UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
Investment Company Act file number
Delaware Group® Cash Reserve
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
610 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
Date of reporting period:
Item 1. Report to Stockholders.
(a) The registrant’s semi-annual report transmitted to shareholders pursuant to Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is as follows:
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
Institutional Class: DULTX
Semiannual shareholder report | September 30, 2024
This semiannual shareholder report contains important information about Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund (Fund) for the period of April 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at delawarefunds.com/literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800 523-1918, weekdays from 8:30am to 6:00pm ET.
What were the Fund's costs for the last six months?
(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Class | Costs of a $10,000 investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment* |
| Institutional Class | $20 | 0.40% |
Fund statistics (as of September 30, 2024)
| Fund net assets | $116,276,611 |
| Total number of portfolio holdings | 56 |
| Total advisory fees paid | $55,068 |
| Portfolio turnover rate | 37% |
Fund holdings (as of September 30, 2024)
The table below shows the investment makeup of the Fund, with each category representing a percentage of the total net assets of the Fund.
| Commercial Papers | 51.47% |
| Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities | 42.74% |
| Short-Term Investments | 3.50% |
| Collateralized Debt Obligations | 1.61% |
| Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security | 0.64% |
Availability of additional information
You can find additional information about the Fund, such as the prospectus, financial information, holdings, and proxy voting information, at delawarefunds.com/literature. You can also request this information by contacting us at 800 523-1918, weekdays from 8:30am to 6:00pm ET, or by contacting your financial intermediary.
Householding
In order to reduce expenses, we will deliver a single copy of prospectuses, proxies, financial reports, and other communication to shareholders with the same residential address, provided they have the same last name or we reasonably believe them to be members of the same family. Unless we are notified otherwise, we will continue to send recipients only one copy of these materials for as long as they remain a shareholder of the Fund. If you would like to receive individual mailings, please call 800 523-1918 or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Delaware Funds by Macquarie® or your financial intermediary. If you choose, you may receive these documents through electronic delivery.
For more information, please scan the QR code at left to navigate to additional hosted material at delawarefunds.com/literature.
(b) Not applicable
Item 2. Code of Ethics.
Not applicable.
Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Investments.
| | (a) | Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the Financial Statements filed under Item 7 of this form. |
Item 7. Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
| | (a) | An open-end management investment company registered on Form N-1A [17 CFR 239.15A and 17 CFR 274.11A] must file its most recent annual or semi-annual financial statements required, and for the periods specified, by Regulation S-X. |
The semi-annual financial statements are attached herewith.
| | (b) | An open-end management investment company registered on Form N-1A [17 CFR 239.15A and 17 CFR 274.11A] must file the information required by Item 13 of Form N-1A. |
The Financial Highlights are attached herewith.
Fixed income mutual fund
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
Financial statements and other information
For the six months ended September 30, 2024
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of the shareholders of the Fund. This report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors in the Fund unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
Form N-PORT and proxy voting information
The Fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Form N-PORT, as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities, is available without charge (i) upon request, by calling 800 523-1918; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. In addition, a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies (if any) relating to portfolio securities and the Schedule of Investments included in the Fund’s most recent Form N-PORT are available without charge on the Fund’s website at delawarefunds.com/literature.
Information (if any) regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recently disclosed 12-month period ended June 30 is available without charge (i) through the Fund’s website at delawarefunds.com/proxy; and (ii) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.
Schedule of investments
| Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund | September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
| | | Principal
amount° | Value (US $) |
| Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security — 0.64% |
| FREMF Mortgage Trust Series 2017-K729 B 144A 3.786% 11/25/49 #, • | | 750,000 | $ 746,011 |
| Total Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security (cost $749,901) | 746,011 |
|
|
|
| Collateralized Debt Obligations — 1.61% |
| Goldentree Loan Management US CLO Series 2022-15A XR 144A 6.582% (TSFR03M + 1.30%, Floor 1.30%) 10/20/36 #, • | | 1,875,000 | 1,874,818 |
| Total Collateralized Debt Obligations (cost $1,875,000) | 1,874,818 |
|
|
|
| Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities — 42.74% |
| American Express Credit Account Master Trust | | | |
| Series 2021-1 A 0.90% 11/15/26 | | 2,100,000 | 2,089,478 |
| Series 2023-1 A 4.87% 5/15/28 | | 1,350,000 | 1,366,129 |
|
|
| ARI Fleet Lease Trust Series 2024-B A2 144A 5.54% 4/15/33 # | | 2,000,000 | 2,023,506 |
| BA Credit Card Trust Series 2022-A2 5.00% 4/15/28 | | 2,250,000 | 2,267,126 |
| Barclays Dryrock Issuance Trust Series 2023-2 A 6.242% (SOFR + 0.90%) 8/15/28 • | | 2,000,000 | 2,009,118 |
| BMW Vehicle Lease Trust Series 2023-1 A3 5.16% 11/25/25 | | 1,602,025 | 1,603,348 |
| BMW Vehicle Owner Trust Series 2023-A A2B 5.71% (SOFR + 0.43%) 4/27/26 • | | 554,984 | 555,166 |
| Capital One Multi-Asset Execution Trust Series 2022-A1 A1 2.80% 3/15/27 | | 1,500,000 | 1,486,921 |
| CarMax Auto Owner Trust Series 2021-2 A3 0.52% 2/17/26 | | 191,172 | 190,455 |
| Chase Issuance Trust Series 2022-A1 A 3.97% 9/15/27 | | 2,490,000 | 2,481,969 |
| Citizens Auto Receivables Trust Series 2024-1 A2B 144A 5.942% (SOFR + 0.60%) 10/15/26 #, • | | 1,438,232 | 1,439,337 |
| CNH Equipment Trust Series 2022-A A3 2.94% 7/15/27 | | 1,603,028 | 1,584,603 |
| Dell Equipment Finance Trust Series 2023-1 A3 144A 5.65% 9/22/28 # | | 2,000,000 | 2,011,036 |
| Enterprise Fleet Financing | | | |
| Series 2021-3 A2 144A 0.77% 8/20/27 # | | 68,210 | 67,711 |
| Series 2022-4 A2 144A 5.76% 10/22/29 # | | 701,389 | 707,417 |
| Series 2023-3 A2 144A 6.40% 3/20/30 # | | 1,823,945 | 1,864,314 |
| GM Financial Consumer Automobile Receivables Trust | | | |
| Series 2021-4 A3 0.68% 9/16/26 | | 830,448 | 818,179 |
| Series 2024-2 A2B 5.732% (SOFR + 0.39%) 3/16/27 • | | 1,500,000 | 1,500,995 |
|
|
| GTE Auto Receivables Trust Series 2023-1 A2 144A 5.65% 8/17/26 # | | 259,600 | 259,764 |
Schedule of investments
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
| | | Principal
amount° | Value (US $) |
|
| Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities (continued) |
| Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Trust | | | |
| Series 2022-A A4 3.26% 1/15/30 | | 2,000,000 | $ 1,972,111 |
| Series 2023-A A2B 5.872% (SOFR + 0.53%) 6/15/26 • | | 118,098 | 118,112 |
| Hyundai Auto Lease Securitization Trust | | | |
| Series 2024-A A3 144A 5.02% 3/15/27 # | | 2,000,000 | 2,016,221 |
| Series 2024-C A3 144A 4.62% 4/17/28 # | | 700,000 | 707,208 |
|
|
| Hyundai Auto Receivables Trust Series 2023-B A2B 5.822% (SOFR + 0.48%) 5/15/26 • | | 891,958 | 892,404 |
| Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust Series 2024-A A2B 5.762% (SOFR + 0.42%) 2/16/27 • | | 2,000,000 | 2,000,466 |
| NextGear Floorplan Master Owner Trust Series 2024-1A A1 144A 6.242% (SOFR + 0.90%, Floor 0.90%) 3/15/29 #, • | | 2,000,000 | 2,011,590 |
| OCCU Auto Receivables Trust Series 2023-1A A2 144A 6.23% 4/15/27 # | | 552,267 | 554,816 |
| PFS Financing Series 2024-C A 144A 6.142% (SOFR + 0.80%, Floor 0.80%) 4/15/28 #, • | | 1,000,000 | 1,000,779 |
| Porsche Financial Auto Securitization Trust Series 2023-2A A2B 144A 5.926% (SOFR + 0.58%) 11/23/26 #, • | | 622,755 | 623,002 |
| Toyota Auto Receivables Owner Trust | | | |
| Series 2021-A A4 0.39% 6/15/26 | | 914,196 | 904,026 |
| Series 2023-A A3 4.63% 9/15/27 | | 1,500,000 | 1,503,596 |
|
|
| Verizon Master Trust Series 2021-2 A 0.99% 4/20/28 | | 2,786,000 | 2,779,761 |
| Volkswagen Auto Loan Enhanced Trust Series 2023-2 A2B 5.975% (SOFR + 0.63%) 3/22/27 • | | 1,487,187 | 1,488,981 |
| World Omni Auto Receivables Trust | | | |
| Series 2023-A A3 4.83% 5/15/28 | | 2,615,000 | 2,620,874 |
| Series 2023-C A3 5.15% 11/15/28 | | 1,125,000 | 1,136,836 |
| Series 2023-D A2B 5.922% (SOFR + 0.58%) 2/16/27 • | | 1,033,260 | 1,033,915 |
| Total Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities (cost $49,346,972) | 49,691,270 |
| | | | |
| Commercial Papers — 51.47% |
| Banking — 35.90% |
| ANZ New Zealand International 5.444% 10/22/24 | | 3,887,000 | 3,875,578 |
| Barclays Capital 4.776% 6/3/25 | | 5,000,000 | 4,855,400 |
| BPCE 5.343% 1/14/25 | | 5,000,000 | 4,932,116 |
| HSBC USA | | | |
| 5.544% 10/4/24 | | 1,500,000 | 1,499,192 |
| 5.712% 2/12/25 | | 4,000,000 | 3,930,775 |
| | | Principalamount° | Value (US $) |
| Commercial Papers (continued) |
| Banking (continued) |
| Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets | | | |
| 5.484% 2/7/25 | | 3,000,000 | $ 2,951,160 |
| 5.488% 12/5/24 | | 2,000,000 | 1,982,763 |
|
|
| National Bank Of Canada 5.491% 5/23/25 | | 4,500,000 | 4,375,019 |
| Santander UK 5.043% 1/2/25 | | 5,000,000 | 4,939,757 |
| Societe Generale 5.502% 6/5/25 | | 5,000,000 | 4,855,298 |
| Toronto-Dominion 4.536% 5/27/25 | | 3,650,000 | 3,547,996 |
| | 41,745,054 |
| Brokerage — 1.23% |
| BofA Securities | | | |
| 4.657% 7/25/25 | | 861,000 | 831,333 |
| 5.481% 11/18/24 | | 600,000 | 596,077 |
| | 1,427,410 |
| Consumer Cyclical — 4.30% |
| American Honda Finance 5.307% 10/3/24 | | 5,000,000 | 4,997,961 |
| | 4,997,961 |
| Financial Services — 3.41% |
| ING US Funding 5.445% 11/27/24 | | 4,000,000 | 3,969,443 |
| | 3,969,443 |
| Natural Gas — 6.63% |
| Northwest Natural Gas 5.22% 10/22/24 | | 2,700,000 | 2,691,884 |
| Wisconsin Gas 4.851% 10/1/24 | | 5,020,000 | 5,020,000 |
| | 7,711,884 |
| Total Commercial Papers (cost $59,737,888) | 59,851,752 |
| | | Number of
shares | |
| Short-Term Investments — 3.50% |
| Money Market Mutual Funds — 0.06% |
| BlackRock Liquidity FedFund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.83%) | | 18,218 | 18,218 |
| Fidelity Investments Money Market Government Portfolio – Class I (seven-day effective yield 4.83%) | | 18,218 | 18,218 |
| Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund – Institutional Shares (seven-day effective yield 4.89%) | | 18,219 | 18,219 |
| Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Government Portfolio – Institutional Class (seven-day effective yield 4.83%) | | 18,218 | 18,218 |
| | 72,873 |
Schedule of investments
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
| | | Principal
amount° | Value (US $) |
| US Treasury Obligation — 3.44% |
| US Treasury Bill 5.106% 10/17/24^ | | 4,000,000 | $ 3,991,649 |
| | 3,991,649 |
| Total Short-Term Investments (cost $4,063,850) | 4,064,522 |
Total Value of Securities—99.96%
(cost $115,773,611) | | | $116,228,373 |
| ° | Principal amount shown is stated in USD unless noted that the security is denominated in another currency. |
| # | Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. At September 30, 2024, the aggregate value of Rule 144A securities was $17,907,530, which represents 15.40% of the Fund’s net assets. See Note 7 in “Notes to financial statements.” |
| • | Variable rate investment. Rates reset periodically. Rate shown reflects the rate in effect at September 30, 2024. For securities based on a published reference rate and spread, the reference rate and spread are indicated in their descriptions. The reference rate descriptions (i.e. SOFR01M, SOFR03M, etc.) used in this report are identical for different securities, but the underlying reference rates may differ due to the timing of the reset period. Certain variable rate securities are not based on a published reference rate and spread but are determined by the issuer or agent and are based on current market conditions, or for mortgage-backed securities, are impacted by the individual mortgages which are paying off over time. These securities do not indicate a reference rate and spread in their descriptions. |
| ^ | Zero-coupon security. The rate shown is the effective yield at the time of purchase. |
| Summary of abbreviations: |
| BofA – Bank of America |
| CLO – Collateralized Loan Obligation |
| FREMF – Freddie Mac Multifamily |
| SOFR – Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| SOFR01M – Secured Overnight Financing Rate 1 Month |
| SOFR03M – Secured Overnight Financing Rate 3 Month |
| TSFR03M – 3 Month Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate |
| USD – US Dollar |
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statement of assets and liabilities
| Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund | September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
| Assets: | |
| Investments, at value* | $116,228,373 |
| Receivable for fund shares sold | 130,456 |
| Dividends and interest receivable | 116,981 |
| Prepaid expenses | 16,681 |
| Other assets | 555 |
| Total Assets | 116,493,046 |
| Liabilities: | |
| Due to custodian | 1,132 |
| Payable for fund shares redeemed | 110,464 |
| Other accrued expenses | 89,483 |
| Investment management fees payable to affiliates | 10,334 |
| Distribution payable | 5,022 |
| Total Liabilities | 216,435 |
| Total Net Assets | $116,276,611 |
|
| Net Assets Consist of: | |
| Paid-in capital | $116,087,070 |
| Total distributable earnings (loss) | 189,541 |
| Total Net Assets | $116,276,611 |
|
| Net Asset Value | |
|
| Institutional Class: | |
| Net assets | $116,276,611 |
| Shares of beneficial interest outstanding, unlimited authorization, no par | 11,632,818 |
| Net asset value per share | $10.00 |
*Investments, at cost | $115,773,611 |
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statement of operations
| Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund | Six months ended September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
| Investment Income: | |
| Interest | $3,253,600 |
| Dividends | 12,861 |
| | 3,266,461 |
|
| Expenses: | |
| Management fees | 177,968 |
| Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses | 46,221 |
| Registration fees | 30,725 |
| Accounting and administration expenses | 30,028 |
| Legal fees | 28,995 |
| Audit and tax fees | 19,077 |
| Reports and statements to shareholders expenses | 11,322 |
| Trustees’ fees | 2,670 |
| Custodian fees | 1,746 |
| Other | 13,421 |
| | 362,173 |
| Less expenses waived | (122,900) |
| Less expenses paid indirectly | (1,982) |
| Total operating expenses | 237,291 |
| Net Investment Income (Loss) | 3,029,170 |
|
| Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss): | |
| Net realized gain (loss) on investments | 2,060 |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments | 365,547 |
| Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) | 367,607 |
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | $3,396,777 |
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Statements of changes in net assets
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
| | Six months
ended
9/30/24
(Unaudited) | | Year ended
3/31/24 |
| |
| Increase in Net Assets from Operations: | | | |
| Net investment income (loss) | $3,029,170 | | $6,742,719 |
| Net realized gain (loss) | 2,060 | | 965 |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) | 365,547 | | 422,510 |
| Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | 3,396,777 | | 7,166,194 |
|
| Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders from: | | | |
| Distributable earnings: | | | |
| Class A1 | — | | (939,352) |
| Class C1 | — | | (54,584) |
| Class L1 | — | | (382,846) |
| Institutional Class | (2,921,769) | | (5,325,504) |
| | (2,921,769) | | (6,702,286) |
|
| Capital Share Transactions (See Note 4): | | | |
| Proceeds from shares sold: | | | |
| Class A1 | — | | 8,926,067 |
| Class C1 | — | | 266,622 |
| Class L1 | — | | 7,417 |
| Institutional Class | 9,820,540 | | 145,747,342 |
|
| Net asset value of shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions: | | | |
| Class A1 | — | | 916,645 |
| Class C1 | — | | 54,286 |
| Class L1 | — | | 376,660 |
| Institutional Class | 2,868,070 | | 5,233,005 |
| | 12,688,610 | | 161,528,044 |
Statements of changes in net assets
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
| | Six months
ended
9/30/24
(Unaudited) | | Year ended
3/31/24 |
| |
| Capital Share Transactions (continued): | | | |
| Cost of shares redeemed: | | | |
| Class A1 | $— | | $(98,447,641) |
| Class C1 | — | | (5,772,191) |
| Class L1 | — | | (36,532,082) |
| Institutional Class | (17,582,641) | | (45,216,232) |
| | (17,582,641) | | (185,968,146) |
| Decrease in net assets derived from capital share transactions | (4,894,031) | | (24,440,102) |
| Net Decrease in Net Assets | (4,419,023) | | (23,976,194) |
|
| Net Assets: | | | |
| Beginning of period | 120,695,634 | | 144,671,828 |
| End of period | $116,276,611 | | $120,695,634 |
| 1 | On July 28, 2023, all Class A, Class C and Class L shares were converted into Institutional Class shares. These transactions are included in proceeds from shares sold of Institutional Class shares and cost of shares redeemed of Class A, Class C and Class L shares in the Statements of changes in net assets above and on the previous page. |
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.
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Financial highlights
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund Institutional Class
Selected data for each share of the Fund outstanding throughout each period were as follows:
| |
| |
Net asset value, beginning of period
|
| |
| Income (loss) from investment operations: |
Net investment income2
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
Total from investment operations
|
| |
| Less dividends and distributions from: |
Net investment income
|
Total dividends and distributions
|
| |
Net asset value, end of period
|
| |
Total return3
|
| |
| Ratios and supplemental data: |
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets4
|
Ratio of expenses to average net assets prior to fees waived4
|
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets prior to fees waived
|
Portfolio turnover
|
| 1 | Ratios have been annualized and total return and portfolio turnover have not been annualized. |
| 2 | Calculated using average shares outstanding. |
| 3 | Total return is based on the change in net asset value of a share during the period and assumes reinvestment of dividends and distributions at net asset value. Total return during the period presented reflects waivers by the manager. Performance would have been lower had the waivers not been in effect. |
| 4 | Expense ratios do not include expenses of any investment companies in which the Fund invests. |
See accompanying notes, which are an integral part of the financial statements.
Six months ended
9/30/241
(Unaudited) | | Year ended |
| 3/31/24 | | 3/31/23 | | 3/31/22 | | 3/31/21 | | 3/31/20 |
| $9.96 | | $9.92 | | $9.94 | | $10.02 | | $9.75 | | $9.99 |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 0.26 | | 0.51 | | 0.27 | | 0.02 | | 0.07 | | 0.22 |
| 0.03 | | 0.01 | | (0.06) | | (0.06) | | 0.27 | | (0.24) |
| 0.29 | | 0.52 | | 0.21 | | (0.04) | | 0.34 | | (0.02) |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| (0.25) | | (0.48) | | (0.23) | | (0.04) | | (0.07) | | (0.22) |
| (0.25) | | (0.48) | | (0.23) | | (0.04) | | (0.07) | | (0.22) |
| |
| $10.00 | | $9.96 | | $9.92 | | $9.94 | | $10.02 | | $9.75 |
| |
| 2.91% | | 5.38% | | 2.19% | | (0.39%) | | 3.52% | | (0.21%) |
| |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| $116,277 | | $120,696 | | $14,545 | | $2,874 | | $4,314 | | $4,053 |
| 0.40% | | 0.40% | | 0.40% | | 0.40% | | 0.40% | | 0.40% |
| 0.61% | | 0.66% | | 0.56% | | 0.69% | | 0.72% | | 0.72% |
| 5.11% | | 5.10% | | 2.72% | | 0.21% | | 0.66% | | 2.21% |
| 4.90% | | 4.84% | | 2.56% | | (0.08%) | | 0.34% | | 1.89% |
| 37% | | 81% | | 72% | | 53% | | 83% | | 82% |
Notes to financial statements
| Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund | September 30, 2024 (Unaudited) |
Delaware Group® Cash Reserve (Trust) is organized as a Delaware statutory trust and offers one series, Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund (Fund). The Trust is an open-end investment company. The Fund is considered diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (1940 Act), and offers Institutional Class shares. Effective July 28, 2023, all remaining shares of Class A, Class C and Class L were converted to Institutional Class. Institutional Class shares are not subject to a sales charge and are offered for sale exclusively to certain eligible investors.
1. Significant Accounting Policies
The Fund follows accounting and reporting guidance under Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies. The following accounting policies are in accordance with US generally accepted accounting principles (US GAAP) and are consistently followed by the Fund.
Security Valuation — Fixed income securities are generally priced based upon valuations provided by an independent pricing service or broker in accordance with methodologies included within Delaware Management Company (DMC)'s Pricing Policy (the Policy). Fixed income security valuations are then reviewed by DMC as part of its duties as the Fund's valuation designee (Valuation Designee) and, to the extent required by the Policy and applicable regulation, fair valued consistent with the Policy. To the extent current market prices are not available, the pricing service may take into account developments related to the specific security, as well as transactions in comparable securities. Valuations for fixed income securities utilize matrix systems, which reflect such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, and ratings, and are supplemented by dealer and exchange quotations. For asset-backed securities, collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), commercial mortgage securities, and US government agency mortgage securities, pricing vendors utilize matrix pricing which considers prepayment speed, attributes of the collateral, yield or price of bonds of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, and type as well as broker/dealer-supplied prices. An adjustment factor may be applied to the daily vendor provided price for certain security/instrument types to arrive at a fair value for the applicable positions. The adjustment factor is determined by comparing the prices of trades with vendor prices over a time period deemed reasonable by DMC, calculating the weighted average differences, and using that difference to adjust vendor prices. Open-end investment companies, other than exchange-traded funds (ETFs), are valued at their published net asset value (NAV). Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act (Rule 2a-5). As a general principle, the fair value of a security or other asset is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Pursuant to Rule 2a-5, the Board of Trustees (Board) has designated DMC as the Valuation Designee for the Fund to perform the fair value determination relating to all applicable Fund investments. DMC has established a Pricing Committee to assist with its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee, and DMC may carry out its designated responsibilities as Valuation Designee through the Pricing Committee
and other teams and committees, which operate under policies and procedures approved by the Board and subject to the Board’s oversight. Fair value pricing may be used more frequently for securities traded primarily in non-US markets. In considering whether fair valuation is required and in determining fair values, the Valuation Designee may, among other things, consider significant events (which may be considered to include changes in the value of US securities or securities indexes) that occur after the close of the relevant market and before the close of the New York Stock Exchange. The Valuation Designee may utilize modeling tools provided by third-party vendors to determine fair values of non-US securities.
Federal Income Taxes — No provision for federal income taxes has been made as the Fund intends to continue to qualify for federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and make the requisite distributions to shareholders. The Fund evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Fund’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions taken or expected to be taken on the Fund’s federal income tax returns through the six months ended September 30, 2024, and for all open tax years (years ended March 31, 2021–March 31, 2024), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Fund’s financial statements. If applicable, the Fund recognizes interest accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in “Other” on the “Statement of operations.” During the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund did not incur any interest or tax penalties.
Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the fair value of investments, the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates and the differences could be material.
Other — Expenses directly attributable to the Fund are charged directly to the Fund. Other expenses common to various funds within the Delaware Funds by Macquarie® (Delaware Funds) are generally allocated among such funds on the basis of average net assets. Management fees and certain other expenses are paid monthly. Security transactions are recorded on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date) for financial reporting purposes. Costs used in calculating realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Income and capital gain distributions from any investment companies (Underlying Funds) in which the Fund invests are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Discounts and premiums on debt securities are accreted or amortized to interest income, respectively, over the lives of the respective securities using the effective interest method. Premiums on callable debt securities are amortized to interest income to the earliest call date using the effective interest method. Realized gains (losses) on paydowns of asset- and mortgage-backed securities are classified as interest income. The Fund declares
Notes to financial statements
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
1. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
dividends daily from net investment income and pays the dividends monthly and declares and pays distributions from net realized gain on investments, if any, at least annually. The Fund may distribute more frequently, if necessary for tax purposes. Dividends and distributions, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
The Fund receives earnings credits from its custodian when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset custody fees. The expenses paid under this arrangement are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Custodian fees” with the corresponding expenses offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.” For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund earned $1,702 under this arrangement.
The Fund receives earnings credits from its transfer agent when positive cash balances are maintained, which may be used to offset transfer agent fees. If the amount earned is greater than $1, the expenses paid under this arrangement are included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses” with the corresponding expenses offset included under “Less expenses paid indirectly.” For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund earned the $280 under this arrangement.
2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates
In accordance with the terms of its investment management agreement, the Fund pays DMC, a series of Macquarie Investment Management Business Trust (MIMBT), and the investment manager, an annual fee which is calculated daily and paid monthly at the rate of 0.30% on average daily net assets of the Fund.
DMC has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its investment advisory fees and/or
pay/reimburse expenses (excluding any taxes, interest, acquired fund fees and expenses, short sale dividend and interest expenses, brokerage fees, certain insurance costs, and nonroutine expenses or costs, including, but not limited to, those relating to reorganizations, litigation, conducting shareholder meetings, and liquidations), in order to prevent total annual fund operating expenses from exceeding 0.40% of the Fund’s average daily net assets from April 1, 2024 through July 30, 2025. These waivers and reimbursements may only be terminated by agreement of DMC and the Fund. The waivers and reimbursements are accrued daily and received monthly.
DMC may seek investment advice and recommendations from its affiliates: Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG, Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited, and Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (together, the Affiliated Sub-Advisors). DMC may also permit these Affiliated Sub-Advisors to execute Fund security trades on its behalf and exercise investment discretion for securities in certain markets where DMC believes it will be beneficial to utilize an Affiliated Sub-Advisor’s specialized market knowledge. Although the Affiliated Sub-Advisors serve as sub-advisors, DMC has ultimate responsibility for
all investment advisory services. For these services, DMC, not the Fund, pays each Affiliated Sub-Advisor a portion of its investment management fee.
Delaware Investments Fund Services Company (DIFSC), an affiliate of DMC, provides fund accounting and financial administrative oversight services to the Fund. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, based on the aggregate daily net assets of all funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.0050% of the first $60 billion; 0.00475% of the next $30 billion; and 0.0015% of aggregate average daily net assets in excess of $90 billion (Total Fee). Each fund in the Delaware Funds pays a minimum of $4,000, which, in aggregate, is subtracted from the Total Fee. Each fund then pays its portion of the remainder of the Total Fee on a relative NAV basis. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Accounting and administration expenses.” For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund paid $4,685 for these services.
DIFSC is also the transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent of the Fund. For these services, DIFSC’s fees are calculated daily and paid monthly, based on the aggregate daily net assets of the retail funds within the Delaware Funds at the following annual rates: 0.014% of the first $20 billion; 0.011% of the next $5 billion; 0.007% of the next $5 billion; 0.004% of the next $20 billion; 0.002% of the next $25 billion; and 0.0015% of average daily net assets in excess of $75 billion. The fees payable to DIFSC under the shareholder services agreement described above are allocated among all retail funds in the Delaware Funds on a relative NAV basis. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund paid $3,840 for these services. Pursuant to a sub-transfer agency agreement between DIFSC and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (BNYIS), BNYIS provides certain sub- transfer agency services to the Fund. Sub-transfer agency fees are paid by the Fund and are also included on the “Statement of operations” under “Dividend disbursing and transfer agent fees and expenses.” The fees are calculated daily and paid as invoices on a monthly or quarterly basis.
As provided in the investment management agreement, the Fund bears a portion of the cost of certain resources shared with DMC, including the cost of internal personnel of DMC and/or its affiliates that provide legal and regulatory reporting services to the Fund. For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund paid $1,181 for internal legal and regulatory reporting services provided by DMC and/or its affiliates’ employees. This amount is included on the “Statement of operations” under “Legal fees.”
Trustees’ fees include expenses accrued by the Fund for each Trustee’s retainer and meeting fees. Certain officers of DMC, DIFSC, and DDLP are officers and/or Trustees of the Trust. These officers and Trustees are paid no compensation by the Fund.
In addition to the management fees and other expenses of the Fund, the Fund indirectly bears the investment management fees and other expenses of any Underlying Funds, including ETFs, in which it invests. The amount of these fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund will
Notes to financial statements
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
2. Investment Management, Administration Agreements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates (continued)
vary based upon the expense and fee levels of any Underlying Funds and the number of shares that are owned of any Underlying Funds at different times.
MIMBT, of which DMC is a series, entered into a settlement agreement on September 19, 2024 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) consenting to an order (“Settlement Order”) relating to a legacy investment strategy, the Absolute Return Mortgage-Backed Securities Strategy (“ARMBS Strategy”). MIMBT no longer offers the ARMBS Strategy. MIMBT agreed to the Settlement Order without admitting or denying the SEC’s findings. The Settlement Order does not impact MIMBT’s ability to continue to provide services to the Fund.
3. Investments
For the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund made purchases and sales of investment securities other than short-term investments and US government securities as follows:
| Purchases | $19,334,219 |
| Sales | 22,084,213 |
At September 30, 2024, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for federal income tax purposes have been estimated since final tax characteristics cannot be determined until fiscal year end. At September 30, 2024, the cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments for the Fund were as follows:
| Cost of investments | $115,773,611 |
| Aggregate unrealized appreciation of investments | $459,542 |
| Aggregate unrealized depreciation of investments | (4,780) |
| Net unrealized appreciation of investments | $454,762 |
For federal income tax purposes, capital loss carryforwards may be carried forward and applied against future capital gains. At March 31, 2024, the Fund has capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains as follows:
| | Loss carryforward character | | |
| | Short-term | | Long-term | | Total |
| | $ 475,975 | | $— | | $ 475,975 |
US GAAP defines fair value as the price that the Fund would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. A three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements has been established based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability. Inputs may be observable or unobservable and refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from
sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available under the circumstances. The Fund’s investment in its entirety is assigned a level based upon the observability of the inputs which are significant to the overall valuation. The three-level hierarchy of inputs is summarized as follows:
Level 1 − Inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical investments. (Examples: equity securities, open-end investment companies, futures contracts, and exchange-traded options contracts)
Level 2 − Other observable inputs, including, but not limited to: quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets that are active, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the assets or liabilities (such as interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates) or other market-corroborated inputs. (Examples: debt securities, government securities, swap contracts, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign securities utilizing international fair value pricing, broker-quoted securities, and fair valued securities)
Level 3 − Significant unobservable inputs, including the Fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments. (Examples: broker-quoted securities and fair valued securities)
Level 3 investments are valued using significant unobservable inputs. The Fund may also use an income-based valuation approach in which the anticipated future cash flows of the investment are discounted to calculate fair value. Discounts may also be applied due to the nature or duration of any restrictions on the disposition of the investments. Valuations may also be based upon current market prices of securities that are comparable in coupon, rating, maturity, and industry. The derived value of a Level 3 investment may not represent the value which is received upon disposition and this could impact the results of operations.
The following table summarizes the valuation of the Fund's investments by fair value hierarchy levels as of September 30, 2024:
| | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | Total | |
| Securities | | | | | | |
| Assets: | | | | | | |
| Agency Commercial Mortgage-Backed Security | | $— | | $746,011 | $746,011 | |
| Collateralized Debt Obligations | | — | | 1,874,818 | 1,874,818 | |
| Commercial Papers | | — | | 59,851,752 | 59,851,752 | |
| Non-Agency Asset-Backed Securities | | — | | 49,691,270 | 49,691,270 | |
| Short-Term Investments | | 72,873 | | 3,991,649 | 4,064,522 | |
| Total Value of Securities | | $72,873 | | $116,155,500 | $116,228,373 | |
Notes to financial statements
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
3. Investments (continued)
During the six months ended September 30, 2024, there were no transfers into or out of Level 3 investments. The Fund’s policy is to recognize transfers into or out of Level 3 investments based on fair value at the beginning of the reporting period.
A reconciliation of Level 3 investments is presented when the Fund has a significant amount of Level 3 investments at the beginning or end of the period in relation to the Fund’s net assets. As of September 30, 2024, there were no Level 3 investments.
4. Capital Shares
Transactions in capital shares were as follows:
| | Six months
ended | | Year ended |
| | 9/30/24 | | 3/31/24 |
| Shares sold: |
| Class A1 | — | | 900,453 |
| Class C1 | — | | 26,902 |
| Class L1 | — | | 825 |
| Institutional Class | 985,021 | | 14,675,997 |
|
| Shares issued upon reinvestment of dividends and distributions: |
| Class A1 | — | | 92,464 |
| Class C1 | — | | 5,476 |
| Class L1 | — | | 37,970 |
| Institutional Class | 287,684 | | 526,045 |
| | 1,272,705 | | 16,266,132 |
|
| Shares redeemed: |
| Class A1 | — | | (9,924,668) |
| Class C1 | — | | (581,920) |
| Class L1 | — | | (3,682,699) |
| Institutional Class | (1,763,895) | | (4,544,486) |
| | (1,763,895) | | (18,733,773) |
| Net decrease | (491,190) | | (2,467,641) |
| 1 | On July 28, 2023, all Class A, Class C and Class L shares were converted into Institutional Class shares. These transactions are included as in shares sold of Institutional Class shares and shares redeemed of Class A, Class C and Class L shares in the table above. |
Certain shareholders may exchange shares of one class for shares of another class in the same Fund. These exchange transactions are included in shares sold and shares redeemed in the table above and on the “Statements of changes in net assets.” For the six months ended
September 30, 2024, the Fund did not have any exchange transactions. For the year ended March 31, 2024, the Fund had the following exchange transactions:
| | | Exchange Redemptions | | Exchange Subscriptions | | | |
| | | Class A
Shares | | Class C
Shares | | Class A
Shares | | Institutional
Class
Shares | | Value |
| Year ended | |
| 3/31/24 | | 18,873 | | 1,553 | | 586 | | 19,834 | | $202,566 |
5. Line of Credit
The Fund, along with certain other funds in the Delaware Funds (Participants), is a participant in a $335,000,000 revolving line of credit (Agreement) intended to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to fund redemptions of investor shares. Under the Agreement, the Participants are charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which is allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The Participants are permitted to borrow up to a maximum of one-third of their net assets under the Agreement. Each Participant is individually, and not jointly, liable for its particular advances, if any, under the line of credit. The line of credit available under the Agreement expires on October 28, 2024.
The Fund had no amounts outstanding as of September 30, 2024, or at any time during the period then ended.
6. Securities Lending
The Fund, along with other funds in the Delaware Funds, may lend its securities pursuant to a security lending agreement (Lending Agreement) with The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY). At the time a security is loaned, the borrower must post collateral equal to the required percentage of the market value of the loaned security, including any accrued interest. The required percentage is: (1) 102% with respect to US securities and foreign securities that are denominated and payable in US dollars; and (2) 105% with respect to foreign securities. With respect to each loan, if on any business day the aggregate market value of securities collateral plus cash collateral held is less than the aggregate market value of the securities which are the subject of such loan, the borrower will be notified to provide additional collateral by the end of the following business day, which, together with the collateral already held, will be not less than the applicable initial collateral requirements for such security loan. If the aggregate market value of securities collateral and cash collateral held with respect to a security loan exceeds the applicable initial collateral requirement, upon the request of the borrower, BNY must return enough collateral to the borrower by the end of the following business day to reduce the value of the remaining collateral to the applicable initial collateral requirement for such security loan. As a result of the foregoing, the value of the collateral held with respect to a loaned security on any
Notes to financial statements
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
6. Securities Lending (continued)
particular day, may be more or less than the value of the security on loan. The collateral percentage with respect to the market value of the loaned security is determined by the security lending agent.
Cash collateral received by the Fund is generally invested in an individual separate account. The investment guidelines permit each separate account to hold certain securities that would be considered eligible securities for a money market fund. Cash collateral received is generally invested in government securities; certain obligations issued by government sponsored enterprises; repurchase agreements collateralized by US Treasury securities; obligations issued by the central government of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) country or its agencies, instrumentalities, or establishments; obligations of supranational organizations; commercial paper, notes, bonds, and other debt obligations; certificates of deposit, time deposits, and other bank obligations; certain money market funds; and asset-backed securities. The Fund can also accept US government securities and letters of credit (non-cash collateral) in connection with securities loans.
In the event of default or bankruptcy by the lending agent, realization and/or retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings. In the event the borrower fails to return loaned securities and the collateral received is insufficient to cover the value of the loaned securities and provided such collateral shortfall is not the result of investment losses, the lending agent has agreed to pay the amount of the shortfall to the Fund or, at the discretion of the lending agent, replace the loaned securities. The Fund continues to record dividends or interest, as applicable, on the securities loaned and is subject to changes in value of the securities loaned that may occur during the term of the loan. The Fund has the right under the Lending Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand. With respect to security loans collateralized by non-cash collateral, the Fund receives loan premiums paid by the borrower. With respect to security loans collateralized by cash collateral, the earnings from the collateral investments are shared among the Fund, the security lending agent, and the borrower. The Fund records security lending income net of allocations to the security lending agent and the borrower.
The Fund may incur investment losses as a result of investing securities lending collateral. This could occur if an investment in the collateral investment account defaulted or became impaired. Under those circumstances, the value of the Fund’s cash collateral account may be less than the amount the Fund would be required to return to the borrowers of the securities and the Fund would be required to make up for this shortfall.
During the six months ended September 30, 2024, the Fund had no securities out on loan.
7. Credit and Market Risks
The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious illness outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect the economies of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen.
When interest rates rise, fixed income securities (i.e. debt obligations) generally will decline in value. These declines in value are greater for fixed income securities with longer maturities or durations. Interest rate changes are influenced by a number of factors, such as government policy, monetary policy, inflation expectations, and the supply and demand of bonds. A fund may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates when interest rates are low or inflation rates are high or rising.
The Fund is subject to prepayment risk, which is the risk that the principal on mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities may be prepaid at any time, which will reduce the yield and market value.
The Fund invests in certain obligations that may have liquidity protection designed to ensure that the receipt of payments due on the underlying security is timely. Such protection may be provided through guarantees, insurance policies, or letters of credit obtained by the issuer or sponsor through third parties, through various means of structuring the transaction, or through a combination of such approaches. The Fund will not pay any additional fees for such credit support, although the existence of credit support may increase the price of a security.
The Fund may invest in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities, like other fixed income securities, are subject to credit risk and interest rate risk, and may also be subject to prepayment risk and extension risk. Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities can be highly sensitive to interest rate changes. As a result, small movements in interest rates can substantially impact the value and liquidity of these securities. Prepayment risk is the risk that the principal on mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities may be prepaid at any time, which will reduce the yield and market value of the securities and may cause the Fund to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities. Extension risk is the risk that principal on mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities will be repaid more slowly than expected, which may reduce the proceeds available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities and may cause the security to experience greater volatility due to the extended maturity of the security. When interest rates rise, the value of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities can be expected to decline. When interest rates go down, however, the value of these securities may not increase as much as other fixed income securities due to borrowers refinancing their loans at lower interest rates or prepaying their loans. In addition, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities may decline in value, become more volatile, face difficulties in valuation, or experience reduced liquidity due to changes in general economic conditions. During periods of economic downturn, for example, underlying borrowers may not make timely payments on their loans and the value of property that secures the loans may decline in value such that it is worth less than the amount of the associated loans. If the collateral securing a mortgage-backed or asset-backed security is insufficient to repay the loan, the Fund could sustain a loss. Such risks generally will be heightened where a mortgage-backed or asset-backed security includes “subprime” loans. Although mortgage-backed securities are often supported by government guarantees or private insurance, there can be no guarantee that those obligations will be met. Furthermore, in certain economic conditions, loan servicers, loan originators and other participants in the market for mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities may be unable to receive sufficient funding,
Notes to financial statements
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
7. Credit and Market Risks (continued)
impairing their ability to perform their obligations on the loans. Certain mortgage-backed or asset-backed securities may be more susceptible to these risks than other mortgage-backed, asset-backed, or fixed-income securities. For example, the Fund’s investments in CMOs, real estate mortgage investment conduits (“REMICs”), and stripped mortgage-backed securities are generally highly susceptible to interest rate risk, prepayment risk, and extension risk. At times, these investments may be difficult to value and/or illiquid. Some classes of CMOs and REMICs may have preference in receiving principal or interest payments relative to more junior classes. The market prices and yields of these junior classes will generally be more volatile than more senior classes and will be more susceptible to interest rate risk, prepayment risk, and extension risk than more senior classes. Stripped mortgage-backed securities that receive only payments of interest (“IOs”) will generally decrease in value if interest rates decline or prepayment rates increase. Stripped mortgage-backed securities that receive only payments of principal (“POs”) will generally decrease in value if interest rates increase or prepayment rates decrease. These changes in value can be substantial and could cause the Fund to lose the entire value of its investment in CMOs, REMICs, and stripped mortgage-backed securities.
The Fund may invest up to 5% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which may include securities with contractual restrictions on resale, securities exempt from registration under Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933 (Act), as amended, and other securities which may not be readily marketable. The relative illiquidity of these securities may impair the Fund from disposing of them in a timely manner and at a fair price when it is necessary or desirable to do so. While maintaining oversight, the Board has delegated to DMC the day-to-day functions of determining whether individual securities are liquid for purposes of the Fund’s limitation on investments in illiquid securities. The Fund may also invest in securities exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Act, which exempts from registration transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering. Securities eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144A, which are determined to be liquid, are not subject to the Fund’s 5% limit on investments in illiquid securities. Rule 144A securities have been identified on the “Schedule of investments.”
8. Contractual Obligations
The Fund enters into contracts in the normal course of business that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Fund has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts. Management has reviewed the Fund's existing contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.
9. Subsequent Events
On October 28, 2024, the Fund, along with the other Participants, entered into an amendment to the Agreement for a $335,000,000 revolving line of credit to be used as described in Note 5. It operates in substantially the same manner as the original Agreement. Under the amendment to the Agreement, the Participants are charged an annual commitment fee of 0.15%, which is
allocated across the Participants based on a weighted average of the respective net assets of each Participant. The line of credit available under the Agreement expires on October 27, 2025.
Management has determined that no other material events or transactions occurred subsequent to September 30, 2024, that would require recognition or disclosure in the Fund's financial statements.
Other Fund information (Unaudited)
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable.
Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies
Not applicable.
Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies
The aggregate remuneration paid to directors, officers and others is disclosed within the financial statements.
Statement Regarding Basis of Approval for Investment Advisory Contract
Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 13-15, 2024
At a meeting held on August 13-15, 2024 (the “Annual Contract Renewal Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”), including a majority of Trustees each of whom is not an “interested person” as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “Independent Trustees”), approved the renewal of the Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund (the “Fund”) Investment Management Agreement with Delaware Management Company (“DMC”) and the Sub-Advisory Agreements with Macquarie Investment Management Global Limited (“MIMGL”), Macquarie Investment Management Austria Kapitalanlage AG (“MIMAK”) and Macquarie Investment Management Europe Limited (“MIMEL”) (together, the “Affiliated Sub-Advisers”).
Prior to the Annual Contract Renewal Meeting, including at a Board meeting held in May 2024, the Trustees conferred extensively among themselves and with representatives of DMC about these matters. Also, the Board was assisted by the Equity Investments Committee and the Fixed Income Multi-Asset Sub-Advised Funds Investments Committee (each an “Investment Committee” and together, the “Investment Committees”), with each Investment Committee assisting the full Board in reviewing investment performance and other matters throughout the year. The Independent Trustees were also assisted in their evaluation of the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements by independent legal counsel, from whom they received separate legal advice and with whom they met separately.
In providing information to the Board, DMC was guided by a detailed set of requests for information submitted to them by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees at the start of the Board’s annual contract renewal process earlier in 2024. Prior to the Annual Contract Renewal Meeting, and in response to the requests, the Board received and reviewed materials specifically relating to the renewal of the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements. In considering and approving the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Trustees considered the information they believed relevant, including but not limited to the information discussed below. The Board
considered not only the specific information presented in connection with the Annual Contract Renewal Meeting and the review process for the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, but also the knowledge gained over time through interaction with DMC about various topics. In this regard, the Board reviewed reports of DMC at each of its quarterly meetings, which included information about, among other things, Fund performance, investment strategies, and expenses. In addition, the Investment Committees confer with portfolio managers at various times throughout the year. In considering information relating to the approval of the Fund’s Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements, the Independent Trustees also received information from an independent fund consultant, JDL Consultants, LLC (“JDL”).
The Board did not identify any particular information or consideration that was all-important or controlling, and each individual Trustee may have attributed different weights to various factors.
After its deliberations, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously approved the continuation of the Investment Management Agreement and the Sub-Advisory Agreements for a one-year term. The following summarizes a number of important, but not necessarily all of the, factors considered by the Board in support of its approval.
Nature, extent, and quality of services. The Board received and considered various information regarding the nature, extent, and quality of the advisory services provided to the Fund by DMC under its Investment Management Agreement and the experience of the officers and employees of DMC who provide these services, including the Fund’s portfolio managers. The Board met with DMC’s senior management and investment personnel. The Board reviewed the materials provided by the Fund’s portfolio management team discussing its performance, investment strategies and outlook, as well as DMC with respect to comparing Fund performance to the performance of a comparable group of mutual funds, relevant benchmarks, and performance metrics, as applicable. The Board’s review included consideration of DMC’s investment oversight and research and analysis capabilities, and its ability to attract and retain skilled investment professionals. The Board also considered information regarding DMC’s programs for risk management, including investment, operational, liquidity, derivatives (as applicable), valuation and compliance risks and its plans for enhancing those programs (including through the allocation of additional resources and enhancements to existing processes and testing). The Board received information with respect to the cybersecurity program and business continuity plans of DMC and its affiliates, as well as information from Macquarie Group Ltd. (“Macquarie”), the parent company of DMC, regarding Macquarie’s commitment to the U.S. mutual fund business.
In addition, the Board considered certain non-advisory services that DMC and its affiliates provide to the fund complex. Among other things, these services include third party service provider oversight, transfer agency, internal audit, pricing and valuation, portfolio trading, and legal and compliance functions. The Board noted DMC’s responsibility for overseeing: the preparation of the Fund’s prospectus, summary prospectus, statement of additional information, and shareholder reports; responsibility for other periodic filings with regulators; organizing Board meetings and preparing materials for such Board meetings; and furnishing analytical and other support to assist the Board.
Other Fund information (Unaudited)
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 13-15, 2024 (continued)
The Board took into account the benefits to shareholders of investing in a Fund that is part of a family of funds managed by an affiliate of Macquarie, and the resources available to DMC as part of Macquarie’s global asset management business.
The Board received and considered various information with respect to the services provided by the Affiliated Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements and the credentials and experience of the officers and employees of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers who provide these services. The Board considered the division of responsibilities between DMC and the Affiliated Sub-Advisers, and the oversight provided by DMC. The Board also considered the expertise of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers with respect to certain asset classes and/or investment styles. The Board noted that the Affiliated Sub-Advisers are part of Macquarie’s global investment platform that has offices and personnel that are located around the world. These Affiliated Sub-Advisers provide research, investment and trading analysis on the markets and economies of various countries in which the Fund may invest, make recommendations regarding securities, provide portfolio management services and assist with security trades, as applicable. The Board took into account that the Sub-Advisory Agreements may benefit the Fund and its shareholders by permitting DMC to use the resources and talents of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers in managing the Fund.
The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fee rates charged by DMC to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Fund. In this regard, the Board received information about the significantly greater scope of services, and compliance, reporting and other legal and regulatory obligations and risks of managing registered investment companies compared with those associated with managing assets of other types of clients, including third-party sub-advised fund clients, unregistered funds and separately managed accounts.
The Board concluded that, overall, it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of services provided (and expected to be provided) to the Fund by DMC and the Affiliated Sub-Advisers.
Investment performance. The Board received and considered information with respect to the investment performance of the Fund, including performance reports and discussions with portfolio managers at meetings of the Board’s Investment Committees throughout the year as well as reports provided by Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., an independent investment company data provider (“Broadridge”), furnished for the Annual Contract Renewal Meeting. The Broadridge reports prepared for the Fund’s institutional share class showed its investment performance in comparison to the institutional share class of a group of similar funds (the “Performance Universe”). The Board received a description of the methodology used to select the peer funds in the Performance Universe. Comparative annualized performance for the Fund was shown for the past 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year or since inception periods, as applicable, ended December 31, 2023.
The Performance Universe for the Fund consisted of the Fund and all retail and institutional ultra-short obligation funds, regardless of asset size or primary channel of distribution. The Board
noted that the Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1-year period was in the fourth quartile of its Performance Universe, for the 3-year period was in the second quartile of its Performance Universe, and for the 5-year and since inception periods was in the third quartile of its Performance Universe. The Broadridge report comparison showed that the Fund’s total return for the 1- and 5-year and since inception periods was below the median of its Performance Universe and for the 3-year period was equal to the median of its Performance Universe. The Board also noted that the Fund outperformed its benchmark index for the 1- and 5-year and since inception periods and its performance was below its benchmark index for the 3-year period. The Board noted that the Fund was generally performing in line with its Performance Universe during the periods under review. The Board, however, noted that the investment performance of the current portfolio management team began as of June 2019 and that it would continue to evaluate the Fund’s performance. The Board noted the explanations from DMC and from the Affiliated Sub-Advisers concerning the reasons for the Fund’s relative performance versus its Performance Universe and benchmark index for the various periods and any actions that DMC has taken to address performance concerns.
Comparative expenses. The Board received and considered expense data for the Fund. DMC provided the Board with information on pricing levels and fee structures for the Fund as of its most recently completed fiscal year. The Broadridge total expenses (reflecting any applicable fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements), for comparative consistency, were shown by Broadridge for Institutional Class shares, including 12b-1 and non-12b-1 service fees (as applicable). The Board also considered the comparative analysis of contractual management fees and actual total expense ratios of the Fund versus contractual management fees and actual total expense ratios of a group of peer funds as selected by Broadridge (the “Expense Group”). The Fund’s total expenses were also compared with those of its Expense Universe, which is comprised of the Fund, its Expense Group and all other similar with an institutional share class (i.e., funds without 12b-1 fees and non-12b-1 service fees) with assets equal to or greater than $100 million, excluding outliers (the “Expense Universe”). In reviewing comparative costs, the Fund’s contractual management fee and the actual management fee incurred by the Fund were compared with the contractual management fees (assuming all funds in the Expense Group were similar in size to the Fund) and actual management fees, taking into account any applicable breakpoints and fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, with the Fund’s Expense Universe.
The Board also received and considered information regarding the Fund’s net operating expense ratios and their various components, including actual management fees, custodian and other non-management fees, and Rule 12b-1 and non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder service fees.
The expense comparisons for the Fund showed that its actual management fee was below the median of its Expense Universe and its actual total expenses were above its Expense Group average. It was noted that consistent with DMC’s waiver methodology, its advisory fee waivers, if any, were at the fund level and not class level.
The Board noted that DMC, and not the Fund, pays the sub-advisory fees to the Affiliated Sub-Advisers and, accordingly, that the retention of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers does not increase the fees and expenses incurred by the Fund.
Other Fund information (Unaudited)
Delaware Investments Ultrashort Fund
Board Consideration of Investment Management Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements at a Meeting Held on August 13-15, 2024 (continued)
Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including those described here, the Board determined that the compensation payable to DMC under the Investment Management Agreement and to the Affiliated Sub-Advisers under the Sub-Advisory Agreements was reasonable.
Economies of scale. The Board received and considered information about the potential for DMC to realize economies of scale in the provision of management services to the Fund, the difficulties of calculating economies of scale at an individual Fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders, including the extent to which any economies of scale are reflected in the level of management fees charged. DMC discussed its advisory fee pricing and structure for the complex. The Board considered the continuation and/or implementation of contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, as applicable. The Board noted that the Fund may also benefit from economies of scale through initial fee setting, fee waivers and expense reimbursements, as well as DMC’s investment in its business, including investments in business infrastructure, technology and cybersecurity.
Management profitability. The Board received and considered the Investment Management Profitability Analysis that addressed the overall profitability of DMC’s business in providing management and other services to the Fund and the complex as a whole, including the methodology used by DMC in allocating costs for the purpose of determining profitability. The Board also reviewed a report prepared by JDL regarding DMC’s profitability as compared to certain peer fund complexes and the Independent Trustees discussed DMC’s profitability in such context with representatives from JDL. The Board recognized that calculating and comparing profitability at the individual fund level is difficult; that DMC’s profit, if any, can vary significantly depending on the particular fund; and that DMC’s support for, and commitment to, a fund is not solely dependent on the profits realized as to that fund.
The Board also received and considered information about the portion of the total management fee that was retained by DMC after payment of the fee to the Affiliated Sub-Advisers for sub-advisory services. In assessing the reasonableness of this amount, the Board received and evaluated information about the nature and extent of the responsibilities retained and risk assumed by DMC and not delegated to or assumed by the Affiliated Sub-Advisers. Given the affiliation between DMC and the Affiliated Sub-Advisers, the Board ascribed limited relevance to the allocation of fees between them.
Based on its review, the Board determined that DMC’s profitability was not excessive in light of the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund.
Ancillary benefits. The Board received and considered information regarding the extent to which DMC and its affiliates might derive ancillary benefits from fund operations, including the potential for procuring additional business as a result of the prestige and visibility associated with its role as investment manager to the complex; the benefits from allocation of fund brokerage to improve trading efficiencies; the portfolio transactions executed through “soft dollar” arrangements; and the fees that various affiliates received for serving as transfer agent and for
overseeing fund accounting and financial administration services to the complex. The Board considered that it receives periodic reports from DMC that include a representation that any soft dollar arrangements are consistent with regulatory requirements. The Board received information from DMC regarding its view of the performance of its affiliates in providing transfer agent and fund accounting and financial administration oversight services and the organizational structure employed to provide these services pursuant to their contracts with the Fund.
Based on its consideration of the factors and information it deemed relevant, including the costs of providing investment management and other services to the Fund and the ongoing commitment of DMC and its affiliates to the Fund, the Board did not find that any ancillary benefits received by DMC and its affiliates, including the Affiliated Sub-Advisers, were unreasonable.
Conclusion. Based on its review, consideration and evaluation of all factors it believed relevant, including the above-described factors and conclusions, the Board, including all of the Independent Trustees, unanimously approved the continuation of DMC’s Investment Management Agreement and of the Affiliated Sub-Advisers’ Sub-Advisory Agreements for an additional one-year period.
Contact information
Shareholder assistance by phone
800 523-1918, weekdays from 8:30am to
6:00pm ET
For securities dealers and financial
institutions representatives only
800 362-7500
Regular mail
Delaware Funds by Macquarie
P.O. Box 534437
Pittsburgh, PA 15253-4437
Overnight courier service
Delaware Funds by Macquarie
Attention: 534437
500 Ross Street, 154-0520
Pittsburgh, PA 15262
Macquarie Asset Management • 610 Market Street • Philadelphia, PA 19106-2354
Macquarie Asset Management (MAM) is the asset management division of Macquarie Group. MAM is an integrated asset manager across public and private markets offering a diverse range of capabilities, including real assets, real estate, credit, equities, and multi-asset solutions.
The Fund is advised by Delaware Management Company, a series of MIMBT, a US registered investment adviser, and distributed by Delaware Distributors, L.P. (DDLP), an affiliate of MIMBT and Macquarie Group Limited.
Other than Macquarie Bank Limited ABN 46 008 583 542 (“Macquarie Bank”), any Macquarie Group entity noted in this document is not an authorized deposit-taking institution for the purposes of the Banking Act 1959 (Commonwealth of Australia). The obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities do not represent deposits or other liabilities of Macquarie Bank. Macquarie Bank does not guarantee or otherwise provide assurance in respect of the obligations of these other Macquarie Group entities. In addition, if this document relates to an investment, (a) the investor is subject to investment risk including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and principal invested and (b) none of Macquarie Bank or any other Macquarie Group entity guarantees any particular rate of return on or the performance of the investment, nor do they guarantee repayment of capital in respect of the investment.
The Fund is governed by US laws and regulations.
This page is not part of the Financial statements and other information.
Item 8. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9. Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 10. Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies.
The information is included as part of the material filed under Item 7 of this form.
Item 11. Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract.
The information is included as part of the material filed under Item 7 of this form.
Item 12. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 13. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 14. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 15. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of trustees, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.
Item 16. Controls and Procedures.
| (a) | The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)) and provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant in its reports or statements filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
| (b) | There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d)) that occurred during the period covered by the report to stockholders included herein that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
Item 17. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 18. Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation.
Not Applicable.
Item 19. Exhibits.
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.
| | |
| Name of Registrant: Delaware Group® Cash Reserve |
|
/s/ SHAWN K. LYTLE |
| By: | | Shawn K. Lytle |
| Title: | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| Date: | | December 3, 2024 |
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.
| | |
/s/ SHAWN K. LYTLE |
| By: | | Shawn K. Lytle |
| Title: | | President and Chief Executive Officer |
| Date: | | December 3, 2024 |
| | |
/s/ RICHARD SALUS |
| By: | | Richard Salus |
| Title: | | Chief Financial Officer |
| Date: | | December 3, 2024 |
