UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORMN-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number:811-23351
AMERICAN BEACON APOLLO TOTAL RETURN FUND
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200
Irving, Texas 75039
(Address of principal executive offices)-(Zip code)
GENE L. NEEDLES, JR., PRESIDENT
220 East Las Colinas Boulevard, Suite 1200
Irving, Texas 75039
(Name and address of agent for service)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (817)391-6100
Date of fiscal year end: June 30, 2019
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2019
FormN-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on FormN-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.
A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by FormN-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in FormN-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.
ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.
About American Beacon Advisors
Since 1986, American Beacon Advisors has offered a variety of products and investment advisory services to numerous institutional and retail clients, including a variety of mutual funds, corporate cash management, and separate account management.
Our clients include defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, foundations, endowments, corporations, financial planners, and other institutional investors. With American Beacon Advisors, you can put the experience of a multi-billion dollar asset management firm to work for your company.
APOLLO TOTAL RETURN FUND
The Fund is anon-diversified, closed-endmanagement investment company structured as an “interval fund” and designed primarily for long-term investors. The Fund’s use offixed-incomeandvariable-ratesecurities, such as loans and related instruments of varying levels of seniority, corporate debt and notes, high-yield securities, CLOs, CLNs, RMBS, CMBS andderivativesentails interest rate, liquidity, market and credit risks. Investing inforeign and emerging market securitiesmay involve heightened risk due to currency fluctuations and economic and political risks. The Fund invests inreal estaterelated securities, which involve additional risks such as limited liquidity and greater volatility. The Fund’s ability toborrowfor investment purposes and otherwise useleveragecan magnify these risks. There is no secondary market for the Fund’s shares, and the Fund expects that no secondary market will develop. Even though the Fund will make quarterly repurchase offers for its outstanding shares (currently expected to be for 8% per quarter), investors should consider shares of the Fund to be anilliquid investment. There is no guarantee that investors will be able to sell their shares at any given time or in the quantity desired. Please see the prospectus for a complete discussion of the Fund’s risks. There can be no assurances that the investment objectives of this Fund will be met.
Any opinions herein, including forecasts, reflect our judgment as of the end of the reporting period and are subject to change. Each advisor’s strategies and each Fund’s portfolio composition will change depending on economic and market conditions. This report is not a complete analysis of market conditions, and, therefore, should not be relied upon as investment advice. Although economic and market information has been compiled from reliable sources, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. makes no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the statements contained herein.
American Beacon Interval Funds | June 30, 2019 |
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Schedule of Investments: | ||||
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Financial Highlights: | ||||
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Disclosures Regarding the Approval of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements | 35 | |||
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Back Cover |
Dear Shareholders,
At American Beacon, we take our heritage as a fiduciary very seriously — and we apply that mindset to all aspects of our business as a fund manager. As a result, for more than 30 years, we have endeavored to:
u Identify, engage and oversee the best money managers. As a manager of managers, our goal is to engage the most effective money managers for each asset class, investment style and market strategy we offer. We are committed to partnering with those we judge to be “the best of the best” when it comes to choosing sub-advisors for our mutual funds. Whether our due-diligence process results in the selection of one sub-advisor or multiple sub-advisors, we select those we believe show the greatest potential to help us meet the high standards you’ve come to expect. |
u | Offer a variety of innovative investment solutions. Our mutual funds — which span the domestic, international, global, frontier and emerging markets — are sub-advised by experienced money managers who employ distinctive, proprietary investment processes to manage assets through a variety of economic and market conditions. From offering some of the first multi-manager funds, one of the first retirement income funds and the first open-ended mutual fund in the U.S. to focus primarily on frontier-market debt, our robust history includes applying a disciplined, solutions-based approach to our product development process in an effort to help you grow your assets while mitigating risk. |
u | Provide a solutions-based approach to achieving long-term investment goals.We seek to provide investment solutions that might enable you to benefit from taking a more disciplined approach to investing. Our mutual funds provide access to institutional-quality, research-intensive investment managers with diverse processes and styles. Over the long run, having such access and spending time in the market — rather than trying to time the market — may better position you to reach your long-term investment goals during market upswings and potentially insulate against market downswings. |
Our management approach is more than a concept; it’s the cornerstone of American Beacon’s culture. And we strive to employ it at every turn as we seek to provide a well-diversified line of investment solutions to help our shareholders seek long-term rewards.
Thank you for your continued interest in American Beacon. For additional information about our mutual funds or to access your account information, please visit our website atwww.americanbeaconfunds.com
Best Regards,
Gene L. Needles, Jr.
President
American Beacon Interval Funds
1
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
The negative headlines that punctuated much of 2018 coalesced into a wave of pessimism in the fourth quarter of 2018. Investor concerns around a variety of issues, including higher interest rates, heightened trade tensions and slowing global growth, ultimately overwhelmed a market that had displayed remarkable resiliency during most of the year’s first nine months. The U.S. High Yield market’s -2.19% return during the last month of the year was the worst monthly performance for credit in almost three years. The S&P 500 Index’s -9.03% return in December was the worst monthly performance for U.S. stocks since February 2009 and the worst December performance since the Great Depression.
The turmoil that enveloped the market in the second half of the fourth quarter coincided with a collapse in interest rates. Ten-year U.S. Treasury yields fell approximately 40 basis points to 2.70% during the final seven weeks of the year while the market quickly abandoned its expectation for two Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) rate hikes in 2019. Given their floating-rate nature, U.S. leveraged loans were particularly hard hit by the move lower in interest rates and experienced more than $40 billion of outflows in the fourth quarter, including almost $30 billion in December alone.
The rebound in the first half of 2019 was spurred by a radical Fed pivot toward dovishness, signaling no more rate hikes and an earlier cessation of quantitative tightening. Markets applauded the Fed’s efforts to support market stability; the S&P 500 rallied 13.65% during the first quarter, its best start to a year since 1998. The U.S. High Yield market posted a 7.40% quarterly gain, its highest reading since the third quarter of 2009, and spreads collapsed more than 100 basis points. The positive inflection in the market was almost immediate as High Yield notched a 4.59% return for the month of January alone. Lower interest rates and supportive market technicals also helped drive the first quarter rally in credit. Robust, high-yield inflows drove stronger asset demand while a lack of new deal activity constrained supply. Offsetting some of this good news was a weakness in net leveraged loan new issuance, which declined 30% year-over-year during the first quarter, suggesting the year-end bout of market volatility negatively affected new deal-pipeline growth, which contributed to the lack of new supply during the first three months of 2019.
In May 2019, escalating global trade tensions brought about a broad-based sell-off in risk assets. U.S.-China trade negotiations broke down as the Trump administration announced it would move ahead with tariff increases on U.S. imports from China. In retaliation, China imposed tariff increases on U.S. exports. As hopes for a U.S.-China trade deal evaporated, the Trump administration’s unanticipated announcement about establishing a tariff on all Mexican imports unless Mexico agreed to help stem the flow of illegal immigrants served to further exacerbate trade concerns. Amid this heightened level of trade uncertainty, global equity markets fell as investment-grade and high-yield spreads widened throughout the month. The rising risk-off sentiment also led developed-market bond yields to fall sharply across the yield curve. In the U.S., the front-end of the yield curve inverted for the second time in 2019 as the spread between the three-month and 10-year Treasury yields turned negative. The three-month Treasury bill yield ended May at 2.35%, as compared to the 10-year rate at 2.14%. By June 2019,10-year Treasuries dipped to 2.00%.
While the escalating trade war was the main catalyst for market weakness, other geopolitical headwinds emanating from the United Kingdom and Europe added pressure to an already tenuous market. In the U.K., Prime Minister Theresa May announced she would step down after she was unable to gain British Parliament support for her Brexit deal. Anti-establishment and populist parties gained ground in European Parliament elections in May, increasing the outlook for policy uncertainty — particularly in Italy. After the brief setback, risk markets bounced back by the end of the quarter as U.S.-China trade tensions thawed and the Fed signaled easier monetary policy.
2
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Performance Overview
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
The Y Class of the American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (the “Fund”) returned 4.37% for the since-inception period ended June 30, 2019. The Fund’s inception was September 12, 2018, and it does not yet have a full twelve-month history. For comparison, the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Total Return Index returned 2.56%, and the ICE BofA ML U.S. High Yield Index returned 5.20% during the same period.
Comparison of Changes in Value of a $100,000 Investment for the period 9/12/2018 through 6/30/2019
Average Annual Total Returns for the Period ended June 30, 2019 |
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Ticker | 6 months | Since Inception | Value of $100,000 09/12/2018- 06/30/2019 | |||||||||||||||||||
Y Class (1,3) | SHXIX | 5.75 | % | 4.37 | % | $ | 104,370 | |||||||||||||||
S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Total Return Index (2) | 5.71 | % | 2.56 | % | $ | 102,560 |
1. | Performance shown is historical and is not indicative of future returns. Investment returns and principal value will vary, and shares may be worth more or less at redemption than at original purchase. Performance shown is calculated based on the published end-of-day net asset values as of date indicated, and current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. To obtain performance as of the most recent month end, please visitwww.americanbeaconfunds.com or call 1-800-967-9009. Fund performance in the table above does not reflect the deduction of taxes a shareholder would pay on distributions or the redemption of shares. Generally accepted accounting principles require adjustments to be made to the net assets of the Fund at period end for financial reporting purposes only; and as such, the total return based on the unadjusted net asset value per share may differ from the total return reported in the financial highlights. A portion of the fees charged to the Y Class of the Fund has been waived since Fund inception. Performance prior to waiving fees was lower than the actual returns shown since inception. |
2. | The S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index is a common benchmark and represents the 100 largest and most liquid issues of the institutional loan universe. The index is modified market value-weighted and is fully rebalanced semi-annually. In addition, the index is reviewed weekly to reflect pay-downs and ensure that it continually maintains 100 loan facilities. One cannot directly invest in an index. |
3. | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expense ratio set forth in the most recent Fund prospectus for the Y Class shares was 3.84%. The expense ratio above may vary from the expense ratio presented in other sections of this report that is based on expenses incurred during the period covered by this report. |
3
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Performance Overview
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
The Fund primarily held secured first-lien, bank-loan instruments and high-yield bonds during the period given its size and investment opportunities available since inception. Over time, the holdings will be more broadly distributed across security types and asset classes in accordance with the Fund’s investment strategy.
The Fund launched just prior to the volatility that began in November 2018 as equity markets, trade tensions, Brexit concerns and the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank overwhelmed investor appetite for risk and led to a flight-to-quality in U.S. Treasuries. Yields fell during the final weeks of the year as the market quickly abandoned its expectation for two Fed rate hikes in 2019. U.S. leveraged loans were particularly hard hit by the move lower in interest rates given their floating-rate nature. Average U.S. leveraged loan prices fell from over $98 in early November to below $94 by the end of 2018. As of June 30, 2019, they recovered to $97.
Credit spreads rebounded in 2019 as risk markets applauded the Fed’s rediscovered concern for market stability. The U.S. high-yield market posted a strong return of 10.2% through the first half of the year. U.S. leveraged loans retraced their losses from the fourth quarter of 2018 generating a 5.7% return so far this year. Lower interest rates and supportive market technicals also helped drive the rally in credit.
The Fund benefited from the improvement in credit markets during the first half of 2019. It ended the period with a very low interest-rate duration (approximately one year) and a gross yield-to-worst of approximately 5.7%.
The sub-advisor’s investment strategy is based on the ability to adapt to markets with a flexible investment approach that seeks attractive risk-adjusted returns. The sub-advisor attempts to invest contrary to broader market sentiment to build value-based fixed-income portfolios.
Top Ten Holdings (% Net Assets) | ||||||||
Zayo Group LLC, 4.652%, Due 1/19/2024, 2017 Incremental Term Loan,(1-mo. LIBOR + 2.250%) | 8.2 | |||||||
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC, 5.662%, Due 5/9/2025, Term Loan B,(1-mo. LIBOR + 3.250%) | 8.1 | |||||||
Wall Street Systems Delaware, Inc., 7.402%, Due 11/21/2024, 2019 Term Loan,(1-mo. LIBOR + 5.000%) | 8.1 | |||||||
HCA, Inc., 5.875%, Due 5/1/2023 | 4.4 | |||||||
HCA Healthcare, Inc., 6.250%, Due 2/15/2021 | 4.3 | |||||||
TransDigm, Inc., 6.250%, Due 3/15/2026 | 4.3 | |||||||
Belfor Holdings, Inc., 6.402%, Due 4/6/2026, Term Loan B,(1-mo. LIBOR + 4.000%) | 4.1 | |||||||
Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., 6.625%, Due 1/2/2024, 2017 Term Loan B5 | 4.1 | |||||||
Radiology Partners Holdings LLC, Due 7/9/2025, 2018 1st Lien Term Loan B | 4.1 | |||||||
Windstream Holdings, Inc., 4.910%, Due 2/26/2021, DIP Term Loan,(1-mo. LIBOR + 2.500%) | 4.1 | |||||||
Total Fund Holdings | 24 | |||||||
Sector Allocation (% Investments) | ||||||||
Telecommunications | 20.0 | |||||||
Consumer | 16.0 | |||||||
Technology | 15.2 | |||||||
Consumer,Non-Cyclical | 14.6 | |||||||
Financial | 11.1 | |||||||
Industrial | 8.2 | |||||||
Health Care | 4.0 | |||||||
Manufacturing | 3.9 | |||||||
Utilities | 3.7 | |||||||
Consumer, Cyclical | 3.3 |
4
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Expense Example
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
Fund Expense Example
As a shareholder of a Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption fees, if applicable, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution (12b-1) fees, sub-transfer agent fees, and other Fund expenses. The Examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing cost (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Examples are based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period in each Class and held for the entire period from January 1, 2019 through June 30, 2019.
Actual Expenses
The “Actual” lines of the tables provide information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information on this page, 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 = $8.60), then multiply the result by the “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
The “Hypothetical” lines of the tables provide information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed 5% per year rate of return before expenses (not the Fund’s actual return). You may compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund with other funds by contrasting this 5% hypothetical example and the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period.
You should also be aware that the expenses shown in the table highlight only your ongoing costs and do not reflect any transaction costs charged by the Fund, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees, as applicable. Similarly, the expense examples for other funds do not reflect any transaction costs charged by those funds, such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees or exchange fees. Therefore, the “Hypothetical” lines of the tables are useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If you were subject to any transaction costs during the period, your costs would have been higher.
5
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Expense Example
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund |
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Beginning Account Value 1/1/2019 | Ending Account Value 6/30/2019 | Expenses Paid During Period 1/1/2019-6/30/2019* | |||||||||||||
Y Class | |||||||||||||||
Actual | $1,000.00 | $1,057.50 | $8.67 | ||||||||||||
Hypothetical** | $1,000.00 | $1,016.36 | $8.50 |
* | Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized net expense ratio for thesix-month period of 1.70% for the Y Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number derived by dividing the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year (181) by days in the year (365) to reflect the half-year period. |
** | 5% return before expenses. |
6
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Trustees of and Shareholders of American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (the “Fund”) as of June 30, 2019, and the related statements of operations and changes in net assets, including the related notes, and the financial highlights for the period September 12, 2018 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2019 (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of June 30, 2019, the results of its operations, changes in its net assets and the financial highlights for the period September 12, 2018 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of June 30, 2019 by correspondence with the custodian, transfer agent, agent banks and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Dallas, TX
August 27, 2019
We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies in the American Beacon family of funds since 2016.
7
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2019
Principal Amount* | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
BANK LOAN OBLIGATIONSA - 71.04% | |||||||||||||||
Consumer - 16.14% | |||||||||||||||
Allied Universal Holdco LLC, | |||||||||||||||
Due 6/26/2026, 2019 Delayed Draw Term LoanB C | $ | 22,523 | $ | 22,297 | |||||||||||
Due 6/26/2026, 2019 Term Loan BB | 227,477 | 225,050 | |||||||||||||
Belfor Holdings, Inc., 6.402%, Due 4/6/2026, Term Loan B,(1-mo. LIBOR + 4.000%) | 250,000 | 251,250 | |||||||||||||
Getty Images, Inc., 6.938%, Due 2/19/2026, 2019 1st Lien Term Loan,(1-mo. LIBOR + 4.500%) | 248,750 | 247,091 | |||||||||||||
Penn National Gaming, Inc., 4.402%, Due 10/19/2023, 2017 Term Loan A,(1-mo. LIBOR + 2.000%) | 243,750 | 241,566 | |||||||||||||
|
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987,254 | |||||||||||||||
|
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Financial - 11.21% | |||||||||||||||
Alliant Holdings Intermediate LLC, 5.662%, Due 5/9/2025, Term Loan B,(1-mo. LIBOR + 3.250%) | 500,000 | 492,815 | |||||||||||||
NFP Corp., 5.402%, Due 1/8/2024, Term Loan B,(1-mo. LIBOR + 3.000%) | 198,980 | 193,227 | |||||||||||||
|
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686,042 | |||||||||||||||
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Health Care - 4.07% | |||||||||||||||
Radiology Partners Holdings LLC, Due 7/9/2025, 2018 1st Lien Term Loan BB | 250,000 | 249,220 | |||||||||||||
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249,220 | |||||||||||||||
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Manufacturing - 3.93% | |||||||||||||||
Associated Asphalt Partners LLC, 7.652%, Due 4/5/2024, 2017 Term Loan B,(1-mo. LIBOR + 5.250%) | 247,111 | 240,110 | |||||||||||||
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240,110 | |||||||||||||||
|
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Technology - 15.43% | |||||||||||||||
ION Trading Technologies S.a.r.l., 6.651%, Due 11/21/2024, USD Incremental Term Loan B,(3-mo. LIBOR + 4.000%) | 241,433 | 233,543 | |||||||||||||
Riverbed Technology, Inc., 5.660%, Due 4/24/2022, 2016 Term Loan,(1-mo. LIBOR + 3.250%) | 249,758 | 215,209 | |||||||||||||
Wall Street Systems Delaware, Inc., 7.402%, Due 11/21/2024, 2019 Term Loan,(1-mo. LIBOR + 5.000%) | 500,000 | 495,000 | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
943,752 | |||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
Telecommunications - 20.26% | |||||||||||||||
CenturyLink, Inc., 5.152%, Due 11/1/2022, 2017 Term Loan A,(1-mo. LIBOR + 2.750%) | 240,260 | 239,359 | |||||||||||||
Intelsat Jackson Holdings S.A., 6.625%, Due 1/2/2024, 2017 Term Loan B5D | 250,000 | 250,832 | |||||||||||||
Windstream Holdings, Inc., 4.910%, Due 2/26/2021, DIP Term Loan,(1-mo. LIBOR + 2.500%) | 250,000 | 250,000 | |||||||||||||
Zayo Group LLC, 4.652%, Due 1/19/2024, 2017 Incremental Term Loan,(1-mo. LIBOR + 2.250%) | 500,000 | 499,430 | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
1,239,621 | |||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
Total Bank Loan Obligations (Cost $4,382,541) | 4,345,999 | ||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 26.54% | |||||||||||||||
Consumer, Cyclical - 3.30% | |||||||||||||||
Scientific Games International, Inc., 5.000%, Due 10/15/2025E | 200,000 | 202,000 | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
Consumer,Non-Cyclical - 11.23% | |||||||||||||||
Centene Corp., 4.750%, Due 5/15/2022 | 150,000 | 153,187 | |||||||||||||
HCA Healthcare, Inc., 6.250%, Due 2/15/2021 | 250,000 | 261,875 | |||||||||||||
HCA, Inc., 5.875%, Due 5/1/2023 | 250,000 | 271,845 | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
686,907 | |||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
Industrial - 8.27% | |||||||||||||||
Reynolds Group Issuer, Inc. / Reynolds Group Issuer LLC / Reynolds Group Issuer Lu, 5.750%, Due 10/15/2020 | 242,277 | 242,883 | |||||||||||||
TransDigm, Inc., 6.250%, Due 3/15/2026E | 250,000 | 263,125 | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
506,008 | |||||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
Utilities - 3.74% | |||||||||||||||
Clearway Energy Operating LLC, 5.750%, Due 10/15/2025E | 225,000 | 228,375 | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
Total Corporate Obligations (Cost $1,611,440) | 1,623,290 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
See accompanying notes
8
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Schedule of Investments
June 30, 2019
Principal Amount* | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||
FOREIGN CORPORATE OBLIGATIONS - 3.53% (Cost $216,300) | |||||||||||||||
Consumer,Non-Cyclical - 3.53% | |||||||||||||||
JBS USA LUX S.A. / JBS USA Finance, Inc., 5.875%, Due 7/15/2024E | $ | 210,000 | $ | 216,038 | |||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
Shares | |||||||||||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS - 12.78% (Cost $781,731) | |||||||||||||||
Investment Companies - 12.78% | |||||||||||||||
American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, Select Class, 2.32%F G | 781,731 | 781,731 | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 113.89% (Cost $6,992,012) | 6,967,058 | ||||||||||||||
LIABILITIES, NET OF OTHER ASSETS - (13.89%) | (849,578 | ) | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
TOTAL NET ASSETS - 100.00% | $ | 6,117,480 | |||||||||||||
|
| ||||||||||||||
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets. *In U.S. Dollars unless otherwise noted. |
A Bank loan obligations, unless otherwise stated, carry a floating rate of interest. The coupon rate shown on floating or adjustable rate securities represents the rate at period end.
B Coupon rates may not be available for bank loans that are unsettled and/or unfunded as of June 30, 2019.
C Unfunded Loan Commitment. At period end, the amount of unfunded loan commitments was $22,523 or 0.37% of net assets. Of this amount, $22,523 relates to Allied Universal Holdco LLC.
D Fixed Rate.
E Security exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. These securities may be resold to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A. At the period end, the value of these securities amounted to $909,538 or 14.87% of net assets. The Fund has no right to demand registration of these securities.
F The Fund is affiliated by having the same investment advisor.
G7-day yield.
DIP –Debtor-in-possession.
LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate.
LLC - Limited Liability Company.
USD United States Dollar.
The Fund’s investments are summarized by level based on the inputs used to determine their values. As of June 30, 2019, the investments were classified as described below:
Apollo Total Return Fund | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bank Loan Obligations(1) | $ | - | $ | 4,345,999 | $ | - | $ | 4,345,999 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Corporate Obligations | - | 1,623,290 | - | 1,623,290 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign Corporate Obligations | - | 216,038 | - | 216,038 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Short-Term Investments | 781,731 | - | - | 781,731 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Total Investments in Securities - Assets | $ | 781,731 | $ | 6,185,327 | $ | - | $ | 6,967,058 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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(1) | Unfunded loan commitments represent $22,523 at year end. |
U.S. GAAP requires transfers between all levels to/from level 3 be disclosed. During the year ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.
See accompanying notes
9
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
June 30, 2019
Assets: |
| |||
Investments in unaffiliated securities, at fair value† | $ | 6,185,327 | ||
Investments in affiliated securities, at fair value‡ | 781,731 | |||
Cash | 3,227 | |||
Dividends and interest receivable | 56,761 | |||
Receivable for investments sold | 5,468,328 | |||
Deferred offering costs | 87,868 | |||
Prepaid expenses | 9,922 | |||
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Total assets | 12,593,164 | |||
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Liabilities: |
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Payable for investments purchased | 6,122,020 | |||
Payable to Manager (Note 2) | 147,651 | |||
Dividends payable | 35,847 | |||
Management andsub-advisory fees payable (Note 2) | 6,423 | |||
Unfunded loan commitments | 22,523 | |||
Service fees payable (Note 2) | 2,670 | |||
Transfer agent fees payable | 9,791 | |||
Custody and fund accounting fees payable | 11,197 | |||
Professional fees payable | 116,851 | |||
Other liabilities | 711 | |||
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Total liabilities | 6,475,684 | |||
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Net assets | $ | 6,117,480 | ||
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Analysis of net assets: |
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Paid-in-capital | $ | 6,019,529 | ||
Total distributable earnings (deficits)A | 97,951 | |||
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Net assets | $ | 6,117,480 | ||
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Shares outstanding at no par value (unlimited shares authorized): |
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Y Class | 601,006 | |||
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Net assets: |
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Y Class | $ | 6,117,480 | ||
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Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share: |
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Y Class | $ | 10.18 | ||
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† Cost of investments in unaffiliated securities | $ | 6,210,281 | ||
‡ Cost of investments in affiliated securities | $ | 781,731 | ||
A The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end. |
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See accompanying notes
10
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Statement of Operationsc
For the period ended June 30, 2019
Investment income: |
| |||
Dividend income from affiliated securities (Note 7) | $ | 30,596 | ||
Interest income | 145,523 | |||
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Total investment income | 176,119 | |||
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Expenses: |
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Management andsub-advisory fees (Note 2) | 55,959 | |||
Transfer agent fees: | ||||
Y Class | 42,213 | |||
Custody and fund accounting fees | 54,574 | |||
Professional fees | 749,181 | |||
Registration fees and expenses | 47,603 | |||
Service fees (Note 2): | ||||
Y Class | 6,457 | |||
Prospectus and shareholder report expenses | 25,046 | |||
Trustee fees (Note 2) | 306 | |||
Other expenses | 15,157 | |||
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Total expenses | 996,496 | |||
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Net fees waived and expenses (reimbursed) (Note 2) | (923,319 | ) | ||
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Net expenses | 73,177 | |||
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Net investment income | 102,942 | |||
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Realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments: |
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Net realized gain from: | ||||
Investments in unaffiliated securitiesA | 151,569 | |||
Change in net unrealized (depreciation) of: | ||||
Investments in unaffiliated securitiesB | (24,954 | ) | ||
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Net gain from investments | 126,615 | |||
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Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | $ | 229,557 | ||
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A The Fund did not recognize net realized gains (losses) from the sale of investments in affiliated securities. |
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B The Fund’s investments in affiliated securities did not have a change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) at period end. |
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C Commencement of operations, September 12, 2018 through June 30, 2019. (Note 1) |
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See accompanying notes
11
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Period EndedA June 30, 2019 | ||||
Increase (decrease) in net assets: |
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Operations: |
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Net investment income | $ | 102,942 | ||
Net realized gain (loss) from investments in unaffiliated securities | 151,569 | |||
Change in net unrealized (depreciation) of investments in unaffiliated securities | (24,954 | ) | ||
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Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | 229,557 | |||
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Distributions to shareholders: |
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Total retained earnings: | ||||
Y Class | (131,606 | ) | ||
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Net distributions to shareholders | (131,606 | ) | ||
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Capital share transactions (Note 8): |
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Proceeds from sales of shares | 823,769 | |||
Reinvestment of dividends and distributions | 95,760 | |||
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Net increase in net assets from capital share transactions | 919,529 | |||
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Net increase in net assets | 1,017,480 | |||
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Net assets: |
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Beginning of period | 5,100,000 | B | ||
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End of period | $ | 6,117,480 | ||
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A Fund commenced operations September 12, 2018 (Note 1). |
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B Seed capital. |
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See accompanying notes
12
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
1. Organization and Significant Accounting Policies
The American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (the “Fund”) is a series of a recently organized,non-diversified,closed-end management investment company of the same name (the “Trust”) that continuously offers one class of shares of beneficial interest (“Shares”), Y Class Shares, and is operated as an “interval fund” (as defined below). The Trust was formed on February 16, 2018 as a Delaware statutory trust. The Fund commenced operations on September 12, 2018. Prior to commencing operations, the Fund had no operations other than matters relating to its organization and registration as a series ofnon-diversified,closed-end management investment company.
American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (the “Manager”) is a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (“RIM”) organized in 1986 to provide business management, advisory, administrative, and asset management consulting services to the Trust and other investors. The Manager is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). RIM is, in turn, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Acquisition, Inc., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Topco, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (“RIH”). RIH is owned primarily by Kelso Investment Associates VIII, L.P., KEP VI, LLC and Estancia Capital Partners L.P., investment funds affiliated with Kelso & Company, L.P. (“Kelso”) or Estancia Capital Management, LLC (“Estancia”), which are private equity firms.
The Fund’s Shares are offered on a continuous basis at net asset value (“NAV”) per share. The Fund may close at any time to new investors or new investments and, during such closings, only purchases of Shares by existing shareholders of the Fund (“Shareholders”) or the reinvestment of distributions by existing Shareholders, as applicable, will be permitted. The Fund mayre-open to new investments and subsequently close again to new investors or new investments at any time at the discretion of the Manager. Any such opening and closing of the Fund will be disclosed to investors via a supplement to the Prospectus.
The Fund’s Shares are offered through Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”), which is the exclusive distributor of Shares, on a best-efforts basis. The minimum investment is $100,000, subject to certain exceptions. The Fund reserves the right to reject a purchase order for any reason. Shareholders will not have the right to redeem their Shares. However, as described below, in order to provide liquidity to Shareholders, the Fund will conduct periodic offers to repurchase a portion of its outstanding Shares.
The Fund is an “interval fund,” a type of fund which, in order to provide liquidity to shareholders, has adopted a fundamental investment policy to make quarterly offers to repurchase at least 5% and not more than 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV per share, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee. Subject to applicable law and approval of the Trust’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”), the Fund will seek to conduct such quarterly repurchase offers typically in the amount of 8% of its outstanding Shares at NAV per share. On June 5, 2019, the Board approved an increase in the repurchase offer percentage from the prior level of 5% to 8% of outstanding Shares. Quarterly repurchase offers will occur in the months of January, April, July, and October. Written notification of each quarterly repurchase offer (the “Repurchase Offer Notice”) is sent to Shareholders of record at least 21 calendar days before the repurchase request deadline (i.e., the latest date on which Shareholders can tender their Shares in response to a repurchase offer) (the “Repurchase Request Deadline”). If you invest in the Fund through a financial intermediary, the Repurchase Offer Notice will be provided to you by your financial intermediary. The Fund’s Shares are not listed on any national securities exchange, and the Fund anticipates that no secondary market will develop for its Shares. Accordingly, you may not be able to sell Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire. Thus, the Shares are appropriate only as a long-term investment. In addition, the Fund’s repurchase offers may subject the Fund and Shareholders to special risks. See “Repurchase Offers Risk/Interval Fund Risk” in Footnote 5 – Principal Risks.
The Fund’s investment objective seeks to generate attractive risk-adjusted total returns using a multi-sector approach to fixed income value investing. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in U.S. corporate credit, global corporate credit, structured credit, and real estate credit. The Fund expects to utilize
13
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
leverage, as discussed below. To the extent consistent with the applicable liquidity requirements for interval funds operating pursuant to Rule23c-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“Investment Company Act”), the Fund may invest without limit in illiquid securities.
The Fund may seek to use leverage directly or indirectly to enhance the return to Shareholders, subject to any applicable restrictions of the Investment Company Act; however, there can be no assurance that a leveraging strategy will be successful during any period in which it is employed. The Fund currently expects to borrow through a credit facility in an amount that would typically be up to 20% of the Fund’s total assets (which include any assets attributable to leverage) under normal market conditions. If the Fund borrowed 20% of its total assets that would represent 25% of its net assets. However, the Fund may borrow up to the maximum amount permitted by the Investment Company Act, which, for debt leverage such as borrowings under the credit facility, is 331/3% of the Fund’s total assets (reduced by liabilities and indebtedness except for indebtedness representing senior securities, as defined in the Investment Company Act); this represents 50% of the Fund’s net assets. The Fund currently does not expect to engage in such borrowings for investment purposes until its assets reach approximately $50 million but may engage in borrowings before Fund assets reach this level.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)2017-08,Premium Amortization of Purchased Callable Debt Securities. The amendments in the ASU shorten the premium amortization period on a purchased callable debt security from the security’s contractual life to the earliest call date. It is anticipated that this change will enhance disclosures by reducing losses recognized when a security is called on an earlier date. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. The Manager continues to evaluate the impact this ASU will have on the financial statements and other disclosures.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU2018-13,Fair Value Measurement (“Topic 820”). The amendments in the ASU impact disclosure requirements for fair value measurement. It is anticipated that this change will enhance the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted and can include the entire standard or certain provisions that exclude or amend disclosures. For the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund has chosen to adopt the standard. The adoption of this ASU guidance did not have a material impact on the financial statements and other disclosures.
In August 2018, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) adopted amendments to certain disclosure requirements in Securities Act ReleaseNo. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, which is intended to facilitate the disclosure of information to investors and simplify compliance without significantly altering the total mix of information provided to investors. Effective with the current reporting period, the Fund adopted the amendments with the impacts being that the Fund is no longer required to present components of distributable earnings on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities or the sources of distributable earnings and the amount of undistributed net investment income on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets.
Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies, consistently followed by the Fund in preparation of the financial statements. The Fund is considered an investment company and accordingly, follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946,Financial Services – Investment Companies,a part of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).
14
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Security Transactions and Investment Income
Security transactions are recorded as of the trade date for financial reporting purposes. Securities purchased or sold on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis may be settled beyond a standard settlement period for the security after the trade date.
Dividend income, net of foreign taxes, is recorded on theex-dividend date, except certain dividends from foreign securities which are recorded as soon as the information is available to the Fund. Interest income, net of foreign taxes, is earned from settlement date, recorded on the accrual basis, and adjusted, if necessary, for accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Realized gains (losses) from securities sold are determined based on specific lot identification.
Currency Translation
All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currency values are converted into U.S. dollar values at the mean of the bid and ask prices of such currencies against U.S. dollars as last quoted by a recognized dealer. Income, expenses, and purchases and sales of investments are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of the exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investments is separately identified from the fluctuations arising from changes in market values of securities held and is reported with all other foreign currency gains and losses on the Fund’s Statement of Operations.
Distributions to Shareholders
The Fund intends to declare income distributions daily and distribute them quarterly to Shareholders of record. The Fund’s final distribution for each calendar year will include any remaining taxable net investment income undistributed during the year, as well as all net realized capital gains during the year. Dividends to shareholders are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ in amount and character from net investment income and realized gains recognized for purposes of U.S. GAAP. If all or a portion of any Fund distribution exceeds the sum of the Fund’s taxable net investment income and net realized capital gain for a taxable year, the excess would be treated (i) first, as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as calculated for federal income tax purposes (“E&P”), (ii) then as a tax-free “return of capital,” reducing a Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in his or her Shares (which would result in a higher tax liability when the Shares are sold, even if they had not increased in value, or, in fact, had lost value), and (iii) then, after that basis is reduced to zero, as realized capital gain (assuming the Shares are held as capital assets), long-term or short-term, depending on the Shareholder’s holding period for the Shares.
Allocation of Income, Trust Expenses, Gains, and Losses
Investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses from investments of the Fund is allocated daily to each class of shares, when there is more than one class in the Fund, based upon the relative proportion of net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Expenses directly charged or attributable to the Fund will be paid from the assets of the Fund. Generally, expenses of the Trust will be allocated among and charged to the assets of the Fund on a basis that the Board deems fair and equitable, which may be based on the relative net assets of the Fund or nature of the services performed and relative applicability to the Fund.
Organization and Offering Costs
Organizational costs consist of the costs of forming the Fund, drafting the bylaws, administration, custody and transfer agency agreements, and legal services in connection with the initial meeting of trustees, and were expensed immediately as incurred. Offering costs consist of the costs of preparation, review and filing with the SEC the Fund’s registration statement (including the Prospectus and the Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”)),
15
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
the costs of preparation, the costs associated with the printing, mailing or other distribution of the Prospectus, SAI and the amounts of associated filing fees and legal fees associated with the offering. Organizational costs and offering costs are subject to the Fund’s expense limitation agreement discussed in Note 2 and offering costs require amortization over twelve months on a straight-line basis from the commencement of operations. For the period ended June 30, 2019, the Fund recorded $211,100 of organization costs and $345,534 of amortized offering costs.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimated.
Other
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 Trust. In the normal course of business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnification to the other party or parties against potential costs or liabilities. The Trust’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is dependent on claims that may be made in the future and, therefore, cannot be estimated. The Trust has had no prior claims or losses pursuant to any such agreement.
2. Transactions with Affiliates
Management and InvestmentSub-Advisory Agreements
The Fund and the Manager are parties to a Management Agreement that obligates the Manager to provide the Fund with investment advisory and administrative services. As compensation for performing the duties under the Management Agreement, the Manager will receive an annualized management fee based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily managed assets that is calculated and accrued daily according to the following schedule:
First $1 billion | 0.40 | % | ||
Next $4 billion | 0.375 | % | ||
Next $5 billion | 0.35 | % | ||
Over $10 billion | 0.325 | % |
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Manager have entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with Apollo Credit Management, LLC pursuant to which the Fund has agreed to pay an annualizedsub-advisory fee that is calculated and accrued daily based on the Fund’s average daily managed assets according to the following schedule:
First $1 billion | 0.90 | % | ||
Over $1 billion | 0.80 | % |
For purposes of the Management Agreement and Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund’s “managed assets” are its total gross assets (including assets attributable to the proceeds of leverage) minus accrued liabilities (other than liabilities attributable to such leverage). For purposes of calculating “managed assets”, the Fund’s derivative investments are valued based on their market value.
The Management andSub-Advisory Fees paid by the Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:
Effective Fee Rate | Amount of Fees Paid | |||||||||||
Management Fees | 0.40 | % | $ | 17,218 | ||||||||
Sub-Advisor Fees | 0.90 | % | 38,741 | |||||||||
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Total | 1.30 | % | $ | 55,959 | ||||||||
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16
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Service Plans
The Manager and the Trust entered into a Service Plan that obligates the Manager to oversee additional shareholder servicing of the Class Y of the Fund. As compensation for performing the duties required under the Service Plan, the Manager receives an annualized fee up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets of the Class Y of the Fund.
Investments in Affiliated Funds
The Fund may invest in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund (the “USG Select Fund”). Cash collateral received by the Fund in connection with securities lending may also be invested in the USG Select Fund. The Fund and the USG Select Fund have the same investment advisor and therefore, are considered to be affiliated. The Manager serves as investment advisor to the USG Select Fund and receives management fees and administrative fees totaling 0.10% of the average daily net assets of the USG Select Fund. During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Manager earned fees on the Fund’s direct investments in the USG Select Fund as shown below:
Fund | Direct Investments in USG Select Fund | |||
Apollo Total Return | $ | 1,376 |
Expense Reimbursement Plan
The Manager contractually agreed to reduce fees and/or reimburse expenses for the Y Class Shares of the Fund to the extent that total operating expenses exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets (excluding management fees, shareholder service fees, taxes, interest including interest on borrowings, brokerage commissions, securities lending fees, expenses associated with securities sold short and the Fund’s use of leverage, litigation, and other extraordinary expenses). During the period ended June 30, 2019, the Manager waived and/or reimbursed expenses as follows:
Expense Cap | Expiration of Reimbursed Expenses | |||||||||||||||||
Fund | Class | 9/12/2018 - 6/30/2019 | Reimbursed Expenses | (Recouped) Expenses | ||||||||||||||
Apollo Total Return | Y | 0.25 | % | $ | 923,319 | $ | – | 2021-2022 |
Of these amounts, $147,651 was disclosed as a payable to the Manager on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities at June 30, 2019.
The Fund has adopted an Expense Reimbursement Plan whereby the Manager may seek repayment of such fee reductions and expense reimbursements. Under the policy, the Manager can be reimbursed by the Fund for any contractual or voluntary fee reductions or expense reimbursements if reimbursement to the Manager (a) occurs within three years from the date of the Manager’s waiver/reimbursement and (b) does not cause the Fund’s annual operating expenses to exceed the lesser of the contractual percentage limit in effect at the time of the waiver/reimbursement or time of recoupment. The reimbursed expenses listed above will expire in 2021 and 2022. The Fund did not record a liability for potential reimbursement due to the current assessment that a reimbursement is uncertain.
Concentration of Ownership
From time to time, the Fund may have a concentration of one or more accounts constituting a significant percentage of shares outstanding. Investment activities by holders of accounts that represent a significant ownership of more than 5% of the Fund’s outstanding shares could have a material impact on the Fund. As of June 30, 2019, based on management’s evaluation of the shareholder account base, exclusive of omnibus accounts, one account has been identified as representing an affiliated significant ownership of approximately 86% of the Fund’s outstanding shares.
17
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Trustee Fees and Expenses
As compensation for their service to the Trusts, each Trustee receives an annual retainer of $120,000, plus $10,000 for each Board meeting attended in person or via teleconference, $2,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee, and $1,500 for attendance by Committee members at meetings of the Nominating and Governance Committee, plus reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred in attending Board meetings, Committee meetings, and relevant educational seminars. The Trustees also may be compensated for attendance at special Board and/or Committee meetings from time to time. The Board Chair receives an additional annual retainer of $50,000 as well as a $2,500 fee each quarter for attendance at the committee meetings. The Chairpersons of the Audit Committee and the Investment Committee each receive an additional annual retainer of $25,000 and the Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee receives an additional annual retainer of $10,000. These expenses are allocated on a prorated basis to each fund of the Trusts according to its respective net assets.
3. Security Valuation and Fair Value Measurements
The price of the Fund’s shares is based on its NAV per share. The Fund’s NAV is computed by adding total assets, subtracting all the Fund’s liabilities, and dividing the result by the total number of shares outstanding.
The NAV of the Fund’s shares is determined based on a pro rata allocation of the Fund’s investment income, expenses and total capital gains and losses. The Fund’s NAV per share is determined each business day as of the regular close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE” or “Exchange”), which is typically 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (“ET”). However, if trading on the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET, the Fund’s NAV per share typically would still be determined as of the regular close of trading on the NYSE. The Fund does not price its shares on days that the NYSE is closed. Foreign exchanges may permit trading in foreign securities on days when the Fund is not open for business, which may result in the value of the Fund’s portfolio investments being affected at a time when you are unable to buy or sell shares.
Equity securities, including shares ofclosed-end funds and exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), are valued at the last sale price or official closing price taken from the primary exchange in which each security trades. Investments in other mutual funds are valued at the closing NAV per share on the day of valuation. Debt securities are valued at bid quotes from broker/dealers or evaluated bid prices from pricing services, who may consider a number of inputs and factors, such as prices of comparable securities, yield curves, spreads, credit ratings, coupon rates, maturity, default rates, and underlying collateral. Futures are valued based on their daily settlement prices. Exchange-traded andover-the-counter (“OTC”) options are valued at the last sale price. Options with no last sale for the day are priced at mid quote. Swaps are valued at evaluated mid prices from pricing services.
The valuation of securities traded on foreign markets and certain fixed income securities will generally be based on prices determined as of the earlier closing time of the markets on which they primarily trade unless a significant event has occurred. When the Fund holds securities or other assets that are denominated in a foreign currency, the Fund will normally use the currency exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m. ET.
Securities may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Board, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing will be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, as determined by the Manager, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted or stopped; (ii) a security’s trading market is closed (other than customary closings); or (iii) a security has beende-listed from a national exchange. A security with limited market liquidity may require fair value pricing if the Manager determines that the available price does not reflect the security’s true market value. In addition, if a significant event that the Manager determines to affect the value of one or more securities held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Fund’s NAV, fair value pricing may be used on the affected security or securities. Securities of small-capitalization companies are also more likely to require a fair value determination using these procedures because they are more thinly traded and
18
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
less liquid than the securities of larger-capitalization companies. The Fund may fair value securities as a result of significant events occurring after the close of the foreign markets in which the Fund invests as described below. In addition, the Fund may invest in illiquid securities requiring these procedures.
The Fund may use fair value pricing for securities primarily traded innon-U.S. markets because most foreign markets close well before the Fund’s pricing time of 4:00 p.m. ET. The earlier close of these foreign markets gives rise to the possibility that significant events, including broad market moves, may have occurred in the interim and may materially affect the value of those securities. If the Manager determines that the last quoted prices ofnon-U.S. securities will, in its judgment, materially affect the value of some or all its portfolio securities, the Manager can adjust the previous closing prices to reflect what it believes to be the fair value of the securities as of the close of the Exchange. In deciding whether it is necessary to adjust closing prices to reflect fair value, the Manager reviews a variety of factors, including developments in foreign markets, the performance of U.S. securities markets, and the performance of instruments trading in U.S. markets that represent foreign securities and baskets of foreign securities. These securities are fair valued using a pricing service, using methods approved by the Board, that considers the correlation of the trading patterns of the foreign security to intraday trading in the U.S. markets, based on indices of domestic securities and other appropriate indicators such as prices of relevant American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) and futures contracts. The Valuation Committee, established by the Board, may also fair value securities in other situations, such as when a particular foreign market is closed but the Fund is open. The Fund uses outside pricing services to provide closing prices and information to evaluate and/or adjust those prices. As a means of evaluating its security valuation process, the Valuation Committee routinely compares closing prices, the next day’s opening prices in the same markets and adjusted prices.
Attempts to determine the fair value of securities introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities. As a result, the price of a security determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the market value of the security when trading resumes. If a reliable market quotation becomes available for a security formerly valued through fair valuation techniques, the Manager compares the new market quotation to the fair value price to evaluate the effectiveness of the Fund’s fair valuation procedures. If any significant discrepancies are found, the Manager may adjust the Fund’s fair valuation procedures.
Valuation Inputs
Various inputs may be used to determine the fair value of the Fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1 | - | Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. | ||
Level 2 | - | Prices determined using other significant observable inputs. These may include quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and others. | ||
Level 3 | - | Prices determined using other significant unobservable inputs. Unobservable inputs reflect the Fund’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing an investment. |
Level 1 and Level 2 trading assets and trading liabilities, at fair value
Fixed-income securities including corporate, convertible and municipal bonds and notes, U.S. government agencies, U.S. Treasury obligations, sovereign issues, bank loans, convertible preferred securities, andnon-U.S. bonds are normally valued by pricing service providers that use broker dealer quotations, reported trades or valuation estimates from their internal pricing models. The service providers’ internal models use inputs that are observable such as issuer details, interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, credit risks/spreads, default rates, and quoted prices for similar assets. Securities that use similar valuation techniques and inputs as described
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
above are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. Fixed-income securities purchased on a delayed-delivery basis aremarked-to-market daily until settlement at the forward settlement date and are categorized as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Investments in registeredopen-end investment management companies will be valued based upon the NAVs of such investments and are categorized as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
4. Securities and Other Investments
Bank Loans
The Fund may invest in bank loans. A bank loan is a debt financing obligation issued by a bank or other financial institution to a borrower that generally holds legal claim to the borrower’s assets. By purchasing a bank loan, the Fund acquires some or all of the interest of a bank or other lending institution in a loan to a particular borrower. The Fund also may purchase loans by assignment from another lender, and in such cases would act as part of a lending syndicate. Many loans are secured by the assets of the borrower, and most impose restrictive covenants that must be met by the borrower. Loans are typically made by a syndicate of banks, represented by an agent bank which has negotiated and structured the loan and which is responsible generally for collecting interest, principal, and other amounts from the borrower on its own behalf and on behalf of the other lending institutions in the syndicate, and for enforcing its and their other rights against the borrower. Each of the lending institutions, including the agent bank, lends to the borrower a portion of the total amount of the loan, and retains the corresponding interest in the loan.
The Fund may acquire bank loans directly through the lending agent or as an assignment from another lender who holds a direct interest in the loan. In either case, the Fund will acquire direct rights against the borrower on the loan, and will not have exposure to a counterparty’s credit risk. The value of collateral, if any, securing a loan can decline, or may be insufficient to meet the borrower’s obligations or difficult to liquidate. In addition, the Fund’s access to collateral may be limited by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. The failure by the Fund to receive scheduled interest or principal payments on a loan would adversely affect the income of the Fund and would likely reduce the value of its assets, which would be reflected in a reduction in the Fund’s NAV per share. Banks and other lending institutions generally perform a credit analysis of the borrower before originating a loan or participating in a lending syndicate. In selecting the loans in which the Fund will invest, however, theSub-Advisor will not rely solely on that credit analysis, but will perform its own investment analysis of the borrowers. TheSub-Advisor analysis may include consideration of the borrower’s financial strength and managerial experience, debt coverage, additional borrowing requirements or debt maturity schedules, changing financial conditions, and responsiveness to changes in business conditions and interest rates. TheSub-Advisor generally will not have access tonon-public information to which other investors in syndicated loans may have access. Because loans in which the Fund may invest may not be rated by independent credit rating agencies, a decision by the Fund to invest in a particular loan will depend almost exclusively on theSub-Advisor’s, and the original lending institution’s, credit analysis of the borrower. Investments in loans may be of any quality, including “distressed” loans, and will be subject to the Fund’s credit quality policy. The loans in which the Fund may invest include those that pay fixed rates of interest and those that pay floating rates – i.e., rates that adjust periodically based on a known lending rate, such as a bank’s prime rate, London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), a money market index, or a Treasury bill rate.
Cash Management Investments
The Fund may invest cash balances in money market funds that are registered as investment companies under the Investment Company Act, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. If the Fund invests in money market funds, Shareholders will bear their proportionate share of the expenses, including, for example, advisory and administrative fees of the money market funds in which the Fund invests, such as advisory fees charged by the Manager to any applicable money market funds advised by the Manager. Shareholders also
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
would be exposed to the risks associated with money market funds and the portfolio investments of such money market funds, including the risk that a money market fund’s yield will be lower than the return that the Fund would have derived from other investments that provide liquidity.
Convertible Securities
Convertible securities are hybrid securities that combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks. Convertible securities include corporate bonds, notes, preferred stock or other securities that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or dividends paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. While no securities investment is without some risk, investments in convertible securities generally entail less risk than the issuer’s common stock, although the extent to which such risk is reduced depends in large measure upon the degree to which the convertible security sells above its value as a fixed income security. The market value of convertible securities tends to decline as interest rates increase and, conversely, to increase as interest rates decline. While convertible securities generally offer lower interest or dividend yields thannon-convertible debt securities of similar quality, they do enable the investor to benefit from increases in the market price of the underlying common stock. Holders of convertible securities have a claim on the assets of the issuer prior to the common stockholders, but may be subordinated to holders of similarnon-convertible securities of the same issuer. Because of the conversion feature, certain convertible securities may be considered equity equivalents.
Corporate Debt and Other Fixed-Income Securities
The Fund may hold debt, including government and corporate debt, and other fixed-income securities. The investment return of corporate debt securities reflects interest earning and changes in the market value of the security. Typically, the values of fixed-income securities change inversely with prevailing interest rates. Therefore, a fundamental risk of these types of securities is interest rate risk, which is the risk that their value will generally decline as prevailing interest rates rise, which may cause a Fund’s NAV to likewise decrease, and vice versa. How specific fixed-income securities may react to changes in interest rates will depend on specific characteristics of each security. Fixed-income securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the risk that the credit strength of an issuer of a fixed-income security will weaken and/or that the issuer will be unable to make timely principal and interest payments and that the security may go into default.
Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities
The Fund may enter into delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities are borrowing arrangements in which the lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specific term. A revolving credit facility differs from a delayed funding loan in that as the borrower repays the loan, an amount equal to the repayment may be borrowed again during the term of the revolving credit facility. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities usually provide for floating or variable rates of interest. These commitments may have the effect of requiring a Fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that a Fund is committed to advance additional funds, it will at all times segregate or “earmark” assets, determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures established by the Board, in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.
The Fund may invest in delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities with credit quality comparable to that of issuers of its securities investments. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities may be subject to restrictions on transfer, and only limited opportunities may exist to resell such instruments. As a result, a Fund may be unable to sell such investments at an opportune time or may have to resell them at less than fair market value.
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Foreign Securities
The Fund may invest in U.S. dollar-denominated andnon-U.S. dollar denominated equity and debt securities of foreign issuers and foreign branches of U.S. banks, including negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’ acceptances, and commercial paper. Foreign issuers are issuers organized and doing business principally outside the United States and include corporations, banks,non-U.S. governments, and quasi-governmental organizations. While investments in foreign securities may be intended to reduce risk by providing further diversification, such investments involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political or social instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation); the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, different governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States; different laws and customs governing securities tracking; and possibly limited access to the courts to enforce the Fund’s rights as an investor.
High-Yield Securities
Non-investment-grade securities are rated below the four highest credit grades by at least one of the public rating agencies (or are unrated if not publicly rated). Participation in high-yielding securities transactions generally involves greater returns in the form of higher average yields. However, participation in such transactions involves greater risks, including sensitivity to economic changes, solvency, and relative liquidity in the secondary trading market. Lower ratings may reflect a greater possibility that the financial condition of the issuer, or adverse changes in general economic conditions, or both, may impair the ability of the issuer to make payments of interest and principal. The prices and yields of lower-rated securities generally fluctuate more than higher-quality securities, and such prices may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty or rising interest rates.
Illiquid and Restricted Securities
Generally, an illiquid asset is an asset that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. Historically, illiquid securities have included securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act, securities that are otherwise not readily marketable, and repurchase agreements having a remaining maturity of longer than seven calendar days. Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. These securities may be sold only in a privately negotiated transaction or pursuant to an exemption from registration. A large institutional market exists for certain securities that are not registered under the Securities Act, including repurchase agreements, commercial paper, foreign securities, municipal securities and corporate bonds and notes. Institutional investors depend on an efficient institutional market in which the unregistered security can be readily resold or on an issuer’s ability to honor a demand for repayment. However, the fact that there are contractual or legal restrictions on resale of such investments to the general public or to certain institutions may not be indicative of their liquidity.
Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities, and the Fund might be unable to dispose of restricted or other illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty satisfying redemptions within seven calendar days. In addition, the Fund may get only limited information about an issuer, so it may be less able to predict a loss. The Fund also might have to register such restricted securities in order to dispose of them resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities. In recognition of the increased size and liquidity of the institutional market for unregistered securities and the importance of institutional investors in the formation of capital, the SEC adopted Rule 144A under the Securities Act. Rule 144A is designed to facilitate efficient trading
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
among institutional investors by permitting the sale of certain unregistered securities to qualified institutional buyers. To the extent privately placed securities held by the Fund qualify under Rule 144A and an institutional market develops for those securities, the Fund likely will be able to dispose of the securities without registering them under the Securities Act. To the extent that institutional buyers become, for a time, uninterested in purchasing these securities, investing in Rule 144A securities could increase the level of the Fund’s illiquidity. The Manager or thesub-advisor, as applicable, may determine that certain securities qualified for trading under Rule 144A are liquid. Regulation S under the Securities Act permits the sale abroad of securities that are not registered for sale in the United States and includes a provision for U.S. investors, such as the Fund, to purchase such unregistered securities if certain conditions are met.
Securities sold in private placement offerings made in reliance on the “private placement” exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and resold to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Section 4(a)(2) securities”) are restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws, and generally are sold to institutional investors, such as the Fund, that agree they are purchasing the securities for investment and not with an intention to distribute to the public. Any resale by the purchaser must be pursuant to an exempt transaction and may be accomplished in accordance with Rule 144A. Section 4(a)(2) securities normally are resold to other institutional investors through or with the assistance of the issuer or dealers that make a market in the Section 4(a)(2) securities, thus providing liquidity.
Restricted securities outstanding during the period ended June 30, 2019 are disclosed in the Notes to the Schedule of Investments.
Variable or Floating Rate Obligations
The coupon on certain fixed-income securities in which the Fund may invest is not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The coupon on a floating rate security is generally based on an interest rate such as a money market index, LIBOR or a Treasury bill rate. A variable rate obligation has an interest rate which is adjusted at predesignated periods in response to changes in the market rate of interest on which the interest rate is based. Variable and floating rate obligations are less effective than fixed rate obligations at locking in a particular yield. Nevertheless, such obligations may fluctuate in value in response to interest rate changes if there is a delay between changes in market interest rates and the interest reset date for the obligation, or for other reasons.
As short-term interest rates decline, the coupons on floating rate securities typically decrease. Alternatively, during periods of increasing interest rates, changes in the coupons of floating rate securities may lag behind changes in market rates or may have limits on the maximum increases in the coupon rates. The value of floating rate securities may decline if their coupons do not rise as much, or as quickly, as interest rates in general. Floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline.
5. Principal Risks
Investing in the Fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.
Allocation Risk
The Fund’s investment performance depends upon how its assets are allocated and reallocated. The Fund may make less than optimal or poor asset allocation decisions. TheSub-Advisor employs an active approach to allocation among multiple credit sectors, but there is no guarantee that such allocation techniques will produce the desired results. It is possible that theSub-Advisor may focus on an investment that performs poorly or underperforms other investments under various market conditions. This risk can be increased by the use of derivatives to increase allocations to various market exposures because derivatives can create investment leverage, which will magnify the impact to the Fund of its investment in any underperforming market exposure. You could lose money on your investment in the Fund as a result of these allocation decisions.
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Bank Loan Risk
Unlike publicly traded common stocks which trade on national exchanges, there is no central place or exchange for bank loans to trade. Bank loans trade in an OTC market, and confirmation and settlement, which are effected through standardized procedures and documentation, may take significantly longer than traditional fixed-income security transactions to complete. Transactions in bank loans may settle on a delayed basis, and the Fund may not receive the proceeds from the sale of a loan for a substantial period after the sale. As a result, those proceeds will not be available to make additional investments. The secondary market for loans also may be subject to irregular trading activity and wider bid/ask spreads. The lack of an active trading market for certain bank loans may impair the ability of the Fund to sell its holdings at a time when it may otherwise be desirable to do so or may require the Fund to sell at prices that are less than what the Fund regards as their fair market value, which would cause a material decline in the Fund’s NAV per share and may make it difficult to value such loans. Restrictions on transfers in loan agreements, a lack of publicly available information and other factors may make bank loans more difficult to sell at an advantageous time or price than other types of securities or instruments. There may be less readily available information about bank loans.
An increase in demand for bank loans may benefit the Fund by providing increased liquidity and higher sales prices, but it may adversely affect the rate of interest payable on new loans issued in the market and the rights provided to investors on those loans. A decrease in the demand for loans may adversely affect the price of loans in the Fund’s portfolio, which could cause the Fund’s NAV to decline and reduce the liquidity of the Fund’s holdings.
Interests in secured bank loans have the benefit of collateral and, typically, of restrictive covenants limiting the ability of the borrower to further encumber its assets. There is a risk that the value of any collateral securing a bank loan in which the Fund has an interest may decline and that the collateral may not be sufficient to cover the amount owed on the loan. In the event the borrower defaults, the Fund’s access to the collateral may be limited or delayed by bankruptcy or other insolvency laws. Further, in the event of a default, second lien secured loans will generally be paid only if the value of the collateral exceeds the amount of the borrower’s obligations to the first lien secured lenders, and the remaining collateral may not be sufficient to cover the full amount owed on the loan in which the Fund has an interest. In addition, if a secured loan is foreclosed, the Fund, as a creditor, would likely bear its pro rata costs and liabilities associated with owning and disposing of the collateral. The collateral may be difficult to sell and the Fund would bear the risk that the collateral may decline in value while the Fund is holding it.
Closed-End Structure Risk
The Fund is anon-diversified,closed-end management investment company structured as an “interval fund” and designed primarily for long-term investors. The Fund is not intended to be a typical traded investment. There is no secondary market for the Shares, and the Fund expects that no secondary market will develop. An investor should not invest in the Fund if the investor needs a liquid investment.Closed-end funds differ fromopen-end management investment companies, commonly known as “mutual funds,” in that investors in aclosed-end fund do not have the right to redeem their shares on a daily basis at a price based on NAV per share. The Fund, as a fundamental policy, will make quarterly offers to repurchase at least 5%, and up to 25%, of its outstanding Shares at NAV per share, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee, subject to approval of the Board. However, the number of Shares tendered in connection with the purchase offer may exceed the number of Shares the Fund has offered to repurchase, in which case not all of your Shares tendered in that offer will be repurchased. Hence, you may not be able to sell your Shares when and/or in the amount that you desire.
Credit Risk
The Fund is subject to the risk that the issuer or guarantor of an obligation, or the counterparty to a transaction, including a derivatives contract or a loan, will fail to make timely payment of interest or principal or otherwise honor its obligations or default completely. The strategies utilized by thesub-advisors require accurate
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
and detailed credit analysis of issuers and there can be no assurance that its analysis will be accurate or complete. The Fund may be subject to substantial losses in the event of credit deterioration or bankruptcy of one or more issuers in its portfolio.
Financial strength and solvency of an issuer are the primary factors influencing credit risk. In addition, inadequacy of collateral or credit enhancement for a debt instrument may affect its credit risk. Credit risk may change over the life of an instrument and debt obligations which are rated by rating agencies may be subject to downgrade. The credit ratings of debt instruments and investments represent the rating agencies’ opinions regarding their credit quality and are not a guarantee of future credit performance of such securities. Rating agencies attempt to evaluate the safety of the timely payment of principal and interest (or dividends) and do not evaluate the risks of fluctuations in market value. The ratings assigned to securities by rating agencies do not purport to fully reflect the true risks of an investment. Further, in recent years many highly-rated structured securities have been subject to substantial losses as the economic assumptions on which their ratings were based proved to be materially inaccurate. A decline in the credit rating of an individual security held by the Fund may have an adverse impact on its price and make it difficult for the Fund to sell it. Ratings represent a rating agency’s opinion regarding the quality of the security and are not a guarantee of quality. Rating agencies might not always change their credit rating on an issuer or security in a timely manner to reflect events that could affect the issuer’s ability to make timely payments on its obligations. Credit risk is typically greater for securities with ratings that are below investment grade (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”). Since the Fund can invest significantly in lower quality debt securities considered speculative in nature, this risk will be substantial. A downgrade or default affecting any of the Fund’s securities could affect the Fund’s performance.
Delayed Funding Loans and Revolving Credit Facilities Risk
An investment in delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities may subject the Fund to credit, interest rate and liquidity risk, and the risk of being a lender. There may be circumstances under which the borrower’s credit risk may be deteriorating and yet the Fund may be obligated to make loans to the borrowing issuer as the borrower’s credit continues to deteriorate, including at a time when the borrower’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid. Delayed funding loans and revolving credit facilities may be subject to restrictions on transfer and only limited opportunities may exist to sell such instruments. As a result, the Fund may be unable to sell such instruments at an opportune time or may have to sell them for less than fair market value.
Foreign Investing Risk
Non-U.S. investments carry potential risks not associated with U.S. investments. Such risks include, but are not limited to: (1) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (2) political and financial instability, (3) less liquidity, (4) lack of uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, (5) increased price volatility, (6) less government regulation and supervision of foreign stock exchanges, brokers and listed companies, and (7) delays in transaction settlement in some foreign markets.
High-Yield Securities Risk
Investing in high-yield, below investment-grade securities (commonly referred to as “junk bonds”) generally involves significantly greater risks of loss of your money than an investment in investment grade securities. High-yield debt securities may fluctuate more widely in price and yield and may fall in price when the economy is weak or expected to become weak. High-yield securities are considered to be speculative with respect to an issuer’s ability to pay interest and principal and carry a greater risk that the issuers of lower-rated securities will default on the timely payment of principal and interest. Below investment grade securities may experience greater price volatility and less liquidity than investment grade securities.
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Illiquid Risk
To the extent consistent with the repurchase liquidity requirement for interval funds set forth in Rule23c-3 under the Investment Company Act, the Fund may invest without limitation in illiquid investments, which may be difficult or impossible to sell at the time that the Fund would like or at the price that the Fund believes the security is currently worth. At any given time, the Fund’s portfolio may be substantially illiquid. The term “illiquid securities” for this purpose means any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment.
The Fund may be subject to significant delays in disposing of illiquid securities, which may entail registration expenses and other transaction costs that are higher than those for transactions in liquid securities. The Fund’s ability to realize full value in the event of the need to liquidate certain assets may be impaired and/or result in losses to the Fund. The Fund may be unable to sell its investments, even under circumstances when theSub-Advisor believes it would be in the best interests of the Fund to do so. Illiquid investments may also be difficult to value and their pricing may be more volatile than more liquid investments, which could adversely affect the price at which the Fund is able to sell such instruments. Furthermore, as a result of such illiquidity, the Fund may have to sell other investments or engage in borrowing transactions, if necessary, to raise cash to meet its obligations. Illiquidity risk also may be greater in times of financial stress. The risks associated with illiquid instruments may be particularly acute in situations in which the Fund’s operations require cash (such as in connection with repurchase offers) and could result in the Fund borrowing to meet its short-term needs or incurring losses on the sale of illiquid instruments.
Interest Rate Risk
Investments in fixed-income securities or derivatives that are influenced by interest rates are subject to interest rate risk. The value of the Fund’s fixed-income investments typically will fall when interest rates rise. The Fund may be particularly sensitive to changes in interest rates if it invests in debt securities with intermediate and long terms to maturity. Debt securities with longer maturities tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates, usually making them more volatile than debt securities with shorter durations. For example, if a bond has a duration of three years, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in a 3% decrease in the value of the bond, whereas if a bond has a duration of one year, a 1% increase in interest rates could be expected to result in a 1% decrease in value. Yields of debt securities will fluctuate over time. Following the financial crisis that started in 2008, the Federal Reserve attempted to stabilize the economy and support the economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate (the interest rate at which depository institutions lend reserve balances to each other overnight) at or near zero percent. The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate several times since December 2015 and may increase or in the near future. Interest rates may rise significantly and/or rapidly, potentially resulting insubstantial losses to the Fund. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Fund may be unable to maintain positive returns. Changing interest rates, including rates that fall below zero, may have unpredictable effects on markets, may result in heightened market volatility and may detract from Fund performance to the extent the Fund is exposed to such interest rates.
Issuer Risk
The value of, and/or the return generated by, a security may decline for a number of reasons which directly relate to the issuer, such as management performance, financial leverage, and reduced demand for the issuer’s goods or services, as well as the historical and prospective earnings of the issuer and the value of its assets. When the issuer of a security implements strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, there is the risk that the market response to such initiatives will cause the share price of the issuer’s securities to fall. A change in the financial condition of a single issuer may affect securities markets as a whole. These risks can apply to the Shares issued by the Fund and to the issuers of securities and other instruments in which the Fund invests.
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Leverage Risk
The Fund’s use of leverage creates the opportunity for increased returns in the Fund, but it also creates special risks. To the extent used, there is no assurance that the Fund’s leveraging strategies will be successful. Leverage is a speculative technique that may expose the Fund to greater risk and increased costs. Leverage tends to magnify, sometimes significantly, the effect of any increase or decrease in the Fund’s exposure to an asset or class of assets and may cause the Fund’s NAV per share to be volatile.
Liquidity Risk
When there is little or no active trading market for a specific type of security, it can become more difficult to purchase or sell the securities at or near their perceived value. During such periods, certain investments held by the Fund may be difficult to sell or other investments may be difficult to purchase at favorable times or prices. As a result, the Fund may have to lower the price on certain securities that it is trying to sell, sell other securities instead or forgo an investment opportunity, any of which could have a negative effect on Fund management or performance. Additionally, the market for certain investments may become illiquid under adverse market or economic conditions independent of any specific adverse changes in the conditions of a particular issuer.
Market Risk
Conditions in the U.S. and many foreign economies have resulted, and may continue to result, in certain instruments experiencing unusual liquidity issues, increased price volatility and, in some cases, credit downgrades and increased likelihood of default. These events have reduced the willingness and ability of some lenders to extend credit, and have made it more difficult for some borrowers to obtain financing on attractive terms, if at all. In some cases, traditional market participants have been less willing to make a market in some types of debt instruments, which has affected the liquidity of those instruments. During times of market turmoil, investors tend to look to the safety of securities issued or backed by the U.S. Treasury, causing the prices of these securities to rise and the yields to decline. Reduced liquidity in fixed income and credit markets may negatively affect many issuers worldwide. In addition, global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the possibilities that conditions in one country or region might adversely impact issuers in a different country or region. A rise in protectionist trade policies, and the possibility of changes to some international trade agreements, could affect the economies of many nations in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.
In response to the financial crisis, the U.S. and other governments, the Federal Reserve, and certain foreign central banks have taken steps to support financial markets. In some countries where economic conditions are recovering, they are nevertheless perceived as still fragile. Withdrawal of government support, failure of efforts in response to the crisis, or investor perception that such efforts are not succeeding, could adversely impact the value and liquidity of certain securities. The severity or duration of adverse economic conditions may also be affected by policy changes made by governments or quasi-governmental organizations, including changes in tax laws. The impact of new financial regulation legislation on the markets and the practical implications for market participants may not be fully known for some time. Regulatory changes are causing some financial services companies to exit long-standing lines of business, resulting in dislocations for other market participants. In addition, political and diplomatic events within the U.S. and abroad, such as the U.S. government’s inability at times to agree on a long-term budget and deficit reduction plan, the threat of a federal government shutdown and threats not to increase the federal government’s debt limit, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The U.S. government has recently reduced the federal corporate income tax rate, and future legislative, regulatory and policy changes may result in more restrictions on international trade, less stringent prudential regulation of certain players in the financial markets, and significant new investments in infrastructure and national defense. Markets may react strongly to expectations about the changes in these policies, which could increase volatility, especially if the market’s expectations for changes in government policies are not borne out.
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American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Changes in market conditions will not have the same impact on all types of securities. Interest rates have been unusually low in recent years in the U.S. and abroad. Because there is little precedent for this situation, it is difficult to predict the impact of a significant rate increase on various markets. For example, because investors may buy securities or other investments with borrowed money, a significant increase in interest rates may cause a decline in the markets for those investments. Regulators have expressed concern that rate increases may cause investors to sell fixed income securities faster than the market can absorb them, contributing to price volatility. In addition, there is a risk that the prices of goods and services in the U.S. and many foreign economies may decline over time, known as deflation (the opposite of inflation). Deflation may have an adverse effect on stock prices and creditworthiness and may make defaults on debt more likely. If a country’s economy slips into a deflationary pattern, it could last for a prolonged period and may be difficult to reverse.
The precise details and the resulting impact of the United Kingdom’s vote to leave the European Union (the “EU”), commonly referred to as “Brexit,” are not yet known. The effect on the United Kingdom’s economy will likely depend on the nature of trade relations with the EU and other major economies following its exit, which are matters to be negotiated. The outcomes may cause increased volatility and have a significant adverse impact on world financial markets, other international trade agreements, and the United Kingdom and European economies, as well as the broader global economy for some time, which could significantly adversely affect the value of the Fund’s investments in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Non-Diversification Risk
Since the Fund isnon-diversified, it may invest a high percentage of its assets in a limited number of issuers. When the Fund invests in a relatively small number of issuers it may be more susceptible to risks associated with a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence than a more diversified portfolio might be. Some of those issuers may also present substantial credit or other risks. Since the Fund isnon-diversified, its NAV per share and total return may also fluctuate more or be subject to declines in weaker markets than a diversified fund.
Other Investment Companies Risk
The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including money market funds that are advised by the Manager. To the extent that the Fund invests in shares of other registered investment companies, the Fund will indirectly bear the fees and expenses, including for example advisory and administrative fees, charged by those investment companies in addition to the Fund’s direct fees and expenses and will be subject to the risks associated with investments in those companies. For example, the Fund’s investments in money market funds are subject to interest rate risk, credit risk, and market risk. The Fund must rely on the investment company in which it invests to achieve its investment objective. If the investment company fails to achieve its investment objective, the value of the Fund’s investment will decline, adversely affecting the Fund’s performance. To the extent the Fund invests in other investment companies that invest in equity securities, fixed income securities and/or foreign securities, or track an index, the Fund is subject to the risks associated with the underlying investments held by the investment company or the index fluctuations to which the investment company is subject.
Repurchase Offers Risk/Interval Fund Risk
The Fund is a closed-end investment company structured as an “interval fund” and is designed for long-term investors. Unlike many closed-end investment companies, the Fund’s Shares are not listed on any national securities exchange and are not publicly traded. There is currently no secondary market for the Shares and the Fund expects that no secondary market will develop. In order to provide liquidity to Shareholders, the Fund, subject to applicable law, will conduct quarterly offers to repurchase its outstanding Shares at NAV per share, reduced by any applicable repurchase fee, subject to approval of the Board. In all cases, such repurchase offers will be for at least 5% and not more than 25% of its outstanding Shares at NAV per share, pursuant to Rule 23c-3 under the Investment Company Act. The Fund currently expects to conduct quarterly repurchase offers in the
28
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
amount of 8% of its outstanding Shares under ordinary circumstances. The Fund believes that these repurchase offers are generally beneficial to the Fund’s Shareholders, and repurchases generally will be funded from available cash or sales of portfolio securities. However, repurchase offers and the need to fund repurchase obligations may affect the ability of the Fund to be fully invested or force the Fund to maintain a higher percentage of its assets in liquid investments (including by borrowing to obtain such investments), which may harm the Fund’s investment performance. Moreover, a reduction in the size of the Fund through repurchases may result in untimely sales of portfolio securities (with associated imputed transaction costs, which may be significant), may increase the Fund’s portfolio turnover, and may limit the ability of the Fund to participate in new investment opportunities or to achieve its investment objective. Also, the sale of securities to fund repurchases could reduce the market price of those securities, which in turn would reduce the Fund’s NAV per share. The Fund may accumulate cash by holding back (i.e., not reinvesting) payments received in connection with the Fund’s investments. The Fund believes that payments received in connection with the Fund’s investments will generate sufficient cash to meet the maximum potential amount of the Fund’s repurchase obligations. If at any time cash and other liquid assets held by the Fund are not sufficient to meet the Fund’s repurchase obligations, the Fund may, if necessary, sell investments, and is also permitted to borrow up to the maximum extent permitted under the Investment Company Act to meet such repurchase obligations. If, as expected, the Fund employs investment leverage, repurchases of Shares would compound the adverse effects of leverage in a declining market. In addition, if the Fund borrows to finance repurchases, interest on that borrowing will negatively affect Shareholders who do not tender their Shares by increasing the Fund’s expenses and reducing any net investment income. If a repurchase offer is oversubscribed, the Fund will repurchase the Shares tendered on a pro rata basis, and Shareholders will have to wait until the next repurchase offer to make another repurchase request. As a result, Shareholders may be unable to liquidate all or a given percentage of their investment in the Fund during a particular repurchase offer. Some Shareholders, in anticipation of proration, may tender more Shares than they wish to have repurchased in a particular quarter, thereby increasing the likelihood that proration will occur. A Shareholder may be subject to market and other risks, and the NAV per share of Shares tendered in a repurchase offer may decline between the Repurchase Request Deadline and the date on which the NAV per share for tendered Shares is determined. In addition, to the extent the Fund sells portfolio holdings in order to fund repurchase requests, the repurchase of Shares by the Fund will be a taxable event for the Shareholders of repurchased shares, and potentially even for Shareholders that do not participate in the repurchase offer.
Tax Risk
The Fund intends to elect to be a regulated investment company (“RIC”) and intends to qualify each taxable year to be treated as such. In order to qualify for such treatment, the Fund must meet certain asset diversification tests, derive at least 90% of its gross income for its taxable year from certain types of “qualifying income,” and distribute to its Shareholders at least 90% of its “investment company taxable income,” as that term is defined in the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”) (which include, among other things, dividends, interest and the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as reduced by certain deductible expenses).
The Fund’s investment strategies will potentially be limited by its intention to annually qualify for treatment as a RIC. The tax treatment of certain of the Fund’s investments under one or more of the qualification or diversification tests applicable to RICs is not certain. An adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) might affect the Fund’s ability to qualify for such treatment.
If, for any taxable year, the Fund were to fail to qualify for treatment as a RIC, and were ineligible to or did not otherwise cure such failure, the Fund would be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at the corporate rate (currently 21%) and, when such income is distributed, Shareholders would be subject to a further tax to the extent of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits.
Certain of the Fund’s investments will require it to recognize taxable income in a taxable year in excess of the cash generated on those investments during that year. In particular, the Fund expects to invest in obligations that will be treated as having “market discount” and/or original issue discount for federal income tax purposes.
29
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
Because the Fund may be required to recognize income in respect of these investments before, or without receiving, cash representing such income, the Fund may have difficulty satisfying the annual distribution requirements applicable to RICs and avoiding Fund-level federal income and/or excise taxes. Accordingly, the Fund may be required to sell assets, including at potentially disadvantageous times or prices, borrow, raise additional equity capital, make taxable distributions of its Shares or debt securities, or reduce new investments, to obtain the cash needed to make these distributions. If the Fund liquidates assets to raise cash, the Fund may realize gain or loss on such liquidations; if the Fund realizes net capital gains from such liquidation transactions, its Shareholders would receive larger capital gain distributions than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Unrated Securities Risk
Because the Fund may purchase securities that are not rated by any rating organization, theSub-Advisor, after assessing their credit quality, may internally assign ratings to certain of those securities in categories of those similar to those of rating organizations. Investing in unrated securities involves the risk that theSub-Advisor may not accurately evaluate the security’s comparative credit rating. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of unrated securities may be more complex than for issuers of higher-quality debt obligations. To the extent that the Fund invests in unrated securities, the Fund’s success in achieving its investment objectives may depend more heavily on theSub-Advisor’s credit analysis than if the Fund invested exclusively in rated securities. Some unrated securities may not have an active trading market or may be difficult to value, which means the Fund might have difficulty selling them promptly at an acceptable price.
Valuation Risk
This is the risk that the Fund has valued a security at a price different from the price at which it can be sold. This risk may be especially pronounced for investments, such as derivatives, which may be illiquid or which may become illiquid and for securities that trade in relatively thin markets and/or markets that experience extreme volatility. If market conditions make it difficult to value certain investments, the Fund may value these investments using more subjective methods, such as fair-value methodologies. Investors who purchase or redeem Fund shares on days when the Fund is holding fair-valued securities may receive fewer or more shares, or lower or higher redemption proceeds, than they would have received if the Fund had not fair-valued the securities or had used a different valuation methodology. The value of foreign securities, certain fixed-income securities and currencies, as applicable, may be materially affected by events after the close of the markets on which they are traded, but before the Fund determines its NAV. The Fund’s ability to value its investments in an accurate and timely manner may be impacted by technological issues and/or errors by third-party service providers, such as pricing services or accounting agents.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities Risk
The interest rates payable on variable and floating-rate securities are not fixed and may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates. The interest rate on a floating rate security is a variable rate which is tied to another interest rate, such as a money-market index or Treasury bill rate. Variable and floating rate securities are subject to interest rate risk and credit risk.
Volatility Risk
The Fund may have investments that appreciate or decrease significantly in value over short periods of time. This may cause the Fund’s NAV per share to experience significant increases or declines in value over short periods of time. Market interest rate changes may also cause the Fund’s NAV per share to experience volatility. This is because the value of an obligation asset in the Fund is partially a function of whether it is paying what the market perceives to be a market rate of interest for the particular obligation given its individual credit and other characteristics. If market interest rates change, an obligation’s value could be affected to the extent the interest rate paid on that obligation does not reset at the same time.
30
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
6. Federal Income and Excise Taxes
It is the policy of the Fund to qualify as a RIC, by complying with all applicable provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make distributions of taxable income sufficient to relieve it from substantially all federal income and excise taxes. For federal income tax purposes, the Fund is treated as a single entity for the purpose of determining such qualification.
The Fund does not have any unrecorded tax benefits in the accompanying financial statements. The period ended June 30, 2019 remains subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other expenses” on the Statement of Operations.
The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on returns of income earned or gains realized or repatriated. Taxes are accrued and applied to net investment income, net realized capital gains and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), as applicable, as the income is earned or capital gains are recorded.
Dividends are categorized in accordance with income tax regulations which may treat certain transactions differently than U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the character of distributions and composition of net assets for tax purposes may differ from those reflected in the accompanying financial statements.
The tax character of distributions paid were as follows:
Period Ended June 30, 2019 | ||||
Distributions paid from: |
| |||
Ordinary income* |
| |||
Y Class | $ | 131,606 | ||
Long-term capital gains |
| |||
Y Class | - | |||
|
| |||
Total distributions paid | $ | 131,606 | ||
|
| |||
Total distributions paid |
|
* For tax purposes, short-term capital gains are considered ordinary income distributions.
As of June 30, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (deficits) on a tax basis were as follows:
Fund | Tax Cost | Unrealized Appreciation | Unrealized (Depreciation) | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | ||||||||||||
Apollo Total Return | $ | 6,992,012 | $ | 40,059 | $ | (65,013 | ) | $ | (24,954 | ) |
Fund | Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | Undistributed Ordinary Income | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gains | Accumulated Capital and Other (Losses) | Other Temporary Differences | Distributable Earnings | ||||||||||||||||||
Apollo Total Return | $ | (24,954 | ) | $ | 122,905 | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 97,951 |
Financial reporting records are adjusted for permanent book/tax differences to reflect tax character. Financial records are not adjusted for temporary differences. There are no temporary differences recorded for the period ending June 30, 2019.
Due to inherent differences in the recognition of income, expenses, and realized gains (losses) under U.S. GAAP and federal income tax regulations, permanent differences between book and tax reporting have been identified and appropriately reclassified on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
31
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Notes to Financial Statements
June 30, 2019
For the period ending June 30, 2019, the fund had no permanent differences.
Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (“RIC MOD”), net capital losses recognized by the Fund in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 are carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as short-term and/or long-term losses.
As of June 30, 2019, the Fund did not have any capital loss carryforwards.
7. Investment Transactions
The aggregate cost of purchases and proceeds from sales and maturities of investments, other than short-term obligations, for the period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:
Fund | Purchases (non-U.S. Government Securities) | Sales (non-U.S. Government Securities) | ||||||||||
Apollo Total Return | $ | 87,291,813 | $ | 80,484,959 |
A summary of the Fund’s transactions in the USG Select Fund for the period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:
Fund | Type of Transaction | June 30, 2018 Shares/Fair Value | Purchases | Sales | June 30, 2019 Shares/Fair Value | Dividend Income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Apollo Total Return | Direct | $ | - | $ | 28,659,787 | $ | 27,878,056 | $ | 781,731 | $ | 30,596 |
8. Capital Share Transactions
The table below summarizes the activity in capital shares for the Fund:
Y Class | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 12, 2018A to June 30, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Apollo Total Return Fund | Shares | Amount | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares sold | 81,201 | B | $ | 823,769 | B | |||||||||||||||||||
Reinvestment of dividends | 9,805 | 95,760 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Net increase in shares outstanding | 91,006 | $ | 919,529 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
A Commencement of operations.
B Seed capital was received on September 12, 2018 in the amount of $5,100,000 for Y Class. As a result, shares were issued in the amount of 510,000 for the Y Class of the Fund.
9. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events for possible recognition or disclosure in the financial statements through the date the financial statements are issued. Management has determined that there are no material events that would require disclosure in the Fund’s financial statements through this date.
32
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout the period)
Y Class | ||||
September 12, 2018A to June 30, 2019 | ||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ | 10.00 | ||
|
| |||
Income from investment operations: | ||||
Net investment income | 0.19 | |||
Net gains on investments (both realized and unrealized) | 0.24 | |||
|
| |||
Total income from investment operations | 0.43 | |||
|
| |||
Less distributions: | ||||
Dividends from net investment income | (0.16 | ) | ||
Distributions from net realized gains | (0.09 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Total distributions | (0.25 | ) | ||
|
| |||
Net asset value, end of period | $ | 10.18 | ||
|
| |||
Total returnB | 4.37 | %C | ||
|
| |||
Ratios and supplemental data: |
| |||
Net assets, end of period | $ | 6,117,480 | ||
Ratios to average net assets: | ||||
Expenses, before reimbursements | 23.15 | %F | ||
Expenses, net of reimbursementsE | 1.70 | %D | ||
Net investment (loss), before expense reimbursements | (19.06 | )%F | ||
Net investment income, net of reimbursements | 2.39 | %D | ||
Portfolio turnover rate | 1,625 | %C |
A | Commencement of operations. |
B | Based on net asset value, which does not reflect the sales charge, redemption fee, or contingent deferred sales charge, if applicable. May include adjustments in accordance with U.S. GAAP and as such, the net asset value for reporting purposes and the returns based upon those net asset values may differ from the net asset value and returns for shareholder transactions. |
C | Not annualized. |
D | Annualized. |
E | Includes other expenses consisting of management fees and service fees that are not included in the expense cap calculation. Expenses, net of reimbursement, excluding the other expenses was 0.25% for the period ended June 30, 2019. |
F | Includes non-recurring organization and offering costs. |
See accompanying notes
33
American Beacon Apollo Total Return FundSM
Federal Tax Information
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
Certain tax information regarding the Fund is required to be provided to shareholders based upon the Fund’s income and distributions for the taxable year ended June 30, 2019. The information and distributions reported herein may differ from information and distributions taxable to the shareholders for the calendar year ended December 31, 2018.
The Fund designated the following items with regard to distributions paid during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. All designations are based on financial information available as of this annual report and, accordingly, are subject to change. For each item, it is the intention of the Fund to designate the maximum amount permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations there under.
Long-Term Capital Gain Distributions:
Apollo Total Return | $ | - |
Short-Term Capital Gain Distributions:
Apollo Total Return | $ | 45,663 |
Shareholders will receive notification in January 2020 of the applicable tax information necessary to prepare their 2019 income tax returns.
34
Disclosure Regarding Approvals of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreement(Unaudited)
At in-person meetings held on May 9, 2019 and June 4-5, 2019 (collectively, the “Meetings”), the Board of Trustees (“Board” or “Trustees”) considered and then, at its June 5, 2019 meeting, approved the renewal of:
(1) the Management Agreement between American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (“Manager”) and the American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (“Trust”), on behalf of the Trust’s sole series of the same name (“Fund”); and
(2) the Investment Advisory Agreement among the Manager, Apollo Credit Management, LLC (the “subadvisor”), and the Trust, on behalf of the Fund.
The Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement are referred to herein individually as an “Agreement” and collectively as the “Agreements.” In preparation for its consideration of the renewal of the Agreements, the Board undertook steps to gather and consider information furnished by the Manager, the subadvisor, Broadridge, Inc. (“Broadridge”) and Morningstar, Inc. (“Morningstar”). The Board, with the assistance of independent legal counsel, requested and received certain relevant information from the Manager and the subadvisor.
In advance of the Meetings, the Board’s Investment Committee and/or the Manager coordinated the production of information from Broadridge and Morningstar regarding the performance, fees and expenses of the Fund as well as information from the Manager and the subadvisor. At the Meetings, the Board considered the information provided in connection with the renewal process, as well as information furnished to the Board throughout the year at regular meetings of the Board and its committees. In connection with the Board’s consideration of the Agreements, the Board received and evaluated such information as they deemed necessary. This information is described below in the section summarizing the factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements, as well as the section describing additional Board considerations with respect to the Fund.
The Board noted that the Manager provides management and administrative services to the Fund pursuant to the Management Agreement. The Board considered that many mutual funds have separate contracts governing each type of service and observed that, with respect to such mutual funds, the actual management fee rates provided by Broadridge for peer group funds reflect the combined advisory and administrative expenses, reduced by any fee waivers and/or reimbursements.
A firm may not have been able to, or opted not to, provide information in response to certain information requests, in which case the Board conducted its evaluation of the firm based on information that was provided. In such cases, the Board determined that the omission of any such information was not material to its considerations.
Provided below is an overview of certain factors the Board considered in connection with its renewal and approval of the Agreements. The Board did not identify any particular information that was most relevant to its consideration to renew or approve each Agreement, and each Trustee may have afforded different weight to the various factors. Legal counsel to the independent Trustees provided the Board with a memorandum regarding its responsibilities pertaining to the renewal and approval of investment advisory contracts, such as the Agreements. The memorandum explained the regulatory requirements surrounding the Board’s process for evaluating investment advisors and the terms of investment advisory contracts. Based on its evaluation, the Board unanimously concluded that the terms of each Agreement were reasonable and fair and that the renewal and approval of each Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.
Considerations With Respect to the Renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement
In determining whether to renew the Agreements, the Board considered the Fund’s investment management and subadvisory relationships separately. In each instance, the Board considered, among other things, the following factors: (1) the nature, extent and quality of the services provided; (2) the investment performance of the Fund;
35
Disclosure Regarding Approvals of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreement(Unaudited)
(3) the costs incurred by the Manager in rendering services to the Fund and its resulting profits or losses; (4) comparisons of services and fee rates with contracts entered into by the Manager or the subadvisor or their affiliates with other clients (such as pension funds and other institutional clients); (5) the extent to which economies of scale, if any, have been taken into account in setting each fee rate schedule; (6) whether fee rate levels reflect economies of scale, if any, for the benefit of Fund investors; and (7) any other benefits derived or anticipated to be derived by the Manager or the subadvisor from their relationships with the Fund.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services. With respect to the renewal of the Management Agreement, the Board considered, among other factors: the Fund’s performance since its inception on September 12, 2018; the length of service of key investment personnel at the Manager; the cost structure of the Fund; the Manager’s culture of compliance and support that reduce risks to the Fund; the Manager’s quality of services; the Manager’s active role in monitoring and, as appropriate, recommending additional or replacement subadvisors; and the Manager’s efforts to retain key employees and maintain staffing levels.
With respect to the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Board considered the level of staffing and the size of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the adequacy of the resources committed to the Fund by the subadvisor, and whether those resources were commensurate with the needs of the Fund and are sufficient to sustain appropriate levels of performance and compliance needs. In this regard, the Board considered the financial stability of the subadvisor. The Board also considered the subadvisor’s representations regarding its compliance program and code of ethics. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the management and advisory services provided by the Manager and the subadvisor were appropriate for the Fund.
Investment Performance. The Board evaluated the comparative information provided by Broadridge and the Manager regarding the performance of the Fund relative to its Broadridge performance universe and benchmark index. The Board considered the information provided by Broadridge regarding Broadridge’s independent methodology for selecting the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe. The Board also considered that the performance universes selected by Broadridge may not provide appropriate comparisons for the Fund. In addition, the Board considered the performance reports and discussions with management at Board and Committee meetings throughout the year. The Board also evaluated the comparative information provided by the subadvisor regarding the performance of the Fund relative to the performance of a comparable investment account managed by the subadvisor and the Fund’s benchmark index. In addition, the Board considered the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s performance appears below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”
Costs of the Services Provided to the Fund and the Profits Realized by the Manager from its Relationship with the Fund. In analyzing the cost of services and profitability of the Manager, the Board considered the revenues earned and the expenses incurred by the Manager, before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager. The profits or losses were noted at both an aggregate level for all funds within the group of mutual funds sponsored by the Manager (the “Fund Complex”) and at an individual Fund level, with the Manager sustaining a loss before and after the payment of distribution-related expenses by the Manager for the Fund. The Board also considered comparative information provided by the Manager regarding the Manager’s overall profitability with respect to the Fund Complex relative to the overall profitability of other firms in the mutual fund industry, as disclosed in publicly available sources. Although the Board noted that, in certain cases, the fee rates paid by other clients of the Manager are lower than the fee rates paid by the Fund, the Manager represented that, among other matters, the difference is attributable to the fact that the Manager does not perform administrative services for non-investment company clients and reflects the greater level of responsibility and regulatory requirements associated with managing the Fund.
The Board also noted that the Manager proposed to continue the expense waivers and reimbursements for the Fund that were in place during the last fiscal year. The Board further considered that, with respect to the Fund, the Management Agreement provides for the Manager to receive a management fee comprised of an annualized fee that is retained by the Manager.
36
Disclosure Regarding Approvals of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreement(Unaudited)
In analyzing the fee rates charged by the subadvisor in connection with its investment advisory services to the Fund, the Board considered representations made by the subadvisor that the Fund’s subadvisory fee rate schedule was generally favorable compared to a comparable client account. The Board did not request profitability data from the subadvisor because the Board did not view this data as imperative to its deliberations given the arm’s-length nature of the relationship between the Manager and the subadvisor with respect to the negotiation of subadvisory fee rates. In addition, the Board noted that subadvisor may not account for its profits on an account-by-account basis and that different firms likely employ different methodologies in connection with these calculations.
Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the profitability levels of the Manager were reasonable in light of the services performed by the Manager. A discussion regarding the Board’s considerations with respect to the Fund’s fee rates is set forth below under “Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund.”
Economies of Scale. In considering the reasonableness of the management and investment advisory fees rates, the Board considered whether economies of scale will be realized as the Fund grows and whether fee rate levels reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of Fund shareholders. In this regard, the Board considered that the Manager has negotiated breakpoints for the subadvisory fee rate for the Fund.
In addition, the Board noted the Manager’s representation that the Management Agreement contains fee schedule breakpoints at higher asset levels with respect to the Fund. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the Manager and subadvisor fee rate schedules for the Fund provide for a reasonable sharing of benefits from any economies of scale with the Fund.
Benefits Derived from the Relationship with the Fund. The Board considered the “fall-out” or ancillary benefits that accrue to the Manager and/or the subadvisor as a result of the advisory relationships with the Fund, including greater exposure in the marketplace with respect to the Manager’s or the subadvisor’s investment process and expanding the level of assets under management by the Manager and the subadvisor. The Board also considered that the Manager may invest the Fund’s cash balances and cash collateral provided by the borrowers of the Fund’s securities in the American Beacon U.S. Government Money Market Select Fund, which the Manager manages directly. Based on the foregoing information, the Board concluded that the potential benefits accruing to the Manager and the subadvisor by virtue of their relationships with the Fund appear to be fair and reasonable.
Additional Considerations and Conclusions with Respect to the Fund
The performance comparisons below were made in comparison to the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe. With respect to the Broadridge performance universe, the 1st Quintile represents the top 20 percent of the universe based on performance and the 5th Quintile representing the bottom 20 percent of the universe based on performance. References below to the Fund’s Broadridge performance universe are to the universe of mutual funds with a comparable investment classification/objective included in the analysis provided by Broadridge.
The expense comparisons below were made in comparison to the Fund’s Broadridge expense universe and Broadridge expense group, with the 1st Quintile representing the lowest 20 percent of the universe or group based on lowest total expense and the 5th Quintile representing the highest 20 percent of the universe or group based on highest total expense. References below to the Fund’s expense group and expense universe are to the respective group or universe of comparable mutual funds included in the analysis by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense group consists of the Fund and a representative sample of funds with similar operating structures and asset sizes, as selected by Broadridge. A Broadridge expense universe includes all funds in the investment classification/objective with a similar operating structure as the share class of the Fund included in the Broadridge comparative information and provides a broader view of expenses across the Fund’s investment classification/objective. In reviewing expenses, the Board considered the positive impact of fee waivers where applicable and the Manager’s agreement to continue the fee waivers. In addition, information regarding the subadvisor’s use of soft dollars was requested from the Manager and was considered by the Board.
37
Disclosure Regarding Approvals of the Management and Investment Advisory Agreement(Unaudited)
In considering the renewal of the Management Agreement and the Investment Advisory Agreement with the subadvisor for the Fund, the Board considered the following additional factors:
Broadridge Total Expense Analysis Excluding 12b-1 Fees and Morningstar Fee Level Ranking
Compared to Broadridge Expense Group | 5th Quintile | |
Compared to Broadridge Expense Universe | 5th Quintile | |
Morningstar Fee Level Ranking – Y Class | Not Available |
Broadridge and Morningstar Performance Analysis (since-inception period ended December 31, 2018)*
Compared to Broadridge Performance Universe | 3rd Quintile | |
Compared to Morningstar Category | Not Available |
* Does not yet have a 1-, 3- or 5-year performance record.
The Board also considered: (1) information provided by the subadvisor regarding the fee rate charged for managing an account in the same or a similar strategy as the subadvisor manages the Fund; (2) the Fund employs a limited-capacity strategy as the subadvisor invests opportunistically; (3) the subadvisor’s unique investment process; (4) the challenges associated with identifying a peer group for evaluating the Fund’s expenses and performance, given the higher expenses incurred by the Fund as compared to the exchange-traded closed-end funds in the Fund’s Broadridge expense group and expense universe; and (5) the Manager’s recommendation to continue to retain the subadvisor based upon, among other factors, the relatively brief period that this Fund has been in operation.
Based on these and other considerations, the Board: (1) concluded that the fees paid to the Manager and the subadvisor under the Management and Investment Advisory Agreements are fair and reasonable; and (2) determined that the Fund and its shareholders would benefit from the Manager’s and subadvisor’s continued management of the Fund.
38
Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Interval FundsSM(Unaudited)
The Trustees and officers of the American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund (the “Trust”) are listed below, together with their principal occupations during the past five years. The address of each person listed below is 220 Las Colinas Boulevard East, Suite 1200, Irving, Texas 75039. Each Trustee oversees thirty-seven funds in the fund complex that includes the Trust, the American Beacon Funds, the American Beacon Select Funds, the American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust and the American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund. The Trust’s Statement of Additional Information contains additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge by calling1-800-658-5811.
Name, Age and Address | Position, Term of Office and Length of Time Served with the Trust | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships | ||
INTERESTED TRUSTEES | Term | |||
Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or retirement* | ||||
Alan D. Feld** (82) | Trustee since 2018 | Partner in the law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP (law firm) (1960-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (1996-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (1999-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES | Term | |||
Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or retirement* | ||||
Gilbert G. Alvarado (49) | Trustee since 2018 | Director, Kura MD, Inc. (local telehealth organization) (2015-present); Vice President & CFO, Sierra Health Foundation (health conversion private foundation) (2006-Present); Vice President & CFO, Sierra Health Foundation: Center for Health Program Management (California public benefit corporation) (2012-Present); Director, Innovative North State (2012-2015); Director, Sacramento Regional Technology Alliance (2011-2016); Director, Women’s Empowerment (2009-2014); Director, Valley Healthcare Staffing (2017–present); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
Joseph B. Armes (57) | Trustee since 2018 | Chairman & CEO, CSW Industrials f/k/a Capital Southwest Corporation (investment company) (2015-Present); Chairman of the Board of Capital Southwest Corporation, predecessor to CSW Industrials, Inc. (2014-2017) (investment company); CEO, Capital Southwest Corporation (2013-2015); President & CEO, JBA Investment Partners (family investment vehicle) (2010-Present); Director and Chair of Audit Committee, RSP Permian (oil and gas producer) (2013-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
Gerard J. Arpey (60) | Trustee since 2018 | Director, The Home Depot, Inc. (2015-Present); Partner, Emerald Creek Group (private equity firm) (2011-Present); Director, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. (privately held company) (2008-present); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). |
39
Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Interval FundsSM(Unaudited)
Name, Age and Address | Position, Term of Office and Length of Time Served with the Trust | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships | ||
NON-INTERESTED TRUSTEES (CONT.) | Term | |||
Lifetime of Trust until removal, resignation or retirement* | ||||
Brenda A. Cline (58) | Trustee since 2018 Chair since 2019 Vice Chair 2018 | Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary, Kimbell Art Foundation (1993-Present); Director, Tyler Technologies, Inc. (public sector software solutions company) (2014-Present); Director, Range Resources Corporation (oil and natural gas company) (2015-Present); Trustee, CushingClosed-End and Open-End Funds and ETFs (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); ; Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
Eugene J. Duffy (64) | Trustee since 2018 | Managing Director, Global Investment Management Distribution, Mesirow Financial (2016-Present); Managing Director, Institutional Services, Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation (2014-Present); Principal and Executive Vice President, Paradigm Asset Management (1994-2014); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2008–Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2008-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
Claudia A. Holz (61) | Trustee since 2018 | Partner, KPMG LLP (1990–2017); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2018–Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
Douglas A. Lindgren (57) | Trustee since 2018 | CEO North America, Carne Global Financial Services (2016-2017); Managing Director, IPS Investment Management and Global Head, Content Management, UBS Wealth Management (2010-2016); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2018-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
Richard A. Massman (75) | Trustee since 2018 Chair 2018 Chair Emeritus since 2019 | Consultant and General Counsel Emeritus, Hunt Consolidated, Inc. (holding company engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, refining, real estate, farming, ranching and venture capital activities) (2009-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
Barbara J. McKenna, CFA (56) | Trustee since 2018 | President/Managing Principal, Longfellow Investment Management Company (2005-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2012-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). | ||
R. Gerald Turner (73) | Trustee since 2018 | President, Southern Methodist University (1995-Present); Director, J.C. Penney Company, Inc. (1996-Present); Director, Kronus Worldwide Inc. (chemical manufacturing) (2003-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Funds (2001-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Select Funds (2001-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018–Present). |
40
Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Interval FundsSM(Unaudited)
Name, Age and Address | Position, Term of Office and Length of Time Served with the Trust | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships | ||
OFFICERS | Term | |||
One Year | ||||
Gene L. Needles, Jr. (64) | President since 2018 | President (2009-2018), CEO and Director (2009–Present), and Chairman (2018-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc., President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015–Present), and Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015-Present), and Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Topco, Inc.; President (2015-2018); Director, and CEO (2015-Present), and Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; President (2015-2018), Director and CEO (2015-Present), Chairman (2018-Present), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director, Chairman, President and CEO, Resolute Investment Distributors (2017-Present); Director, Chairman, President and CEO; Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2017-Present); President and CEO, Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc. (2009-2015); President, CEO and Director, Lighthouse Holdings, Inc. (2009-2015); Manager, President and CEO, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Director, Chairman, President and CEO, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-Present); Director, ARK Investment Management LLC (2016-Present); Director, Shapiro Capital Management LLC (2017-Present); Director, Chairman and CEO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Director and President, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, LTD., (2017-2018); President, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); President American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Member, Investment Advisory Committee, Employees Retirement System of Texas (2017-Present); Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust (2015-Present); President, American Beacon Funds (2009–Present); President, American Beacon Select Funds (2009-Present); President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC, (2019-Present); Director, SSI Investment Management, LLC (2019-Present). | ||
Rosemary K. Behan (60) | VP, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2018 | Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2006-Present); Secretary, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC (2015-Present); Secretary, Resolute Topco, Inc. (2015-Present); Secretary, Resolute Acquisition, Inc. (2015–Present); Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2015-Present); Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President and Secretary, Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc. (2008-2015); Vice President and Secretary, Lighthouse Holdings, Inc. (2008-2015); Secretary, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2008-Present); Secretary and General Counsel, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-Present); Vice President and Secretary, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Secretary, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd. (2017-2018); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Secretary, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd (2018-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2006-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2006-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Chief Legal Officer, Vice President and Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). |
41
Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Interval FundsSM(Unaudited)
Name, Age and Address | Position, Term of Office and Length of Time Served with the Trust | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships | ||
OFFICERS (CONT.) | Term | |||
One Year | ||||
Brian E. Brett (59) | VP since 2018 | Senior Vice President, Head of Distribution (2012-Present), Vice President, Director of Sales (2004-2012), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2018-Present), Senior Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Senior Vice President, Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc. (2008-2015); Senior Vice President, Lighthouse Holdings, Inc. (2008-2015); Vice President, American Beacon Funds (2004-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2004-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). | ||
Paul B. Cavazos (50) | VP since 2018 | Chief Investment Officer and Senior Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2016-Present); Chief Investment Officer, DTE Energy (2007-2016); Vice President, American Private Equity Management, L.L.C. (2017–Present); Vice President, American Beacon Funds (2016-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2016-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). | ||
Erica Duncan (48) | VP Since 2018 | Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers (2018-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). | ||
Melinda G. Heika (58) | Treasurer since 2018 | Treasurer and CFO (2010-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Treasurer, Resolute Topco, Inc. (2015-Present); Treasurer, Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC. (2015-Present); Treasurer, Resolute Acquisition, Inc. (2015-Present); Treasurer and CFO, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Treasurer, Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. (2017-2017); Treasurer and CFO, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2015-Present); Treasurer, Lighthouse Holdings Parent Inc., (2010-2015); Treasurer, Lighthouse Holdings, Inc. (2010-2015); Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Treasurer and CFO, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-Present); Treasurer and CFO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation, Ltd. (2017-2018); Treasurer, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director and Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2010-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Select Funds (2010-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). | ||
Terri L. McKinney (55) | VP since 2018 | Vice President (2009-Present), Managing Director (2003-2009), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc (2018-Present); Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-Present); Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Funds (2010-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2010-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). |
42
Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Interval FundsSM(Unaudited)
Name, Age and Address | Position, Term of Office and Length of Time Served with the Trust | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships | ||
OFFICERS (CONT.) | Term | |||
One Year | ||||
Jeffrey K. Ringdahl (44) | VP since 2018 | Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Chief Operating Officer (2010-Present), Senior Vice President (2013-2018), Vice President (2010-2013), American Beacon Advisors, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice Present (2015-2018), Resolute Investment Holdings, LLC; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Topco, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Acquisition, Inc.; Director (2015-Present), President & COO (2018-Present), Senior Vice President (2015-2018), Resolute Investment Managers, Inc.; Director and Executive Vice President (2017-Present), Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc.; Director (2017-Present), President & COO (2018-Present), Executive Vice President (2017-2018), Resolute Investment Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President (2017-Present), Vice President (2012-2017), Manager (2015-Present), American Private Equity Management, LLC; Senior Vice President, Lighthouse Holdings Parent, Inc. (2013-2015); Senior Vice President, Lighthouse Holdings, Inc. (2013-2015); Trustee, American Beacon NextShares Trust (2015-Present); Director, Executive Vice President & COO, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-Present); Director, Shapiro Capital Management, LLC (2017-Present); Director, Executive Vice President & COO, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd., (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Delaware Transformational Innovation Corporation (2017-2018); Director and Vice President, American Beacon Cayman Managed Futures Strategy Fund, Ltd. (2014-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd (2018-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Funds (2010-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2010-2018); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present); Director, RSW Investments Holdings LLC, (2019-Present); Director, SSI Investment Management, LLC (2019-Present). | ||
Samuel J. Silver (56) | VP Since 2018 | Vice President (2011-Present), Chief Fixed Income Officer (2016-Present), American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Vice President, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). | ||
Christina E. Sears (47) | Chief Compliance Officer and Asst. Secretary since 2018 | Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2004-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Distributors (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services, Inc. (2019-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2016-2019) and Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-Present); Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Assistant Secretary (1999-Present), American Beacon Funds; Chief Compliance Officer (2004-Present) and Assistant Secretary (1999-Present), American Beacon Select Funds; Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Chief Compliance Officer and Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). |
43
Trustees and Officers of the American Beacon Interval FundsSM(Unaudited)
Name, Age and Address | Position, Term of Office and Length of Time Served with the Trust | Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years and Current Directorships | ||
OFFICERS (CONT.) | Term | |||
One Year | ||||
Sonia L. Bates (62) | Asst. Treasurer since 2018 | Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-2018); Assistant Treasurer, Lighthouse Holdings Parent Inc. (2011-2015); Assistant Treasurer, Lighthouse Holdings, Inc. (2011-2015); Assistant Treasurer, American Private Equity Management, LLC (2012-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman Transformational Innovation Company, Ltd. (2017-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Cayman TargetRisk Company, Ltd. (2018-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Funds (2011-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Select Funds (2011-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Treasurer, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). | ||
Shelley D. Abrahams (44) | Assistant Secretary since 2018 | Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2008- Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2008-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). | ||
Rebecca L. Harris (52) | Assistant Secretary since 2018 | Vice President, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2011-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Managers, Inc. (2017-Present); Vice President, Resolute Investment Services (2015-Present); Vice President, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-Present); Vice President, Continuous Capital, LLC (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2010-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2010-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). | ||
Teresa A. Oxford (60) | Assistant Secretary since 2018 | Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Advisors, Inc. (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, Resolute Investment Distributors (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, Resolute Investment Services (2018-Present); Assistant Secretary, Alpha Quant Advisors, LLC (2016-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Funds (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Select Funds (2015-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Institutional Funds Trust (2017-Present); Assistant Secretary, American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund (2018-Present). |
* As of 11/12/2014, the Board adopted a retirement plan that requires Trustees, other than Messrs. Feld and Massman to retire no later than the last day of the calendar year in which they reach the age of 75. As of 11/7/17, the Board approved a waiver of the mandatory retirement policy with respect to Mr. Massman, who turned 75 in November 2018, to permit him to continue to serve on the Board as Chair Emeritus through 12/31/19.
** Mr. Feld is deemed to be an “interested person” of the Trusts, as defined by the 1940 Act. Mr. Feld’s law firm of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld LLP has provided legal services within the past two fiscal years to one or more of the Trust’ssub-advisors.
44
American Beacon Interval FundsSM
Privacy Policy
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
The American Beacon Interval Funds recognize and respect the privacy of our shareholders. We are providing this notice to you so you will understand how shareholder information may be collected and used.
We may collect nonpublic personal information about you from one or more of the following sources:
• | information we receive from you on applications or other forms; |
• | information about your transactions with us or our service providers; and |
• | information we receive from third parties. |
We do not disclose any nonpublic personal information about our customers or former customers to anyone, except as permitted by law.
We restrict access to your nonpublic personal information to those employees or service providers who need to know that information to provide products or services to you. To ensure the confidentiality of your nonpublic personal information, we maintain safeguards that comply with federal standards.
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eDelivery isNOW AVAILABLE - Stop traditional mail delivery and receive your
shareholder reportson-line. Sign up at
www.americanbeaconfunds.com
If you invest in the Fund through a financial institution, you may be able to receive the Fund’s regulatory mailings, such as the Prospectus, Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report, bye-mail. If you are interested in this option, please go towww.icsdelivery.com and search for your financial institution’s name or contact your financial institution directly.
To obtain more information about the Fund:
ByE-mail: | On the Internet: | |
american_beacon.funds@ambeacon.com | Visit our website atwww.americanbeaconfunds.com | |
By Telephone: Call (800)658-5811 | By Mail: American Beacon Interval Funds P.O. Box 219643 Kansas City, MO 64121-9643 | |
Availability of Quarterly Portfolio Schedules | Availability of Proxy Voting Policy and Records | |
In addition to the Schedule of Investments provided in eachsemi-annual and annual report, the Fund files a complete schedule of its portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on Form N-PORT as of the first and third fiscal quarters. The Fund’s Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov. The Forms N-PORT may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-2736. Information regarding the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling(800)-SEC-0330. A complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings is also available atwww.americanbeaconfunds.com. | A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information, is available free of charge on the Fund’s websitewww.americanbeaconfunds.com and by calling1-800-967-9009 or by accessing the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record for the most recent year ended June 30 is filed annually with the SEC onForm N-PX. The Fund’sForms N-PX are available on the SEC’s website atwww.sec.gov. The Fund’s proxy voting record may also be obtained by calling1-800-967-9009. |
Fund Service Providers:
CUSTODIAN State Street Bank and Trust Company Boston, Massachusetts | TRANSFER AGENT DST Asset Manager Solutions, Inc. Quincy, Massachusetts | INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM PricewaterhouseCoopers Boston, Massachusetts | DISTRIBUTOR Resolute Investment Distributors, Inc. Irving, Texas |
This report is prepared for shareholders of the American Beacon Interval Funds and may be distributed to others only if preceded or accompanied by a current Prospectus.
American Beacon Interval Funds and American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund are service marks of American Beacon Advisors, Inc.
AR 6/19
ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.
The Trust adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal executive and financial officers (the “Code”). The Trust amended its code August 19, 2019 to disclose the addition of the American Beacon Sound Point Enhanced Income Fund, American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund and American Beacon Sound Point Alternative Lending Fund and to disclose a change to limit the value of gifts received by the principal officer or financial officer to $100. The Trust did not grant any waivers to the provisions of the Code during the period covered by the shareholder reports presented in Item 1. The Code is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.CODE ETH.
ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.
The Trust’s Board of Trustees has determined that Gilbert G. Alvarado, a member of the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee, is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in Form N-CSR. Mr. Gilbert Alvarado is “independent” as defined in Form N-CSR.
ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
(a) | ||||
Audit Fees | Fiscal Year Ended | |||
N/A | 6/30/2018 | |||
$ 71,163 | 6/30/2019 | |||
(b) | ||||
Audit-Related Fees | Fiscal Year Ended | |||
N/A | 6/30/2018 | |||
$ 0 | 6/30/2019 | |||
(c) | ||||
Tax Fees | Fiscal Year Ended | |||
N/A | 6/30/2018 | |||
$ 24,900 | 6/30/2019 | |||
(d) | ||||
All Other Fees | Fiscal Year Ended | |||
N/A | 6/30/2018 | |||
$ 0 | 6/30/2019 |
e)(1) Pursuant to its charter, the Trust’s Audit and Compliance Committee shall have the following duties and powers pertaining topre-approval of audit andnon-audit services provided by the Trust’s principal accountant:
- to approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of auditors to annually audit and provide their opinion on the Trusts’ financial statements, and, in connection therewith, reviewing and evaluating matters potentially affecting the independence and capabilities of the auditors;
- to approve, prior to appointment, the engagement of the auditors to providenon-audit services to the Trusts, an investment adviser to any series of the Trusts or any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with an investment adviser (“adviser affiliate”) that provides ongoing services to the Trusts, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Trusts;
- to consider whether thenon-audit services provided by a Trust’s auditor to an investment adviser or any adviser affiliate that provides ongoing services to a series of the Trusts, which services were notpre-approved by the Committee, are compatible with maintaining the auditor’s independence;
- to review the arrangements for and scope of the annual audit and any special audits; and
- to review and approving the fees proposed to be charged to the Trusts by the auditors for each audit andnon-audit service.
The Audit and Compliance Committee may delegate any portion of its authority, including the authority to grantpre-approvals of audit and permittednon-audit services, to a subcommittee of one or more members. Any decisions of the subcommittee to grantpre-approvals shall be presented to the full audit committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
(e)(2) None of the fees disclosed in paragraphs (b) through (d) above were approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule2-01 of RegulationS-X.
(f) Not applicable.
(g) AggregateNon-Audit Fees for Services Rendered to the:
Registrant | Adviser | Adviser’s Affiliates Providing Ongoing Services to Registrant | Fiscal Year Ended | |||||||||
N/A | N/A | N/A | 6/30/2018 | |||||||||
$ | 24,900 | N/A | N/A | 6/30/2019 |
(h) Not applicable.
ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS.
The schedules of investments for each series of the Trust are included in the shareholder reports presented in Item 1.
ITEM 7. | DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FORCLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES. |
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OFCLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BYCLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. |
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
The Trust has made no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Trust’s Board of Trustees since the Trust last disclosed such procedures in Schedule 14A.
ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
(a) Based upon an evaluation within 90 days of the filing date of this report, the principal executive and financial officers concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures of the Trust are effective.
(b) There were no changes in the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Trust’s internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 12. EXHIBITS.
(a)(1) Filed herewith asEX-99.CODE ETH.
(a)(2) A separate certification for each principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Trust as required byRule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto asEX-99.CERT.
(a)(3) Not applicable.
(b) The certifications required by Rule30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 are attached hereto asEX-99.906CERT.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
(Registrant): American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund
By /s/ Gene L. Needles, Jr. |
Gene L. Needles, Jr. |
President |
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund |
Date: September 5, 2019
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By /s/ Gene L. Needles, Jr. |
Gene L. Needles, Jr. |
President |
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund |
Date: September 5, 2019
By /s/ Melinda G. Heika |
Melinda G. Heika |
Treasurer |
American Beacon Apollo Total Return Fund |
Date: September 5, 2019