Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund Class R6 (LADVX) N-CSR Certified annual shareholder report (management investment company)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-02871

lord abbett developing growth fund, inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in charter)

90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

John T. Fitzgerald, Esq., Vice President & Assistant Secretary

90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302

(Name and address of agent for service)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (888) 522-2388

Date of fiscal year end: 7/31

Date of reporting period: 7/31/2020

Item 1: Report(s) to Shareholders.

LORD ABBETT
ANNUAL REPORT

Lord Abbett
Developing Growth Fund

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020

Important Information on Paperless Delivery

Beginning in March 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports like this one will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or from your financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer, investment advisor or bank. Instead, the reports will be made available on Lord Abbett’s website and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. Shareholders who hold accounts directly with the Fund may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing into your Lord Abbett online account at lordabbett.com and selecting “Log In.” For further information, you may also contact the Fund at (800) 821-5129. Shareholders who hold accounts through a financial intermediary should contact them directly.

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge by contacting the Fund at (800) 821-5129. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held with Lord Abbett. If your fund shares are held through a financial intermediary please contact them directly. Your election applies to all funds held with that intermediary.

Table of Contents

1	A Letter to Shareholders
4	Investment Comparison
5	Information About Your Fund’s Expenses and Holdings Presented by Sector
8	Schedule of Investments
12	Statement of Assets and Liabilities
14	Statement of Operations
15	Statements of Changes in Net Assets
16	Financial Highlights
20	Notes to Financial Statements
30	Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
31	Basic Information About Management

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund
Annual Report

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020

  From left to right: James L.L. Tullis, Independent Chairman of the Lord Abbett Funds and Douglas B. Sieg, Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Lord Abbett Funds. Dear Shareholders: We are pleased to provide you with this overview of the performance of Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020. On this page and the following pages, we discuss the major factors that influenced fiscal year performance. For additional information about the Fund, please visit our website at www.lordabbett.com, where you also can access quarterly commentaries that provide updates on the Fund’s performance and other portfolio related updates. Thank you for investing in Lord Abbett mutual funds. We value the trust that you place in us and look forward to serving your investment needs in the years to come.   Best regards,       Douglas B. Sieg Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer  

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Fund returned 15.24%, reflecting performance at the net asset value (NAV) of Class A shares with all distributions reinvested, compared to its benchmark, the Russell 2000^® Growth Index,¹ which returned 6.00% over the same period.

U.S. stocks experienced multiple bouts of volatility during the period, mostly as a result of escalating and de-escalating trade tensions with China, U.S. monetary policy decisions, and shifting sentiment about global growth prospects amid the global spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Trade tensions continued to ebb and flow

in the final four months of 2019. In January of 2020, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a “phase one” trade deal with China and markets priced in a likelihood of two more interest rate cuts in 2020. The tide turned abruptly in February and March as the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the expected economic damage resulting from a sudden slowdown in corporate spending, individual spending, consumer confidence, and thus recessionary and deflationary pressures, triggered a severe sell-off. Furthermore, as the COVID-19 pandemic fueled fears of slowing global growth, oil prices fell

1

precipitously, with the primary U.S. oil contract closing in negative territory for the first time in history, although it has since rebounded. During the month of March, the S&P 500 Index² experienced its fastest bear market since 1987 and the CBOE volatility Index³ reached levels not seen since the financial crisis. Notably, the longest U.S. economic expansion in history ended at 128 months.

The U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) responded to COVID-19 with a breadth of policy measures which lifted investors’ confidence in the markets. The Fed launched a $700 billion quantitative easing program, decreased the reserve requirements to zero for thousands of banks, and cut the federal funds rate to the current target range of 0-0.25%. In the back half of March, the Fed announced additional stimulus programs, including open-ended asset purchases, purchases of corporate debt, and a commitment to a new small business lending program. Additionally, the central bank announced $2.3 trillion of additional credit support by expanding the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility (PMCCF), the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility (SMCCF), and the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF). Most notably, the expanded measures included the purchase of select fallen angel bond issues.

One of the leading contributors to the Fund’s relative performance during the period was security selection in the information technology sector. Within this

sector, the Fund’s position in Inphi Corp., a provider of semiconductor solutions, contributed to relative performance. Inphi experienced an acceleration in demand trends for its services, as well as an exponential step-up in the value of the innovation the company delivers to various businesses, leading to a strong beat and significant guidance raise for the second half of 2020. Another contributor to the Fund’s relative performance was the Fund’s position in Five9, Inc., a provider of cloud software for call and contact centers. Shares of Five9 benefited from the firm’s ability to capitalize on its vast and growing addressable market and increased demand due to customers’ work-from-home needs. Additionally, the company cemented two important partnerships, with AT&T and Zoom, during the period.

The Fund’s position in Redfin, Inc., a provider of traditional and internet-based real estate brokerage services, contributed to relative performance. Shares of Redfin appreciated as real estate brokerage firms faced considerable structural changes in their business models due to social distancing guidelines and restrictions. The company’s differentiated technology and business model helped it increase market share during the period.

Security selection within the communication services sector detracted from relative performance during the period. Within the sector, the Fund’s position in Huya, Inc., a live streaming platform, detracted. Shares of Huya

2

declined as increased concerns that the spread of COVID-19 would cancel e-sporting events weighed on the stock. Additionally, the Fund’s position in CarGurus, Inc., a provider of online auto shopping services, detracted from relative performance as the company reported a decline in user activity growth and its 2019 forward guidance implied a slight deceleration in revenue growth.

The Fund’s position in Planet Fitness, Inc., an operator of fitness franchises, was also a detractor from the Fund’s relative

performance. Shares of Planet Fitness declined precipitously as investors correctly predicted the mass disruption caused by COVID-19 to brick & mortar models. The company’s leverage was also a concern as centers were shut down and revenue declined.

The Fund’s portfolio is actively managed and, therefore, its holdings and the weightings of a particular issuer or particular sector as a percentage of portfolio assets are subject to change. Sectors may include many industries.

¹     The Russell 2000^® Growth Index measures the performance of those Russell 2000^® companies with higher price-to-book ratios and higher forecasted growth values.

²    The S&P 500^® Index is widely regarded as the standard for measuring large cap U.S. stock market performance and includes a representative sample of leading companies in leading industries.

³     The CBOE Volatility Index^® is a calculation designed to produce a measure of constant, 30-day expected volatility of the U.S. stock market, derived from real-time, mid-quote prices of S&P 500^® Index call and put options.

Unless otherwise specified, indexes reflect total return, with all dividends reinvested. Indexes are unmanaged, do not reflect the deduction of fees or expenses, and are not available for direct investment.

Important Performance and Other Information

Performance data quoted in the following pages reflect past performance and are no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance quoted. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that shares, on any given day or when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. You can obtain performance data current to the most recent month end by calling Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388 or referring to www.lordabbett.com.

During certain periods shown, expense waivers and reimbursements were in place. Without such expense waivers and reimbursements, the Fund’s returns would have been lower.

Except where noted, comparative Fund performance does not account for the deduction of sales charges and would be different if sales charges were included. The Fund offers classes of shares with distinct pricing options. For a full description of the differences in pricing alternatives, please see the Fund’s prospectus.

The annual commentary above discusses the views of the Fund’s management and various portfolio holdings of the Fund as of July 31, 2020. These views and portfolio holdings may have changed after this date. Information provided in the commentary is not a recommendation to buy or sell securities. Because the Fund’s portfolio is actively managed and may change significantly, the Fund may no longer own the securities described above or may have otherwise changed its position in the securities. For more recent information about the Fund’s portfolio holdings, please visit www.lordabbett.com.

A Note about Risk: See Notes to Financial Statements for a discussion of investment risks. For a more detailed discussion of the risks associated with the Fund, please see the Fund’s prospectus.

Mutual funds are not insured by the FDIC, are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, banks, and are subject to investment risks including possible loss of principal amount invested.

3

Investment Comparison

Below is a comparison of a $10,000 investment in Class A shares with the same investment in the Russell 2000^® Growth Index, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The performance of other classes will be greater than or less than the performance shown in the graph below due to different sales loads and expenses applicable to such classes. The graph and performance table below do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

 

Average Annual Total Returns at Maximum Applicable Sales Charge for the Periods Ended July 31, 2020
	1 Year	5 Years	10 Years	Life of Class
Class A3	8.63%	11.23%	15.60%	–
Class C4	13.50%	11.67%	15.44%	–
Class F5	15.37%	12.70%	16.51%	–
Class F36	15.61%	–	–	25.21%
Class I5	15.50%	12.83%	16.62%	–
Class P5	14.97%	12.45%	16.23%	–
Class R25	14.76%	12.14%	15.92%	–
Class R35	14.93%	12.26%	16.04%	–
Class R47	15.21%	12.54%	–	12.36%
Class R57	15.50%	12.83%	–	12.65%
Class R67	15.61%	12.95%	–	12.78%

¹     Reflects the deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%.

²     Performance of the unmanaged index does not reflect any fees or expenses. The performance of the index is not necessarily representative of the Fund’s performance.

³     Total return, which is the percentage change in net asset value, after deduction of the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75% applicable to Class A shares, with all dividends and distributions reinvested for periods shown ended July 31, 2020, is calculated using the SEC-required uniform method to compute such return.

⁴     The 1% CDSC for Class C shares normally applies before the first anniversary of the purchase date.

⁵     Performance is at net asset value.

⁶     Commenced operations and performance for the class began on April 4, 2017. Performance is at net asset value.

⁷     Commenced operations and performance for the classes began on June 30, 2015. Performance is at net asset value.

4

Expense Example

As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments (these charges vary among the share classes); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees (these charges vary among the share classes); and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (February 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020).

Actual Expenses

For each class of the Fund, the first line of the table on the following page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading titled “Expenses Paid During Period 2/1/20 – 7/31/20” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

For each class of the Fund, the second line of the table on the following page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

5

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

	Beginning Account Value	Ending Account Value	Expenses Paid During Period†
	2/1/20	7/31/20	2/1/20 - 7/31/20
Class A
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,219.30	$5.08
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,020.29	$4.62
Class C
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,214.20	$9.14
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,016.61	$8.32
Class F
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,219.50	$4.19
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,021.08	$3.82
Class F3
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,220.80	$3.20
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,021.98	$2.92
Class I
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,220.50	$3.70
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,021.53	$3.37
Class P
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,217.60	$6.18
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,019.29	$5.62
Class R2
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,216.50	$7.00
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,018.55	$6.37
Class R3
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,217.60	$6.45
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,019.05	$5.87
Class R4
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,219.00	$5.08
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,020.29	$4.62
Class R5
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,220.60	$3.64
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,021.58	$3.32
Class R6
Actual	$1,000.00	$1,220.80	$3.26
Hypothetical (5% Return Before Expenses)	$1,000.00	$1,021.93	$2.97

^† For each class of the Fund, net expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for such class (0.92% for Class A, 1.66% for Class C, 0.76% for Class F, 0.58% for Class F3, 0.67% for Class I, 1.12% for Class P, 1.27% for Class R2, 1.17% for Class R3, 0.92% for Class R4, 0.66% for Class R5 and 0.59% for Class R6) multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182/366 (to reflect one-half year period).

6

Portfolio Holdings Presented by Sector

July 31, 2020

Sector*	%**
Consumer Discretionary		19.91	%
Consumer Staples		3.05	%
Financials		2.41	%
Health Care		28.12	%
Industrials		11.23	%
Information Technology		27.85	%
Real Estate		2.15	%
Technology		0.58	%
Repurchase Agreement		2.69	%
Money Market Fund(a)		1.81	%
Time Deposit(a)		0.20	%
Total		100.00	%

*	A sector may comprise several industries.
**	Represents percent of total investments.
(a)	Securities were purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

7

Schedule of Investments

July 31, 2020

Investments	Shares		Fair Value (000)
COMMON STOCKS 97.65%
Aerospace & Defense 1.44%
Axon Enterprise, Inc.*		442,605	$	36,794
Air Freight & Logistics 0.68%
XPO Logistics, Inc.*		230,151		17,266
Automobiles 0.93%
Winnebago Industries, Inc.		391,372		23,643
Beverages 1.46%
Boston Beer Co., Inc. (The) Class A*		45,830		37,142
Biotechnology 16.94%
Acceleron Pharma, Inc.*		304,522		30,199
Allogene Therapeutics, Inc.*		280,294		10,278
Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*		496,704		30,493
Argenx SE ADR*		68,264		15,709
Blueprint Medicines Corp.*		229,525		16,797
Bridgebio Pharma, Inc.*(a)		763,601		21,488
ChemoCentryx, Inc.*		365,109		19,245
Coherus Biosciences, Inc.*		543,726		9,564
Constellation Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*		596,692		16,045
CRISPR Therapeutics AG (Switzerland)*(b)		229,893		19,647
Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*		254,967		11,823
Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.*		126,029		14,019
Immunomedics, Inc.*		858,314		36,247
Invitae Corp.*		390,959		11,416
Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc.*		564,664		16,415
Karuna Therapeutics, Inc.*		152,513		12,475
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.*		276,627		33,558
Myovant Sciences Ltd. (United Kingdom)*(b)		631,100		9,593
Natera, Inc.*		552,774		26,544
Relay Therapeutics, Inc.*		177,015		6,277
Rocket Pharmaceuticals, Inc.*		670,681		15,781
TG Therapeutics, Inc.*		1,232,262		24,128

Investments	Shares		Fair Value (000)
Biotechnology (continued)
Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc.*		275,099	$	16,294
Zymeworks, Inc. (Canada)*(b)		247,342		7,551
Total				431,586
Building Products 2.12%
AZEK Co., Inc. (The)*		653,523		22,547
Trex Co., Inc.*		226,178		31,513
Total				54,060
Capital Markets 0.85%
Assetmark Financial Holdings, Inc.		773,701		21,548
Commercial Services & Supplies 0.50%
MSA Safety, Inc.		106,527		12,627
Communications Equipment 1.80%
Calix, Inc.*		621,822		12,754
Lumentum Holdings, Inc.*		356,179		33,064
Total				45,818
Diversified Consumer Services 2.07%
Chegg, Inc.*		250,765		20,304
frontdoor, Inc.*		421,063		17,683
Strategic Education, Inc.		117,171		14,788
Total				52,775
Electrical Equipment 2.72%
Generac Holdings, Inc.*		282,404		44,501
Vivint Solar, Inc.*		1,223,260		24,881
Total				69,382
Food & Staples Retailing 0.73%
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.*		425,495		18,718
Food Products 0.93%
Freshpet, Inc.*		246,599		23,686
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 5.97%
Axonics Modulation Technologies, Inc.*(a)		531,295		22,506
iRhythm Technologies, Inc.*		258,914		32,230

8 See Notes to Financial Statements.

Schedule of Investments (continued)

July 31, 2020

Investments	Shares		Fair Value (000)
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (continued)
Nevro Corp.*		256,327	$	34,081
Penumbra, Inc.*		128,434		28,501
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.*		332,924		34,777
Total				152,095
Health Care Providers & Services 0.62%
Guardant Health, Inc.*		185,293		15,783
Health Care Technology 2.17%
Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.*		427,257		42,452
Schrodinger, Inc.*(a)		177,281		12,832
Total				55,284
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 1.85%
Wingstop, Inc.		302,280		47,231
Household Durables 3.44%
Helen of Troy Ltd.*		196,753		37,039
LGI Homes, Inc.*		444,332		50,702
Total				87,741
Information Technology Services 2.05%
Endava plc ADR*		397,836		20,548
Limelight Networks, Inc.*		3,117,005		19,544
Shift4 Payments, Inc. Class A*		316,825		12,134
Total				52,226
Insurance 1.62%
Goosehead Insurance, Inc. Class A*		353,869		36,565
Lemonade, Inc.*(a)		82,731		4,814
Total				41,379
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail 4.08%
Fiverr International Ltd. (Israel)*(b)		519,616		48,547
RealReal, Inc. (The)*		855,788		11,673
Stamps.com, Inc.*		168,145		43,765
Total				103,985	��

Investments	Shares		Fair Value (000)
Internet Software & Services 0.45%
Cardlytics, Inc.*		174,265	$	11,575
Leisure Products 2.95%
Malibu Boats, Inc. Class A*		578,182		33,986
YETI Holdings, Inc.*		842,656		41,197
Total				75,183
Life Sciences Tools & Services 1.76%
Berkeley Lights, Inc.*		93,495		5,607
Repligen Corp.*		260,029		39,241
Total				44,848
Machinery 3.27%
Chart Industries, Inc.*		348,617		23,891
Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.*		1,798,193		34,579
Federal Signal Corp.		803,366		24,832
Total				83,302
Pharmaceuticals 1.36%
GW Pharmaceuticals plc ADR*		95,928		12,243
MyoKardia, Inc.*		248,442		22,392
Total				34,635
Professional Services 0.77%
FTI Consulting, Inc.*		165,216		19,733
Real Estate Management & Development 2.21%
Redfin Corp.*		1,353,156		56,264
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 9.04%
CEVA, Inc.*		443,689		17,836
Cirrus Logic, Inc.*		220,567		15,115
Enphase Energy, Inc.*		399,687		24,125
Inphi Corp.*		530,920		69,370
MKS Instruments, Inc.		291,628		37,165
Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.		112,043		29,693
Semtech Corp.*		472,717		26,345
Silicon Laboratories, Inc.*		107,741		10,829
Total				230,478

See Notes to Financial Statements. 9

Schedule of Investments (continued)

July 31, 2020

Investments	Shares		Fair Value (000)
Software 15.79%
2U, Inc.*		282,074	$	13,284
Alteryx, Inc. Class A*		74,961		13,155
Appian Corp.*(a)		527,850		26,852
Avalara, Inc.*		167,455		22,514
Blackline, Inc.*		337,694		30,024
Everbridge, Inc.*		287,535		41,060
Five9, Inc.*		467,073		56,432
Globant SA (Argentina)*(b)		207,115		35,818
Jamf Holding Corp.*		375,355		15,239
nCino, Inc.*		7,076		560
Paylocity Holding Corp.*		228,209		30,397
Q2 Holdings, Inc.*		291,187		27,386
Qualys, Inc.*		113,327		13,994
Sprout Social, Inc. Class A*		665,306		19,221
SVMK, Inc.*		2,007,943		48,151
Yext, Inc.*		489,716		8,237
Total				402,324
Specialty Retail 3.73%
National Vision Holdings, Inc.*		1,066,427		34,115
RH*		130,197		37,422
Vroom, Inc.*		395,532		23,412
Total				94,949
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods 1.35%
Deckers Outdoor Corp.*		165,009		34,529
Total Common Stocks (cost $1,798,285,777)				2,488,589

Investments	Principal Amount (000)		Fair Value (000)
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS 4.82%
Repurchase Agreement 2.76%
Repurchase Agreement dated 7/31/2020, 0.00% due 8/3/2020 with Fixed Income Clearing Corp. collateralized by $66,758,600 of U.S. Treasury Note at 2.00% due 4/30/2024; value: $71,671,632; proceeds: $70,266,280 (cost $70,266,280)	$	70,266	$	70,266
	Shares
Money Market Fund 1.85%
Fidelity Government Portfolio(c) (cost $47,216,986)		47,216,986		47,217
Time Deposit 0.21%
CitiBank N.A.(c) (cost $5,246,332)		5,246,332		5,246
Total Short-Term Investments (cost $122,729,598)				122,729
Total Investments in Securities 102.47% (cost $1,921,015,375)				2,611,318
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets (2.47)%				(62,965	)
Net Assets 100.00%			$	2,548,353

ADR	American Depositary Receipt.
*	Non-income producing security.
(a)	All or a portion of these securities are temporarily on loan to unaffiliated broker/dealers.
(b)	Foreign security traded in U.S. dollars.
(c)	Security was purchased with the cash collateral from loaned securities.

10 See Notes to Financial Statements.

Schedule of Investments (concluded)

July 31, 2020

The following is a summary of the inputs used as of July 31, 2020 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at fair value⁽¹⁾:

Investment Type(2)	Level 1 (000)		Level 2 (000)		Level 3 (000)		Total (000)
Common Stocks	$	2,488,589	$	–	$	–	$	2,488,589
Short-Term Investments
Repurchase Agreement		–		70,266		–		70,266
Money Market Fund		47,217		–		–		47,217
Time Deposit		–		5,246		–		5,246
Total	$	2,535,806	$	75,512	$	–	$	2,611,318

(1)	Refer to Note 2(g) for a description of fair value measurements and the three-tier hierarchy of inputs.
(2)	See Schedule of Investments for fair values in each industry and identification of foreign issuers and/or geography.

See Notes to Financial Statements. 11

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

July 31, 2020

ASSETS:
Investments in securities, at fair value including $50,141,941 of securities loaned (cost $1,921,015,375)	$	2,611,318,129
Receivables:
Capital shares sold		11,715,355
Investment securities sold		11,707,543
Securities lending income receivable		101,424
Prepaid expenses and other assets		190,485
Total assets		2,635,032,936
LIABILITIES:
Payables:
Investment securities purchased		29,224,849
Capital shares reacquired		2,657,204
Management fee		1,046,333
Directors’ fees		408,508
12b-1 distribution plan		402,623
Fund administration		82,013
Payable for collateral due to broker for securities lending		52,463,318
Accrued expenses		395,426
Total liabilities		86,680,274
Commitments and contingent liabilities
NET ASSETS	$	2,548,352,662
COMPOSITION OF NET ASSETS:
Paid-in capital	$	1,673,407,337
Total distributable earnings (loss)		874,945,325
Net Assets	$	2,548,352,662

12 See Notes to Financial Statements.

Statement of Assets and Liabilities (concluded)

July 31, 2020

Net assets by class:
Class A Shares	$	765,171,840
Class C Shares	$	16,876,216
Class F Shares	$	348,248,179
Class F3 Shares	$	130,386,982
Class I Shares	$	593,675,177
Class P Shares	$	20,792,738
Class R2 Shares	$	2,811,901
Class R3 Shares	$	88,635,614
Class R4 Shares	$	8,255,492
Class R5 Shares	$	6,613,278
Class R6 Shares	$	566,885,245
Outstanding shares by class:
Class A Shares (1.12 billion shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		31,286,341
Class C Shares (35 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		1,214,785
Class F Shares (134.1 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		13,390,791
Class F3 Shares (89.4 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		4,241,076
Class I Shares (335.3 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		19,465,957
Class P Shares (30 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		899,695
Class R2 Shares (98.8 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		125,060
Class R3 Shares (98.8 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		3,825,069
Class R4 Shares (98.8 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		337,691
Class R5 Shares (98.8 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		216,851
Class R6 Shares (98.8 million shares of common stock authorized, $.001 par value)		18,440,481
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share (Net assets divided by outstanding shares):
Class A Shares-Net asset value		$24.46
Class A Shares-Maximum offering price (Net asset value plus sales charge of 5.75%)		$25.95
Class C Shares-Net asset value		$13.89
Class F Shares-Net asset value		$26.01
Class F3 Shares-Net asset value		$30.74
Class I Shares-Net asset value		$30.50
Class P Shares-Net asset value		$23.11
Class R2 Shares-Net asset value		$22.48
Class R3 Shares-Net asset value		$23.17
Class R4 Shares-Net asset value		$24.45
Class R5 Shares-Net asset value		$30.50
Class R6 Shares-Net asset value		$30.74

See Notes to Financial Statements. 13

Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended July 31, 2020

Investment income:
Dividends	$	2,341,835
Securities lending net income		661,441
Interest and other		218,471
Interest earned from Interfund Lending (See Note 10)		1,106
Total investment income		3,222,853
Expenses:
Management fee		9,715,979
12b-1 distribution plan-Class A		1,521,023
12b-1 distribution plan-Class C		149,560
12b-1 distribution plan-Class F		137,859
12b-1 distribution plan-Class P		83,419
12b-1 distribution plan-Class R2		20,351
12b-1 distribution plan-Class R3		433,451
12b-1 distribution plan-Class R4		14,973
Shareholder servicing		1,598,866
Fund administration		757,278
Registration		171,462
Professional		103,728
Reports to shareholders		89,613
Directors’ fees		52,021
Custody		29,144
Other		210,506
Gross expenses		15,089,233
Expense reductions (See Note 8)		(26,714	)
Fees waived and expenses reimbursed (See Note 3)		(16,626	)
Net expenses		15,045,893
Net investment loss		(11,823,040	)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss):
Net realized gain (loss) on investments		331,996,531
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments		2,700,989
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)		334,697,520
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations	$	322,874,480

14 See Notes to Financial Statements.

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

	For the Year Ended			For the Year Ended
INCREASE IN NET ASSETS	July 31, 2020			July 31, 2019
Operations:
Net investment loss	$	(11,823,040	)	$	(11,681,683	)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments		331,996,531			313,011,497
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments		2,700,989			85,138,161
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations		322,874,480			386,467,975
Distributions to shareholders:
Class A		(114,658,673	)		(143,990,315	)
Class C		(4,179,282	)		(7,182,646	)
Class F		(17,755,452	)		(20,259,583	)
Class F3		(476,152	)		(554,521	)
Class I		(117,432,735	)		(152,166,447	)
Class P		(3,744,986	)		(4,878,718	)
Class R2		(771,276	)		(1,263,450	)
Class R3		(17,648,373	)		(23,230,994	)
Class R4		(1,111,799	)		(1,144,059	)
Class R5		(356,352	)		(557,791	)
Class R6		(36,493,579	)		(38,576,002	)
Total distributions to shareholders		(314,628,659	)		(393,804,526	)
Capital share transactions (Net of share conversions) (See Note 14):
Net proceeds from sales of shares		956,839,859			333,218,567
Reinvestment of distributions		299,702,239			374,586,927
Cost of shares reacquired		(819,458,931	)		(575,897,153	)
Net increase in net assets resulting from capital share transactions		437,083,167			131,908,341
Net increase in net assets		445,328,988			124,571,790
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of year	$	2,103,023,674		$	1,978,451,884
End of year	$	2,548,352,662		$	2,103,023,674

See Notes to Financial Statements. 15

Financial Highlights

			Per Share Operating Performance:
			Investment Operations:									Distributions to shareholders from:
	Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment income (loss)(a)			Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)			Total from investment operations			Net realized gain
Class A
7/31/2020	$	26.30	$	(0.16	)	$	2.81		$	2.65		$	(4.49	)
7/31/2019		28.59		(0.18	)		4.14			3.96			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		20.61		(0.15	)		8.13			7.98			–
7/31/2017		18.26		(0.07	)		2.42			2.35			–
7/31/2016		24.45		(0.12	)		(4.22	)		(4.34	)		(1.85	)
Class C
7/31/2020		17.24		(0.19	)		1.33			1.14			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		21.30		(0.25	)		2.44			2.19			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		15.49		(0.24	)		6.05			5.81			–
7/31/2017		13.82		(0.16	)		1.83			1.67			–
7/31/2016		19.17		(0.20	)		(3.30	)		(3.50	)		(1.85	)
Class F
7/31/2020		27.61		(0.14	)		3.03			2.89			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		29.63		(0.15	)		4.38			4.23			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		21.32		(0.12	)		8.43			8.31			–
7/31/2017		18.86		(0.05	)		2.51			2.46			–
7/31/2016		25.16		(0.10	)		(4.35	)		(4.45	)		(1.85	)
Class F3
7/31/2020		31.66		(0.13	)		3.70			3.57			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		32.88		(0.11	)		5.14			5.03			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		23.62		(0.09	)		9.35			9.26			–
4/4/2017 to 7/31/2017(c)		22.09		(0.04	)		1.57			1.53			–
Class I
7/31/2020		31.48		(0.13	)		3.64			3.51			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		32.76		(0.14	)		5.11			4.97			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		23.55		(0.10	)		9.31			9.21			–
7/31/2017		20.81		(0.03	)		2.77			2.74			–
7/31/2016		27.51		(0.08	)		(4.77	)		(4.85	)		(1.85	)
Class P
7/31/2020		25.18		(0.19	)		2.61			2.42			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		27.72		(0.22	)		3.93			3.71			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		19.99		(0.15	)		7.88			7.73			–
7/31/2017		17.71		(0.07	)		2.35			2.28			–
7/31/2016		23.78		(0.12	)		(4.10	)		(4.22	)		(1.85	)

16 See Notes to Financial Statements.

					Ratios to Average Net Assets:									Supplemental Data:
Net asset value, end of period		Total return(b) (%)			Total expenses after waivers and/or reimburse- ments (%)			Total expenses (%)			Net investment income (loss) (%)			Net assets, end of period (000)		Portfolio turnover rate (%)
$	24.46		15.24			0.93			0.93			(0.76	)	$	765,172		122
	26.30		22.26			0.94			0.94			(0.72	)		708,935		88
	28.59		38.72			0.93			0.93			(0.62	)		686,002		90
	20.61		12.87			0.97			0.97			(0.39	)		628,782		134
	18.26		(18.13	)		1.01			1.01			(0.65	)		831,225		204
	13.89		14.30			1.68			1.68			(1.51	)		16,876		122
	17.24		21.38			1.69			1.69			(1.47	)		21,394		88
	21.30		37.51			1.69			1.69			(1.37	)		26,175		90
	15.49		12.08			1.72			1.72			(1.14	)		44,838		134
	13.82		(18.79	)		1.76			1.76			(1.41	)		64,562		204
	26.01		15.37			0.78			0.78			(0.62	)		348,248		122
	27.61		22.43			0.79			0.79			(0.58	)		116,807		88
	29.63		38.98			0.79			0.79			(0.48	)		100,650		90
	21.32		13.04			0.82			0.82			(0.25	)		111,360		134
	18.86		(18.05	)		0.86			0.86			(0.52	)		121,768		204
	30.74		15.61			0.59			0.59			(0.46	)		130,387		122
	31.66		22.64			0.60			0.60			(0.39	)		3,321		88
	32.88		39.25			0.59			0.59			(0.31	)		2,941		90
	23.62		6.93	(d)		0.60	(e)		0.60	(e)		(0.50	)(e)		431		134
	30.50		15.50			0.69			0.69			(0.51	)		593,675		122
	31.48		22.56			0.69			0.69			(0.48	)		853,159		88
	32.76		39.11			0.69			0.69			(0.37	)		824,588		90
	23.55		13.17			0.72			0.72			(0.14	)		787,341		134
	20.81		(17.96	)		0.76			0.76			(0.41	)		1,182,207		204
	23.11		14.97			1.14			1.14			(0.96	)		20,793		122
	25.18		22.02			1.14			1.14			(0.92	)		22,082		88
	27.72		38.67			0.97			0.97			(0.66	)		22,591		90
	19.99		12.94			0.97			0.97			(0.40	)		22,629		134
	17.71		(18.18	)		1.01			1.01			(0.66	)		25,784		204

See Notes to Financial Statements. 17

Financial Highlights (concluded)

			Per Share Operating Performance:
			Investment Operations:									Distributions to shareholders from:
	Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment income (loss)(a)			Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)			Total from investment operations			Net realized gain
Class R2
7/31/2020	$	24.67	$	(0.22	)	$	2.52		$	2.30		$	(4.49	)
7/31/2019		27.33		(0.25	)		3.84			3.59			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		19.77		(0.23	)		7.79			7.56			–
7/31/2017		17.58		(0.14	)		2.33			2.19			–
7/31/2016		23.70		(0.18	)		(4.09	)		(4.27	)		(1.85	)
Class R3
7/31/2020		25.24		(0.20	)		2.62			2.42			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		27.79		(0.23	)		3.93			3.70			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		20.08		(0.20	)		7.91			7.71			–
7/31/2017		17.83		(0.12	)		2.37			2.25			–
7/31/2016		23.99		(0.16	)		(4.15	)		(4.31	)		(1.85	)
Class R4
7/31/2020		26.29		(0.16	)		2.81			2.65			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		28.59		(0.18	)		4.13			3.95			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		20.60		(0.15	)		8.14			7.99			–
7/31/2017		18.25		(0.07	)		2.42			2.35			–
7/31/2016		24.45		(0.10	)		(4.25	)		(4.35	)		(1.85	)
Class R5
7/31/2020		31.47		(0.14	)		3.66			3.52			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		32.75		(0.14	)		5.11			4.97			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		23.55		(0.11	)		9.31			9.20			–
7/31/2017		20.81		(0.03	)		2.77			2.74			–
7/31/2016		27.50		(0.07	)		(4.77	)		(4.84	)		(1.85	)
Class R6
7/31/2020		31.66		(0.11	)		3.68			3.57			(4.49	)
7/31/2019		32.88		(0.11	)		5.14			5.03			(6.25	)
7/31/2018		23.62		(0.08	)		9.34			9.26			–
7/31/2017		20.85		(0.01	)		2.78			2.77			–
7/31/2016		27.51		(0.04	)		(4.77	)		(4.81	)		(1.85	)

(a)	Calculated using average shares outstanding during the period.
(b)	Total return for Classes A and C does not consider the effects of sales loads and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions. Total return for all other classes assumes the reinvestment of all distributions.
(c)	Commenced on April 4, 2017.
(d)	Not annualized.
(e)	Annualized.

18 See Notes to Financial Statements.

					Ratios to Average Net Assets:							Supplemental Data:
Net asset value, end of period		Total return(b) (%)			Total expenses after waivers and/or reimburse- ments (%)		Total expenses (%)		Net investment income (loss) (%)			Net assets, end of period (000)		Portfolio turnover rate (%)
$	22.48		14.76			1.29		1.29		(1.11	)	$	2,812		122
	24.67		21.87			1.29		1.29		(1.06	)		4,718		88
	27.33		38.24			1.29		1.29		(0.97	)		6,530		90
	19.77		12.52			1.32		1.32		(0.75	)		6,275		134
	17.58		(18.47	)		1.36		1.36		(1.00	)		10,212		204
	23.17		14.93			1.19		1.19		(1.01	)		88,636		122
	25.24		21.92			1.19		1.19		(0.97	)		107,373		88
	27.79		38.40			1.19		1.19		(0.88	)		111,564		90
	20.08		12.62			1.22		1.22		(0.64	)		131,974		134
	17.83		(18.37	)		1.26		1.26		(0.91	)		197,382		204
	24.45		15.21			0.93		0.93		(0.76	)		8,255		122
	26.29		22.23			0.94		0.94		(0.73	)		6,222		88
	28.59		38.79			0.93		0.93		(0.63	)		5,489		90
	20.60		12.88			0.95		0.95		(0.38	)		3,053		134
	18.25		(18.18	)		0.97		0.97		(0.62	)		626		204
	30.50		15.50			0.68		0.68		(0.52	)		6,613		122
	31.47		22.53			0.69		0.69		(0.48	)		3,247		88
	32.75		39.11			0.68		0.68		(0.38	)		3,313		90
	23.55		13.17			0.71		0.71		(0.12	)		2,520		134
	20.81		(17.93	)		0.70		0.70		(0.34	)		1,006		204
	30.74		15.61			0.60		0.60		(0.43	)		566,885		122
	31.66		22.68			0.60		0.60		(0.39	)		255,766		88
	32.88		39.20			0.59		0.59		(0.28	)		188,610		90
	23.62		13.29			0.60		0.60		(0.04	)		202,128		134
	20.85		(17.80	)		0.60		0.60		(0.19	)		200,641		204

See Notes to Financial Statements. 19

Notes to Financial Statements

1. ORGANIZATION  

Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Act”), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Fund was incorporated under Maryland law on August 21, 1978. The Fund’s predecessor corporation was organized on July 11, 1973.

The Fund’s investment objective is long-term growth of capital through a diversified and actively managed portfolio consisting of developing growth companies, many of which are traded over the counter. The Fund has eleven active classes of shares: Class A, C, F, F3, I, P, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, each with different expenses and dividends. A front-end sales charge is normally added to the net asset value (“NAV”) for Class A shares. There is no front-end sales charge in the case of Class C, F, I, F3, P, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 shares, although there may be a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) in certain cases as follows: Class A shares purchased without a sales charge and redeemed before the first day of the month in which the one-year anniversary of the purchase falls (subject to certain exceptions as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus); and Class C shares redeemed before the first anniversary of purchase. Effective June 30, 2020, Class C shares will automatically convert to Class A shares on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th is not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the month on which the purchase order was accepted, provided that the Fund or financial intermediary through which a shareholder purchased Class C shares has records verifying that the C shares have been held at least eight years. The first conversion of Class C to A Shares under this new policy took place on July 25, 2020 for all Class C shares that were held for more than eight years as of June 30, 2020. Prior to June 30, 2020, Class C shares converted following the tenth anniversary of the month which the purchase order was accepted.

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is considered an investment company under U.S. GAAP and follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies.

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  

(a)

Investment Valuation–Under procedures approved by the Fund’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), the Fund’s investment manager, has formed a Pricing Committee to administer the pricing and valuation of portfolio investments and to ensure that prices utilized reasonably reflect fair value. Among other things, these procedures allow the Fund to utilize independent pricing services, quotations from securities and financial instrument dealers and other market sources to determine fair value.

Securities actively traded on any recognized U.S. or non-U.S. exchange or on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC are valued at the last sale price or official closing price on the exchange or system on which they are principally traded. Events occurring after the close of trading on non-U.S. exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The Fund may utilize an independent fair valuation service in adjusting the valuations of foreign securities. Unlisted equity securities are valued at the last quoted sale price or, if no sale price is available, at the mean between the most recently quoted bid and asked prices.

20

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

	Securities for which prices are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined by the Pricing Committee. The Pricing Committee considers a number of factors, including observable and unobservable inputs, when arriving at fair value. The Pricing Committee may use related or comparable assets or liabilities, recent transactions, market multiples, book values and other relevant information to determine the fair value of portfolio investments. The Board or a designated committee thereof regularly reviews fair value determinations made by the Pricing Committee and may employ techniques such as reviewing related market activity, reviewing inputs and assumptions, and retrospectively comparing prices of subsequent purchases and sales transactions to fair value determinations made by the Pricing Committee. Short-term securities with 60 days or less remaining to maturity are valued using the amortized cost method, which approximates fair value.
(b)	Security Transactions–Security transactions are recorded as of the date that the securities are purchased or sold (trade date). Realized gains and losses on sales of portfolio securities are calculated using the identified-cost method. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day.
(c)	Investment Income–Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis as earned. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized using the effective interest method and are included in Interest and other on the Statement of Operations. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the applicable country’s tax rules and rates. Investment income is allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day.
(d)	Income Taxes–It is the policy of the Fund to meet the requirements of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all taxable income and capital gains to its shareholders. Therefore, no income tax provision is required.
	The Fund files U.S. federal and various state and local tax returns. No income tax returns are currently under examination. The statute of limitations on the Fund’s filed U.S. federal tax returns remains open for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2017 through July 31, 2020. The statutes of limitations on the Fund’s state and local tax returns may remain open for an additional year depending upon the jurisdiction.
(e)	Expenses–Expenses, excluding class-specific expenses, are allocated to each class of shares based upon the relative proportion of net assets at the beginning of the day. In addition, Class F3 and R6 bear only their class-specific shareholder servicing expenses. Class A, C, F, P, R2, R3 and R4 shares bear their class-specific share of all expenses and fees relating to the Fund’s 12b-1 Distribution Plan.
(f)	Repurchase Agreements–The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with respect to securities. A repurchase agreement is a transaction in which a fund acquires a security and simultaneously commits to resell that security to the seller (a bank or securities dealer) at an agreed-upon price on an agreed-upon date. The Fund requires at all times that the repurchase agreement be collateralized by cash, or by securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies, its instrumentalities, or U.S. Government sponsored enterprises having a value equal to, or in excess of, the value of the repurchase agreement (including accrued interest). If the seller of the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities at a time when the fair value of these securities has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the securities.

21

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

(g) Fair Value Measurements–Fair value is defined as the price that the Fund would receive upon selling an investment or transferring a liability in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. A three-tier hierarchy is used to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk - for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value (such as a pricing model) and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy classification is determined based on the lowest level of inputs that is significant to the fair value measurement, and is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below:

•	Level 1 –	unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments;
•	Level 2 –	other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); and
•	Level 3 –	significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).

A summary of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments as of July 31, 2020 and, if applicable, Level 3 rollforwards for the fiscal year then ended is included in the Fund’s Schedule of Investments.

Changes in valuation techniques may result in transfers into or out of an assigned level within the three-tier hierarchy. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

3. MANAGEMENT FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES  

Management Fee

The Fund has a management agreement with Lord Abbett, pursuant to which Lord Abbett supplies the Fund with investment management services and executive and other personnel, provides office space and pays for ordinary and necessary office and clerical expenses relating to research and statistical work and supervision of the Fund’s investment portfolio.

The management fee is based on the Fund’s average daily net assets at the following annual rate:

First $100 million	.75%
Over $100 million	.50%

For the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the effective management fee was at an annualized rate of 0.51% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

In addition, Lord Abbett provides certain administrative services to the Fund pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement in return for a fee at an annual rate of .04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. Lord Abbett voluntarily waived $16,626 of fund administration fees during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020.

22

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

12b-1 Distribution Plan

The Fund has adopted a distribution plan with respect to Class A, C, F, P, R2, R3 and R4 shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act, which provides for the payment of ongoing distribution and service fees to Lord Abbett Distributor LLC (the “Distributor”), an affiliate of Lord Abbett. The following annual rates have been authorized by the Board pursuant to the plan:

Fees*	Class A(1)	Class C	Class F(2)	Class P	Class R2	Class R3	Class R4
Service	.25%	.25%	–	.25%	.25%	.25%	.25%
Distribution	–	.75%	.10%	.20%	.35%	.25%	–

*	The Fund may designate a portion of the aggregate fee as attributable to service activities for purposes of calculating Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) sales charge limitations.
(1)	Annual Service fee on shares sold prior to June 1, 1990 is .15% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares.
(2)	The Class F share Rule 12b-1 fee may be designated as a service fee in limited circumstances as described in the Fund’s prospectus.

Class F3, I, R5 and R6 shares do not have a distribution plan.

Commissions

Distributor received the following commissions on sales of shares of the Fund, after concessions were paid to authorized dealers, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020:

Distributor Commissions	Dealers’ Concessions
$93,158	$510,061

Distributor received CDSCs of $623 and $1,245 for Class A and Class C shares, respectively, for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020.

Other Related Parties

As of July 31, 2020, the percentage of the Fund’s outstanding shares owned by Lord Abbett Alpha Strategy Fund was 4.76%.

One Director and certain of the Fund’s officers have an interest in Lord Abbett.

4. DISTRIBUTIONS AND CAPITAL LOSS CARRYFORWARDS  

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid at least annually. Taxable net realized gains from investment transactions, reduced by allowable capital loss carryforwards, if any, are declared and distributed to shareholders at least annually. The capital loss carryforward amount, if any, is available to offset future net capital gains. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amounts of dividends and distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. These book/tax differences are either considered temporary or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the components of net assets based on their federal tax basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions that exceed earnings and profits for tax purposes are reported as a tax return of capital.

The tax character of distributions paid during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 and fiscal year ended July 31, 2019 was as follows:

	Year Ended 7/31/2020	Year Ended 7/31/2019
Distributions paid from:
Net long-term capital gains	$314,628,659	$393,804,526
Total distributions paid	$314,628,659	$393,804,526

23

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

As of July 31, 2020, the components of accumulated gains on a tax-basis were as follows:

Undistributed long-term capital gains	$	198,699,221
Total undistributed earnings	$	198,699,221
Temporary differences		(7,483,384	)
Unrealized gains - net		683,729,488
Total accumulated gains - net	$	874,945,325

At the Fund’s election, certain losses incurred within the taxable year (“Qualified Late-Year Losses”) are deemed to arise on the first business day of the Fund’s next taxable year. The Fund incurred and will elect to defer late-year ordinary losses of $7,074,876 during fiscal year 2020.

As of July 31, 2020, the aggregate unrealized security gains and losses on investments and other financial instruments based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Tax cost	$	1,927,588,641
Gross unrealized gain		718,800,092
Gross unrealized loss		(35,070,604	)
Net unrealized security gain	$	683,729,488

The difference between book-basis and tax basis unrealized gains (losses) is attributable to the tax treatment of wash sales.

Permanent items identified during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 have been reclassified among the components of net assets based on their tax basis treatment as follows:

Total Distributable Earnings (loss)	Paid-in Capital
$(2,371,248)	$2,371,248

The permanent differences are attributable primarily to the tax treatment of net investment losses and certain distributions.

5. PORTFOLIO SECURITIES TRANSACTIONS  

Purchases and sales of investment securities (excluding short-term investments) for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 were as follows:

Purchases	Sales
$2,369,504,684	$2,288,673,091

There were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020.

The Fund is permitted to purchase and sell securities (“cross-trade”) from and to other Lord Abbett funds or client accounts pursuant to procedures approved by the Board in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the Act (the “Rule”). Each cross-trade is executed at a fair market price in compliance with provisions of the Rule. For the year ended July 31, 2020 the Fund engaged in cross-trades purchases of $19,173,261 and sales of $14,919,156, which resulted in net realized gains of $7,885,556.

24

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

6. DISCLOSURES ABOUT OFFSETTING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) requires disclosures intended to help better assess the effect or potential effect of offsetting arrangements on a fund’s financial position. The following tables illustrate gross and net information about recognized assets and liabilities eligible for offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities; and disclose such amounts subject to an enforceable master netting agreement or similar agreement, by counterparty. A master netting agreement is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty which provides for the net settlement of amounts owed under all contracts traded under that agreement, as well as cash collateral, through a single payment by one party to the other in the event of default on or termination of any one contract. The Fund’s accounting policy with respect to balance sheet offsetting is that, absent an event of default by the counterparty or a termination of the agreement, the master netting agreement does not result in an offset of reported amounts of financial assets and liabilities in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities across transactions between the Fund and the applicable counterparty:

Description	Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets		Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities		Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Repurchase Agreement		$70,266,280		$             –		$70,266,280
Total		$70,266,280		$             –		$70,266,280

	Net Amounts of Assets Presented in		Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Counterparty	the Statement of Assets and Liabilities		Financial Instruments		Cash Collateral Received(a)		Securities Collateral Received(a)			Net Amount(b)
Fixed Income Clearing Corp.		$70,266,280		$          –	$	–		$(70,266,280	)	$	–
Total		$70,266,280		$          –	$	–		$(70,266,280	)	$	–

(a)	Collateral disclosed is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets (liabilities) presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, for each respective counterparty.
(b)	Net amount represents the amount owed to the Fund by the counterparty as of July 31, 2020.

7. DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION      

The Fund’s officers and one Director, who are associated with Lord Abbett, do not receive any compensation from the Fund for serving in such capacities. Independent Directors’ fees are allocated among all Lord Abbett-sponsored funds based on the net assets of each fund. There is an equity-based plan available to all Independent Directors under which Independent Directors must defer receipt of a portion of, and may elect to defer receipt of an additional portion of Directors’ fees. The deferred amounts are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in the funds. Such amounts and earnings accrued thereon are included in Directors’ fees on the Statement of Operations and in Directors’ fees payable on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are not deductible for U.S. federal income tax purposes until such amounts are paid.

8. EXPENSE REDUCTIONS  

The Fund has entered into an arrangement with its transfer agent and custodian, whereby credits realized as a result of uninvested cash balances are used to reduce a portion of the Fund’s expenses.

25

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

9. LINE OF CREDIT  

For the period ended July 31, 2020, the Fund and certain other funds managed by Lord Abbett (collectively, the “Participating Funds”) entered into a syndicated line of credit facility with various lenders for $1.17 billion (the “Syndicated Facility”) whereas State Street Bank and Trust Company (“SSB”) participated as a lender and as agent for the lenders. The Participating Funds were subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of Fund net assets (if Fund net assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, $350 million, $500 million, or $1 billion, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors. Effective August 6, 2020, the Participating Funds are subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of Fund net assets (if Fund net assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, $600 million, or $900 million, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors.

For the period ended July 31, 2020, the Participating Funds were party to an additional line of credit facility with SSB for $330 million (the “Bilateral Facility”), $250 million committed and $80 million uncommitted. Under the Bilateral Facility, the Participating Funds are subject to graduated borrowing limits of one-third of Fund net assets (if net assets are less than $750 million), $250 million, $300 million, or $330 million, based on past borrowings and likelihood of future borrowings, among other factors.

The Syndicated Facility and the Bilateral Facility are to be used for temporary or emergency purposes as an additional source of liquidity to satisfy redemptions.

For the year ended July 31, 2020, the Fund did not utilize the Facilities.

10. INTERFUND LENDING PROGRAM  

Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC exemptive order”) certain registered open-end management investment companies managed by Lord Abbett, including the Fund, participate in a joint lending and borrowing program (the “Interfund Lending Program”). The SEC exemptive order allows the funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes subject to the limitations and conditions.

During the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, the Fund participated as a lender in the Interfund Lending Program. For the period in which the loan was outstanding, the average amount loaned, average interest rate and interest income were as follows:

Average Loan	Average Interest Rate	Interest Income*
$24,540,000	0.55%	$1,106

* included in the Statement of Operations

11. CUSTODIAN AND ACCOUNTING AGENT  

SSB is the Fund’s custodian and accounting agent. SSB performs custodial, accounting and recordkeeping functions relating to portfolio transactions and calculating the Fund’s NAV.

12. SECURITIES LENDING AGREEMENT  

The Fund has established a securities lending agreement with Citibank, N.A. (the “agent”) for the lending of securities to qualified brokers in exchange for securities or cash collateral equal to at least the market value of securities loaned, plus interest, if applicable. Cash collateral is invested in an approved money market fund. In accordance with the Fund’s securities lending agreement, the

26

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

market value of securities on loan is determined each day at the close of business and any additional collateral required to cover the value of securities on loan is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. As with other extensions of credit, the Fund may experience a delay in the recovery of its securities or incur a loss should the borrower of the securities breach its agreement with the Fund or become insolvent at a time when the collateral is insufficient to cover the cost of repurchasing securities on loan. Any income earned from securities lending is included in Securities Lending Income on the Statement of Operations.

The initial collateral received by the Fund is required to have a value equal to at least 100% of the market value of the securities loaned. The collateral must be marked-to-market daily to cover increases in the market value of the securities loaned (or potentially a decline in the value of the collateral). In general, the risk of borrower default will be borne by the Fund’s agent; the Fund will bear the risk of loss with respect to the investment of the cash collateral. The advantage of such loans is that the Fund continues to receive income on loaned securities while receiving a portion of any securities lending fees and earning returns on the cash amounts which may be reinvested for the purchase of investments in securities.

As of July 31, 2020, the market value of securities loaned and collateral received for the Fund was as follows:

Market Value of Securities Loaned	Collateral Received(1)
$50,141,941	$ 52,463,318

⁽¹⁾ Statement of Assets and Liabilities location: Payable for collateral due to broker for securities lending.

13. INVESTMENT RISKS  

The Fund is subject to the general risks and considerations associated with equity investing. The value of an investment will fluctuate in response to movements in the equity securities market in general, and to the changing prospects of individual companies in which the Fund invests.

The Fund has particular risks associated with growth stocks. Different types of stocks shift in and out of favor over time depending on market and economic conditions. The market may fail to recognize the intrinsic value of particular value stocks for a long time. Growth stocks tend to be more volatile than other stocks. Growth stocks are often more sensitive to market fluctuations than other securities because their market prices are highly sensitive to future earnings expectations. In addition, if the Fund’s assessment of a company’s potential for growth or market conditions is wrong, it could suffer losses or produce poor performance relative to other funds, even in a favorable market. The Fund invests primarily in small-cap growth company stocks, which tend to be more volatile and can be less liquid than other types of stocks, especially over the short term. Small-cap companies may also have more limited product lines, markets or financial resources, and typically experience a higher risk of failure than large-cap companies. Because the Fund may invest a portion of its assets in foreign securities and American Depositary Receipts, it may experience increased market, industry and sector, liquidity, currency, political, information and other risks. The securities of foreign companies also may be subject to inadequate exchange control regulations, the imposition of economic sanctions or other government restrictions, higher transaction and other costs, and delays in settlement to the extent they are traded on non-U.S. exchanges or markets.

27

Notes to Financial Statements (continued)

Geopolitical and other events (e.g., wars, terrorism, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics such as the COVID-19 outbreak which began in late 2019) may disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets, thereby decreasing the value of the Fund’s investments. Market disruptions can also prevent the Fund from implementing its investment strategies and achieving its investment objective.

The transmission of COVID-19 and efforts to contain its spread have resulted in, among other things, border closings and other significant travel restrictions and disruptions, significant disruptions to business operations, supply chains and customer activity, lower consumer demand for goods and services, event cancellations and restrictions, service cancellations, reductions and other changes, significant challenges in healthcare service preparation and delivery, and prolonged quarantines, as well as general concern and uncertainty. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak could negatively affect the global economy, the economies of individual countries, and the financial performance of individual issuers, sectors, industries, asset classes, and markets in significant and unforeseen ways.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects may last for an extended period of time, and in either case could result in significant market volatility, exchange trading suspensions and closures, declines in global financial markets, higher default rates, and a substantial economic downturn or recession. The foregoing could disrupt the operations of the Fund and its service providers, adversely affect the value and liquidity of the Fund’s investments, and negatively impact the Fund’s performance and your investment in the Fund.

These factors can affect the Fund’s performance.

14. SUMMARY OF CAPITAL TRANSACTIONS  

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest were as follows:

				Year Ended July 31, 2020						Year Ended July 31, 2019
Class A Shares	Shares			Amount			Shares			Amount
Shares sold		5,836,533		$	120,030,824			2,533,856		$	60,161,045
Converted from Class C*		548,316			12,316,006			159,663			3,960,186
Reinvestment of distributions		5,647,701			106,007,351			6,991,031			132,689,761
Shares reacquired		(7,699,122	)		(159,116,642	)		(6,723,749	)		(160,492,891	)
Increase		4,333,428		$	79,237,539			2,960,801		$	36,318,101
Class C Shares
Shares sold		963,842		$	11,402,912			94,394		$	1,422,303
Reinvestment of distributions		351,016			3,762,889			513,207			6,415,091
Shares reacquired		(409,254	)		(5,202,343	)		(356,484	)		(5,526,253	)
Converted to Class A*		(932,112	)		(12,316,006	)		(238,611	)		(3,960,186	)
Increase (decrease)		(26,508	)	$	(2,352,548	)		12,506		$	(1,649,045	)
Class F Shares
Shares sold		10,716,644		$	234,409,115			1,132,648		$	27,861,522
Reinvestment of distributions		788,289			15,718,473			889,730			17,705,628
Shares reacquired		(2,344,390	)		(51,846,089	)		(1,189,240	)		(29,283,329	)
Increase		9,160,543		$	198,281,499			833,138		$	16,283,821

28

Notes to Financial Statements (concluded)

				Year Ended July 31, 2020						Year Ended July 31, 2019
Class F3 Shares	Shares			Amount			Shares			Amount
Shares sold		4,209,213		$	114,485,523			11,635		$	356,161
Reinvestment of distributions		20,227			476,152			24,332			554,521
Shares reacquired		(93,246	)		(2,516,803	)		(20,508	)		(586,581	)
Increase		4,136,194		$	112,444,872			15,459		$	324,101
Class I Shares
Shares sold		4,483,104		$	114,101,929			3,816,110		$	109,225,109
Reinvestment of distributions		4,971,625			116,137,155			6,642,840			150,593,194
Shares reacquired		(17,092,628	)		(435,204,712	)		(8,528,902	)		(240,583,019	)
Increase (decrease)		(7,637,899	)	$	(204,965,628	)		1,930,048		$	19,235,284
Class P Shares
Shares sold		53,425		$	1,074,366			90,663		$	2,284,636
Reinvestment of distributions		208,649			3,705,614			265,237			4,824,657
Shares reacquired		(239,410	)		(4,586,091	)		(293,872	)		(6,905,095	)
Increase		22,664		$	193,889			62,028		$	204,198
Class R2 Shares
Shares sold		17,182		$	322,527			54,100		$	1,203,449
Reinvestment of distributions		38,651			668,658			52,877			943,322
Shares reacquired		(122,041	)		(2,302,663	)		(154,611	)		(3,696,703	)
Decrease		(66,208	)	$	(1,311,478	)		(47,634	)	$	(1,549,932	)
Class R3 Shares
Shares sold		846,398		$	16,745,305			1,136,267		$	26,693,829
Reinvestment of distributions		990,925			17,648,372			1,273,628			23,230,982
Shares reacquired		(2,265,708	)		(44,550,210	)		(2,171,619	)		(50,882,528	)
Increase (decrease)		(428,385	)	$	(10,156,533	)		238,276		$	(957,717	)
Class R4 Shares
Shares sold		154,317		$	3,346,277			69,536		$	1,729,775
Reinvestment of distributions		59,264			1,111,799			60,309			1,144,059
Shares reacquired		(112,520	)		(2,327,790	)		(85,213	)		(2,074,355	)
Increase		101,061		$	2,130,286			44,632		$	799,479
Class R5 Shares
Shares sold		190,355		$	4,735,300			83,022		$	2,314,160
Reinvestment of distributions		15,255			356,352			24,605			557,791
Shares reacquired		(91,935	)		(2,448,216	)		(105,598	)		(3,234,985	)
Increase (decrease)		113,675		$	2,643,436			2,029		$	(363,034	)
Class R6 Shares
Shares sold		13,203,129		$	336,185,781			3,367,761		$	99,966,578
Reinvestment of distributions		1,448,998			34,109,424			1,576,477			35,927,921
Shares reacquired		(4,289,731	)		(109,357,372	)		(2,602,300	)		(72,631,414	)
Increase		10,362,396		$	260,937,833			2,341,938		$	63,263,085

* Effective June 30, 2020, automatic conversion of Class C shares occurs on the 25th day of the month (or, if the 25th day was not a business day, the next business day thereafter) following the eighth anniversary of the day on which the purchase order was accepted. Prior to June 30, 2020, conversion occurred following the tenth anniversary of the day on which the purchase was accepted.

29

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc. (the “Fund”), including the schedule of investments, as of July 31, 2020, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of July 31, 2020, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights 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 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 and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, 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 and financial highlights. 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 and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of July 31, 2020, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

New York, New York

September 23, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Lord Abbett Family of Funds’ investment companies since 1932.

30

Basic Information About Management

The Board is responsible for the management of the business and affairs of the Fund in accordance with the laws of the state of organization. The Board elects officers who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Fund and who execute policies authorized by the Board. The Board also approves an investment adviser to the Fund and continues to monitor the cost and quality of the services the investment adviser provides, and annually considers whether to renew the contract with the investment adviser. Generally, each Board member holds office until his/her successor is elected and qualified or until his/her earlier resignation or removal, as provided in the Fund’s organizational documents.

Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), a Delaware limited liability company, is the Fund’s investment adviser. Designated Lord Abbett personnel are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.

Interested Board Members

Mr. Sieg is affiliated with Lord Abbett and is an “interested person” of the Fund as defined in the Act. Mr. Sieg is a board member of each of the 14 investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, which consist of 59 investment portfolios. Mr. Sieg is an officer of the Lord Abbett Family of Funds.

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Current Position and Length of Service with the Fund	Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past Five Years
Douglas B. Sieg Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1969)	Board member since 2016; President and Chief Executive Officer since 2018	Principal Occupation: Managing Partner (since 2018) and was formerly Head of Client Services, joined Lord Abbett in 1994.   Other Directorships: None.

Independent Board Members

The following Independent Board Members also are board members of each of the 14 investment companies in the Lord Abbett Family of Funds, which consist of 59 investment portfolios.

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Current Position and Length of Service with the Fund	Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past Five Years
Evelyn E. Guernsey Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1955)	Board member since 2011	Principal Occupation: None.   Other Directorships: None.
Julie A. Hill Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1946)	Board member since 2004	Principal Occupation: Owner and CEO of The Hill Company, a business consulting firm (since 1998).   Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Anthem, Inc., a health benefits company (since 1994).

31

Basic Information About Management (continued)

Name, Address and Year of Birth	Current Position and Length of Service with the Fund	Principal Occupation and Other Directorships During the Past Five Years
Kathleen M. Lutito Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1963)	Board member since 2017	Principal Occupation: President and Chief Investment Officer of CenturyLink Investment Management Company (since 2006).   Other Directorships: None.
James M. McTaggart Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1947)	Board member since 2012	Principal Occupation: Independent management advisor and consultant (since 2012).   Other Directorships: Blyth, Inc., a home products company (2004 – 2015).
Charles O. Prince Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1950)	Board member since 2019	Principal Occupation: None. Formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup, Inc. (Retired 2007).   Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Johnson & Johnson (2006 – Present). Previously served as director of Xerox Corporation (2008 – 2018).
Karla M. Rabusch Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1959)	Board member since 2017	Principal Occupation: President and Director of Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC (2003 – 2017); President of Wells Fargo Funds (2003 – 2016).   Other Directorships: None.
Mark A. Schmid Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1959)	Board member since 2016	Principal Occupation: Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of the University of Chicago (since 2009).   Other Directorships: None.
James L.L. Tullis Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC c/o Legal Dept. 90 Hudson Street Jersey City, NJ 07302 (1947)	Board member since 2006; Chairman since 2017	Principal Occupation: Chairman of Tullis Health Investors – FL LLC (since 2018); CEO of Tullis-Dickerson and Co. Inc., a venture capital management firm (1990 – 2016).   Other Directorships: Currently serves as director of Crane Co. (since 1998), Alphatec Spine (since 2018), electroCore, Inc. (since 2018), and Exagen Inc. (since 2019).

32

Basic Information About Management (continued)

Officers

None of the officers listed below have received compensation from the Fund. All of the officers of the Fund also may be officers of the other Lord Abbett Funds and maintain offices at 90 Hudson Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302. Unless otherwise indicated, the position(s) and title(s) listed under the “Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years” column indicate each officer’s position(s) and title(s) with Lord Abbett. Each officer serves for an indefinite term (i.e., until his or her death, resignation, retirement, or removal).

Name and Year of Birth	Current Position with the Fund	Length of Service of Current Position	Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years
Douglas B. Sieg (1969)	President and Chief Executive Officer	Elected as President and Chief Executive Officer in 2018	Managing Partner of Lord Abbett (since 2018) and was formerly Head of Client Services, joined Lord Abbett in 1994.
Jackson C. Chan (1964)	AML Compliance Officer	Elected in 2018	Deputy Chief Compliance Officer and Director of Regulatory Affairs, joined Lord Abbett in 2014.
Pamela P. Chen (1978)	Vice President, Assistant Secretary and Privacy Officer	Elected as Vice President and Assistant Secretary in 2018 and Privacy Officer in 2019	Associate General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2017 and was formerly Special Counsel at Schulte, Roth & Zabel LLP (2005 – 2017).
John T. Fitzgerald (1975)	Vice President and Assistant Secretary	Elected in 2018	Deputy General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2018 and was formerly Deputy Head of U.S. Funds Legal, Executive Director and Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase (2005 – 2018).
Vito A. Fronda (1969)	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer	Elected as Chief Financial Officer in 2020 and Treasurer in 2018	Partner and Director of U.S. Fund Treasury & Global Taxation, joined Lord Abbett in 2003.
Linda Y. Kim (1980)	Vice President and Assistant Secretary	Elected in 2016	Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2015.
Joseph M. McGill (1962)	Chief Compliance Officer	Elected in 2014	Partner and Chief Compliance Officer, joined Lord Abbett in 2014.
Amanda S. Ryan (1978)	Vice President and Assistant Secretary	Elected in 2018	Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2016 and was formerly a Director and Corporate Counsel at PGIM Investments (2012 – 2016).

33

Basic Information About Management (concluded)

Name and Year of Birth	Current Position with the Fund	Length of Service of Current Position	Principal Occupation During the Past Five Years
Lawrence B. Stoller (1963)	Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer	Elected as Vice President and Secretary in 2007 and Chief Legal Officer in 2019	Partner and General Counsel, joined Lord Abbett in 2007.

Please call 888-522-2388 for a copy of the statement of additional information, which contains further information about the Fund’s Board members. It is available free upon request.

34

Liquidity Risk Management Program

Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act, the Fund has adopted a Liquidity Risk Management Program and Policy (“Program”). The Program is designed to assess, manage and periodically review the Fund’s liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is defined under Rule 22e-4 as the risk that the Fund could not meet redemption requests without significant dilution of remaining investors’ interests in the Fund.

The Board has appointed Lord Abbett as the administrator for the Fund’s Program. At the May 28-29, 2020 meeting, Lord Abbett provided the Board with a report addressing the operation of the Program and assessing its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation for the period December 1, 2018 through February 28, 2020. Lord Abbett reported that the Program operated effectively during the period. In particular, Lord Abbett reported that: the Fund did not breach its 15% limit on illiquid investments at any point during the period and all regulatory reporting related to Rule 22e-4 was completed on time and without issue during the period.

There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the Fund’s prospectus for more information regarding the Fund’s exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Fund may be subject.

Householding

The Fund has adopted a policy that allows it to send only one copy of the Fund’s prospectus, proxy material, annual report and semiannual report to certain shareholders residing at the same “household.” This reduces Fund expenses, which benefits you and other shareholders. If you need additional copies or do not want your mailings to be “householded,” please call Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388 or send a written request with your name, the name of your fund or funds and your account number or numbers to Lord Abbett Family of Funds, P.O. Box 219336, Kansas City, MO 64121.

Proxy Voting Policies, Procedures and Records

A description of the policies and procedures that Lord Abbett uses to vote proxies related to the Fund’s portfolio securities, and information on how Lord Abbett voted the Fund’s proxies during the 12-month period ended June 30 are available without charge, upon request, (i) by calling 888-522-2388; (ii) on Lord Abbett’s Website at www.lordabbett.com; and (iii) on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) Website at www.sec.gov.

Shareholder Reports and Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The Fund is required to file its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for its first and third fiscal quarters as an attachment to Form N-PORT. Copies of the filings are available without charge, upon request on the SEC’s Website at www.sec.gov and may be available by calling Lord Abbett at 888-522-2388.

Tax Information (unaudited)

Of the distributions paid to shareholders during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020, $314,628,659 represent long-term capital gains.

35

 

 

This report, when not used for the general information of shareholders of the Fund, is to be distributed only if preceded or accompanied by a current fund prospectus.
Lord Abbett mutual fund shares are distributed by		LADG-2
LORD ABBETT DISTRIBUTOR LLC.	Lord Abbett Developing Growth Fund, Inc.	(09/20)

Item 2: Code of Ethics.

(a) In accordance with applicable requirements, the Registrant adopted a Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics on June 19, 2003 that applies to the principal executive officer and senior financial officers of the Registrant (“Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics was in effect during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 (the “Period”).

(b) Not applicable.

(c) The Registrant has not amended the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the Period.

(d) The Registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the Code of Ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the Period.

(e) Not applicable.

(f) See Item 12(a)(1) concerning the filing of the Code of Ethics.

Item 3: Audit Committee Financial Expert.

The Registrant’s board of directors has determined that each of the following independent directors who are members of the audit committee is an audit committee financial expert: Evelyn E. Guernsey, Karla M. Rabusch and Mark A. Schmid. Each of these persons is independent within the meaning of the Form N-CSR.

Item 4: Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

In response to sections (a), (b), (c) and (d) of Item 4, the aggregate fees billed to the Registrant for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 by the Registrant’s principal accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (collectively, “Deloitte”) were as follows:

	Fiscal year ended:
	2020	2019
Audit Fees {a}	$45,000	$45,300
Audit-Related Fees {b}	- 0 -	0
Total audit and audit-related fees	$45,000	$45,300
Tax Fees {c}	4,957	4,916
All Other Fees	- 0 -	- 0 -
Total Fees	$49,957	$50,216

{a} Consists of fees for audits of the Registrant’s annual financial statements.

{b} Consists of fees for assurance and related services reasonably related to the audit of the Registrant’s financial statements, but which are not included in the amount for “Audit Fees.”

{c} Fees for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 consist of fees for preparing the U.S. Income Tax Return for Regulated Investment Companies, New Jersey Corporation Business Tax Return, New Jersey Annual Report Form, U.S. Return of Excise Tax on Undistributed Income of Investment Companies, IRS Forms 1099-MISC and 1096 Annual Summary and Transmittal of U.S. Information Returns.

(e) (1) Pursuant to Rule 2-01(c) (7) of Regulation S-X, the Registrant’s Audit Committee has adopted pre-approval policies and procedures. Such policies and procedures generally provide that the Audit Committee must pre-approve:

• any audit, audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided to the Lord Abbett Funds, including the Registrant, and

• any audit-related, tax, and other services to be provided to the Registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to one or more Funds comprising the Registrant if the engagement relates directly to operations and financial reporting of a Fund, by the independent auditor to assure that the provision of such services does not impair the auditor’s independence.

The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval authority to its Chairman, subject to a fee limit of $10,000 per event, and not to exceed $25,000 annually. The Chairman will report any pre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditor has received general pre-approval, it must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.

(e) (2) The Registrant’s Audit Committee has approved 100% of the services described in this Item 4 (b) through (d).

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant are shown above in the response to Item 4 (a), (b), (c) and (d) as “All Other Fees”.

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, Lord, Abbett & Co. LLC (“Lord Abbett”), for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 were:

	Fiscal year ended:
	2020	2019
All Other Fees {a}	$259,525	$170,000

{a} Consist of fees for Independent Services Auditors’ Report on Controls Placed in Operation and Tests of Operating Effectiveness related to Lord Abbett’s Asset Management Services (“SOC-1 Report”).

The aggregate non-audit fees billed by Deloitte for services rendered to entities under the common control of Lord Abbett for the fiscal years ended July 31, 2020 and 2019 were:

	Fiscal year ended:
	2020	2019
All Other Fees	$ - 0 -	$ - 0 -

(h) The Registrant’s Audit Committee has considered the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the Registrant’s investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant, that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X and has determined that the provision of such services is compatible with maintaining Deloitte’s independence.

Item 5:	Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
	Not applicable.
Item 6:	Investments.
	Not applicable.
Item 7:	Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
	Not applicable.
Item 8:	Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
	Not applicable.
Item 9:	Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
	Not applicable.
Item 10:	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
	Not applicable.
Item 11:	Controls and Procedures.

(a) The principal executive officer and principal financial & accounting officer have concluded as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940), that the design of such procedures is effective to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be disclosed by the Registrant on Form N-CSR is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.

(b) There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially

affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12:	Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
	Not Applicable.
Item 13:	Exhibits.

(a)(1) The Lord Abbett Family of Funds Sarbanes Oxley Code of Ethics for the Principal Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers is attached hereto as part of Ex-99. CODEETH.

(a)(2) Certification of each Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant as required by Rule 30a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is attached hereto as a part of EX-99.CERT.

(b) Certification of each Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Registrant as required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is provided as a part of EX-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.

LORD ABBETT DEVELOPING GROWTH FUND, INC.
	By:	/s/Douglas B. Sieg
		Douglas B. Sieg
		President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: September 23, 2020

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/Douglas B. Sieg
	President and Chief Executive Officer

Date:September 23, 2020

By:	/s/Vito A. Fronda
	Vito A. Fronda
	Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Date:September 23, 2020