Return Portfolio | 103,172,839 | 1,907,698 | (26,621,078 | ) | (2,529,251 | ) | 4,603,181 | 80,533,389 | 1,204,491 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Total Return Portfolio | 379,139,436 | 20,226,566 | (205,577,049 | ) | (44,534 | ) | 8,055,019 | 201,799,438 | 6,861,731 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
PIMCO PVIT Unconstrained Bond Portfolio | 76,580,653 | 5,280,046 | (83,474,671 | ) | 3,173,835 | (1,559,863 | ) | — | 713,858 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 2,616,295,140 | $ | 519,979,148 | $ | (568,832,600 | ) | $ | 57,100,965 | $ | (35,019,581 | ) | $ | 2,589,523,072 | $ | 34,600,493 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
10
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $33,009 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Companies | $ | 2,589,523,072 | $ | — | $ | 2,589,523,072 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Company | 96,002,517 | — | 96,002,517 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investment Securities | 2,685,525,589 | — | 2,685,525,589 | ||||||||||||
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Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 1,683,678 | — | 1,683,678 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investments | $ | 2,687,209,267 | $ | — | $ | 2,687,209,267 | |||||||||
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* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund | $ | 519,979,148 | $ | 568,832,600 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
11
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $2,230,202,919. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 507,308,671 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (51,986,001 | ) | ||
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Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 455,322,670 | ||
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During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund utilized $17,162,227 in capital loss carry forwards to offset capital gains.
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund | $ | 35,104,942 | $ | — | $ | 35,104,942 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund | $ | 36,803,773 | $ | — | $ | 36,803,773 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund | $ | 33,171,463 | $ | 99,506,848 | $ | — | $ | 455,322,670 | $ | 588,000,981 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Acquisition of Funds
On April 26, 2013, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, an open-end investment company, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund shareholders on April 24, 2013. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two funds managed by the Manager with comparable investment objectives and strategies. The acquisition was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of 26,874,897 shares of the Fund, valued at $316,567,026, for 27,547,105 shares of the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund outstanding on April 26, 2013.
The investment portfolio of the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, with a fair value of $300,786,728 and identified cost of $278,882,682 at April 26, 2013, was the principal asset acquired by the Fund. For financial reporting purposes, assets received and shares issued by the Fund were recorded at fair value; however, the cost basis of the investments received from the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund was carried forward to align ongoing reporting of the Fund’s realized and unrealized gains and losses with amounts distributable to shareholders for tax purposes. Immediately prior to the merger, the net assets of the Fund were $2,146,421,277. All fees and expenses incurred by the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund and the Fund directly in connection with the plan of reorganization were borne by the Funds.
12
AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Assuming the acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2013, the beginning of the annual reporting period of the Fund, the Fund’s pro forma results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2013, are as follows:
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 29,999,976 | ||
Net realized/unrealized gains/losses) | 327,641,283 | |||
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Change in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 357,641,259 | ||
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Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the acquisition was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund that have been included in the Fund’s statement of operations since April 26, 2013.
9. Ownership and Principal Holders
The beneficial ownership, either directly or indirectly, of more than 25% of the voting securities of a fund creates presumptions of control of the fund, under section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act. As of December 31, 2014, the Fund had a controlling interest (in excess of 50%) in the AZL International Index Fund, AZL NFJ International Fund, the AZL Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund, and the AZL Wells Fargo Large Cap Growth Fund, which are affiliated with the Investment Adviser.
10. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
13
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
14
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 29.41% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
15
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
16
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
17
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
18
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
19
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
20
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL® MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 13
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 14
Other Information
Page 15
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 18
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL® MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund returned 6.47%. That compared to a 11.73% total return for its benchmark, the Growth Composite Index, which is comprised of an 75% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 25% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL® MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund is a fund of funds that pursues broad diversification across four equity sub-portfolios and one fixed-income sub-portfolio. The four equity sub-portfolios pursue passive strategies that aim to achieve, before fees, returns similar to the S&P 500 Index, the S&P 400 Index3, the S&P 6004 Index, and the MSCI EAFE Index5, which represents shares of large companies in developed foreign markets. The fixed income sub-portfolio is an enhanced bond index strategy that seeks to achieve a return that exceeds the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. Generally, the Fund allocates 65% to 85% of its assets to the underlying equity index funds and between 15% and 35% to the underlying bond index fund. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process, which is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.*
The U.S. equity market produced positive returns during the period, with the S&P 500 Index gaining 13.69%. Economic activity recovered after facing a contraction at the start of the year as extreme weather conditions across much of the U.S. created a challenging economic environment. Several economic indicators showed positive direction for most of the year. The U.S. employment situation improved, consumer confidence rose higher, the manufacturing sector rebounded, inflation remained below its long-term trend and the housing sector steadily improved. Consumers also benefited from the significant drop in oil prices that occurred toward the end of the year. The Federal Reserve (the Fed) exited its quantitative easing program by slowly reducing its bond purchases throughout the year, and concluded the program by making the final $15 billion purchase in October. Despite the continued economic gains, the Fed remained committed to keeping short-term interest rates anchored near zero until the economy could show further improvement.
Developed international equity markets lagged, with the MSCI EAFE Index declining 4.90% during the period. Continued weakness in Europe and a contraction in Japan’s gross domestic product6 signaled further divergence between the U.S. and other major developed economies in 2014. Attempts to stimulate growth in Europe and Japan were met with varying degrees of success. One outcome from these stimulative efforts has been continued strength in the U.S. dollar. This currency impact has created an additional headwind for international returns.
Fixed income markets benefited from a decline in long-term interest rates during the last 12 months with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield dropping 87 basis points (0.87%) during this period. Bond prices increase when interest rates decrease. Against this backdrop, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index gained 5.97%.
The Fund underperformed its composite benchmark during the period due to its exposure to international equity and small- and mid-cap stocks, and due to the slight underperformance from the underlying fixed income fund compared to its benchmark.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | The Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index (“S&P 400”) is the most widely used index for mid-sized companies. The S&P 400 covers 7% of the U.S. equities market, and is part of a series of S&P U.S. indices that can be used as building blocks for portfolio composition. |
4 | The Standard & Poor’s SmallCap 600 Index (“S&P 600”) covers approximately 3% of the domestic equities market. Measuring the small-cap segment of the market that is typically renowned for poor trading liquidity and financial instability, the index is designed to be an efficient portfolio of companies that meet specific inclusion criteria to ensure that they are investable and financially viable. |
5 | The Morgan Stanley Capital International, Europe, Australasia and Far East (“MSCI EAFE”) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. & Canada. |
6 | Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL® MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing in a combination of Permitted Underlying Funds that represent different classes in the Fund’s asset allocation.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in underlying funds, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of those underlying funds. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by each of the underlying funds in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Small- to mid-capitalization companies typically have a higher risk of failure and historically have experienced a greater degree of volatility.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
The performance of the Fund is expected to be lower than that of the Indices because of Fund fees and expenses. Securities in which the Fund will invest may involve substantial risk and may be subject to sudden severe price declines.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | Since Inception (1/10/12) | |||||||
AZL® MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | 6.47 | % | 12.72 | % | ||||
Growth Composite Index | 11.73 | % | 15.22 | % | ||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 19.50 | % | ||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.71 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio2 | Gross | |||
AZL® MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | 0.70 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.20% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
2 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the Permitted Underlying Funds. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.13%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Growth Composite Index”), which is comprised of 75% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 25% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,009.80 | $ | 0.61 | 0.12 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.60 | $ | 0.61 | 0.12 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Domestic Equities | 52.1 | % | |||
Fixed Income | 24.0 | ||||
International Equities | 19.0 | ||||
Money Market | 3.1 | ||||
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Total Investment Securities | 98.2 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 1.8 | ||||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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3
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Companies (95.1%): |
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24,091,890 | AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund | $ | 268,142,739 | |||||
13,869,103 | AZL International Index Fund | 211,919,894 | ||||||
5,243,173 | AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 123,162,130 | ||||||
27,622,321 | AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2 | 397,761,428 | ||||||
4,056,293 | AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund | 62,588,596 | ||||||
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| Total Affiliated Investment Companies (Cost $939,252,589) | 1,063,574,787 | ||||||
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Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Unaffiliated Investment Companies (3.1%): | |||||||
1,500,347 | Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(a) | $ | 1,500,347 | |||||
33,000,865 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | 33,000,865 | ||||||
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| Total Unaffiliated Investment Companies (Cost $34,501,212) | 34,501,212 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities (Cost $973,753,801)(b) — 98.2% | 1,098,075,999 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 1.8% | 20,181,216 | ||||||
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| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 1,118,257,215 | |||||
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Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $23,331,890 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 111 | $ | 14,074,453 | $ | 74,595 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 406 | 41,663,720 | 669,409 | |||||||||||||||
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Total | $ | 744,004 | ||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 34,501,212 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 939,252,589 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 973,753,801 | |||
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Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 34,501,212 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 1,063,574,787 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at value | 1,098,075,999 | ||||
Cash | 1,215 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 23,331,890 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 110 | ||||
Receivable for capital shares issued | 89,192 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 25,534 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 9,286 | ||||
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Total Assets | 1,121,533,226 | ||||
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Liabilities: | |||||
Payable for affiliated investments purchased | 1,493,687 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 1,165,157 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 494,709 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 94,144 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 2,904 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 556 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 2,379 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 48 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 22,427 | ||||
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Total Liabilities | 3,276,011 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 1,118,257,215 | |||
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Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 971,708,864 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 11,042,200 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 10,439,949 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 125,066,202 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 1,118,257,215 | |||
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Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 80,464,282 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 13.90 | |||
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Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 11,204,597 | |||
Dividends | 976 | ||||
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Total Investment Income | 11,205,573 | ||||
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Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 952,735 | ||||
Administration fees | 56,595 | ||||
Custodian fees | 2,258 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 12,717 | ||||
Trustee fees | 48,197 | ||||
Professional fees | 42,606 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 25,684 | ||||
Other expenses | 16,063 | ||||
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Total expenses | 1,156,855 | ||||
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Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 10,048,718 | ||||
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Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | (141,176 | ) | |||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 7,122,586 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 5,417,203 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 37,623,793 | ||||
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Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 50,022,406 | ||||
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Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 60,071,124 | |||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 10,048,718 | $ | 6,077,397 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 12,398,613 | 6,605,670 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 37,623,793 | 77,847,321 | ||||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from operations | 60,071,124 | 90,530,388 | ||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (7,493,815 | ) | — | |||||||
From net realized gains | (6,092,693 | ) | (132,776 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (13,586,508 | ) | (132,776 | ) | ||||||
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Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 302,032,705 | 418,445,579 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 13,586,508 | 132,776 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (12,452,843 | ) | (1,512,753 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 303,166,370 | 417,065,602 | ||||||||
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Change in net assets | 349,650,986 | 507,463,214 | ||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 768,606,229 | 261,143,015 | ||||||||
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End of period | $ | 1,118,257,215 | $ | 768,606,229 | ||||||
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Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 11,042,200 | $ | 7,493,758 | ||||||
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Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 22,290,139 | 34,374,348 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 990,270 | 10,786 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (922,984 | ) | (125,252 | ) | ||||||
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Change in shares | 22,357,425 | 34,259,882 | ||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, 2014 | Year Ended December 31, 2013 | January 10, 2012 December 31, | |||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 13.23 | $ | 10.95 | $ | 10.00 | |||||||||
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Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.09 | ||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 0.75 | 2.18 | 1.01 | ||||||||||||
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Total from Investment Activities | 0.85 | 2.28 | 1.10 | ||||||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.10 | ) | — | (0.12 | ) | ||||||||||
Net Realized Gains | (0.08 | ) | — | (b) | (0.03 | ) | |||||||||
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Total Dividends | (0.18 | ) | — | (b) | (0.15 | ) | |||||||||
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Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 13.90 | $ | 13.23 | $ | 10.95 | |||||||||
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Total Return(c) | 6.47 | % | 20.85 | % | 10.98 | %(d) | |||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 1,118,257 | $ | 768,606 | $ | 261,143 | |||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss)(e) | 1.05 | % | 1.25 | % | 1.47 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(e)(f) | 0.12 | % | 0.13 | % | 0.22 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions*(e) | 0.12 | % | 0.13 | % | 0.15 | % | |||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 1 | % | — | (g) | 11 | %(d) |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | Period from commencement of operations. During the period from January 10, 2012 to December 10, 2012, the Fund’s primary vehicle for gaining exposure to derivatives was through investments in its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary , the AZL MVP GIS Investments Trust (the “Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary was liquidated on December 10, 2012 at its net asset value on such date. The Subsidiary’s operations have been consolidated with the operations of the Fund through its liquidation on December 10, 2012. |
(b) | Represents less than $0.005. |
(c) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(d) | Not annualized. |
(e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(f) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
(g) | Represents less than 0.5%. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
8
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $55.7 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $48.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 669,409 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 74,595 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 4,981,779 | $ | (346,918 | ) | ||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 435,424 | 244,914 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | 0.10 | % | 0.20 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
9
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Enhanced Bond Index Fund | $ | 181,352,461 | $ | 84,055,956 | $ | (6,270,269 | ) | $ | (212,042 | ) | $ | 9,216,633 | $ | 268,142,739 | $ | 2,416,107 | |||||||||||||||||||
AZL International Index Fund | 146,041,046 | 82,825,380 | (720,407 | ) | 60,271 | (16,286,396 | ) | 211,919,894 | 3,437,711 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Mid Cap Index Fund | 84,282,835 | 33,765,099 | — | — | 5,114,196 | 123,162,130 | 736,128 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL S&P 500 Index Fund, Class 2 | 274,348,332 | 83,708,374 | (73,631 | ) | 10,595 | 39,767,758 | 397,761,428 | 4,274,383 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Small Cap Stock Index Fund | 42,014,649 | 20,660,340 | — | — | (86,393 | ) | 62,588,596 | 340,268 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 728,039,323 | $ | 305,015,149 | $ | (7,064,307 | ) | $ | (141,176 | ) | $ | 37,725,798 | $ | 1,063,574,787 | $ | 11,204,597 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $10,866 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
10
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Companies | $ | 1,063,574,787 | $ | — | $ | 1,063,574,787 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Companies | 34,501,212 | — | 34,501,212 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investment Securities | 1,098,075,999 | — | 1,098,075,999 | ||||||||||||
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Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 744,004 | — | 744,004 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investments | $ | 1,098,820,003 | $ | — | $ | 1,098,820,003 | |||||||||
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* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 305,015,149 | $ | 7,064,307 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $974,084,932. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 124,322,198 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (331,131 | ) | ||
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Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 123,991,067 | ||
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The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 9,327,632 | $ | 4,258,876 | $ | 13,586,508 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 53,288 | $ | 79,488 | $ | 132,776 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
11
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ | Total Earnings/ | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund | $ | 13,168,265 | $ | 9,389,019 | $ | — | $ | 123,991,067 | $ | 146,548,351 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
12
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers, custodian and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
13
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 33.35% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $4,258,876.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $1,833,816.
14
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
15
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
16
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
17
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
18
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
19
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL® MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 12
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 13
Other Information
Page 14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 15
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 17
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL® MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund Review (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance for the year ended December 31, 2014?
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund returned 8.42%. That compared to a 10.56% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index, which is comprised of an 60% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 40% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL® MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund is a fund of funds that invests primarily in the shares of another mutual fund managed by the Manager, the AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund. This underlying fund primarily invests in income-producing equity instruments (including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities) and investment-grade quality debt securities. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process that primarily uses derivatives and is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.* The 12 months through December 31, 2014, were characterized by steady improvement in the U.S. economy and strong returns for U.S. stocks. Equity markets were volatile for the first four months of the year as investors worried that stocks had risen too far, too fast in 2013. Political upheaval in Ukraine and signs of economic sluggishness in the U.S. and China added to investor uncertainty. However, investors began to show confidence in the economic recovery and stocks rallied through the summer. The Federal Reserve reduced its monthly security purchases throughout the year, finally ending all purchases by October. That action had little impact on the market because it was widely expected. However, stocks suffered again in mid-September when the price of oil began a freefall, finishing 2014 at the lowest point in several years. After another sell-off in the equity markets in December, the S&P 500 rallied at the end of the month and finished the year on a positive note.
The Fund maintains a cash allocation to use for investment opportunities. While this allocation was within our typical target range throughout the period, holding cash detracted from relative performance in a strong equity market. Stock selection within health care also hurt performance relative to our equity benchmark. Underweight positions and stock selection in consumer staples and financials dampened relative performance as well. In particular, the Fund’s lack of exposure to real estate investment trusts3 (REITs) in the financial sector—adopted because we believed REITs were overvalued—hurt performance when investor demand for yield drove up the prices of those investments.*
Stock selection within utilities boosted relative performance versus the equity benchmark, mainly through holdings of electric utility companies. An allocation to and security selection within convertible bonds also contributed to relative performance versus the S&P 500.*
The fixed-income portion of the Fund’s portfolio slightly underperformed the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index. The Fund’s mandate is to hold higher-grade, shorter-duration bonds than the index in order to provide potential return and mitigate volatility. This allocation posted positive returns but detracted from relative performance when falling bond yields caused lower-duration bonds to experience less price appreciation than higher-duration bonds.*
We used currency forward contracts during the period solely for the purpose of hedging the currency exposure of non-U.S.-based companies held in the portfolio. The use of currency forward contracts had a positive impact on the Fund’s performance relative to the S&P 500 for the period.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.*
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
3 | Investments in the Funds are subject to the risks related to direct investment in real estate, such as real estate risk, regulatory risks, concentration risk, and diversification risk. By itself the Fund does not constitute a complete investment plan and should be considered a long-term investment for investors who can afford to weather changes in the value of their investments. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL® MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund Review (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek the highest possible income consistent with safety of principal, with long-term growth as an important secondary objective. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in the shares of another mutual fund managed by the manager, the AZL® Invesco Equity and Income Fund, combined with the MVP risk management process.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in an underlying fund, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of that underlying fund. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
Value-based investments are subject to the risk that the broad market may not recognize their intrinsic value.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmark as well as the two component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Average Annual Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
1 Year | Since Inception (1/10/12) | |||||||
AZL® MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | 8.42 | % | 13.63 | % | ||||
Balanced Composite Index | 10.56 | % | 12.68 | % | ||||
S&P 500 Index | 13.69 | % | 19.50 | % | ||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 5.97 | % | 2.71 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL® MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | 1.08 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.15% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.16%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 60% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 40% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,025.00 | $ | 0.66 | 0.13 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.55 | $ | 0.66 | 0.13 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Domestic Equities | 95.2 | % | |||
Money Market | 3.0 | ||||
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Total Investment Securities | 98.2 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 1.8 | ||||
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Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
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3
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Company (95.2%): |
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26,975,224 | AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 445,091,201 | |||||
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| Total Affiliated Investment Company (Cost $395,720,054) | 445,091,201 | ||||||
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| Unaffiliated Investment Companies (3.0%): | |||||||
97,824 | Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(a) | 97,824 | ||||||
14,000,367 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | 14,000,367 | ||||||
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| Total Unaffiliated Investment Companies (Cost $14,098,191) | 14,098,191 | ||||||
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| Total Investment Securities (Cost $409,818,245)(b) — 98.2% | 459,189,392 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 1.8% | 8,267,391 | ||||||
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| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 467,456,783 | |||||
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Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $9,599,328 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 74 | $ | 9,382,969 | $ | 50,037 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 136 | 13,956,320 | 219,645 | |||||||||||||||
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Total | $ | 269,682 | ||||||||||||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 14,098,191 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 395,720,054 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 409,818,245 | |||
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Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 14,098,191 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 445,091,201 | ||||
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Total Investment securities, at value | 459,189,392 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 9,599,328 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 47 | ||||
Receivable for capital shares issued | 101,881 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 16,188 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 3,764 | ||||
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Total Assets | 468,910,600 | ||||
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Liabilities: | |||||
Payable for affiliated investments purchased | 97,834 | ||||
Payable for capital shares redeemed | 1,136,865 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 165,240 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 39,234 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 2,287 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 451 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 790 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 16 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 11,100 | ||||
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Total Liabilities | 1,453,817 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 467,456,783 | |||
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Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 403,014,251 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | 2,550,771 | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 12,250,932 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | 49,640,829 | ||||
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Net Assets | $ | 467,456,783 | |||
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Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 32,529,558 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 14.37 | |||
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Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 3,096,637 | |||
Dividends | 414 | ||||
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Total Investment Income | 3,097,051 | ||||
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Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 390,710 | ||||
Administration fees | 52,864 | ||||
Custodian fees | 2,189 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 5,089 | ||||
Trustee fees | 19,227 | ||||
Professional fees | 17,140 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 25,183 | ||||
Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the manager | 27,717 | ||||
Other expenses | 6,159 | ||||
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Total expenses | 546,278 | ||||
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Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 2,550,773 | ||||
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Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | 175,281 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 10,476,705 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 1,812,043 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 16,815,538 | ||||
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Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 29,279,567 | ||||
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Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 31,830,340 | |||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | ||||||||||
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014 | For the Year Ended December 31, 2013 | |||||||||
Change in Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 2,550,773 | $ | 1,485,444 | ||||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 12,464,029 | 1,054,836 | ||||||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | 16,815,538 | 30,252,624 | ||||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from operations | 31,830,340 | 32,792,904 | ||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders: | ||||||||||
From net investment income | (1,487,000 | ) | — | |||||||
From net realized gains | (1,279,786 | ) | (33,714 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (2,766,786 | ) | (33,714 | ) | ||||||
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Capital Transactions: | ||||||||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 143,369,251 | 188,556,214 | ||||||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 2,766,786 | 33,714 | ||||||||
Value of shares redeemed | (6,578,804 | ) | (2,039,133 | ) | ||||||
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Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 139,557,233 | 186,550,795 | ||||||||
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Change in net assets | 168,620,787 | 219,309,985 | ||||||||
Net Assets: | ||||||||||
Beginning of period | 298,835,996 | 79,526,011 | ||||||||
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End of period | $ | 467,456,783 | $ | 298,835,996 | ||||||
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Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | 2,550,771 | $ | 1,486,998 | ||||||
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Share Transactions: | ||||||||||
Shares issued | 10,400,365 | 15,181,645 | ||||||||
Dividends reinvested | 194,981 | 2,693 | ||||||||
Shares redeemed | (469,101 | ) | (167,924 | ) | ||||||
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Change in shares | 10,126,245 | 15,016,414 | ||||||||
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See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
Year Ended December 31, 2014 | Year Ended December 31, 2013 | January 10, 2012 December 31, | |||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 13.34 | $ | 10.77 | $ | 10.00 | |||||||||
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Investment Activities: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.10 | ||||||||||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 1.06 | 2.50 | 0.79 | ||||||||||||
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Total from Investment Activities | 1.12 | 2.57 | 0.89 | ||||||||||||
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Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income | (0.05 | ) | — | (0.10 | ) | ||||||||||
Net Realized Gains | (0.04 | ) | — | (b) | (0.02 | ) | |||||||||
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Total Dividends | (0.09 | ) | — | (b) | (0.12 | ) | |||||||||
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Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 14.37 | $ | 13.34 | $ | 10.77 | |||||||||
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Total Return(c) | 8.42 | % | 23.88 | % | 8.89 | %(d) | |||||||||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 467,457 | $ | 298,836 | $ | 79,526 | |||||||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss)(e) | 0.65 | % | 0.89 | % | 1.82 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Before Reductions*(e)(f) | 0.14 | % | 0.16 | % | 0.36 | % | |||||||||
Expenses Net of Reductions*(e) | 0.14 | % | 0.15 | % | 0.15 | % | |||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 1 | % | — | (g) | 9 | %(d) |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | Period from commencement of operations. During the period from January 10, 2012 to December 10, 2012, the Fund’s primary vehicle for gaining exposure to derivatives is through investments in its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiary, the AZL MVP IEI Investments Trust (“the Subsidiary”). The Subsidiary was liquidated on December 10, 2012 at its net asset value on such date. The Subsidiary’s operations have been consolidated with the operations of the Fund through its liquidation on December 10, 2012. |
(b) | Represents less than $0.005. |
(c) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(d) | Not annualized. |
(e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(f) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
(g) | Represents less than 0.5%. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
8
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $23.3 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $19.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 219,645 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 50,037 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 1,518,700 | $ | (93,870 | ) | ||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 293,343 | 154,401 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | 0.10 | % | 0.15 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.”
At December 31, 2014, the contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years were as follows:
Expires 12/31/2015 | Expires 12/31/2016 | Total | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 11,712 | $ | 16,005 | $ | 27,717 |
9
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 283,088,456 | $ | 148,176,634 | $ | (3,104,177 | ) | $ | 175,281 | $ | 16,755,007 | $ | 445,091,201 | $ | 3,096,637 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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$ | 283,088,456 | $ | 148,176,634 | $ | (3,104,177 | ) | $ | 175,281 | $ | 16,755,007 | $ | 445,091,201 | $ | 3,096,637 | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $4,420 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Company | $ | 445,091,201 | $ | — | $ | 445,091,201 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Companies | 14,098,191 | — | 14,098,191 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investment Securities | 459,189,392 | — | 459,189,392 | ||||||||||||
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Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 269,682 | — | 269,682 | ||||||||||||
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Total Investments | $ | 459,459,074 | $ | — | $ | 459,459,074 | |||||||||
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* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
10
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 148,176,634 | $ | 3,104,177 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $409,822,149. The gross unrealized appreciation/ (depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | 49,371,147 | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (3,904 | ) | ||
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| |||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | 49,367,243 | ||
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The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 1,965,000 | $ | 801,786 | $ | 2,766,786 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2013 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 13,495 | $ | 20,219 | $ | 33,714 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund | $ | 3,299,779 | $ | 11,775,510 | $ | – | $ | 49,367,243 | $ | 64,442,532 |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Concentration of Investments
As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s investment in the AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund, which is affiliated with the Investment Adviser, represented greater than 90% of the Fund’s net assets. The financial statements of the AZL Invesco Equity and Income Fund are attached hereto.
9. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
11
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP Invesco Equity and Income Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers, custodian and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods in the three-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
12
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 79.80% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $801,786.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $478,000.
13
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (‘‘Commission’’) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
15
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd.Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
17
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
18
The Allianz VIP Fund of Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
AZL® MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Annual Report
December 31, 2014
Table of Contents
Management Discussion and Analysis
Page 1
Expense Examples and Portfolio Composition
Page 3
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
Page 4
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Page 5
Statement of Operations
Page 5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Page 6
Financial Highlights
Page 7
Notes to the Financial Statements
Page 8
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Page 12
Other Federal Income Tax Information
Page 13
Other Information
Page 14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement
Page 15
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers
Page 17
This report is submitted for the general information of the shareholder of the Fund. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus, which contains details concerning the sales charges and other pertinent information.
AZL® MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (unaudited)
Allianz Investment Management LLC serves as the Manager for the AZL® MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund.
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What factors affected the Fund’s performance from its inception on January 10, 2014 to the period ended December 31, 2014?
From its inception on January 10, 2014 to the period ended December 31, 2014, the AZL® MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund returned 11.19%. That compared to a 10.43% total return for its benchmark, the Balanced Composite Index, which is comprised of an 60% weighting in the S&P 500 Index1 and a 40% weighting in the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index2.
The AZL® MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund is a fund of funds that invests primarily in the shares of the AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund—managed by the Manager. This underlying holding invests in a portfolio of equity, debt, and money market securities. The Fund also employs the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk-management process that primarily uses derivatives and is intended to adjust the risk of the portfolio based on quantitative indicators of market risk, such as the current level of fund and market volatility.*
U.S. equities rose in 2014 for the sixth consecutive year as the economy recovered strongly from a first-quarter weather-related contraction. Falling long-term interest rates, solid employment growth, and favorable corporate earnings also supported strong gains for stocks. Nearly all S&P 500 sectors produced positive results, led by utilities. Energy was the only sector to decline. Long-term interest rates continued to decline due to global economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainties.
The Fund lagged the all-equity S&P 500 Index in 2014 due to its allocation to bonds in a rising equity environment. While the Fund’s equity holdings outpaced the S&P 500, its fixed income segment, while positive for the year, lagged its benchmark, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index. The portfolio’s overweight to high-yield bonds was beneficial in the first half of the year but detracted from returns later in the period.*
The Fund trimmed holdings within the utilities and consumer staples sectors during the period and decreased its overall equity exposure from the prior year. However, the Fund continued to build on an overweight position in the health care sector. The Fund maintained significant exposure to covered call options, which provided downside protection while offering the benefits of owning a stock, such as dividends and capital appreciation, as long as the stock remained below the option strike price.*
Within equities, stock selection and an overweight within the health care sector supported the Fund’s performance relative to its benchmark. The acquisition of two health care stocks late in the year added to results. The industrials and business services sector detracted from relative results due to both stock selection and an overweight position. The energy sector also detracted from relative performance due to stock selection, though an underweight position in the year’s worst performing sector limited the damage.*
The Fund’s overall weighting toward fixed income marginally decreased during 2014 due to increasing difficulty finding attractive opportunities. Holdings in 10-year U.S. Treasuries were eliminated in the fourth quarter, as long-term interest rates continued to decline due to global economic weakness and geopolitical uncertainties. Meanwhile, the Fund’s exposure to high-yield bonds was increased as falling oil prices caused spreads to widen. Energy sector bonds compose the largest segment of the high-yield market, making it particularly sensitive to the price of oil. High-yield bonds remain the Fund’s largest asset class within fixed income, accounting for 15% at year-end.*
At the end of the period the Fund held currency forwards, equity options and index futures, all of which generated a net derivative exposure equivalent to approximately 6% of net assets. Short call options were used in a covered call strategy which decreased exposure to underlying securities. During the first 11 months of the period the Fund held only equity options. The estimated return impact from employing currency forwards was negligible. During the last three months of the period, the covered call strategy represented, on average, roughly 5% of the overall portfolio and generated a return of approximately 7%. The covered call strategy’s estimated contribution to the portfolio’s total return was less than 1%.*
In the generally low volatility environment for most of 2014, the MVP risk management process worked as intended and largely maintained a neutral equity allocation relative to its target, resulting in a minimal impact on the Fund’s equity exposure and performance.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
* | The Fund’s portfolio composition is subject to change. There is no guarantee that any sectors mentioned will continue to perform well or that securities in such sectors will be held by the Fund in the future. The information contained in this commentary is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a recommendation to purchase or sell securities in the sector mentioned. The Fund’s holdings and weightings are as of December 31, 2014. |
1 | The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. |
2 | The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. |
Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
1
AZL® MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (unaudited)
Fund Objective
The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation with preservation of capital as an important intermediate-term objective. This objective may be changed by the Trustees of the Fund without shareholder approval. The Fund seeks to achieve its objective by investing primarily in shares of another mutual fund managed by the manager; the AZL® T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, combined with the MVP risk management process.
Investment Concerns
The Fund invests in an underlying fund, so its investment performance is directly related to the performance of that underlying fund. Before investing, investors should assess the risks associated with and types of investments made by of the underlying fund in which the Fund invests.
Stocks are more volatile and carry more risk and return potential than other forms of investments.
International investing may involve risk of capital loss from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, from differences in generally accepted accounting principles or from economic or political instability in other nations.
Bonds offer a relatively stable level of income, although bond prices will fluctuate, providing the potential for principal gain or loss.
Investing in derivatives instruments involves risks that may be different from or greater than the risk associated with investing directly in securities or other traditional instruments.
For a complete description of these and other risks associated with investing in a mutual Fund, please refer to the Fund’s prospectus.
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Growth of $10,000 Investment
The chart above represents a comparison of a hypothetical investment in the Fund versus a similar investment in the Fund’s benchmarks as well as the component indices of the Fund’s benchmark, and represents the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains in the Fund.
Aggregate Total Returns as of December 31, 2014
6 Month | Since Inception (1/10/14) | |||||||
AZL® MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | 4.50 | % | 11.19 | % | ||||
Balanced Composite Index | 4.45 | % | 10.43 | % | ||||
S&P 500 Index | 6.12 | % | 14.00 | % | ||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index | 1.96 | % | 5.21 | % |
Past performance does not guarantee future results. The performance data quoted represents past performance and current returns may be lower or higher. The investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed may be worth more or less than the original cost. To obtain performance information current to the most recent month end, please visit www.Allianzlife.com.
Expense Ratio1 | Gross | |||
AZL® MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | 1.12 | % |
The above expense ratio is based on the current Fund prospectus dated April 28, 2014. The Manager and the Fund have entered into a written contract limiting operating expenses, excluding certain expenses (such as interest expense and Acquired Fund fees and expenses), to 0.15% through April 30, 2016. Additional information pertaining to the December 31, 2014 expense ratios can be found in the financial highlights.
1 | Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are incurred indirectly by the Fund through the valuation of the Fund’s investments in the other investment companies. Accordingly, Acquired Fees and Expenses affect the Fund’s total returns. Because these fees and expenses are not included in the Fund’s financial highlights, the Fund’s total annual fund operating expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets shown in the financial highlights table. Without Acquired Fund Fees and expenses the Fund’s gross ratio would be 0.15%. |
The total return of the Fund does not reflect the effect of any insurance charges, the annual maintenance fee or the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Such charges, fees and tax payments would reduce the performance quoted. |
The Fund’s performance is measured against a composite index (the “Balanced Composite Index”), which is comprised of 60% of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (“S&P 500”) and 40% of the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The S&P 500 is representative of 500 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, and is a measure of the U.S. Stock market as a whole. The Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is a market value-weighted performance benchmark for investment-grade fixed-rate debt issues, including government, corporate, asset-backed, and mortgage-backed securities, with maturities of at least one year. These indices are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of fees associated with a mutual fund, such as investment management and fund accounting fees. The Fund’s performance reflects the deduction of fees for services provided to the Fund. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
2
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Expense Examples
(Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”), you incur ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution fees, and other Fund expenses. These examples are intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. Please note that the expenses shown in each table do not reflect expenses that apply to the subaccount or the insurance contract. If the expenses that apply to the subaccount of the insurance contract were included, your costs would have been higher.
These examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the periods presented below.
The Actual Expense table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you 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 result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,045.00 | $ | 0.77 | 0.15 | % |
The Hypothetical Expense table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.
Beginning Account Value 7/1/14 | Ending Account Value 12/31/14 | Expenses Paid During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14* | Annualized Expense Ratio During Period 7/1/14 - 12/31/14 | |||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 1,024.45 | $ | 0.77 | 0.15 | % |
* | Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one half year period). |
Portfolio Composition
(Unaudited)
Investments | Percent of Net Assets | ||||
Fixed Income | 94.4 | % | |||
Money Market | 2.3 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment Securities | 96.7 | ||||
Net other assets (liabilities) | 3.3 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | 100.0 | % | |||
|
|
3
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Schedule of Portfolio Investments
December 31, 2014
Shares | Fair Value | |||||||
| Affiliated Investment Company (94.4%): |
| ||||||
17,146,755 | AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 272,633,406 | |||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Affiliated Investment Company | 272,633,406 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Unaffiliated Investment Companies (2.3%): | |||||||
2,638,072 | Dreyfus Treasury Prime Cash Management Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.00%(a) | 2,638,072 | ||||||
4,000,105 | Goldman Sachs Financial Square Federal Fund, Institutional Shares, 0.61%(a) | 4,000,105 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Unaffiliated Investment Companies | 6,638,177 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Total Investment Securities | 279,271,583 | ||||||
| Net other assets (liabilities) — 3.3% | 9,571,502 | ||||||
|
| |||||||
| Net Assets — 100.0% | $ | 288,843,085 | |||||
|
|
Percentages indicated are based on net assets as of December 31, 2014.
(a) | The rate represents the effective yield at December 31, 2014. |
(b) | See Federal Tax Information listed in the Notes to the Financial Statements. |
Futures Contracts
Cash of $10,312,474 has been segregated to cover margin requirements for the following open contracts as of December 31, 2014:
Description | Type | Expiration Date | Number of Contracts | Notional Value | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |||||||||||||||
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Note March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 45 | $ | 5,705,859 | $ | 29,234 | |||||||||||||
S&P 500 Index E-Mini March Futures | Long | 3/20/15 | 82 | 8,414,840 | 128,597 | |||||||||||||||
|
| |||||||||||||||||||
Total | $ | 157,831 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
4
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
December 31, 2014
Assets: | |||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at cost | $ | 6,638,177 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at cost | 275,152,303 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment securities, at cost | $ | 281,790,480 | |||
|
| ||||
Investments in non-affiliates, at value | $ | 6,638,177 | |||
Investments in affiliates, at value | 272,633,406 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment securities, at value | 279,271,583 | ||||
Segregated cash for collateral | 10,312,474 | ||||
Interest and dividends receivable | 13 | ||||
Receivable for capital shares issued | 1,906,240 | ||||
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | 9,844 | ||||
Prepaid expenses | 1,998 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Assets | 291,502,152 | ||||
|
| ||||
Liabilities: | |||||
Payable for investments purchased | 2,521,057 | ||||
Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | 99,630 | ||||
Manager fees payable | 23,093 | ||||
Administration fees payable | 4,360 | ||||
Custodian fees payable | 582 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees payable | 894 | ||||
Trustee fees payable | 18 | ||||
Other accrued liabilities | 9,433 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Liabilities | 2,659,067 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 288,843,085 | |||
|
| ||||
Net Assets Consist of: | |||||
Capital | $ | 291,165,699 | |||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | — | ||||
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) from investment transactions | 38,452 | ||||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments | (2,361,066 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Net Assets | $ | 288,843,085 | |||
|
| ||||
Shares of beneficial interest (unlimited number of shares authorized, no par value) | 27,628,311 | ||||
Net Asset Value (offering and redemption price per share) | $ | 10.45 | |||
|
|
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended December 31, 2014(a)
Investment Income: | |||||
Dividends from affiliates | $ | 504,961 | |||
Dividends | 120 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total Investment Income | 505,081 | ||||
|
| ||||
Expenses: | |||||
Manager fees | 126,121 | ||||
Administration fees | 24,731 | ||||
Custodian fees | 1,959 | ||||
Administrative and compliance services fees | 1,668 | ||||
Trustee fees | 5,610 | ||||
Professional fees | 6,922 | ||||
Shareholder reports | 9,127 | ||||
Other expenses | 1,063 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total expenses | 177,201 | ||||
|
| ||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 327,880 | ||||
|
| ||||
Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments: | |||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on securities transactions from affiliates | (5,429 | ) | |||
Net realized gains distributions from affiliated underlying funds | 16,064,698 | ||||
Net realized gains distributions | 1,172 | ||||
Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts | 508,124 | ||||
Change in net unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (2,361,066 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Net Realized/Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 14,207,499 | ||||
|
| ||||
Change in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ | 14,535,379 | |||
|
|
(a) | For the period January 10, 2014 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2014. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
5
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | |||||
January 10, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (a) | |||||
Change in Net Assets: | |||||
Operations: | |||||
Net investment income/(loss) | $ | 327,880 | |||
Net realized gains/(losses) on investment transactions | 16,568,565 | ||||
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | (2,361,066 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Change in net assets resulting from operations | 14,535,379 | ||||
|
| ||||
Dividends to Shareholders: | |||||
From net investment income | (329,160 | ) | |||
From net realized gains | (16,528,833 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Change in net assets resulting from dividends to shareholders | (16,857,993 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Capital Transactions: | |||||
Proceeds from shares issued | 276,332,879 | ||||
Proceeds from dividends reinvested | 16,857,993 | ||||
Value of shares redeemed | (2,025,173 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Change in net assets resulting from capital transactions | 291,165,699 | ||||
|
| ||||
Change in net assets | 288,843,085 | ||||
Net Assets: | |||||
Beginning of period | — | ||||
|
| ||||
End of period | $ | 288,843,085 | |||
|
| ||||
Accumulated net investment income/(loss) | $ | — | |||
|
| ||||
Share Transactions: | |||||
Shares issued | 26,221,899 | ||||
Dividends reinvested | 1,602,471 | ||||
Shares redeemed | (196,059 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Change in shares | 27,628,311 | ||||
|
|
(a) | Period from commencement of operations. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
6
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Financial Highlights
(Selected data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the periods indicated)
January 10, 2014 to December 31, 2014 (a) | |||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ | 10.00 | |||
|
| ||||
Investment Activities: | |||||
Net Investment Income/(Loss) | 0.01 | ||||
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains/(Losses) on Investments | 1.11 | ||||
|
| ||||
Total from Investment Activities | 1.12 | ||||
|
| ||||
Dividends to Shareholders From: | |||||
Net Investment Income | (0.01 | ) | |||
Net Realized Gains | (0.66 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Total Dividends | (0.67 | ) | |||
|
| ||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ | 10.45 | |||
|
| ||||
Total Return(b) | 11.19 | %(c) | |||
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data: | |||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000’s) | $ | 288,843 | |||
Net Investment Income/(Loss)(d) | 0.26 | % | |||
Expenses Before Reductions*(d)(e) | 0.14 | % | |||
Expenses Net of Reductions*(d) | 0.14 | % | |||
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 1 | %(c) |
* | The expense ratios exclude the impact of fees/expenses paid by each underlying fund. |
(a) | Period from commencement of operations. |
(b) | The returns include reinvested dividends and fund level expenses, but exclude insurance contract charges. If these charges were included, the returns would have been lower. |
(c) | Not annualized. |
(d) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
(e) | Excludes fee reductions, if any. If such fee reductions had not occurred, the ratios would have been as indicated. |
See accompanying notes to the financial statements.
7
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
1. Organization
The Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust (the “Trust”) was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 16, 2004. The Trust is a diversified open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (the “1940 Act”) and thus is determined to be an investment company for accounting purposes. The Trust consists of 12 separate investment portfolios (collectively, the “Funds”), of which one is included in this report, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”), and 11 are presented in separate reports.
The Fund is a “fund of funds,” which means that the Fund invests in other mutual funds. Underlying Funds invest in stock, bonds, and other securities and reflect varying amounts of potential investment risk and reward. The Underlying Funds record their investments at fair value. Periodically, the Fund will adjust its asset allocation as it seeks to achieve its investment objective.
The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of the Fund without par value. Shares of the Fund are available through the variable annuity contracts offered through the separate accounts of participating insurance companies.
Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund may enter into contracts with its vendors and others that provide for general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund. However, based on experience, the Fund expects that risk of loss to be remote.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. The policies conform with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Security Valuation
The Fund records its investments at fair value. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between willing market participants at the measurement date. The valuation techniques used to determine fair value are further described in Note 4 below.
Investment Transactions and Investment Income
Investment transactions are recorded not later than on the business day following trade date. However, for financial reporting purposes, investment transactions are accounted for on trade date. Net realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of identified cost. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes, where applicable, the amortization of premiums or accretion of discounts. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date except in the case of foreign securities, in which case dividends are recorded as soon as such information becomes available.
Dividends to Shareholders
Dividends to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Fund distributes its dividends from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, on an annual basis. The amount of dividends from net investment income and from net realized gains is determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are either temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature (e.g., return of capital, net operating loss, reclassification of certain market discounts, gain/loss, paydowns, and distributions), such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences (e.g., wash sales and post October losses) do not require reclassification. Dividends to shareholders that exceed net investment income and net realized gains for tax purposes are reported as distributions of capital.
Expense Allocation
Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund, while expenses attributable to more than one Fund are allocated among the respective Funds based upon relative net assets or some other reasonable method. Expenses which are attributable to more than one Trust are allocated across the Allianz Variable Insurance Products and Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trusts based upon relative net assets or another reasonable basis. Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”), serves as the investment manager for the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust.
Derivative Instruments
All open derivative positions at period end are reflected on the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The following is a description of the derivative instruments utilized by the Fund, including the primary underlying risk exposures related to each instrument type. The Fund’s allocation to the MVP (Managed Volatility Portfolio) risk management process may include (a) derivatives such as index futures, other futures contracts, options, and other similar securities and (b) cash, money market equivalents, short-term debt instruments, money market funds, and short-term debt funds to satisfy all applicable margin requirements and to provide additional portfolio liquidity to satisfy large redemptions and any margin calls. Due to the leverage provided by derivatives, the notional value of the Fund’s derivative positions could exceed 20% of the Fund’s value. The Fund may also use futures to gain equity exposure and may hold cash as a buffer in the event of market shocks.
Futures Contracts
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund invested in futures contracts to reduce volatility and limit the need to decrease or increase allocations to underlying funds. Futures contracts are valued based upon their quoted daily settlement prices. Upon entering into a futures contract, the Fund is required to segregate liquid assets in
8
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
accordance with the initial margin requirements of the broker or exchange. Futures contracts are marked to market daily and a payable or receivable for the change in value (“variation margin”) is recorded by the Fund. Gains or losses are recognized but not considered realized until the contracts expire or are closed. Futures contracts involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk (generally equity price risk related to stock futures, interest rate risk related to bond futures, and foreign currency risk related to currency futures) and exposure to loss in excess of the variation margin disclosed in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are the imperfect correlation between the change in fair value of the underlying securities and the prices of futures contracts, the possibility of an illiquid market, and the inability of the counterparty to meet the terms of the contract. The notional amount of futures contracts outstanding was $14.1 million as of December 31, 2014. The monthly average notional amount for these contracts was $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. Realized gains and losses are reported as “Net realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts” on the Statement of Operations.
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following is a summary of the fair values of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorized by risk exposure, as of December 31, 2014:
Asset Derivative | Liability Derivative | |||||||||||
Primary Risk Exposure | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | Total Fair Value* | ||||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | 128,597 | Payable for variation margin on futures contracts | $ | — | ||||||
Interest Risk Exposure | ||||||||||||
Interest Rate | 29,234 | — |
* | For futures contracts, the amounts represent the cumulative appreciation/(depreciation) of these futures contracts as reported in the Schedule of Portfolio Investments. Only current day’s variation margin is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Variation Margin on Futures Contracts. |
The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations, categorized by risk exposure, for the year ended December 31, 2014:
Primary Risk Exposure | Location of Gains/(Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Realized Gains/ (Losses) on Derivatives Recognized in Income | Change in Net Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation on Derivatives Recognized in Income | |||||||
Equity Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Equity Contracts | Net Realized gains/(losses) on futures contracts/Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments | $ | 418,284 | $ | 128,597 | |||||
Interest Rate Risk Exposure | ||||||||||
Interest Rate | 89,840 | 29,234 |
3. Related Party Transactions
The Manager provides investment advisory and management services for the Fund. The Manager has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse the Fund to limit the annual expenses, excluding interest expense (e.g., cash overdraft fees), taxes, brokerage commissions, other expenditures that are capitalized in accordance with U.S. GAAP and other extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business, based on the daily net assets of the Fund, through April 30, 2016. Expenses incurred for investment advisory and management services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Manager fees.”
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the annual rate due to the Manager and the annual expense limit were as follows:
Annual Rate | Annual Expense Limit | |||||||||
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | 0.10 | % | 0.15 | % |
Any amounts contractually waived or reimbursed by the Manager in a particular fiscal year will be subject to repayment by the Fund to the Manager to the extent that from time to time through the next three fiscal years the repayment will not cause the Fund’s expenses to exceed the lesser of the stated limit at the time of the waiver or the current stated limit. Any amounts recouped by the Manager during the year are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Recoupment of prior expenses reimbursed by the Manager.” At December 31, 2014, there were no remaining contractual reimbursements that are subject to repayment by the Fund in subsequent years.
In addition, the Manager may voluntarily waive or reimburse additional fees in order to maintain more competitive expense ratios. Any voluntary waivers or reimbursements are not subject to repayment in subsequent years. Information on the total amount waived/reimbursed by the Manager or repaid to the Manager by the Fund during the period can be found on the Statement of Operations. During the period ended December 31, 2014, there were no voluntary waivers.
9
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager serves as the investment adviser of certain underlying funds in which the Fund invests. At December 31, 2014, these underlying funds are noted as Affiliated Investment Companies in the Fund’s Schedule of Portfolio Investments. The Manager or an affiliate of the Manager is paid a separate fee from the underlying funds for such services. A summary of the Fund’s investments in affiliated investment companies for the year ended December 31, 2014 is as follows:
Fair Value 12/31/13 | Purchases at Cost | Proceeds from Sales | Net Realized Gain(Loss) | Change in Unrealized Appreciation/ Depreciation | Fair Value 12/31/14 | Dividend Income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | — | $ | 276,040,524 | $ | (882,792 | ) | $ | (5,429 | ) | $ | (2,518,897 | ) | $ | 272,633,406 | $ | 504,961 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
$ | — | $ | 276,040,524 | $ | (882,792 | ) | $ | (5,429 | ) | $ | (2,518,897 | ) | $ | 272,633,406 | $ | 504,961 | |||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pursuant to separate agreements between the Funds and the Manager, the Manager provides a Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) and certain compliance oversight and regulatory filing services to the Trust. Under these agreements the Manager is entitled to an amount equal to a portion of the compensation and certain other expenses related to the individuals performing the CCO and compliance oversight services, as well as $100 per hour for time incurred in connection with the preparation and filing of certain documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fees are paid to the Manager on a quarterly basis. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administrative and compliance services fees.”
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“Citi” or the “Administrator”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Citigroup, Inc., with which an officer of the Trust is affiliated, serves as the Trust’s administrator, transfer agent, and fund accountant, and assists the Trust in all aspects of its administration and operation. The Administrator is entitled to a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly. In addition, the Administrator is entitled to annual account fees related to the transfer agency system, and a Trust-wide annual fee for providing infrastructure and support in implementing the written policies and procedures comprising the Fund’s compliance program. Fees payable to the Administrator are subject to certain reductions associated with services provided to new funds. Beginning January 1, 2015, these reductions are no longer applicable to new funds. The Administrator is also reimbursed for certain expenses incurred. The total expenses incurred by the Fund for these services are reflected on the Statement of Operations as “Administration fees.”
Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC (“ALFS”), an affiliate of the Manager, serves as distributor of the Fund and receives 12b-1 fees directly from the Fund, plus a Trust-wide annual fee of $7,500, paid by the Manager from its profits and not by the Trust, for recordkeeping and reporting services.
In addition, certain legal fees and expenses are paid to a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, of which the Secretary of the Fund is a partner. During the year ended December 31, 2014, $1,178 was paid from the Fund relating to these fees and expenses.
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Trust are affiliated with the Manager or the Administrator. Such Officers (except for the Trust’s CCO as noted above) and Trustees receive no compensation from the Trust for serving in their respective roles. For their service to the Trust and to the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, each non-interested Trustee receives a $163,000 annual Board retainer and the Lead Director receives an additional $24,450 annually. In addition, the Trustees are reimbursed for certain expenses associated with attending Board meetings. Compensation to the Trustees is allocated between the Trust and the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust in proportion to the assets under management of each trust. During the year ended December 31, 2014, actual Trustee compensation was $1,155,670 in total for both trusts.
4. Investment Valuation Summary
The valuation techniques employed by the Fund, as described below, maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in determining fair value. The inputs used for valuing the Fund’s investments are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
— | Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets |
— | Level 2 — other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayments speeds, credit risk, etc.) |
— | Level 3 — significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments) |
Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers in or out of an assigned level within the disclosure hierarchy. The Fund determines transfers between fair value hierarchy levels at the reporting period end. The inputs or methodology used for valuing investments is not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those investments.
Investments in other investment companies are valued at their published net asset value (“NAV”). Security prices are generally provided by an independent third party pricing service approved by the Trust’s Board of Trustees (“Trustees”) as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) (generally 4:00 pm Eastern Time). The investments utilizing Level 1 valuations represent investments in open-end investment companies. Futures contracts are valued at the last sales price as of the close of the primary exchange and are typically categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, there were no Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine fair value.
The following is a summary of the valuation inputs used as of December 31, 2014 in valuing the Fund’s investments based upon the three levels defined above:
Investment Securities: | Level 1 | Level 2 | Total | ||||||||||||
Affiliated Investment Company | $ | 272,633,406 | $ | — | $ | 272,633,406 | |||||||||
Unaffiliated Investment Companies | 6,638,177 | — | 6,638,177 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Investment Securities | 279,271,583 | — | 279,271,583 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Other Financial Instruments:* | |||||||||||||||
Futures Contracts | 157,831 | — | 157,831 | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||
Total Investments | $ | 279,429,414 | $ | — | $ | 279,429,414 | |||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
* | Other Financial Instruments would include any derivative instruments, such as futures contracts. These investments are generally recorded in the financial statements at the unrealized gain or loss on the investment. |
10
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund
Notes to the Financial Statements
December 31, 2014
5. Security Purchases and Sales
For the year ended December 31, 2014, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of securities (excluding securities maturing less than one year from acquisition) were as follows:
Purchases | Sales | |||||||||
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 276,040,524 | $ | 882,792 |
6. Investment Risks
Derivatives Risk: The Fund may invest directly or through affiliated or unaffiliated mutual funds or unregistered investment pools in derivative instruments such as futures, options, and options on futures. A derivative is a financial contract whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference rate, or risk. Use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. Derivatives are subject to a number of other risks, such as liquidity risk, interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, and selection risk. Derivatives also involve the risk of mispricing or improper valuation and the risk that changes in the value may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate, or index. Using derivatives may result in losses, possibly in excess of the principal amount invested. Also, suitable derivative transactions may not be available in all circumstances. The other party to a derivatives contract could default.
7. Federal Tax Information
It is the Fund’s policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code under Subchapter M, applicable to regulated investment companies, and to distribute all of its taxable income, including any net realized gains on investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no provision is made for federal income taxes.
Management of the Fund has reviewed tax positions taken in tax years that remain subject to examination by all major tax jurisdictions, including federal (i.e., the last four tax year ends and the interim tax period since then, as applicable). Management believes that there is no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken.
Cost for federal income tax purposes at December 31, 2014 is $281,795,909. The gross unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on a tax basis is as follows:
Unrealized appreciation | $ | — | ||
Unrealized depreciation | (2,524,326 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | $ | (2,524,326 | ) | |
|
|
The tax character of dividends paid to shareholders during the year ended December 31, 2014 were as follows:
Ordinary Income | Net Long-Term Capital Gains | Total Distributions(a) | |||||||||||||
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 514,340 | $ | 16,343,653 | $ | 16,857,993 |
(a) | Total distributions paid may differ from the Statements of Changes in Net Assets because dividends are recognized when actually paid for tax purposes. |
As of December 31, 2014, the components of accumulated earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other Losses | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation)(a) | Total Accumulated Earnings/ (Deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||
AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund | $ | 79,920 | $ | 121,792 | $ | — | $ | (2,524,326 | ) | $ | (2,322,614 | ) |
(a) | The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) is attributable primarily to tax deferral of losses on wash sales. |
8. Concentration of Investments
As of December 31, 2014, the Fund’s investment in the AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, which is affiliated with the Investment Adviser, represented greater than 90% of the Fund’s net assets. The financial statements of the AZL T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund are attached hereto.
9. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions subsequent to period end through the date the financial statements were issued, for purposes of recognition or disclosure in these financial statements and there are no subsequent events to report.
11
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust:
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund (the “Fund”) of the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust, including the schedule of portfolio investments, as of December 31, 2014, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for the period January 10, 2014 to December 31, 2014. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2014, by correspondence with the brokers, custodian, and transfer agents of the underlying funds. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2014, the results of its operations, the changes in its net assets, and the financial highlights for the period January 10, 2014 to December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Columbus, Ohio
February 25, 2015
12
Other Federal Income Tax Information (Unaudited)
For the year ended December 31, 2014, 84.13% of the total ordinary income dividends paid by the Fund qualify for the corporate dividends received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net long-term capital gain distributions of $16,343,652.
During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Fund declared net short-term capital gain distributions of $186,459.
13
Other Information (Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, upon request, by visiting the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“Commission”) website at www.sec.gov, or by calling 800-624-0197.
Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30th is available (i) without charge, upon request, by calling 800-624-0197; (ii) on the Allianz Variable Insurance Products Trust’s website at https://www.allianzlife.com; and (iii) on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
The Fund files complete Schedules of Portfolio Holdings with the Commission for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. Schedules of Portfolio Holdings for the Fund in this report are available without charge on the Commission’s website at http://www.sec.gov, or may be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800-SEC-0330.
14
Approval of Investment Advisory Agreement (Unaudited)
Subject to the general supervision of the Board of Trustees and in accordance with each Fund’s investment objectives and restrictions, investment advisory services are provided to the Funds by Allianz Investment Management LLC (the “Manager”). The Manager manages each Fund pursuant to an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with the Trust in respect of each such Fund. The Management Agreement provides that the Manager, subject to the supervision and approval of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for the management of each Fund. For management services, each Fund pays the Manager an investment advisory fee based upon each Fund’s average daily net assets. The Manager has contractually agreed to limit the expenses of each Fund by reimbursing each Fund if and when total Fund operating expenses exceed certain amounts until at least May 1, 2016.
Wilshire Funds Management (“Wilshire”) serves as a consultant to the Manager in preparing statistical and other factual information for use in the creation and maintenance of the asset allocation models for the Fusion Funds (the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Moderate and Growth Funds), pursuant to an agreement between the Manager and Wilshire. Wilshire serves as a consultant to the Manager with respect to selecting the Fusion Permitted Underlying Investments and the Fund’s asset allocations among the Permitted Underlying Investments. The Manager, not any Fund, pays a consultant fee to Wilshire. Wilshire began serving in its capacity as a consultant beginning January 1, 2010.
In reviewing the services provided by the Manager and the terms of the Management Agreement, the Board receives and reviews information related to the Manager’s experience and expertise in the variable insurance marketplace. Currently, the Funds are offered only through variable annuities and variable life insurance policies, and not in the retail fund market. In addition, the Board receives information regarding the Manager’s expertise with regard to portfolio diversification and asset allocation requirements within variable insurance products issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its subsidiary, Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York. Currently, the Funds are offered only through Allianz Life and Allianz of New York variable products.
As required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), the Trust’s Board has reviewed and approved the Management Agreement with the Manager. The Board’s decision to approve this contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment on whether to approve new arrangements and continue the existing arrangements. During its review of the contract, the Board considered many factors, among the most material of which are: the Funds’ investment objectives, the Manager’s management philosophy, personnel, processes and investment performance, including its compliance history and the adequacy of its compliance processes; the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders (and underlying contract owners) and their relative sophistication; the continuing state of competition in the mutual fund industry; and comparable fees in the mutual fund industry.
The Board also considered the compensation and benefits received by the Manager. This includes fees received for services provided to a Fund by employees of the Manager or of affiliates of the Manager and research services received by the Manager from brokers that execute Fund trades, as well as advisory fees. The Board considered the fact that: (1) the Manager and the Trust are parties to an Administrative Service Agreement and Compliance Services Agreement, under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for performing certain administrative and compliance services including providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer; and (2) Allianz Life Financial Services LLC, an affiliated person of the Manager, is a registered securities broker-dealer and receives (along with its affiliated persons) payments made by the Underlying Funds pursuant to Rule 12b-1.
The Board is aware that various courts have interpreted provisions of the 1940 Act and have indicated in their decisions that the following factors may be relevant to the Manager’s compensation: the nature and quality of the services provided by the Manager, including the performance of the funds; the Manager’s cost of providing the services; the extent to which the Manager may realize “economies of scale” as the funds grow larger; any indirect benefits that may accrue to the Manager and its affiliates as a result of the Manager’s relationship with the funds; performance and expenses of comparable funds; the profitability to the Manager from acting as adviser to the funds; and the extent which the independent Board members are fully informed about all facts bearing on the Manager’s services and fees. The Trust’s Board is aware of these factors and took them into account in its review of the Management Agreement for the Funds.
The Board considered and weighed these circumstances in light of its experience in governing the Trust, and is assisted in its deliberations by the advice of legal counsel to the Independent Trustees. In this regard, the Board requests and receives a significant amount of information about the Funds and the Manager. Some of this information is provided at each regular meeting of the Board; additional information is provided in connection with the particular meeting or meetings at which the Board’s formal review of an advisory contract occurs. In between regularly scheduled meetings, the Board may receive information on particular matters as the need arises. Thus, the Board’s evaluation of the Management Agreement is informed by reports covering such matters as: the Manager’s investment philosophy, personnel and processes, and the Fund’s investment performance (in absolute terms as well as in relationship to its benchmark). In connection with comparing the performance of each Fund versus its benchmark, the Board receives reports on the extent to which the Fund’s performance may be attributed to various applicable factors, such as asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies, the performance of the Underlying Funds, rebalancing decisions, and the impact of cash positions and Fund fees and expenses. The Board also receives reports on the Funds’ expenses (including the advisory fee itself and the overall expense structure of the Funds, both in absolute terms and relative to similar and/or competing funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations); the nature and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by the Manager and its affiliates; compliance and audit reports concerning the Funds and the companies that service them; and relevant developments in the mutual fund industry and how the Funds and/or the Manager are responding to them.
The Board also receives financial information about the Manager, including reports on the compensation and benefits the Manager derives from its relationships with the Funds. These reports cover not only the fees under the Management Agreement, but also fees, if any, received for providing other services to the Funds. The reports also discuss any indirect or “fall out” benefits the Manager or its affiliates may derive from its relationship with the Funds.
The Management Agreement was most recently considered at Board of Trustees meetings held in the fall of 2014. Information relevant to the approval of such Agreement was considered at a telephonic Board of Trustees meeting on October 14, 2014, and at an “in person” Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014. The Agreement was approved at the Board meeting of October 21, 2014. At such meeting the Board also approved an Expense Limitation Agreement between the Manager and the Trust for the period ending April 30, 2016. In connection with such meetings, the Trustees requested and evaluated extensive materials from the Manager, including performance and expense information for other investment companies with similar investment objectives derived from data compiled by an independent third party provider and other sources believed to be reliable by the Manager. Prior to voting, the Trustees reviewed the proposed approval/continuance of the Agreement with management and with experienced counsel who are independent of the Manager and received a memorandum from such counsel discussing the legal standards for their consideration of the proposed approvals/ continuances. The independent (“disinterested”) Trustees also discussed the proposed approvals/continuances in a private session with such counsel at which no representatives of the Manager were present. In reaching their determinations relating to the approval and/or continuance of the Agreement, in respect of each Fund, the Trustees considered all factors they believed relevant. The Board based its decision to approve the Management Agreement on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors, and with a view to past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations discussed above and below are necessarily relevant to each Fund, and the Board did not assign relative weights to factors discussed herein or deem any one or group of them to be controlling in and of themselves.
15
An SEC rule requires that shareholder reports include a discussion of certain factors relating to the selection of the investment adviser and the approval of the advisory fee. The “factors” enumerated by the SEC are set forth below in italics, as well as the Board’s conclusions regarding such factors:
(1) The nature, extent and quality of services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that the Manager, subject to the control of the Board of Trustees, administers each Fund’s business and other affairs. The Trustees noted that the Manager also provides the Trust and each Fund with such administrative and other services (exclusive of, and in addition to, any such services provided by any others retained by the Trust on behalf of the Funds) and executive and other personnel as are necessary for the operation of the Trust and the Funds. Except for the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Manager pays all of the compensation of Trustees and officers of the Trust who are employees of the Manager or its affiliates.
The Trustees considered the scope and quality of services provided by the Manager and noted that the scope of such services provided had expanded as a result of recent regulatory and other developments. The Trustees noted that, for example, the Manager is responsible for maintaining and monitoring its own compliance program, and this compliance program has been continuously refined and enhanced in light of new regulatory requirements. The Trustees considered the capabilities and resources which the Manager has dedicated to performing services on behalf of the Trust and its Funds. The quality of administrative and other services, including the Manager’s role in coordinating the activities of the Trust’s other service providers, also was considered. The Trustees concluded that, overall, they were satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Trust and to each of the Funds under the Management Agreement.
(2) The investment performance of the Fund and the Manager. In connection with the fall 2014 contract review process, Trustees received extensive information on the performance results of the Funds. (Of the 12 Funds, one Fund, the AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Fund, did not have at least 12 months of performance history.) Historical performance information of at least three years was available for each of the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, AZL MVP Fusion Balanced, AZL MVP Fusion Moderate and AZL MVP Fusion Growth Funds and the AZL Balanced and Growth Index Strategy Funds. Performance information includes information on absolute total return, performance versus the appropriate benchmark(s), the contribution to performance of the Manager’s asset class allocation decisions and volatility management strategies (the volatility management strategy was modified to incorporate a volatility cap in the second quarter of 2013), the performance of the Underlying Funds, and the impact on performance of rebalancing decisions, cash and Fund fees. For example, in connection with the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Manager reported that for the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL MVP Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 43rd, 73rd, 74th, and 86th percentiles respectively, in their [Lipper] peer groups, and for the one year period ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 49th, 74th, 32nd, and 82nd percentiles, respectively. For the three year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Balanced Index Strategy and AZL Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 47th and 27th percentiles of their peer groups, respectively, and for the one year ended June 30, 2014 they ranked in the 69th and 27th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014 the Manager reported upon the performance of the MVP Funds compared to custom managed volatility peer groups. For the two year period ended June 30, 2014, the AZL Fusion Conservative, Balanced, Growth and Moderate Funds ranked in the 20th, 50th, 12th, and 24th percentiles respectively; the AZL MVP Balanced Index Strategy and AZL MVP Growth Index Strategy Funds ranked in the 30th and 1st percentiles respectively; and the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income and the AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus Funds ranked in the 47th, 1st, and 8th percentiles respectively.
At the Board of Trustees meeting held October 21, 2014, the Trustees determined that the investment performance of the Funds was acceptable.
(3) The costs of services to be provided and profits to be realized by the Manager and its affiliates from the relationship with the Funds. The Board considered that the Manager receives an advisory fee from each of the Funds. The Manager reported that for the MVP Fusion Funds the advisory fee paid put these Funds in the 38th percentile of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the Index Strategy Funds the advisory fee paid put them in the 32nd percentile (or lower) of the customized peer group. The Manager reported that for the AZL MVP BlackRock Global Allocation, AZL MVP Franklin Templeton Founding Strategy Plus, AZL MVP Invesco Equity & Income, and AZL MVP T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Funds, the advisory fee paid put them in the 7th percentile of the customized peer group. Trustees were provided with information on the total expense ratios of the Funds and other funds in the customized peer groups, and the Manager reported upon the challenges in making peer group comparisons for the Funds.
The Manager provided information concerning the profitability of the Manager’s investment advisory activities for the period from 2011 through June 30, 2014. The Trustees recognized that it is difficult to make comparisons of profitability from investment company advisory agreements because comparative information is not generally publicly available and is affected by numerous factors, including the structure of the particular adviser, the types of funds it manages, its business mix, numerous assumptions regarding allocation of expenses and the adviser’s capital structure and cost of capital. In considering profitability information, the Trustees considered the possible effect of certain fall-out benefits to the Manager and its affiliates. The Trustees focused on profitability of the Manager’s relationships with the Funds before taxes and distribution expenses. The Trustees recognized that the Manager should, in the abstract, be entitled to earn a reasonable level of profits for the services it provides to each Fund.
Based upon the information provided, the Board concluded that the Funds’ advisory fees and expense ratios are not unreasonable, and determined that there was no evidence that the Manager’s level of profitability from its relationship with the Funds was excessive.
(4) and (5) The extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Funds grow, and whether fee levels reflect these economies of scale. The Trustees noted that the advisory fee schedules for the Funds do not contain breakpoints that reduce the fee rate on assets above specified levels. The Trustees recognized that breakpoints may be an appropriate way for the Manager to share its economies of scale, if any, with Funds that have substantial assets. However, they also recognized that there may not be a direct relationship between any economies of scale realized by Funds and those realized by the Manager as assets increase. The Trustees do not believe there is a uniform methodology for establishing breakpoints that give effect to Fund-specific services provided by the Manager. The Trustees noted that in the fund industry as a whole, as well as among funds similar to the Funds, there is no uniformity or pattern in the fees and asset levels at which breakpoints (if any) apply. Depending on the age, size, and other characteristics of a particular fund and its manager’s cost structure, different conclusions can be drawn as to whether there are economies of scale to be realized at any particular level of assets, notwithstanding the intuitive conclusion that such economies exist, or will be realized at some level of total assets. Moreover, because different managers have different cost structures and service models, it is difficult to draw meaningful conclusions from the breakpoints that may have been adopted by other funds. The Trustees also noted that the advisory agreements for many funds do not have breakpoints at all, or if breakpoints exist, they may be at asset levels significantly greater than those of the individual Funds. The Trustees also noted that the total assets in all of the Funds as of June 30, 2014 were approximately $9.9 billion and that the largest Fund, the AZL MVP Fusion Moderate Fund, had assets of approximately $2.8 billion.
Having taken these factors into account, the Trustees concluded that the absence of breakpoints in the Funds’ advisory fee rate schedules was acceptable under each Fund’s circumstances.
The Trustees noted that the Manager has agreed to temporarily “cap” Fund expenses at certain levels, which has the effect of reducing expenses as would the implementation of advisory fee breakpoints. The Manager has committed to continue to consider the continuation of fee “caps” and/or advisory fee breakpoints as the Funds grow larger. The Board receives quarterly reports on the level of Fund assets. It expects to consider whether or not to approve the Management Agreement at a meeting to be held prior to December 31, 2015, and will at that time, or prior thereto, consider: (a) the extent to which economies of scale can be realized, and (b) whether the advisory fee should be modified to reflect such economies of scale, if any.
16
Information about the Board of Trustees and Officers (Unaudited)
The Trust is managed by the Trustees in accordance with the laws of the state of Delaware governing business trusts. There are currently nine Trustees, two of whom are “interested persons” of the Trust within the meaning of that term under the 1940 Act. The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their addresses, ages, their positions held with the Trust, their terms of office with the Trust and length of time served, their principal occupation(s) during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Trust they oversee, and their other directorships held during the past five years are as follows:
Non-Interested Trustees(1)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Peter R. Burnim, Age 67 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/07 | Chairman, Argus Investment Strategies Fund Ltd., February 2013 to present; Managing Director, iQ Venture Advisors, LLC. 2005 to 2012; Chairman, Northstar Group Holdings Ltd. Bermuda, 2011 to present; Expert Witness, Massachusetts Department of Revenue, 2011 to 2012; Executive Vice President, Northstar Companies, 2002 to 2005; Senior Officer, Citibank and Citicorp for over 25 years | 43 | Argus Group Holdings; Northstar Group Holdings, NRIL, Sterling Centrecorp Inc.; Highland Financial Holdings; and Bank of Bermuda NY | |||||
Peggy L. Ettestad, Age 57 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Lead Independent Trustee | Since 10/14 (Trustee since 2/07) | Managing Director, Red Canoe Management Consulting LLC, 2008 to present; Senior Managing Director, Residential Capital LLC, 2003 to 2008; Chief Operations Officer, Transamerica Reinsurance 2002 to 2003 | 43 | Luther College | |||||
Roger Gelfenbien, Age 71 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Partner of Accenture 1983 to 1999 | 43 | Virtus Funds (8 Funds) | |||||
Claire R. Leonardi, Age 59 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Innovations, Inc., 2012 to present; General Partner, Fairview Capital, L.P., 1994 to 2012 | 43 | Connecticut Technology Council and Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund | |||||
Dickson W. Lewis, Age 66 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; Consultant to Lifetouch National School Studios; Vice President/General Manager, Yearbooks & Canada-Lifetouch National School Studios, 2006 to 2013; Vice President/General Manager of Jostens, Inc., 2002 to 2006; Senior Vice President of Fortis Group, 1997 to 2002 | 43 | None | |||||
Peter W. McClean, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 2/04 | Retired; President and CEO of Measurisk, LLC, 2001 to 2003; Chief Risk Management Officer at Bank Of Bermuda Ltd., 1996 to 2001 | 43 | PNMAC Opportunity Fund; Northeast Bank; and FHI | |||||
Arthur C. Reeds III, Age 70 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 10/99 | Retired; Senior Investment Officer, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 2000 to 2003; Chairman, Chief Executive and President of Conning Corp., 1999 to 2000; Investment Consultant 1997 to 1999 | 43 | Connecticut Water Service, Inc. |
Interested Trustees(3)
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | Number of Portfolios Overseen for VIP Trust and FOF Trust | Other Directorships Held Outside the AZL Fund Complex | |||||
Robert DeChellis, Age 47 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 3/08 | President and CEO, Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC, 2007 to present | 43 | None | |||||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Trustee | Since 6/11 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Advisory Management, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010 | 43 | None |
17
Officers
Name, Address, and Age | Positions Held with VIP and VIP FOF Trust | Term of Office(2)/Length of Time Served | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years | |||
Brian Muench, Age 44 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | President | Since 11/10 | President, Allianz Investment Management LLC, November 2010 to present; Vice President, Allianz Life, April 2011 to present; Vice President, Allianz Investment Management LLC from December 2005 to November 2010. | |||
Michael Radmer, Age 69 Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Suite 1500 50 South Sixth Street Minneapolis, MN 55402-1498 | Secretary | Since 2/02 | Partner, Dorsey and Whitney LLP since 1976. | |||
Steve Rudden, Age 45 Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. 3435 Stelzer Road Columbus, OH 43219 | Treasurer, Principal Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer | Since 6/14 | Senior Vice President, Financial Administration, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc., April 2011 to present; Vice President, JPMorgan, April 2006 to April 2010. | |||
Chris R. Pheiffer, Age 46 5701 Golden Hills Drive Minneapolis, MN 55416 | Chief Compliance Officer(4) and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer | Since 2/14 | Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust, February 2014 to present; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of the VIP Trust and the FOF Trust and Compliance Director, Allianz Life, February 2007 to February 2014. |
(1) | Member of the Audit Committee. |
(2) | Indefinite. |
(3) | Is an “interested person”, as defined by the 1940 Act, due to employment by Allianz. |
(4) | The Manager and the Trust are parties to a Chief Compliance Officer Agreement under which the Manager is compensated by the Trust for providing an employee of the Manager or one of its affiliates to act as the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer. The Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer is not considered a corporate officer or executive employee of the Trust. |
18
The Allianz VIP Funds are distributed by Allianz Life Financial Services, LLC. These Funds are not FDIC Insured. | ANNRPT1214 2/15 |
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
(a) The registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. This code of ethics is included as an Exhibit.
(b) During the period covered by the report, with respect to the registrant’s code of ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions; there have been no amendments to, nor any waivers granted from, a provision that relates to any element of the code of ethics definition enumerated in paragraph (b) of this Item 2.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
3(a)(1) The registrant’s board of directors has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.
3(a)(2) The audit committee financial expert is Arthur C. Reeds III, who is “independent” for purposes of this Item 3 of
Form N-CSR.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||
(a) | Audit Fees | $ | 146,900 | $ | 131,500 | |||||
(b) | Audit-Related Fees | $ | 5,500 | $ | 13,500 |
Audit-related fees for both years relate to the review of the annual registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Audit-related fees for 2013 also include the consent for issuance of two Form N-14 filings.
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||
(c) | Tax Fees | $ | 37,000 | $ | 28,925 |
Tax fees for both years related to the preparation of the Funds’ federal and state income tax returns, federal excise tax return review and review of capital gain and income distribution calculations.
2014 | 2013 | |||||||||
(d) | All Other Fees | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
4(e)(1) The Audit Committee (“Committee”) of the Registrant is responsible for pre-approving all audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence. Before the Registrant engages the independent auditor to render a service, the engagement must be
either specifically approved by the Committee or entered into pursuant to the pre-approval policy. The Committee may delegate preapproval authority to one or more of its members. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval decisions to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee may not delegate to management the Committee’s responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor. The Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chairman for any services not exceeding $10,000.
4(e)(2) During the previous two fiscal years, the Registrant did not receive any non-audit services pursuant to a waiver from the audit committee approval or pre-approval requirement under paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
4(f) | Not applicable |
4(g)
2014 | 2013 | |||||||
$ | 50,500 | $ | 42,425 |
4(h) | Not applicable |
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
(a) The Schedule of Investments as of the close of the reporting period are included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of the Form N-CSR.
(b) Not applicable.
Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
Not applicable.
Item 11. Controls and Procedures.
(a)The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as conducted within 90 days of the filing date of this report, that these disclosure controls and procedures are adequately designed and are operating effectively to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.
(b)There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 12. Exhibits.
(a)(1) The code of ethics that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 is attached hereto.
(a)(2) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) are attached hereto.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) are furnished herewith.
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) | Allianz Variable Insurance Products Fund of Funds Trust | |||
By (Signature and Title) | /s/ Brian Muench | |||
Brian Muench, President | ||||
Date March 5, 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/ Brian Muench | |||
Brian Muench, President | ||||
Date March 5, 2015 | ||||
By (Signature and Title) | /s/ Steve Rudden | |||
Steve Rudden, Treasurer | ||||
Date March 5, 2015 |