Neuberger Berman
Advisers Management Trust
International Equity Portfolio
I Class Shares
S Class Shares
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2021
As permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, you may no longer receive paper copies of the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports by mail from the insurance company that issued your variable annuity and variable life insurance contract or from the financial intermediary that administers your qualified pension or retirement plan, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your insurance company or financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund's website www.nb.com/AMTliterature, and may also be available on a website from the insurance company or financial intermediary that offers your contract or administers your retirement plan, and such insurance company or financial intermediary will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you 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. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or financial intermediary. If offered by your insurance company or financial intermediary, you may elect to receive all future reports in paper and free of charge from the insurance company or financial intermediary. You can contact your insurance company or financial intermediary if you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds available under your contract or retirement plan.
International Equity Portfolio Commentary
The Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust International Equity Portfolio Class S posted a total return of 10.00% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 (the reporting period), outperforming the 8.83% total return of its benchmark, the MSCI EAFE® Index (Net) (the Index) for the same period. (Performance for all share classes is provided in the table immediately following this letter.)
International equity markets advanced this period, as COVID-19 vaccinations quickened in the Eurozone and Japan, allowing for loosening economic and social restrictions. Additionally, the European Commission began approving national recovery plans, paving the way for disbursements from the Next Generation EU recovery plan. Developed international markets (as measured by the Index) outperformed emerging markets (as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net)) this reporting period but trailed the U.S. S&P 500® Index.
By sector, Energy, Financials and Consumer Discretionary stocks drove the Index's performance. All sectors closed up except Utilities, which was down slightly as investors avoided defensive areas. Communication Services and Consumer Staples also underperformed. By country, Austria, the Netherlands and Sweden outperformed. New Zealand and Portugal posted losses, and Japan lagged.
The Fund's outperformance resulted from stock selection, with our advantage most significant within Consumer Discretionary, Materials and Information Technology. By country, stock selection in, and an underweight to, Japan versus the Index were a benefit, as were holdings based in Switzerland and Norway.
Top return contributors included ASML Holding and NXP, semiconductor names, and CRH, an Ireland-based global construction materials conglomerate. ASML reported strong sales for EUV (extreme ultraviolet) tools and fulfilled orders delayed by COVID-19. NXP reported strong results on better-than-expected demand in mobile and auto. CRH announced better-than-expected 2020 results, with optimism further enhanced by expectations of significant U.S. infrastructure investment.
Our overweight to Health Care versus the Index, stock selection within Communication Services, and an underweight to Consumer Discretionary stocks, were relative headwinds. By country, our UK, Israeli and German holdings underperformed.
Individual detractors included Check Point Software, an Israeli cyber security firm. Despite solid quarterly earnings, management lowered earnings per share guidance for 2021. Japan's Daikin Industries, an air conditioning systems maker, announced plans that include aggressive spending and potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The market's reaction was mixed given Daikin's M&A record and potential spending-related margin pressure. Canadian software name Kinaxis suffered following pandemic-related delays in new business and as investor sentiment shifted from growth to value. This holding was sold during the reporting period.
While international equities lagged U.S. equities during the first half of 2021, we believe the outperformance we saw in late 2020 may return, given impressive leading indicators. We believe that Europe's greater exposure to cyclical sectors such as Financials, Industrials, Materials and Energy could also help.
We are gratified that after strong relative performance within the growth-oriented markets of the past several years, the Fund finished ahead of the Index in a market where value outperformed.
We believe our disciplined approach to valuation, particularly over the last 18 months—striving to own the right companies at the right price, by trimming high profitability growth names where we believe valuations are stretched, and recycling profits into opportunities elsewhere—protected the Fund against some of the most volatile price movements in high multiple stocks.
The businesses we prefer have attractive end markets and strong competitive positions; especially in areas where investor skepticism has created valuations offering upside potential even under conservative assumptions. We remain engaged with our companies in this period of rising cost pressures to ensure they maintain pricing power, and/or the ability to pass through cost increases. We believe these businesses should be resilient in the event of further supply shocks.
1
We retain high conviction in our tried-and-tested approach and our current portfolio companies, which on the whole have performed admirably in a challenging period. We believe stocks of companies like these will reward investors in the environment ahead.
Sincerely,
ELIAS COHEN
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Information about principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth in the prospectus and statement of additional information.
The portfolio composition, industries and holdings of the Fund are subject to change without notice.
The opinions expressed are those of the Fund's portfolio managers. The opinions are as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice.
2
International Equity Portfolio
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
| | Inception | | Six Month Period Ended | | Average Annual Total Return Ended 06/30/2021 | |
| | Date | | 06/30/2021 | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | | Life of Fund | |
Class I2 | | 01/30/2018 | | | 10.31 | % | | | 35.21 | % | | | 11.63 | % | | | 6.54 | % | | | 6.16 | % | |
Class S | | 04/29/2005 | | | 10.00 | % | | | 34.44 | % | | | 11.26 | % | | | 6.36 | % | | | 6.04 | % | |
MSCI EAFE® Index (Net)1,3 | | | | | 8.83 | % | | | 32.35 | % | | | 10.28 | % | | | 5.89 | % | | | 5.71 | % | |
The performance data quoted represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For current performance data, including current to the most recent month-end, please visit http://www.nb.com/amtportfolios/performance.
The results shown in the table reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The results do not reflect the effect of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. The results do not reflect fees and expenses of the variable annuity and variable life insurance policies or the qualified pension and retirement plans whose proceeds are invested in the Fund.
The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Returns would have been lower if Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("NBIA") had not reimbursed certain expenses and/or waived a portion of the investment management fees during certain of the periods shown. Repayment by a class (of expenses previously reimbursed and/or fees previously waived by NBIA) will decrease the class's returns. Please see Note B in the Notes to Financial Statements for specific information regarding expense reimbursement and/or fee waiver arrangements.
As stated in the Fund's most recent prospectus, the total annual operating expense ratios for fiscal year 2020 were 1.46% and 1.71% for Class I and Class S shares, respectively (before expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, if any). The expense ratios were 1.01% and 1.51% after expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers for Class I and Class S shares, respectively. The expense ratios for the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2021 can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.
3
1 The date used to calculate Life of Fund performance for the index is April 29, 2005, the inception date of Class S shares, the Fund's oldest share class.
2 Performance shown prior to January 30, 2018, for Class I shares is that of Class S shares, which has higher expenses and correspondingly lower returns than Class I shares.
3 The MSCI EAFE® Index (Net) (Europe, Australasia, Far East) is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the United States and Canada. The index consists of the following 21 developed market country indexes: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Net total return indices reinvest dividends after the deduction of withholding taxes, using (for international indices) a tax rate applicable to non-resident institutional investors who do not benefit from double taxation treaties. Please note that the index described in this report does not take into account any fees, expenses or tax consequences of investing in the individual securities that it tracks (except the withholding taxes noted above), and that individuals cannot invest directly in any index. Data about the performance of an index are prepared or obtained by Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The Fund may invest in securities not included in a described index and generally does not invest in all securities included in a described index.
The investments for the Fund are managed by the same portfolio manager(s) who manage(s) one or more other registered funds that have names, investment objectives and investment styles that are similar to those of the Fund. You should be aware that the Fund is likely to differ from those other mutual fund(s) in size, cash flow pattern and tax matters. Accordingly, the holdings and performance of the Fund can be expected to vary from those of the other mutual fund(s).
Shares of the separate Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Portfolios, including the Fund, are not available to the general public. Shares of the Fund may be purchased only by life insurance companies to be held in their separate accounts, which fund variable annuity and variable life insurance policies, and by qualified pension and retirement plans.
Statistics and projections in this report are derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be regarded as a representation of future results of the Fund. This report is prepared for the general information of shareholders and is not an offer of shares of the Fund. Shares are sold only through the currently effective prospectus, which must precede or accompany this report.
The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo and "Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC" name are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. The individual Fund name in this piece is either a service mark or registered service mark of Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC, an affiliate of Neuberger Berman BD LLC, distributor, member FINRA.
© 2021 Neuberger Berman BD LLC, distributor. All rights reserved.
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Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs such as fees and expenses that are, or may be, imposed under your variable contract or qualified pension plan; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (if applicable), and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in U.S. dollars) of investing in the Fund and compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
This table is designed to provide information regarding costs related to your investments. The following examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the six month period ended June 30, 2021 and held for the entire period. The table illustrates the Fund's costs in two ways:
Actual Expenses and Performance: | | The first section of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in dollars, based on the Fund's actual performance during the period indicated. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses 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 section of the table under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During the Period" to estimate the expenses you paid over the period. | |
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes: | | The second section of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return at 5% per year before expenses. This return 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 this Fund versus other funds. To do so, compare the expenses shown in this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. | |
Please note that the expenses in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not include any transaction costs, such as fees and expenses that are, or may be imposed under your variable contract or qualified pension plan. Therefore, the information under the heading "Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)" 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 transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Expense Example (Unaudited)
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO
Actual | | Beginning Account Value 1/1/21 | | Ending Account Value 6/30/21 | | Expenses Paid During the Period 1/1/21 – 6/30/21 | | Expense Ratio | |
Class I | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,103.10 | | | $ | 5.27 | (a) | | | 1.01 | % | |
Class S | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,100.00 | | | $ | 7.86 | (a) | | | 1.51 | % | |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | |
Class I | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.79 | | | $ | 5.06 | (b) | | | 1.01 | % | |
Class S | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,017.31 | | | $ | 7.55 | (b) | | | 1.51 | % | |
(a) For each class, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).
(b) Hypothetical expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratios for each class, multiplied by the average account value over the period (assuming a 5% annual return), multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).
5
Legend International Equity Portfolio (Unaudited) June 30, 2021
Counterparties:
SSB = State Street Bank and Trust Company
6
Schedule of Investments International Equity Portfolio^ (Unaudited) June 30, 2021
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | VALUE | |
Common Stocks 99.3% | | | |
Austria 1.4% | | | |
| 25,258 | | | BAWAG Group AG | | $ | 1,344,141 | (a) | |
Belgium 0.9% | | | |
| 11,055 | | | KBC Group NV | | | 842,874 | | |
Canada 0.9% | | | |
| 45,437 | | | Softchoice Corp. | | | 806,034 | * | |
China 2.7% | | | |
| 9,583 | | | NXP Semiconductors NV | | | 1,971,415 | | |
| 20,500 |
| | Shenzhou International Group Holdings Ltd. | |
| 517,761
|
| |
| | | 2,489,176 | | |
Finland 1.3% | | | |
| 106,488 | | | Nordea Bank Abp | | | 1,185,315 | | |
France 7.0% | | | |
| 3,844 | | | Air Liquide SA | | | 673,038 | | |
| 5,252 | | | Arkema SA | | | 658,876 | | |
| 1,335 | | | Kering SA | | | 1,166,653 | | |
| 8,028 | | | Pernod-Ricard SA | | | 1,781,994 | | |
| 3,621 | | | Teleperformance | | | 1,469,700 | | |
| 16,331 | | | TOTAL SE | | | 738,852 | | |
| | | 6,489,113 | | |
Germany 10.2% | | | |
| 4,263 | | | adidas AG | | | 1,586,718 | | |
| 15,825 | | | Brenntag SE | | | 1,471,512 | | |
| 2,630 | | | Deutsche Boerse AG | | | 459,047 | | |
| 14,517 | | | Gerresheimer AG | | | 1,605,162 | | |
| 21,515 | | | QIAGEN NV | | | 1,040,896 | * | |
| 1,326 | | | SAP SE | | | 186,853 | | |
| 11,060 | | | SAP SE ADR | | | 1,553,488 | | |
| 10,920 | | | Scout24 AG | | | 920,890 | (a) | |
| 8,625 | | | Stabilus SA | | | 701,067 | | |
| | | 9,525,633 | | |
Hong Kong 3.7% | | | |
| 78,800 | | | AIA Group Ltd. | | | 979,380 | | |
| 351,400 | | | HKBN Ltd. | | | 425,429 | | |
| 117,800 | | | Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. | | | 2,057,324 | | |
| | | 3,462,133 | | |
India 1.6% | | | |
| 70,277 | | | Infosys Ltd. ADR | | | 1,489,170 | | |
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | VALUE | |
Ireland 5.3% | | | |
| 42,339 | | | CRH PLC | | $ | 2,141,815 | | |
| 10,870 | | | Kerry Group PLC Class A | | | 1,518,336 | | |
| 24,175 | | | Smurfit Kappa Group PLC | | | 1,311,447 | | |
| | | 4,971,598 | | |
Israel 1.7% | | | |
| 13,542 |
| | Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. | |
| 1,572,632 | * | |
Italy 1.2% | | | |
| 49,734 | | | Nexi SpA | | | 1,091,574 | *(a) | |
Japan 13.6% | | | |
| 24,500 | | | Bridgestone Corp. | | | 1,114,789 | (b) | |
| 5,500 | | | Daikin Industries Ltd. | | | 1,024,304 | | |
| 4,700 | | | Fujitsu Ltd. | | | 879,968 | | |
| 9,900 | | | Hoya Corp. | | | 1,312,633 | | |
| 19,100 | | | Otsuka Corp. | | | 1,002,322 | | |
| 105,600 | | | Sanwa Holdings Corp. | | | 1,296,534 | | |
| 15,100 | | | SCSK Corp. | | | 899,788 | | |
| 7,300 | | | Sony Group Corp. | | | 710,649 | | |
| 37,300 | | | Subaru Corp. | | | 735,793 | | |
| 36,900 | | | TechnoPro Holdings, Inc. | | | 872,885 | | |
| 24,000 | | | Terumo Corp. | | | 972,573 | | |
| 18,600 | | | Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc. | | | 855,203 | | |
| 11,900 | | | Toyota Motor Corp. | | | 1,040,092 | | |
| | | 12,717,533 | | |
Netherlands 6.8% | | | |
| 16,576 | | | AerCap Holdings NV | | | 848,857 | * | |
| 1,441 | | | ASML Holding NV | | | 990,001 | | |
| 16,349 | | | Heineken NV | | | 1,981,232 | (b) | |
| 27,781 | | | Intertrust NV | | | 500,049 | *(a) | |
| 3,818 | | | Koninklijke DSM NV | | | 712,580 | | |
| 27,382 | | | Koninklijke Philips NV | | | 1,356,847 | | |
| | | 6,389,566 | | |
Norway 1.3% | | | |
| 182,066 | | | Elopak ASA | | | 570,929 | * | |
| 54,713 | | | Sbanken ASA | | | 681,200 | (a) | |
| | | 1,252,129 | | |
Singapore 1.0% | | | |
| 43,443 | | | DBS Group Holdings Ltd. | | | 963,067 | | |
Sweden 2.4% | | | |
| 53,049 | | | Assa Abloy AB Class B | | | 1,598,022 | | |
| 6,837 | | | Autoliv, Inc. | | | 668,385 | | |
| | | 2,266,407 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
7
Schedule of Investments International Equity Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | VALUE | |
Switzerland 11.3% | | | |
| 10,459 | | | Julius Baer Group Ltd. | | $ | 682,534 | | |
| 1,465 | | | Lonza Group AG | | | 1,038,365 | | |
| 13,231 | | | Novartis AG | | | 1,205,769 | | |
| 609 | | | Partners Group Holding AG | | | 922,468 | | |
| 4,825 | | | Roche Holding AG | | | 1,817,621 | | |
| 257 | | | SGS SA | | | 792,735 | | |
| 46,211 | | | SIG Combibloc Group AG | | | 1,255,601 | | |
| 3,219 | | | Sonova Holding AG | | | 1,210,713 | | |
| 978 | | | Tecan Group AG | | | 484,534 | | |
| 74,165 | | | UBS Group AG | | | 1,135,019 | | |
| | | 10,545,359 | | |
United Kingdom 20.1% | | | |
| 47,338 | | | Barratt Developments PLC | | | 455,235 | | |
| 62,587 | | | Bunzl PLC | | | 2,068,315 | | |
| 69,836 | | | Clinigen Group PLC | | | 597,980 | | |
| 19,857 | | | DCC PLC | | | 1,625,567 | | |
| 24,089 | | | Diageo PLC | | | 1,153,285 | | |
| 63,895 | | | Electrocomponents PLC | | | 909,491 | | |
| 26,056 | | | Fevertree Drinks PLC | | | 927,393 | | |
| 148,868 | | | Ibstock PLC | | | 439,453 | (a) | |
| 11,514 |
| | London Stock Exchange Group PLC | |
| 1,269,407
|
| |
| 64,837 | | | Prudential PLC | | | 1,231,879 | | |
| 16,188 | | | Reckitt Benckiser Group PLC | | | 1,432,471 | | |
| 59,351 | | | RELX PLC | | | 1,575,504 | | |
| 47,203 | | | Rightmove PLC | | | 424,032 | | |
| 28,547 | | | Savills PLC | | | 454,124 | | |
| 52,810 | | | Smith & Nephew PLC | | | 1,141,439 | | |
| 52,973 | | | St. James's Place PLC | | | 1,082,309 | | |
| 22,381 | | | Unilever PLC | | | 1,310,062 | | |
| 27,009 | | | Weir Group PLC | | | 691,562 | * | |
| | | 18,789,508 | | |
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | VALUE | |
United States 4.9% | | | |
| 4,837 | | | Aon PLC Class A | | $ | 1,154,882 | | |
| 14,565 | | | Ferguson PLC | | | 2,024,850 | | |
| 8,715 | | | Schneider Electric SE | | | 1,371,090 | | |
| | | 4,550,822 | | |
| |
| | Total Common Stocks (Cost $67,898,450) | |
| 92,743,784 |
| |
Short-Term Investments 3.1% | | | |
Investment Companies 3.1% | | | |
| 195,217 |
| | State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund Premier Class, 0.01%(c) | |
| 195,217 |
| |
| 2,648,358 |
| | State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 0.02%(c) | |
| 2,648,358 | (d) | |
| |
| | Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $2,843,575) | |
| 2,843,575 |
| |
| |
| | Total Investments 102.4% (Cost $70,742,025) | |
| 95,587,359 |
| |
| | | | Liabilities Less Other Assets (2.4)% | | | (2,208,267 | ) | |
| | | | Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 93,379,092 | | |
* Non-income producing security.
(a) Security exempt from registration pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Regulation S applies to securities offerings that are made outside of the United States and do not involve directed selling efforts in the United States and as such may have restrictions on resale. Total value of all such securities at June 30, 2021 amounted to $4,977,307, which represents 5.3% of net assets of the Fund.
(b) All or a portion of this security is on loan at June 30, 2021. Total value of all such securities at June 30, 2021 amounted to $2,501,329 for the Fund (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements).
(c) Represents 7-day effective yield as of June 30, 2021.
(d) Represents investment of cash collateral received from securities lending.
See Notes to Financial Statements
8
Schedule of Investments International Equity Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
POSITIONS BY INDUSTRY
Industry | | Investments at Value | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
Trading Companies & Distributors | | $ | 7,323,025 | | | | 7.9 | % | |
Health Care Equipment & Supplies | | | 5,994,205 | | | | 6.4 | % | |
Beverages | | | 5,843,904 | | | | 6.3 | % | |
Capital Markets | | | 5,550,784 | | | | 5.9 | % | |
IT Services | | | 5,362,822 | | | | 5.7 | % | |
Professional Services | | | 5,210,873 | | | | 5.6 | % | |
Banks | | | 5,016,597 | | | | 5.4 | % | |
Life Sciences Tools & Services | | | 4,766,937 | | | | 5.1 | % | |
Insurance | | | 4,221,344 | | | | 4.5 | % | |
Building Products | | | 3,918,860 | | | | 4.2 | % | |
Machinery | | | 3,449,953 | | | | 3.7 | % | |
Software | | | 3,312,973 | | | | 3.5 | % | |
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods | | | 3,271,132 | | | | 3.5 | % | |
Containers & Packaging | | | 3,137,977 | | | | 3.4 | % | |
Pharmaceuticals | | | 3,023,390 | | | | 3.2 | % | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment | | | 2,961,416 | | | | 3.2 | % | |
Construction Materials | | | 2,581,268 | | | | 2.8 | % | |
Chemicals | | | 2,044,494 | | | | 2.2 | % | |
Auto Components | | | 1,783,174 | | | | 1.9 | % | |
Automobiles | | | 1,775,885 | | | | 1.9 | % | |
Industrial Conglomerates | | | 1,625,567 | | | | 1.7 | % | |
Food Products | | | 1,518,336 | | | | 1.6 | % | |
Household Products | | | 1,432,471 | | | | 1.5 | % | |
Electrical Equipment | | | 1,371,090 | | | | 1.5 | % | |
Interactive Media & Services | | | 1,344,922 | | | | 1.4 | % | |
Personal Products | | | 1,310,062 | | | | 1.4 | % | |
Household Durables | | | 1,165,884 | | | | 1.2 | % | |
Computers | | | 806,034 | | | | 0.9 | % | |
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels | | | 738,852 | | | | 0.8 | % | |
Real Estate Management & Development | | | 454,124 | | | | 0.5 | % | |
Diversified Telecommunication Services | | | 425,429 | | | | 0.5 | % | |
Short-Term Investments and Other Liabilities—Net | | | 635,308 | | | | 0.7 | % | |
| | $ | 93,379,092 | | | | 100.0 | % | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
9
Schedule of Investments International Equity Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements), of inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of June 30, 2021:
Asset Valuation Inputs | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Investments: | |
Common Stocks(a) | | $ | 92,743,784 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 92,743,784 | | |
Short-Term Investments | | | — | | | | 2,843,575 | | | | — | | | | 2,843,575 | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 92,743,784 | | | $ | 2,843,575 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 95,587,359 | | |
(a) The Schedule of Investments provides a geographic categorization as well as a Positions by Industry summary.
^ A balance indicated with a "—", reflects either a zero balance or an amount that rounds to less than 1.
See Notes to Financial Statements
10
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO | |
| | June 30, 2021 | |
Assets | |
Investments in securities, at value*† (Note A)—see Schedule of Investments: | |
Unaffiliated issuers(a) | | $ | 95,587,359 | | |
Foreign currency(b) | | | 686,586 | | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 306,002 | | |
Receivable for securities sold | | | 163,064 | | |
Receivable from Management—net (Note B) | | | 444 | | |
Receivable for securities lending income (Note A) | | | 3,458 | | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 2,013 | | |
Total Assets | | | 96,748,926 | | |
Liabilities | |
Payable to investment manager (Note B) | | | 66,299 | | |
Payable for securities purchased | | | 592,499 | | |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | | | 12,435 | | |
Payable to trustees | | | 12,423 | | |
Payable for loaned securities collateral (Note A) | | | 2,648,358 | | |
Other accrued expenses and payables | | | 37,820 | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 3,369,834 | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 93,379,092 | | |
Net Assets consist of: | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 60,388,129 | | |
Total distributable earnings/(losses) | | | 32,990,963 | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 93,379,092 | | |
Net Assets | |
Class I | | $ | 76,074,887 | | |
Class S | | | 17,304,205 | | |
Shares Outstanding ($.001 par value; unlimited shares authorized) | |
Class I | �� | | 4,707,107 | | |
Class S | | | 1,069,983 | | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | |
Class I | | $ | 16.16 | | |
Class S | | | 16.17 | | |
†Securities on loan, at value: | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 2,501,329 | | |
*Cost of Investments: | |
(a) Unaffiliated Issuers | | $ | 70,742,025 | | |
(b) Total cost of foreign currency | | $ | 689,788 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
11
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | |
Investment Income: | |
Income (Note A): | |
Dividend income—unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 1,143,620 | | |
Interest and other income—unaffiliated issuers | | | 2,044 | | |
Income from securities loaned—net | | | 7,970 | | |
Foreign taxes withheld | | | (86,618 | ) | |
Total income | | $ | 1,067,016 | | |
Expenses: | |
Investment management fees (Note B) | | | 383,098 | | |
Administration fees (Note B): | |
Class I | | | 110,089 | | |
Class S | | | 25,123 | | |
Distribution fees (Note B): | |
Class S | | | 20,936 | | |
Shareholder servicing agent fees: | |
Class I | | | 194 | | |
Class S | | | 987 | | |
Audit fees | | | 20,055 | | |
Custodian and accounting fees | | | 38,729 | | |
Insurance | | | 1,274 | | |
Legal fees | | | 9,500 | | |
Shareholder reports | | | 9,779 | | |
Trustees' fees and expenses | | | 25,226 | | |
Interest | | | 1,188 | | |
Miscellaneous | | | 7,354 | | |
Total expenses | | | 653,532 | | |
Expenses reimbursed by Management (Note B) | | | (158,604 | ) | |
Total net expenses | | | 494,928 | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 572,088 | | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments (Note A): | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on: | |
Transactions in investment securities of unaffiliated issuers | | | 6,500,933 | | |
Settlement of foreign currency transactions | | | 3,466 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) in value of: | |
Investment securities of unaffiliated issuers | | | 1,812,579 | | |
Foreign currency translations | | | (10,948 | ) | |
Net gain/(loss) on investments | | | 8,306,030 | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 8,878,118 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
12
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | INTERNATIONAL EQUITY PORTFOLIO | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) | | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets: | |
From Operations (Note A): | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 572,088 | | | $ | 347,238 | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments | | | 6,504,399 | | | | 776,209 | | |
Net increase from payments by affiliates (Note B) | | | — | | | | 37,878 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments | | | 1,801,631 | | | | 8,141,947 | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 8,878,118 | | | | 9,303,272 | | |
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note A): | |
Distributable earnings: | |
Class I | | | — | | | | (3,802,291 | ) | |
Class S | | | — | | | | (819,339 | ) | |
Total distributions to shareholders | | | — | | | | (4,621,630 | ) | |
From Fund Share Transactions (Note D): | |
Proceeds from shares sold: | |
Class I | | | 11,686 | | | | 1,292,000 | | |
Class S | | | 674,524 | | | | 946,058 | | |
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends and distributions: | |
Class I | | | — | | | | 3,802,291 | | |
Class S | | | — | | | | 819,339 | | |
Payments for shares redeemed: | |
Class I | | | (2,438,117 | ) | | | (3,556,277 | ) | |
Class S | | | (1,281,779 | ) | | | (2,880,224 | ) | |
Net increase/(decrease) from Fund share transactions | | | (3,033,686 | ) | | | 423,187 | | |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets | | | 5,844,432 | | | | 5,104,829 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 87,534,660 | | | | 82,429,831 | | |
End of period | | $ | 93,379,092 | | | $ | 87,534,660 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
13
Notes to Financial Statements International Equity Portfolio (Unaudited)
Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
1 General: Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust organized pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Instrument dated March 27, 2014. The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust International Equity Portfolio (the "Fund") is a separate operating series of the Trust and is diversified. The Fund offers Class I and Class S shares. The Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") may establish additional series or classes of shares without the approval of shareholders.
A balance indicated with a "—", reflects either a zero balance or a balance that rounds to less than 1.
The assets of the Fund belong only to the Fund, and the liabilities of the Fund are borne solely by the Fund and no other series of the Trust.
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 946 "Financial Services—Investment Companies."
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("Management" or "NBIA") to make estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Shares of the Fund are not available to the general public and may be purchased only by life insurance companies to serve as an investment vehicle for premiums paid under their variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts and to certain qualified pension and other retirement plans.
2 Portfolio valuation: In accordance with ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), all investments held by the Fund are carried at the value that Management believes the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment under current market conditions. Various inputs, including the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in the market, are considered in valuing the Fund's investments, some of which are discussed below. Significant Management judgment may be necessary to value investments in accordance with ASC 820.
ASC 820 established a three-tier hierarchy of inputs to create a classification of value measurements for disclosure purposes. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below.
• Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
• Level 2—other observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, amortized cost, etc.)
• Level 3—unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing an investment are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The value of the Fund's investments in equity securities, for which market quotations are readily available, is generally determined by Management by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on the latest sale price quoted on a principal exchange or market for that security (Level 1 inputs). Securities traded primarily on the NASDAQ Stock Market are normally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP")
14
provided by NASDAQ each business day. The NOCP is the most recently reported price as of 4:00:02 p.m., Eastern Time, unless that price is outside the range of the "inside" bid and asked prices (i.e., the bid and asked prices that dealers quote to each other when trading for their own accounts); in that case, NASDAQ will adjust the price to equal the inside bid or asked price, whichever is closer. Because of delays in reporting trades, the NOCP may not be based on the price of the last trade to occur before the market closes. If there is no sale of a security on a particular day, the independent pricing services may value the security based on market quotations.
Management has developed a process to periodically review information provided by independent pricing services for all types of securities.
Investments in non-exchange traded investment companies with a readily determinable fair value are valued using the respective fund's daily calculated net asset value ("NAV") per share (Level 2 inputs).
If a valuation is not available from an independent pricing service, or if Management has reason to believe that the valuation received does not represent the amount the Fund might reasonably expect to receive on a current sale in an orderly transaction, Management seeks to obtain quotations from brokers or dealers (generally considered Level 2 or Level 3 inputs depending on the number of quotes available). If such quotations are not readily available, the security is valued using methods the Board has approved in the good-faith belief that the resulting valuation will reflect the fair value of the security. Inputs and assumptions considered in determining the fair value of a security based on Level 2 or Level 3 inputs may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer and/or analysts; an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the inputs that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.
The value of the Fund's investments in foreign securities is generally determined using the same valuation methods and inputs as other Fund investments, as discussed above. Foreign security prices expressed in local currency values are normally translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time on days the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business. The Board has approved the use of ICE Data Services ("ICE") to assist in determining the fair value of foreign equity securities when changes in the value of a certain index suggest that the closing prices on the foreign exchanges may no longer represent the amount that the Fund could expect to receive for those securities or on days when foreign markets are closed and U.S. markets are open. In each of these events, ICE will provide adjusted prices for certain foreign equity securities using a statistical analysis of historical correlations of multiple factors (Level 2 inputs). In the absence of precise information about the market values of these foreign securities as of the time as of which the Fund's share price is calculated, the Board has determined on the basis of available data that prices adjusted or evaluated in this way are likely to be closer to the prices the Fund could realize on a current sale than are the prices of those securities established at the close of the foreign markets in which the securities primarily trade.
Fair value prices are necessarily estimates, and there is no assurance that such a price will be at or close to the price at which the security is next quoted or next trades.
In December 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The rule also defines when market quotations are "readily available" for purposes of the 1940 Act, which is the threshold for determining whether a fund must fair value a security. The rule became effective on March 8, 2021, however, the SEC adopted an eighteen-month transition period beginning from the effective date. Management is currently evaluating this guidance.
3 Foreign currency translations: The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are normally translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on days the NYSE is open for business, to determine the value of investments, other assets and liabilities. Purchase and sale prices of securities, and income and expenses, are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rate of
15
exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net unrealized foreign currency gain/(loss), if any, arises from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, as a result of changes in exchange rates and is stated separately in the Statement of Operations.
4 Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on trade date for financial reporting purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign dividends, as soon as the Fund becomes aware of the dividends. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income, including accretion of discount (adjusted for original issue discount, where applicable), and amortization of premium, where applicable, is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions and foreign currency transactions, if any, are recorded on the basis of identified cost and stated separately in the Statement of Operations. Included in net realized gain/(loss) on investments are proceeds from the settlement of class action litigation(s) in which the Fund participated as a class member. The amount of such proceeds for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was $504,415.
5 Income tax information: The Fund is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") by complying with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to its shareholders. To the extent the Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to shareholders, no federal income or excise tax provision is required.
The Fund has adopted the provisions of ASC 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"). ASC 740 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax positions as an income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. The Fund is subject to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities for returns filed for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not yet expired. As of June 30, 2021, the Fund did not have any unrecognized tax positions.
For federal income tax purposes, the estimated cost of investments held at June 30, 2021 was $70,856,462. The estimated gross unrealized appreciation was $25,255,380 and estimated gross unrealized depreciation was $524,483 resulting in net unrealized appreciation in value of investments of $24,730,897 based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Fund, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Fund. The Fund may also utilize earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemption of their shares as a part of the dividends-paid deduction for income tax purposes.
Any permanent differences resulting from different book and tax treatment are reclassified at year-end and have no impact on net income, NAV or NAV per share of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Fund recorded permanent reclassifications primarily related to prior period adjustments.
Paid-in Capital | | Total Distributable Earnings/(Losses) | |
$ | 3 | | | $ | (3 | ) | |
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, was as follows:
| | Distributions Paid From: | |
| | Ordinary Income | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | Total | |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | |
| | $ | 852,050 | | | $ | 619,365 | | | $ | 3,769,580 | | | $ | 3,188,601 | | | $ | 4,621,630 | | | $ | 3,807,966 | | |
16
As of December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a U.S. federal income tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gain | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | | Loss Carryforwards and Deferrals | | Other Temporary Differences | | Total | |
$ | 352,968 | | | $ | 826,530 | | | $ | 22,933,347 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 24,112,845 | | |
The temporary differences between book basis and tax basis distributable earnings are primarily due to losses disallowed and recognized on wash sales.
6 Distributions to shareholders: The Fund may earn income, net of expenses, daily on its investments. Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, are generally distributed once a year (usually in October) and are recorded on the ex-date.
7 Foreign taxes: Foreign taxes withheld, if any, represent amounts withheld by foreign tax authorities, net of refunds recoverable.
8 Expense allocation: Certain expenses are applicable to multiple funds within the complex of related investment companies. Expenses directly attributable to a fund are charged to that fund. Expenses of the Trust that are not directly attributable to a particular series of the Trust (e.g., the Fund) are allocated among the series of the Trust, on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the series can otherwise be made fairly. Expenses borne by the complex of related investment companies, which includes open-end and closed-end investment companies for which NBIA serves as investment manager, that are not directly attributable to a particular investment company in the complex (e.g., the Trust) or series thereof are allocated among the investment companies in the complex or series thereof on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the investment companies in the complex or series thereof can otherwise be made fairly. The Fund's expenses (other than those specific to each class) are allocated proportionally each day among its classes based upon the relative net assets of each class.
9 Investments in foreign securities: Investing in foreign securities may involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation) and the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, less governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States. Foreign securities also may experience greater price volatility, higher rates of inflation, and delays in settlement.
10 Investment company securities and exchange-traded funds: The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), within the limitations prescribed by (a) the 1940 Act, (b) the exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Fund to invest in both affiliated and unaffiliated investment companies, including ETFs, in excess of the limits in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, subject to the terms and conditions of such order, or (c) the ETF's exemptive order or other relief. Some ETFs seek to track the performance of a particular market index. These indices include both broad-based market indices and more narrowly-based indices, including those relating to particular sectors, markets, regions or industries. However, some ETFs have an actively-managed investment objective. ETF shares are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, which will decrease returns.
In October 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 12d1-4, which permits a fund to exceed the limits prescribed by Section 12 of the 1940 Act in the absence of an exemptive order, if the Fund complies with the adopted framework for fund of funds arrangements. Rule 12d1-4 contains elements from the SEC's current exemptive orders and rules permitting fund of funds arrangements, and includes (i) limits on control and voting; (ii) required evaluations and findings; (iii) required fund of funds investment agreements; and (iv) limits on complex structures. In connection with the
17
new rule, on or about January 19, 2022, the SEC is expected to rescind the Fund's current exemptive order and Rule 12d1-2 under the 1940 Act. After this occurs, a fund seeking to exceed the limits in Section 12 of the 1940 Act will need to rely on Rule 12d1-4.
11 Securities lending: The Fund, using State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") as its lending agent, may loan securities to qualified brokers and dealers in exchange for negotiated lender's fees. These fees, if any, would be disclosed within the Statement of Operations under the caption "Income from securities loaned-net" and are net of expenses retained by State Street as compensation for its services as lending agent.
The initial cash collateral received by the Fund at the beginning of each transaction shall have a value equal to at least 102% of the prior day's market value of the loaned securities (105% in the case of international securities). Thereafter, the value of the cash collateral is monitored on a daily basis, and cash collateral is moved daily between a counterparty and the Fund until the close of the transaction. The Fund may only receive collateral in the form of cash (U.S. dollars). Cash collateral is generally invested in a money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that is managed by an affiliate of State Street. The risks associated with lending portfolio securities include, but are not limited to, possible delays in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the loaned securities. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned and any interest earned or dividends paid or owed on those securities during the term of the loan would accrue to the Fund.
As of June 30, 2021, the Fund had outstanding loans of securities to certain approved brokers, with a value of $2,501,329, for which it received collateral as follows:
| | Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements | |
| | Overnight and Continuous | | Less Than 30 Days | | Between 30 & 90 Days | | Greater Than 90 Days | | Total | |
Securities Lending Transactions(a) Common Stocks | | $ | 2,648,358 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,648,358 | | |
(a) Amounts represent the payable for loaned securities collateral received.
The Fund is required to disclose both gross and net information for assets and liabilities related to over-the-counter derivatives, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities lending and securities borrowing transactions, if any, that are eligible for offset or subject to an enforceable master netting or similar agreement. The Fund's securities lending assets at fair value are reported gross in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The following tables present the Fund's securities lending assets by counterparty and net of the related collateral received by the Fund for assets as of June 30, 2021.
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 | |
Securities Lending | | $ | 2,501,329 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,501,329 | | |
Total | | $ | 2,501,329 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,501,329 | | |
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Counterparty | | Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | Liabilities Available for Offset | | Cash Collateral Received(a) | | Net Amount(b) | |
SSB | | $ | 2,501,329 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,501,329 | ) | | $ | — | | |
Total | | $ | 2,501,329 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,501,329 | ) | | $ | — | | |
(a) Collateral received is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets in the tables presented above.
(b) Net Amount represents amounts subject to loss at June 30, 2021, in the event of a counterparty failure.
18
12 Indemnifications: Like many other companies, the Trust's organizational documents provide that its officers ("Officers") and trustees ("Trustees") are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, both in some of its principal service contracts and in the normal course of its business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnifications to other parties for certain types of losses or liabilities. The Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this could involve future claims against the Trust.
13 Other: All net investment income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the Fund are allocated, on the basis of relative net assets, pro rata among its respective classes.
14 Other matters—Coronavirus: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in many countries has, among other things, disrupted global travel and supply chains, and adversely impacted global commercial activity, the transportation industry and commodity prices in the energy sector. The impact of this virus has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including liquidity and volatility. The development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to its ultimate impact, which may have a continued adverse effect on global economic and market conditions. Such conditions (which may be across industries, sectors or geographies) have impacted and may continue to impact the issuers of the securities held by the Fund.
Note B—Investment Management Fees, Administration Fees, Distribution Arrangements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
The Fund retains NBIA as its investment manager under a Management Agreement. For such investment management services, the Fund pays NBIA an investment management fee at the annual rate of 0.85% of the first $250 million of the Fund's average daily net assets, 0.825% of the next $250 million, 0.80% of the next $250 million, 0.775% of the next $250 million, 0.75% of the next $500 million, 0.725% of the next $1 billion, and 0.70% of average daily net assets in excess of $2.5 billion. Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2021, the investment management fee pursuant to the Management Agreement was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.85% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Fund retains NBIA as its administrator under an Administration Agreement. Each class pays NBIA an administration fee at the annual rate of 0.30% of its average daily net assets under this agreement. Additionally, NBIA retains State Street as its sub-administrator under a Sub-Administration Agreement. NBIA pays State Street a fee for all services received under the Sub-Administration Agreement.
NBIA has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the Fund's Class I and Class S shares so that the total annual operating expenses of those classes do not exceed the expense limitations as detailed in the following table. These undertakings exclude interest, taxes, transaction costs, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, if any (commitment fees relating to borrowings are treated as interest for purposes of this exclusion) ("annual operating expenses"); consequently, net expenses may exceed the contractual expense limitations. The Fund has agreed that each of its classes will repay NBIA for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed for that class provided that repayment does not cause that class's annual operating expenses to exceed its contractual expense limitation in place at the time the fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, or the expense limitation in place at the time the Fund repays NBIA, whichever is lower. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which NBIA incurred the expense.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there was no repayment to NBIA under these agreements.
19
At June 30, 2021, the Fund's contingent liabilities to NBIA under the agreements were as follows:
| | | | | | Expenses Reimbursed in Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | | | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | Subject to Repayment until December 31, | |
Class | | Contractual Expense Limitation(a) | | Expiration | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 | |
Class I | | | 1.00 | % | | 12/31/24 | | $ | 262,560 | (b) | | $ | 281,611 | | | $ | 269,970 | | | $ | 145,413 | | |
Class S | | | 1.50 | % | | 12/31/24 | | | 52,969 | | | | 34,567 | | | | 28,846 | | | | 13,191 | | |
(a) Expense limitation per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets.
(b) Period from January 30, 2018 (Commencement of Operations) to December 31, 2018.
Neuberger Berman BD LLC (the "Distributor") is the Fund's "principal underwriter" within the meaning of the 1940 Act. It acts as agent in arranging for the sale of the Fund's Class I shares without sales commission or other compensation and bears all advertising and promotion expenses incurred in the sale of those shares. The Board adopted a non-fee distribution plan for the Fund's Class I shares.
The Board has adopted a distribution and shareholder services plan (the "Plan") for Class S shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plan provides that, as compensation for administrative and other services related to the sale and distribution of Class S shares, and ongoing services provided to investors in the class, the Distributor receives from Class S a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of Class S's average daily net assets. The Distributor may pay a portion of the proceeds from the 12b-1 fee to institutions that provide such services, including insurance companies or their affiliates and qualified plan administrators ("intermediaries") for services they provide respecting the Fund to current and prospective variable contract owners and qualified plan participants that invest in the Fund through the intermediaries. Those institutions may use the payments for, among other purposes, compensating employees engaged in sales and/or shareholder servicing. The amount of fees paid by the class during any year may be more or less than the cost of distribution and other services provided to the class. FINRA rules limit the amount of annual distribution fees that may be paid by a mutual fund and impose a ceiling on the cumulative distribution fees paid. The Plan complies with those rules.
Note C—Securities Transactions:
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there were purchase and sale transactions of long-term securities of $13,120,956 and $13,877,423, respectively.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, no brokerage commissions on securities transactions were paid to affiliated brokers.
Note D—Fund Share Transactions:
Share activity for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, was as follows:
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | | For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
| | Shares Sold | | Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions | | Shares Redeemed | | Total | | Shares Sold | | Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions | | Shares Redeemed | | Total | |
Class I | | | 793 | | | | — | | | | (155,860 | ) | | | (155,067 | ) | | | 87,832 | | | | 287,399 | | | | (300,412 | ) | | | 74,819 | | |
Class S | | | 44,148 | | | | — | | | | (82,850 | ) | | | (38,702 | ) | | | 73,576 | | | | 61,651 | | | | (221,681 | ) | | | (86,454 | ) | |
20
Note E—Line of Credit:
At June 30, 2021, the Fund was a participant in a syndicated committed, unsecured $700,000,000 line of credit (the "Credit Facility"), to be used only for temporary or emergency purposes. Series of other investment companies managed by NBIA also participate in this line of credit on substantially the same terms. Interest is charged on borrowings under this Credit Facility at the highest of (a) a federal funds effective rate plus 1.00% per annum, (b) a Eurodollar rate for a one-month period plus 1.00% per annum, and (c) an overnight bank funding rate plus 1.00% per annum; provided that should the Administrative Agent of the Credit Facility determine that the Eurodollar rate is unavailable, then the interest rate option described in (b) shall be replaced with a benchmark replacement determined to be applicable by such Administrative Agent. The Credit Facility has an annual commitment fee of 0.15% per annum of the available line of credit, which is paid quarterly. The Fund has agreed to pay its pro rata share of the annual commitment fee, based on the ratio of its individual net assets to the net assets of all participants at the time the fee is due, and interest charged on any borrowing made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund. Because several mutual funds participate in the Credit Facility, there is no assurance that the Fund will have access to all or any part of the $700,000,000 at any particular time. There were no loans outstanding under the Credit Facility at June 30, 2021. During the period ended June 30, 2021, the Fund did not utilize the Credit Facility.
Note F—Unaudited Financial Information:
The financial information included in this interim report is taken from the records of the Fund without audit by an independent registered public accounting firm. Annual reports contain audited financial statements.
21
International Equity Portfolio
The following tables include selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and other performance information derived from the Financial Statements. Amounts that do not round to $0.01 or $(0.01) per share are presented as $0.00 or $(0.00), respectively. Ratios that do not round to 0.01% or (0.01)% are presented as 0.00% or (0.00)%, respectively. A "—" indicates that the line item was not applicable in the corresponding period.
Class I | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Year Ended December 31, | | Period from January 30, 2018(a) to December 31, | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | | $ | 14.65 | | | $ | 13.77 | | | $ | 11.30 | | | $ | 14.42 | | |
Income From Investment Operations: | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss)@ | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.13 | | |
Net Gains or (Losses) on Securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.41 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 3.01 | | | | (3.18 | ) | |
Total From Investment Operations | | | 1.51 | | | | 1.72 | | | | 3.14 | | | | (3.05 | ) | |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net Investment Income | | | — | | | | (0.14 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | |
Net Realized Capital Gains | | | — | | | | (0.70 | ) | | | (0.55 | ) | | | — | | |
Total Distributions | | | — | | | | (0.84 | ) | | | (0.67 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | |
Voluntary Contribution from Management | | | — | | | | 0.01 | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | | $ | 16.16 | | | $ | 14.65 | | | $ | 13.77 | | | $ | 11.30 | | |
Total Return† | | | 10.31 | %*^ | | | 13.14 | %^(b) | | | 28.35 | %^ | | | (21.20 | )%* | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |
Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) | | $ | 76.1 | | | $ | 71.2 | | | $ | 65.9 | | | $ | 53.6 | | |
Ratio of Gross Expenses to Average Net Assets# | | | 1.40 | %** | | | 1.45 | % | | | 1.47 | % | | | 1.49 | %** | |
Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets | | | 1.01 | %** | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.01 | %** | |
Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets | | | 1.36 | %** | | | 0.56 | % | | | 1.00 | % | | | 1.12 | %** | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 15 | %* | | | 31 | % | | | 26 | % | | | 31 | %^^* | |
See Notes to Financial Highlights
22
Financial Highlights (cont'd)
Class S | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | | $ | 14.70 | | | $ | 13.81 | | | $ | 11.30 | | | $ | 13.63 | | | $ | 10.82 | | | $ | 11.15 | | |
Income From Investment Operations: | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss)@ | | | 0.07 | | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 0.02 | | | | 0.05 | | | | 0.08 | | |
Net Gains or (Losses) on Securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.40 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 3.02 | | | | (2.33 | ) | | | 2.84 | | | | (0.28 | ) | |
Total From Investment Operations | | | 1.47 | | | | 1.66 | | | | 3.08 | | | | (2.31 | ) | | | 2.89 | | | | (0.20 | ) | |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net Investment Income | | | — | | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | |
Net Realized Capital Gains | | | — | | | | (0.70 | ) | | | (0.55 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.06 | ) | |
Total Distributions | | | — | | | | (0.77 | ) | | | (0.57 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | |
Voluntary Contribution from Management | | | — | | | | 0.01 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | | $ | 16.17 | | | $ | 14.70 | | | $ | 13.81 | | | $ | 11.30 | | | $ | 13.63 | | | $ | 10.82 | | |
Total Return† | | | 10.00 | %*^ | | | 12.57 | %^(b) | | | 27.69 | %^ | | | (16.95 | )% | | | 26.76 | % | | | (1.82 | )% | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |
Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) | | $ | 17.3 | | | $ | 16.3 | | | $ | 16.5 | | | $ | 15.2 | | | $ | 83.6 | | | $ | 74.8 | | |
Ratio of Gross Expenses to Average Net Assets# | | | 1.66 | %** | | | 1.70 | % | | | 1.72 | % | | | 1.73 | % | | | 1.74 | % | | | 1.78 | % | |
Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets | | | 1.51 | %** | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.51 | % | | | 1.50 | % | | | 1.50 | % | |
Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets | | | 0.86 | %** | | | 0.06 | % | | | 0.51 | % | | | 0.13 | % | | | 0.42 | % | | | 0.76 | % | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 15 | %* | | | 31 | % | | | 26 | % | | | 31 | % | | | 23 | % | | | 28 | % | |
See Notes to Financial Highlights
23
Notes to Financial Highlights International Equity Portfolio (Unaudited)
@ Calculated based on the average number of shares outstanding during each fiscal period.
(a) The date investment operations commenced.
(b) Had the Fund not received the voluntary contribution listed in Note B of the Notes to Financial Statements, the total return based on per share NAV for the year ended December 31, 2020, would have been:
| | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
Class I | | | 13.06 | % | |
Class S | | | 12.50 | % | |
† Total return based on per share NAV reflects the effects of changes in NAV on the performance of the Fund during each fiscal period. Returns assume income dividends and other distributions, if any, were reinvested. Results represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current returns may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment returns and principal will fluctuate and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Total return would have been lower if Management had not reimbursed and/or waived certain expenses. The total return information shown does not reflect charges and other expenses that apply to the separate accounts or the related insurance policies or other qualified pension or retirement plans, and the inclusion of these charges and other expenses would reduce the total return for all fiscal periods shown.
^ Had the Fund not received the class action proceeds listed in Note A of the Notes to Financial Statements, total return based on per share NAV for the six months ended June 30, 2021 would have been 9.69% and 9.39% for Class I and Class S shares, respectively. The class action proceeds received in 2020 had no impact on the Fund's total return for the year ended December 31, 2020. Had the Fund not received class action proceeds in 2019, total return based on per share NAV for the year ended December 31, 2019 would have been:
| | Year Ended December 31, 2019 | |
Class I | | | 28.07 | % | |
Class S | | | 27.41 | % | |
# Represents the annualized ratios of net expenses to average daily net assets if Management had not reimbursed certain expenses and/or waived a portion of the investment management fee.
* Not Annualized.
** Annualized.
^^ Portfolio turnover is calculated at the Fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended December 31, 2018 for Class I.
24
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free) and on the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is also available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free), on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and on Neuberger Berman's website at www.nb.com.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Trust files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. The Trust's Form N-PORT is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The portfolio holdings information on Form N-PORT is available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll free).
25
Neuberger Berman
Advisers Management Trust
Short Duration Bond Portfolio
I Class Shares
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2021
As permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, you may no longer receive paper copies of the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports by mail from the insurance company that issued your variable annuity and variable life insurance contract or from the financial intermediary that administers your qualified pension or retirement plan, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your insurance company or financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund's website www.nb.com/AMTliterature, and may also be available on a website from the insurance company or financial intermediary that offers your contract or administers your retirement plan, and such insurance company or financial intermediary will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you 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. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or financial intermediary. If offered by your insurance company or financial intermediary, you may elect to receive all future reports in paper and free of charge from the insurance company or financial intermediary. You can contact your insurance company or financial intermediary if you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds available under your contract or retirement plan.
Short Duration Bond Portfolio Commentary
The Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Short Duration Bond Portfolio Class I posted a 1.12% total return for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 (the reporting period), outperforming its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Government/Credit Index (the Index), which returned 0.00% for the same period.
The overall U.S. bond market generated weak results during the reporting period. Both short- and long-term U.S. Treasury yields moved higher as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continued, economic growth strengthened and there was significant fiscal and monetary policy accommodation. While inflation increased, U.S. Federal Reserve Board (Fed) Chair Jerome Powell described it as being largely transitory. Credit spreads, which had meaningfully widened in March 2020 given investor risk aversion and challenged liquidity, continued to tighten over the reporting period. Generally speaking, the spread sectors (non-U.S. Treasury securities) produced positive results relative to similar duration Treasuries during the period.
A main contributor to the Fund's performance was its allocation to corporate credit. The sector performed well given the improving economy, robust demand and moderating supply. An opportunistic allocation to Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities was also beneficial, mainly in the first half of the period as inflation expectations increased. Elsewhere, the Fund's exposures to asset-backed securities (ABS), commercial mortgage-backed securities and mortgage credit were additive for results as investors continued to search for yield in the low rate environment. On the downside, yield curve positioning detracted from results.
The Fund's use of Treasury futures contributed positively to performance.
A number of changes were made to the Fund during the reporting period. We reduced our allocation to agency mortgage-backed securities as their valuations became less attractive and largely allocated the proceeds into corporate credit given improving fundamentals and positive supply/demand trends. We also found what we believe to be attractive opportunities in the ABS and mortgage credit sectors.
Looking ahead, we believe market volatility is likely to rise in the second half of the year. Previously, we anticipated tapering and changing policies from the Fed and European Central Bank in the second half of 2021, and we see no reason to change this view. However, even with perfect central bank communication and foresight, the markets likely will need to adjust to less monetary accommodation. Meanwhile, we believe that markets are going to be more responsive to actual economic data. We interpret the Fed's messaging not as an abandonment of average inflation targeting, but as a guide to how its inflation policy will be practically implemented. Significant developments, either to the upside or downside in growth and inflation, will likely impact the trajectory of Fed policy. When the Fed eventually starts to raise rates, depending on the level and path of inflation, the pace could be steeper than current expectations. For the second half of the year, we anticipate a continued range-bound interest rate environment, with upward bias in rates reflecting a durable global economic recovery. Importantly, we believe the underlying drivers of tight credit spreads, strong economic growth and low default rates, are unlikely to be materially impacted by the evolving central bank landscape.
Sincerely,
THOMAS SONTAG, MICHAEL FOSTER, MATTHEW MCGINNIS, WOOLF NORMAN MILNER AND DAVID M. BROWN
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Information about principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth in the prospectus and statement of additional information.
The portfolio composition, industries and holdings of the Fund are subject to change without notice.
The opinions expressed are those of the Fund's portfolio managers. The opinions are as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice.
1
Short Duration Bond Portfolio
PORTFOLIO BY TYPE OF INVESTMENT
(as a % of Total Net Assets) | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | 7.3 | % | |
Corporate Bonds | | | 46.1 | | |
Exchange-Traded Funds | | | 5.1 | | |
Mortgage-Backed Securities | | | 31.2 | | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations | | | 5.9 | | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 6.4 | | |
Liabilities Less Other Assets | | | (2.0 | )* | |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | |
* Includes the impact of the Fund's open positions in derivatives, if any.
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
| | Inception | | Six Month Period Ended | | Average Annual Total Return Ended 06/30/2021 | |
| | Date | | 06/30/2021 | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | | Life of Fund | |
Class I | | 09/10/1984 | | | 1.12 | % | | | 4.13 | % | | | 2.02 | % | | | 1.64 | % | | | 4.57 | % | |
Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index1,2 | | | | | 0.00 | % | | | 0.44 | % | | | 1.88 | % | | | 1.49 | % | | | 5.09 | % | |
The performance data quoted represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For current performance data, including current to the most recent month-end, please visit http://www.nb.com/amtportfolios/performance.
The results shown in the table reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The results do not reflect the effect of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. The results do not reflect fees and expenses of the variable annuity and variable life insurance policies or the qualified pension and retirement plans whose proceeds are invested in the Fund.
The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Returns would have been lower if Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("NBIA") had not reimbursed certain expenses and/ or waived a portion of the investment management fees during certain of the periods shown. Repayment by a class (of expenses previously reimbursed and/or fees previously waived by NBIA) will decrease the class's returns. Please see Note B in the Notes to Financial Statements for specific information regarding expense reimbursement and/or fee waiver arrangements.
For the period ended June 30, 2021, the 30-day SEC yield was 2.26% for Class I shares.
As stated in the Fund's most recent prospectus, the total annual operating expense ratio for fiscal year 2020 was 0.86% for Class I shares (before expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, if any, and after restatement). The expense ratios for the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2021 can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.
2
1 The date used to calculate Life of Fund performance for the index is September 10, 1984, the Fund's commencement of operations.
2 The Bloomberg Barclays 1-3 Year U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index is the 1-3 year component of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit Bond Index is the non-securitized component of the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and includes Treasuries and government-related (agency, sovereign, supranational, and local authority debt) and corporate securities. Please note that the indices described in this report do not take into account any fees, expenses or tax consequences of investing in the individual securities that they track, and that individuals cannot invest directly in any index. Data about the performance of an index are prepared or obtained by Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The Fund may invest in securities not included in a described index and generally does not invest in all securities included in a described index.
The investments for the Fund are managed by the same portfolio manager(s) who manage(s) one or more other registered funds that have names, investment objectives and investment styles that are similar to those of the Fund. You should be aware that the Fund is likely to differ from those other mutual fund(s) in size, cash flow pattern and tax matters. Accordingly, the holdings and performance of the Fund can be expected to vary from those of the other mutual fund(s).
Shares of the separate Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Portfolios, including the Fund, are not available to the general public. Shares of the Fund may be purchased only by life insurance companies to be held in their separate accounts, which fund variable annuity and variable life insurance policies, and by qualified pension and retirement plans. Statistics and projections in this report are derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be regarded as a representation of future results of the Fund. This report is prepared for the general information of shareholders and is not an offer of shares of the Fund. Shares are sold only through the currently effective prospectus, which must precede or accompany this report.
The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo and "Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC" name are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. The individual Fund name in this piece is either a service mark or registered service mark of Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC, an affiliate of Neuberger Berman BD LLC, distributor, member FINRA.
© 2021 Neuberger Berman BD LLC, distributor. All rights reserved.
3
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs such as fees and expenses that are, or may be, imposed under your variable contract or qualified pension plan; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (if applicable), and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in U.S. dollars) of investing in the Fund and compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
This table is designed to provide information regarding costs related to your investments. The following examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the six month period ended June 30, 2021 and held for the entire period. The table illustrates the Fund's costs in two ways:
Actual Expenses and Performance: | | The first section of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in dollars, based on the Fund's actual performance during the period indicated. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses 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 section of the table under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During the Period" to estimate the expenses you paid over the period. | |
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes: | | The second section of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return at 5% per year before expenses. This return 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 this Fund versus other funds. To do so, compare the expenses shown in this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. | |
Please note that the expenses in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not include any transaction costs, such as fees and expenses that are, or may be imposed under your variable contract or qualified pension plan. Therefore, the information under the heading "Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)" 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 transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Expense Example (Unaudited)
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST SHORT DURATION BOND PORTFOLIO
Actual | | Beginning Account Value 1/1/21 | | Ending Account Value 6/30/21 | | Expenses Paid During the Period 1/1/21 – 6/30/21 | |
Class I | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,011.20 | | | $ | 4.09 | (a) | |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | |
Class I | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,020.73 | | | $ | 4.11 | (b) | |
(a) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio of 0.82%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).
(b) Hypothetical expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio of 0.82%, multiplied by the average account value over the period (assuming a 5% annual return), multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).
4
Legend Short Duration Bond Portfolio (Unaudited)
June 30, 2021
Benchmarks:
LIBOR = London Interbank Offered Rate
SOFR = Secured Overnight Financing Rate
SOFR30A = 30 Day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate
Currency Abbreviations:
USD = United States Dollar
Counterparties:
SSB = State Street Bank and Trust Company
Index Periods/Payment Frequencies:
1M = 1 Month
3M = 3 Months
5
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) June 30, 2021
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | | VALUE | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations 5.9% | | | |
$ | 2,165,000 | | | U.S. Treasury Bill, 0.05%, due 12/9/2021 | | $ | 2,164,500 | (a) | |
| 2,220,000 | | | U.S. Treasury Note, 0.13%, due 4/30/2023 | | | 2,215,837 | | |
| 1,962,851 | | | U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Note, 0.13%, due 7/15/2030 | | | 2,165,167 | (b) | |
| | | | Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $6,569,006) | | | 6,545,504 | | |
Mortgage-Backed Securities 31.2% | | | |
Adjustable Mixed Balance 0.1% | | | |
| 113,299
|
| | Harborview Mortgage Loan Trust, Ser. 2004-4, Class 3A, (1M USD LIBOR + 1.13%), 1.22%, due 6/19/2034 | |
| 117,898
| (c) | |
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations 12.5% | | | |
| 498,686 | | | Angel Oak Mortgage Trust, Ser. 2019-6, Class A1, 2.62%, due 11/25/2059 | | | 501,568 | (d)(e) | |
| 1,097,067 | | | Brass No. 10 PLC, Ser. 10A, Class A1, 0.67%, due 4/16/2069 | | | 1,097,331 | (d)(e) | |
| 228,053
|
| | Connecticut Avenue Securities Trust, Ser. 2019-R02, Class 1M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 2.30%), 2.39%, due 8/25/2031 | |
| 229,626
| (c)(d) | |
| | | | Fannie Mae Connecticut Avenue Securities | | | | | |
| 1,028,894 | | | Ser. 2016-C02, Class 1M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 6.00%), 6.09%, due 9/25/2028 | | | 1,085,848 | (c) | |
| 321,898 | | | Ser. 2016-C03, Class 1M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 5.30%), 5.39%, due 10/25/2028 | | | 337,497 | (c) | |
| 1,077,588 | | | Ser. 2016-C04, Class 1M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 4.34%, due 1/25/2029 | | | 1,124,768 | (c) | |
| 753,776 | | | Ser. 2016-C06, Class 1M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 4.25%), 4.34%, due 4/25/2029 | | | 783,557 | (c) | |
| 271,886 | | | Ser. 2016-C07, Class 2M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 4.35%), 4.44%, due 5/25/2029 | | | 284,995 | (c) | |
| 374,370 | | | Ser. 2017-C03, Class 1M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 3.09%, due 10/25/2029 | | | 386,007 | (c) | |
| 904,169 | | | Ser. 2017-C05, Class 1M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 2.20%), 2.29%, due 1/25/2030 | | | 918,582 | (c) | |
| 931,266 | | | Ser. 2018-C01, Class 1M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 2.25%), 2.34%, due 7/25/2030 | | | 944,168 | (c) | |
| | | | Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes | | | | | |
| 1,153,724 | | | Ser. 2017-DNA1, Class M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 3.34%, due 7/25/2029 | | | 1,195,222 | (c) | |
| 670,000 | | | Ser. 2017-DNA3, Class M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 2.59%, due 3/25/2030 | | | 684,916 | (c) | |
| 1,086,626 | | | Ser. 2017-HQA3, Class M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 2.35%), 2.44%, due 4/25/2030 | | | 1,110,988 | (c) | |
| 264,744 | | | Ser. 2019-DNA2, Class M2, (1M USD LIBOR + 2.45%), 2.54%, due 3/25/2049 | | | 268,862 | (c)(d) | |
| 822,734
|
| | Freddie Mac Structured Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits, Ser. 2021-DNA1, Class M1, (SOFR30A + 0.65%), 0.67%, due 1/25/2051 | |
| 822,734
| (c)(d) | |
| | | | GCAT Trust | | | | | |
| 475,539 | | | Ser. 2019-NQM2, Class A1, 2.86%, due 9/25/2059 | | | 477,158 | (d)(f) | |
| 536,903 | | | Ser. 2019-NQM3, Class A1, 2.69%, due 11/25/2059 | | | 549,661 | (d)(e) | |
| 161,143 | | | Starwood Mortgage Residential Trust, Ser. 2019-INV1, Class A1, 2.61%, due 9/27/2049 | | | 163,147 | (d)(e) | |
| 840,000 | | | Verus Securitization Trust, Ser. 2021-3, Class A3, 1.44%, due 6/25/2066 | | | 839,996 | (d)(e)(g) | |
| | | 13,806,631 | | |
Commercial Mortgage-Backed 16.9% | | | |
| 1,457,536 | | | BANK, Ser. 2020-BN30, Class A1, 0.45%, due 12/15/2053 | | | 1,450,997 | | |
| 1,110,000 | | | BBCMS Trust, Ser. 2013-TYSN, Class B, 4.04%, due 9/5/2032 | | | 1,110,346 | (d) | |
| 380,776
|
| | BX Commercial Mortgage Trust, Ser. 2018-IND, Class A, (1M USD LIBOR + 0.75%), 0.82%, due 11/15/2035 | |
| 380,901
| (c)(d) | |
| 320,000 | | | BXMT Ltd., Ser. 2020-FL2, Class A, (1M USD LIBOR + 0.90%), 1.02%, due 2/15/2038 | | | 320,050 | (c)(d) | |
| | | | CD Mortgage Trust | | | | | |
| 58,848 | | | Ser. 2017-CD3, Class A1, 1.97%, due 2/10/2050 | | | 58,896 | | |
| 437,281 | | | Ser. 2017-CD5, Class A1, 2.03%, due 8/15/2050 | | | 440,629 | | |
| | | | Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | |
| 313,112 | | | Ser. 2012-GC8, Class AAB, 2.61%, due 9/10/2045 | | | 315,864 | | |
| 830,000 | | | Ser. 2015-P1, Class A5, 3.72%, due 9/15/2048 | | | 909,992 | | |
| 293,515 | | | Ser. 2016-P3, Class A2, 2.74%, due 4/15/2049 | | | 293,363 | | |
| 50,248 | | | Ser. 2016-P6, Class A1, 1.88%, due 12/10/2049 | | | 50,240 | | |
| | | | Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | |
| 1,111,000 | | | Ser. 2012-CR4, Class AM, 3.25%, due 10/15/2045 | | | 1,120,733 | | |
| 12,312,979 | | | Ser. 2014-CR18, Class XA, 1.17%, due 7/15/2047 | | | 312,554 | (e)(h) | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
6
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | | VALUE | |
| | | | CSAIL Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | |
$ | 17,002,078 | | | Ser. 2016-C5, Class XA, 1.08%, due 11/15/2048 | | $ | 564,629 | (e)(h) | |
| 499,051 | | | Ser. 2017-CX10, Class A1, 2.23%, due 11/15/2050 | | | 502,930 | | |
| 78,754 | | | DBJPM Mortgage Trust, Ser. 2016-C3, Class A1, 1.50%, due 8/10/2049 | | | 78,783 | | |
| 800,000 | | | Eleven Madison Mortgage Trust, Ser. 2015-11MD, Class A, 3.67%, due 9/10/2035 | | | 866,893 | (d)(e) | |
| | | | Freddie Mac Multiclass Certificates | | | | | |
| 2,420,000 | | | Ser. 2020-RR03, Class X1, 1.71%, due 7/27/2028 | | | 260,854 | (h) | |
| 1,500,000 | | | Ser. 2020-RR02, Class DX, 1.82%, due 9/27/2028 | | | 174,954 | (e)(h) | |
| 1,535,000 | | | Ser. 2020-RR02, Class CX, 1.27%, due 3/27/2029 | | | 132,400 | (e)(h) | |
| 26,723,479
|
| | Freddie Mac Multifamily Structured Pass Through Certificates, Ser. K737, Class X1, 0.75%, due 10/25/2026 | |
| 793,051
| (e)(h) | |
| | | | GS Mortgage Securities Trust | | | | | |
| 520,000 | | | Ser. 2019-BOCA, Class A, (1M USD LIBOR + 1.20%), 1.27%, due 6/15/2038 | | | 520,966 | (c)(d) | |
| 915,000 | | | Ser. 2010-C1, Class B, 5.15%, due 8/10/2043 | | | 919,587 | (d) | |
| 95,000 | | | Ser. 2012-GCJ7, Class B, 4.74%, due 5/10/2045 | | | 97,505 | | |
| 182,737,670 | | | Ser. 2013-GC13, Class XA, 0.10%, due 7/10/2046 | | | 280,265 | (e)(h) | |
| 1,000,000 | | | Ser. 2014-GC22, Class A4, 3.59%, due 6/10/2047 | | | 1,050,526 | | |
| | | | JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust | | | | | |
| 550,445 | | | Ser. 2013-C12, Class ASB, 3.16%, due 7/15/2045 | | | 557,159 | | |
| 372,189 | | | Ser. 2015-C29, Class ASB, 3.30%, due 5/15/2048 | | | 388,782 | | |
| 166,000
|
| | Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Ser. 2013-C9, Class B, 3.71%, due 5/15/2046 | |
| 172,458
| (e) | |
| 530,419 | | | Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Ser. 2012-C4, Class A4, 3.24%, due 3/15/2045 | | | 534,455 | | |
| 414,522 | | | UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Ser. 2018-C14, Class A1, 3.38%, due 12/15/2051 | | | 424,012 | | |
| 893,000 | | | VNDO Mortgage Trust, Ser. 2012-6AVE, Class E, 3.45%, due 11/15/2030 | | | 910,984 | (d)(e) | |
| | | | Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | |
| 293,780 | | | Ser. 2012-LC5, Class A3, 2.92%, due 10/15/2045 | | | 299,814 | | |
| 38 | | | Ser. 2016-NXS6, Class A1, 1.42%, due 11/15/2049 | | | 38 | | |
| 697,954 | | | Ser. 2020-C58, Class A1, 0.55%, due 7/15/2053 | | | 695,626 | | |
| | | | WF-RBS Commercial Mortgage Trust | | | | | |
| 17,127,145 | | | Ser. 2014-LC14, Class XA, 1.43%, due 3/15/2047 | | | 461,051 | (e)(h) | |
| 1,130,000 | | | Ser. 2014-C25, Class A5, 3.63%, due 11/15/2047 | | | 1,222,606 | | |
| | | 18,674,893 | | |
Fannie Mae 0.9% | | | |
| | | | Pass-Through Certificates | | | | | |
| 863,680 | | | 4.50% , due 5/1/2041 – 5/1/2044 | | | 957,178 | | |
Freddie Mac 0.8% | | | |
| | | | Pass-Through Certificates | | | | | |
| 351,591 | | | 3.50%, due 5/1/2026 | | | 375,537 | | |
| 444,758 | | | 4.50%, due 11/1/2039 | | | 491,160 | | |
| | | 866,697 | | |
| | | | Total Mortgage-Backed Securities (Cost $35,053,106) | | | 34,423,297 | | |
Corporate Bonds 46.1% | | | |
Advertising 0.1% | | | |
| 140,000 | | | Outfront Media Capital LLC/Outfront Media Capital Corp., 6.25%, due 6/15/2025 | | | 147,986 | (d) | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
7
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | | VALUE | |
Aerospace & Defense 1.7% | | | |
$ | 1,400,000 | | | Boeing Co., 2.20%, due 2/4/2026 | | $ | 1,413,382 | | |
| 150,000 | | | Spirit AeroSystems, Inc., 7.50%, due 4/15/2025 | | | 160,125 | (d) | |
| 230,000 | | | TransDigm, Inc., 6.25%, due 3/15/2026 | | | 242,650 | (d) | |
| | | 1,816,157 | | |
Agriculture 0.5% | | | |
| 535,000 | | | BAT Capital Corp., 2.26%, due 3/25/2028 | | | 530,987 | | |
Airlines 3.2% | | | |
| 1,160,000 | | | American Airlines, Inc./AAdvantage Loyalty IP Ltd., 5.50%, due 4/20/2026 | | | 1,228,150 | (d) | |
| 140,000 | | | Delta Air Lines, Inc., 7.00%, due 5/1/2025 | | | 163,378 | (d) | |
| 535,000 | | | Delta Air Lines, Inc./SkyMiles IP Ltd., 4.50%, due 10/20/2025 | | | 574,922 | (d) | |
| 255,000 | | | United Airlines, Inc., 4.38%, due 4/15/2026 | | | 263,971 | (d) | |
| | | | United Continental Holdings, Inc. | | | | | |
| 170,000 | | | 4.25%, due 10/1/2022 | | | 174,038 | | |
| 1,090,000 | | | 4.88%, due 1/15/2025 | | | 1,130,875 | | |
| | | 3,535,334 | | |
Auto Manufacturers 2.2% | | | |
| 435,000 | | | Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.13%, due 6/16/2025 | | | 479,044 | | |
| | | | General Motors Financial Co., Inc. | | | | | |
| 530,000 | | | 2.75%, due 6/20/2025 | | | 558,031 | | |
| 400,000 | | | 2.70%, due 8/20/2027 | | | 415,649 | | |
| | | | Volkswagen Group of America Finance LLC | | | | | |
| 610,000 | | | 0.88%, due 11/22/2023 | | | 611,620 | (d) | |
| 370,000 | | | 3.35%, due 5/13/2025 | | | 399,270 | (d) | |
| | | 2,463,614 | | |
Auto Parts & Equipment 0.3% | | | |
| 230,000 | | | Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 9.50%, due 5/31/2025 | | | 256,738 | | |
| 60,000 | | | Meritor, Inc., 6.25%, due 6/1/2025 | | | 63,910 | (d) | |
| | | 320,648 | | |
Banks 8.7% | | | |
| 550,000 | | | Banco Santander SA, 2.75%, due 5/28/2025 | | | 579,589 | | |
| 650,000 | | | Bank of America Corp., Ser. L, 3.95%, due 4/21/2025 | | | 713,342 | | |
| 1,070,000 | | | Citigroup, Inc., 3.35%, due 4/24/2025 | | | 1,140,142 | (i) | |
| 1,895,000 | | | Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (3M USD LIBOR + 1.60%), 1.74%, due 11/29/2023 | | | 1,955,394 | (c) | |
| 700,000 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.30%, due 10/15/2025 | | | 729,064 | (i) | |
| 1,065,000 | | | Lloyds Banking Group PLC, 1.33%, due 6/15/2023 | | | 1,073,548 | (i) | |
| 2,310,000 | | | Morgan Stanley, (SOFR + 0.70%), 0.72%, due 1/20/2023 | | | 2,316,560 | (c) | |
| 1,060,000 | | | Wells Fargo & Co., 3.75%, due 1/24/2024 | | | 1,139,976 | | |
| | | 9,647,615 | | |
Chemicals 1.0% | | | |
| 1,080,000 | | | LYB International Finance III LLC, (3M USD LIBOR + 1.00%), 1.14%, due 10/1/2023 | | | 1,081,706 | (c) | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
8
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | | VALUE | |
Commercial Services 0.9% | | | |
$ | 510,000 | | | APX Group, Inc., 8.50%, due 11/1/2024 | | $ | 532,950 | | |
| 240,000 | | | Nielsen Co. Luxembourg S.a.r.l., 5.00%, due 2/1/2025 | | | 246,900 | (d)(j) | |
| 240,000 | | | Prime Security Services Borrower LLC/Prime Finance, Inc., 5.25%, due 4/15/2024 | | | 257,167 | (d) | |
| | | 1,037,017 | | |
Distribution-Wholesale 0.4% | | | |
| 290,000 | | | KAR Auction Services, Inc., 5.13%, due 6/1/2025 | | | 297,598 | (d) | |
| 150,000 | | | Performance Food Group, Inc., 6.88%, due 5/1/2025 | | | 159,768 | (d) | |
| | | 457,366 | | |
Diversified Financial Services 2.5% | | | |
| | | | AerCap Ireland Capital DAC/AerCap Global Aviation Trust | | | | | |
| 800,000 | | | 4.50%, due 9/15/2023 | | | 857,820 | | |
| 540,000 | | | 6.50%, due 7/15/2025 | | | 633,373 | | |
| 1,290,000 | | | Global Aircraft Leasing Co. Ltd., 6.50% Cash/7.25% PIK, due 9/15/2024 | | | 1,296,450 | (d)(k) | |
| | | 2,787,643 | | |
Electric 1.3% | | | |
| 1,235,000 | | | NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., 0.65%, due 3/1/2023 | | | 1,240,040 | | |
| 280,000 | | | Talen Energy Supply LLC, 10.50%, due 1/15/2026 | | | 202,475 | (d) | |
| | | 1,442,515 | | |
Entertainment 0.9% | | | |
| 250,000 | | | Cinemark USA, Inc., 8.75%, due 5/1/2025 | | | 273,750 | (d) | |
| 215,000 | | | Int'l Game Technology PLC, 4.13%, due 4/15/2026 | | | 223,869 | (d) | |
| 260,000 | | | Live Nation Entertainment, Inc., 4.88%, due 11/1/2024 | | | 264,160 | (d) | |
| 230,000 | | | Six Flags Theme Parks, Inc., 7.00%, due 7/1/2025 | | | 247,871 | (d) | |
| | | 1,009,650 | | |
Food Service 0.2% | | | |
| | | | Aramark Services, Inc. | | | | | |
| 150,000 | | | 5.00%, due 4/1/2025 | | | 153,750 | (d)(j) | |
| 80,000 | | | 6.38%, due 5/1/2025 | | | 85,000 | (d) | |
| | | 238,750 | | |
Gas 1.4% | | | |
| 550,000 | | | Atmos Energy Corp., (3M USD LIBOR + 0.38%), 0.50%, due 3/9/2023 | | | 550,073 | (c) | |
| 1,035,000 | | | CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., (3M USD LIBOR + 0.50%), 0.63%, due 3/2/2023 | | | 1,035,243 | (c) | |
| | | 1,585,316 | | |
Housewares 0.2% | | | |
| 180,000 | | | CD&R Smokey Buyer, Inc., 6.75%, due 7/15/2025 | | | 192,938 | (d) | |
Leisure Time 1.3% | | | |
| | | | Carnival Corp. | | | | | |
| 785,000 | | | 10.50%, due 2/1/2026 | | | 913,936 | (d) | |
| 280,000 | | | 5.75%, due 3/1/2027 | | | 293,300 | (d) | |
| 220,000 | | | NCL Corp. Ltd., 12.25%, due 5/15/2024 | | | 265,694 | (d) | |
| | | 1,472,930 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
9
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | | VALUE | |
Machinery-Diversified 1.3% | | | |
$ | 1,385,000 | | | Otis Worldwide Corp., (3M USD LIBOR + 0.45%), 0.64%, due 4/5/2023 | | $ | 1,385,113 | (c) | |
Media 1.8% | | | |
| 430,000
|
| | Charter Communications Operating LLC/Charter Communications Operating Capital, 4.91%, due 7/23/2025 | |
| 487,151
|
| |
| 343,000 | | | Cumulus Media New Holdings, Inc., 6.75%, due 7/1/2026 | | | 358,864 | (d)(j) | |
| 550,000 | | | Fox Corp., 3.05%, due 4/7/2025 | | | 588,918 | | |
| 180,000 | | | iHeartCommunications, Inc., 6.38%, due 5/1/2026 | | | 191,475 | | |
| 310,000 | | | Radiate Holdco LLC/Radiate Finance, Inc., 4.50%, due 9/15/2026 | | | 320,850 | (d) | |
| | | 1,947,258 | | |
Mining 0.3% | | | |
| 320,000 | | | First Quantum Minerals Ltd., 7.50%, due 4/1/2025 | | | 332,000 | (d) | |
Miscellaneous Manufacturer 2.0% | | | |
| 2,185,000 | | | General Electric Capital Corp., (3M USD LIBOR + 1.00%), 1.12%, due 3/15/2023 | | | 2,211,272 | (c) | |
Oil & Gas 1.3% | | | |
| 260,000 | | | Apache Corp., 4.63%, due 11/15/2025 | | | 280,800 | | |
| 210,000 | | | Occidental Petroleum Corp., 5.50%, due 12/1/2025 | | | 232,054 | | |
| 90,000 | | | PDC Energy, Inc., 5.75%, due 5/15/2026 | | | 94,021 | | |
| 550,000 | | | Petroleos Mexicanos, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.65%), 3.77%, due 3/11/2022 | | | 554,400 | (c) | |
| 250,000 | | | Range Resources Corp., 9.25%, due 2/1/2026 | | | 275,625 | | |
| | | 1,436,900 | | |
Oil & Gas Services 0.2% | | | |
| 150,000 | | | USA Compression Partners L.P./USA Compression Finance Corp., 6.88%, due 4/1/2026 | | | 157,125 | | |
Pharmaceuticals 1.4% | | | |
| 980,000 | | | AbbVie, Inc., (3M USD LIBOR + 0.65%), 0.80%, due 11/21/2022 | | | 986,871 | (c) | |
| 370,000 | | | Upjohn, Inc., 1.65%, due 6/22/2025 | | | 374,244 | (d) | |
| 140,000 | | | Valeant Pharmaceuticals Int'l, Inc., 5.50%, due 11/1/2025 | | | 143,640 | (d) | |
| | | 1,504,755 | | |
Pipelines 2.8% | | | |
| 365,000 | | | Blue Racer Midstream LLC/Blue Racer Finance Corp., 7.63%, due 12/15/2025 | | | 395,543 | (d) | |
| 340,000 | | | Buckeye Partners L.P., 4.35%, due 10/15/2024 | | | 355,725 | | |
| 130,000 | | | EQM Midstream Partners L.P., 6.00%, due 7/1/2025 | | | 141,375 | (d) | |
| 160,000 | | | Genesis Energy L.P./Genesis Energy Finance Corp., 6.50%, due 10/1/2025 | | | 161,600 | | |
| 660,000 | | | MPLX L.P., 4.88%, due 6/1/2025 | | | 745,029 | | |
| 720,000 | | | New Fortress Energy, Inc., 6.50%, due 9/30/2026 | | | 735,696 | (d) | |
| 90,000 | | | Rattler Midstream L.P., 5.63%, due 7/15/2025 | | | 94,613 | (d) | |
| | | | Tallgrass Energy Partners L.P./Tallgrass Energy Finance Corp. | | | | | |
| 270,000 | | | 5.50%, due 9/15/2024 | | | 273,677 | (d) | |
| 140,000 | | | 7.50%, due 10/1/2025 | | | 153,300 | (d) | |
| | | 3,056,558 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
10
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | | VALUE | |
Real Estate 0.4% | | | |
| | | | Realogy Group LLC/Realogy Co-Issuer Corp. | | | | | |
$ | 220,000 | | | 4.88%, due 6/1/2023 | | $ | 228,800 | (d) | |
| 215,000 | | | 7.63%, due 6/15/2025 | | | 233,211 | (d) | |
| | | 462,011 | | |
Real Estate Investment Trusts 1.0% | | | |
| 645,000 | | | American Tower Corp., 1.60%, due 4/15/2026 | | | 651,812 | | |
| 115,000
|
| | MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership L.P./MGP Finance Co-Issuer, Inc., 4.63%, due 6/15/2025 | |
| 122,863
| (d) | |
| 250,000 | | | Uniti Group L.P./Uniti Fiber Holdings, Inc./CSL Capital LLC, 7.88%, due 2/15/2025 | | | 267,812 | (d) | |
| | | 1,042,487 | | |
Semiconductors 0.7% | | | |
| 750,000 | | | Broadcom, Inc., 3.15%, due 11/15/2025 | | | 803,835 | | |
Software 2.2% | | | |
| 131,000 | | | BY Crown Parent LLC/BY Bond Finance, Inc., 4.25%, due 1/31/2026 | | | 137,222 | (d) | |
| 540,000 | | | Infor, Inc., 1.45%, due 7/15/2023 | | | 546,093 | (d) | |
| 1,700,000 | | | Oracle Corp., 1.65%, due 3/25/2026 | | | 1,723,226 | | |
| | | 2,406,541 | | |
Telecommunications 3.9% | | | |
| | | | AT&T, Inc. | | | | | |
| 1,370,000 | | | 1.70%, due 3/25/2026 | | | 1,384,477 | | |
| 550,000 | | | 1.65%, due 2/1/2028 | | | 545,904 | | |
| 200,000 | | | Numericable-SFR SA, 7.38%, due 5/1/2026 | | | 207,986 | (d) | |
| 550,000 | | | T-Mobile USA, Inc., 3.50%, due 4/15/2025 | | | 596,115 | | |
| | | | Verizon Communications, Inc. | | | | | |
| 1,025,000 | | | 1.45%, due 3/20/2026 | | | 1,033,717 | | |
| 550,000 | | | 2.63%, due 8/15/2026 | | | 584,420 | | |
| | | 4,352,619 | | |
| | | | Total Corporate Bonds (Cost $49,804,424) | | | 50,866,646 | | |
Asset-Backed Securities 7.3% | | | |
| 500,000
|
| | Benefit Street Partners CLO XIX Ltd., Ser. 2019-19A, Class D, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.80%), 3.98%, due 1/15/2033 | |
| 501,631
| (c)(d) | |
| 433,981
|
| | Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Club Certificate Issuer Trust I, Ser. 2019-HP1, Class A, 2.59%, due 12/15/2026 | |
| 437,859
| (d) | |
| 406,895
|
| | Fannie Mae Grantor Trust, Ser. 2003-T4, Class 1A, (1M USD LIBOR + 0.22%), 0.28%, due 9/26/2033 | |
| 403,950
| (c) | |
| 500,000 | | | Mariner CLO LLC, Ser. 2015-1A, Class DR2, (3M USD LIBOR + 2.85%), 3.04%, due 4/20/2029 | | | 492,780 | (c)(d) | |
| 108,598 | | | Marlette Funding Trust, Ser. 2020-1A, Class A, 2.24%, due 3/15/2030 | | | 108,787 | (d) | |
| 500,000 | | | Milos CLO Ltd., Ser. 2017-1A, Class DR, (3M USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 2.94%, due 10/20/2030 | | | 497,558 | (c)(d) | |
| 500,000
|
| | OHA Loan Funding Ltd., Ser. 2016-1A, Class DR, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 3.19%, due 1/20/2033 | |
| 500,290
| (c)(d) | |
| 500,000
|
| | Palmer Square CLO Ltd., Ser. 2015-2A, Class CR2, (3M USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 2.94%, due 7/20/2030 | |
| 498,312
| (c)(d) | |
| 1,195,000 | | | PFS Financing Corp., Ser. 2021-A, Class A, 0.71%, due 4/15/2026 | | | 1,194,047 | (d) | |
| 548,956
|
| | SLM Student Loan Trust, Ser. 2013-2, Class A, (1M USD LIBOR + 0.45%), 0.54%, due 6/25/2043 | |
| 541,320
| (c) | |
| 305,393 | | | SoFi Consumer Loan Program Trust, Ser. 2020-1, Class A, 2.02%, due 1/25/2029 | | | 307,906 | (d) | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
11
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | | VALUE | |
$ | 570,000 | | | Sofi Professional Loan Program Trust, Ser. 2021-A, Class AFX, 1.03%, due 8/17/2043 | | $ | 569,700 | (d) | |
| 500,000
|
| | Symphony CLO XXII Ltd., Ser. 2020-22A, Class D, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.15%), 3.34%, due 4/18/2033 | |
| 501,051
| (c)(d) | |
| 500,000 | | | TICP CLO VII Ltd., Ser. 2017-7A, Class DR, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.20%), 3.38%, due 4/15/2033 | | | 501,250 | (c)(d) | |
| 500,000 | | | TICP CLO XV Ltd., Ser. 2020-15A, Class D, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.15%), 3.34%, due 4/20/2033 | | | 501,039 | (c)(d) | |
| 500,000 | | | TRESTLES CLO III Ltd., Ser. 2020-3A, Class D, (3M USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 3.44%, due 1/20/2033 | | | 499,994 | (c)(d) | |
| | | | Total Asset-Backed Securities (Cost $8,017,705) | | | 8,057,474 | | |
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | | |
Exchange-Traded Funds 5.1% | | | |
| 205,020 | | | SPDR Bloomberg Barclays Short Term High Yield Bond ETF (Cost $5,540,311) | | | 5,654,451 | | |
Short-Term Investments 6.4% | | | |
Investment Companies 6.4% | | | |
| 6,313,652 | | | State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Premier Class, 0.03%(l) | | | 6,313,652 | (m) | |
| 789,125 | | | State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, 0.02%(l) | | | 789,125 | (n) | |
| | | | Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $7,102,777) | | | 7,102,777 | | |
| | | | Total Investments 102.0% (Cost $112,087,329) | | | 112,650,149 | | |
| | | | Liabilities Less Other Assets (2.0)% | | | (2,229,460 | )(o) | |
| | | | Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 110,420,689 | | |
(a) Rate shown was the discount rate at the date of purchase.
(b) Index-linked bond whose principal amount adjusts according to a government retail price index.
(c) Variable or floating rate security. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of June 30, 2021 and changes periodically.
(d) Securities were purchased under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or are otherwise restricted and, unless registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or exempted from registration, may only be sold to qualified institutional investors or may have other restrictions on resale. At June 30, 2021, these securities amounted to $31,390,411, which represents 28.4% of net assets of the Fund.
(e) Variable or floating rate security where the stated interest rate is not based on a published reference rate and spread. Rather, the interest rate adjusts periodically based on changes in current interest rates and prepayments on the underlying pool of assets. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of June 30, 2021.
(f) Step Bond. Coupon rate is a fixed rate for an initial period that either resets at a specific date or may reset in the future contingent upon a predetermined trigger. The interest rate shown was the current rate as of June 30, 2021.
(g) Security fair valued as of June 30, 2021 in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Total value of all such securities at June 30, 2021 amounted to $839,996, which represents 0.8% of net assets of the Fund.
(h) Interest only security. These securities represent the right to receive the monthly interest payments on an underlying pool of mortgages. Payments of principal on the pool reduce the value of the "interest only" holding.
(i) Security issued at a fixed coupon rate, which converts to a variable rate at a future date. Rate shown is the rate in effect as of period end.
See Notes to Financial Statements
12
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
(j) All or a portion of this security is on loan at June 30, 2021. Total value of all such securities at June 30, 2021 amounted to $774,680 for the Fund (see Note A of the Notes to Financial Statements).
(k) Payment-in-kind (PIK) security.
(l) Represents 7-day effective yield as of June 30, 2021.
(m) All or a portion of this security is segregated in connection with obligations for futures contracts with a total value of $6,313,652.
(n) Represents investment of cash collateral received from securities lending.
(o) Includes the impact of the Fund's open positions in derivatives at June 30, 2021.
POSITIONS BY COUNTRY
Country | | Investments at Value | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
United States | | $ | 93,051,823 | | | | 84.3 | % | |
Cayman Islands | | | 5,617,625 | | | | 5.1 | % | |
United Kingdom | | | 2,701,866 | | | | 2.4 | % | |
Ireland | | | 1,491,193 | | | | 1.4 | % | |
Germany | | | 1,010,890 | | | | 0.9 | % | |
Spain | | | 579,589 | | | | 0.5 | % | |
Mexico | | | 554,400 | | | | 0.5 | % | |
Zambia | | | 332,000 | | | | 0.3 | % | |
France | | | 207,986 | | | | 0.2 | % | |
Short-Term Investments and Other Liabilities—Net | | | 4,873,317 | | | | 4.4 | % | |
| | $ | 110,420,689 | | | | 100.0 | % | |
Derivative Instruments
Futures contracts ("futures")
At June 30, 2021, open positions in futures for the Fund were as follows:
Long Futures:
Expiration Date | | Number of Contracts | | Open Contracts | | Notional Amount | | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
9/2021 | | | 309 | | | U.S. Treasury Note, 2 Year | | $ | 68,078,976 | | | $ | (100,729 | ) | |
Total Long Positions | | | | | | $ | 68,078,976 | | | $ | (100,729 | ) | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
13
Schedule of Investments Short Duration Bond Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
Short Futures:
Expiration Date | | Number of Contracts | | Open Contracts | | Notional Amount | | Value and Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | |
9/2021 | | | 159 | | | U.S. Treasury Note, 5 Year | | $ | (19,625,320 | ) | | $ | 28,570 | | |
9/2021 | | | 19 | | | U.S. Treasury Note, 10 Year | | | (2,517,500 | ) | | | (17,974 | ) | |
9/2021 | | | 16 | | | U.S. Treasury Note, Ultra 10 Year | | | (2,355,250 | ) | | | (45,529 | ) | |
9/2021 | | | 3 | | | U.S. Treasury Ultra Bond | | | (578,063 | ) | | | (5,344 | ) | |
Total Short Positions | | | | | | $ | (25,076,133 | ) | | $ | (40,277 | ) | |
Total Futures | | | | | | | | $ | (141,006 | ) | |
At June 30, 2021, the Fund had $384,778 deposited in a segregated account to cover margin requirements on open futures.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the average notional value for the months where the Fund had futures outstanding was $56,774,215 for long positions and $(25,713,166) for short positions.
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements), of inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of June 30, 2021:
Asset Valuation Inputs | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Investments: | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,545,504 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 6,545,504 | | |
Mortgage-Backed Securities(a) | | | — | | | | 34,423,297 | | | | — | | | | 34,423,297 | | |
Corporate Bonds(a) | | | — | | | | 50,866,646 | | | | — | | | | 50,866,646 | | |
Asset-Backed Securities | | | — | | | | 8,057,474 | | | | — | | | | 8,057,474 | | |
Exchange-Traded Funds | | | 5,654,451 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 5,654,451 | | |
Short-Term Investments | | | — | | | | 7,102,777 | | | | — | | | | 7,102,777 | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 5,654,451 | | | $ | 106,995,698 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 112,650,149 | | |
(a) The Schedule of Investments provides information on the industry or sector categorization as well as a Positions by Country summary.
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements), of inputs used to value the Fund's derivatives as of June 30, 2021:
Other Financial Instruments | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Futures(a) | |
Assets | | $ | 28,570 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 28,570 | | |
Liabilities | | | (169,576 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | (169,576 | ) | |
Total | | $ | (141,006 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (141,006 | ) | |
(a) Futures are reported at the cumulative unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of the instrument.
^ A balance indicated with a "—", reflects either a zero balance or an amount that rounds to less than 1.
See Notes to Financial Statements
14
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | SHORT DURATION BOND PORTFOLIO | |
| | June 30, 2021 | |
Assets | |
Investments in securities, at value*† (Note A)—see Schedule of Investments: | |
Unaffiliated issuers(a) | | $ | 112,650,149 | | |
Cash collateral segregated for futures contracts (Note A) | | | 384,778 | | |
Interest receivable | | | 612,542 | | |
Receivable for securities sold | | | 14,473 | | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | | | 158,236 | | |
Receivable for securities lending income (Note A) | | | 552 | | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 4,240 | | |
Total Assets | | | 113,824,970 | | |
Liabilities | |
Payable to investment manager (Note B) | | | 15,558 | | |
Payable for securities purchased | | | 2,164,535 | | |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | | | 189,870 | | |
Payable for accumulated variation margin on futures contracts (Note A) | | | 141,006 | | |
Payable to administrator—net (Note B) | | | 36,607 | | |
Payable to trustees | | | 12,423 | | |
Payable for loaned securities collateral (Note A) | | | 789,125 | | |
Other accrued expenses and payables | | | 55,157 | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 3,404,281 | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 110,420,689 | | |
Net Assets consist of: | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 131,971,553 | | |
Total distributable earnings/(losses) | | | (21,550,864 | ) | |
Net Assets | | $ | 110,420,689 | | |
Shares Outstanding ($.001 par value; unlimited shares authorized) | | | 10,225,708 | | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | |
Class I | | $ | 10.80 | | |
†Securities on loan, at value: | |
Unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 774,680 | | |
*Cost of Investments: | |
(a) Unaffiliated Issuers | | $ | 112,087,329 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
15
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | SHORT DURATION BOND PORTFOLIO | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | |
Investment Income: | |
Income (Note A): | |
Dividend income—unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 89,257 | | |
Interest and other income—unaffiliated issuers | | | 1,583,571 | | |
Income from securities loaned—net | | | 1,414 | | |
Total income | | $ | 1,674,242 | | |
Expenses: | |
Investment management fees (Note B) | | | 92,263 | | |
Administration fees (Note B) | | | 217,089 | | |
Shareholder servicing agent fees | | | 4,290 | | |
Audit fees | | | 25,054 | | |
Custodian and accounting fees | | | 40,840 | | |
Insurance | | | 1,865 | | |
Legal fees | | | 11,734 | | |
Shareholder reports | | | 19,722 | | |
Trustees' fees and expenses | | | 25,226 | | |
Interest | | | 268 | | |
Miscellaneous | | | 4,943 | | |
Total expenses | | | 443,294 | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 1,230,948 | | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments (Note A): | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on: | |
Transactions in investment securities of unaffiliated issuers | | | 714,610 | | |
Expiration or closing of futures contracts | | | 420,740 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) in value of: | |
Investment securities of unaffiliated issuers | | | (1,048,187 | ) | |
Futures contracts | | | (156,654 | ) | |
Net gain/(loss) on investments | | | (69,491 | ) | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 1,161,457 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
16
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | SHORT DURATION BOND PORTFOLIO | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) | | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets: | |
From Operations (Note A): | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 1,230,948 | | | $ | 2,314,134 | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments | | | 1,135,350 | | | | (489,300 | ) | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments | | | (1,204,841 | ) | | | 1,273,414 | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 1,161,457 | | | | 3,098,248 | | |
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note A): | |
Distributable earnings | | | — | | | | (2,399,936 | ) | |
From Fund Share Transactions (Note D): | |
Proceeds from shares sold | | | 17,143,917 | | | | 25,404,721 | | |
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | 2,399,936 | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | | (10,937,961 | ) | | | (32,484,510 | ) | |
Net increase/(decrease) from Fund share transactions | | | 6,205,956 | | | | (4,679,853 | ) | |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets | | | 7,367,413 | | | | (3,981,541 | ) | |
Net Assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 103,053,276 | | | | 107,034,817 | | |
End of period | | $ | 110,420,689 | | | $ | 103,053,276 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
17
Notes to Financial Statements Short Duration Bond Portfolio (Unaudited)
Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
1 General: Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust organized pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Instrument dated March 27, 2014. The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Short Duration Bond Portfolio (the "Fund") is a separate operating series of the Trust and is diversified. The Fund currently offers only Class I shares. The Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") may establish additional series or classes of shares without the approval of shareholders.
A balance indicated with a "—", reflects either a zero balance or a balance that rounds to less than 1.
The assets of the Fund belong only to the Fund, and the liabilities of the Fund are borne solely by the Fund and no other series of the Trust.
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 946 "Financial Services—Investment Companies."
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("Management" or "NBIA") to make estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Shares of the Fund are not available to the general public and may be purchased only by life insurance companies to serve as an investment vehicle for premiums paid under their variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts and to certain qualified pension and other retirement plans.
2 Portfolio valuation: In accordance with ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), all investments held by the Fund are carried at the value that Management believes the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment under current market conditions. Various inputs, including the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in the market, are considered in valuing the Fund's investments, some of which are discussed below. Significant Management judgment may be necessary to value investments in accordance with ASC 820.
ASC 820 established a three-tier hierarchy of inputs to create a classification of value measurements for disclosure purposes. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below.
• Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
• Level 2—other observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, amortized cost, etc.)
• Level 3—unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing an investment are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The value of the Fund's investments in debt securities is determined by Management primarily by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on readily available bid quotations, or if quotations are not available, by methods which include various considerations based on security type (generally Level 2 inputs). In addition to the consideration of yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type,
18
indications as to values from dealers, and general market conditions, the following is a description of other Level 2 inputs and related valuation techniques used by independent pricing services to value certain types of debt securities held by the Fund:
Corporate Bonds. Inputs used to value corporate debt securities generally include relative credit information, observed market movements, sector news, U.S. Treasury yield curve or relevant benchmark curve, and other market information, which may include benchmark yield curves, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, comparable securities, and reference data, such as market research publications, when available ("Other Market Information").
U.S. Treasury Obligations. Inputs used to value U.S. Treasury securities generally include quotes from several inter-dealer brokers and Other Market Information.
Asset-Backed Securities and Mortgage-Backed Securities. Inputs used to value asset-backed securities and mortgage-backed securities generally include models that consider a number of factors, which may include the following: prepayment speeds, cash flows, spread adjustments and Other Market Information.
The value of futures contracts is determined by Management by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services at the settlement price at the market close (Level 1 inputs).
Management has developed a process to periodically review information provided by independent pricing services for all types of securities.
Investments in non-exchange traded investment companies with a readily determinable fair value are valued using the respective fund's daily calculated net asset value ("NAV") per share (Level 2 inputs).
If a valuation is not available from an independent pricing service, or if Management has reason to believe that the valuation received does not represent the amount the Fund might reasonably expect to receive on a current sale in an orderly transaction, Management seeks to obtain quotations from brokers or dealers (generally considered Level 2 or Level 3 inputs depending on the number of quotes available). If such quotations are not readily available, the security is valued using methods the Board has approved in the good-faith belief that the resulting valuation will reflect the fair value of the security. Inputs and assumptions considered in determining the fair value of a security based on Level 2 or Level 3 inputs may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer and/or analysts; an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the inputs that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.
Fair value prices are necessarily estimates, and there is no assurance that such a price will be at or close to the price at which the security is next quoted or next trades.
In December 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The rule also defines when market quotations are "readily available" for purposes of the 1940 Act, which is the threshold for determining whether a fund must fair value a security. The rule became effective on March 8, 2021, however, the SEC adopted an eighteen-month transition period beginning from the effective date. Management is currently evaluating this guidance.
3 Foreign currency translations: The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are normally translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on days the NYSE is open for business, to determine the value of investments, other assets and liabilities. Purchase and sale prices of securities, and income and expenses, are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net unrealized foreign currency gain/(loss), if any, arises from changes
19
in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, as a result of changes in exchange rates and is stated separately in the Statement of Operations.
4 Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on trade date for financial reporting purposes. Interest income, including accretion of discount (adjusted for original issue discount, where applicable) and amortization of premium, where applicable, is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions and foreign currency transactions, if any, are recorded on the basis of identified cost and stated separately in the Statement of Operations. Included in net realized gain/(loss) on investments are proceeds from the settlement of class action litigation(s) in which the Fund participated as a class member. The amount of such proceeds for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was $286.
5 Income tax information: The Fund is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") by complying with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to its shareholders. To the extent the Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to shareholders, no federal income or excise tax provision is required.
The Fund has adopted the provisions of ASC 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"). ASC 740 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax positions as an income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. The Fund is subject to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities for returns filed for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not yet expired. As of June 30, 2021, the Fund did not have any unrecognized tax positions.
For federal income tax purposes, the estimated cost of investments held at June 30, 2021 was $112,328,015. The estimated gross unrealized appreciation was $1,572,232 and estimated gross unrealized depreciation was $1,250,098 resulting in net unrealized appreciation in value of investments of $322,134 based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Fund, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Fund. The Fund may also utilize earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemption of their shares as a part of the dividends-paid deduction for income tax purposes.
Any permanent differences resulting from different book and tax treatment are reclassified at year-end and have no impact on net income, NAV or NAV per share of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no permanent differences requiring a reclassification between total distributable earnings/(losses) and paid-in capital.
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, was as follows:
Distributions Paid From: | |
Ordinary Income | | Total | |
2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | |
$ | 2,399,936 | | | $ | 2,162,405 | | | $ | 2,399,936 | | | $ | 2,162,405 | | |
As of December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a U.S. federal income tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gain | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | | Loss Carryforwards and Deferrals | | Other Temporary Differences | | Total | |
$ | 2,939,840 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,370,321 | | | $ | (27,022,482 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | (22,712,321 | ) | |
20
The temporary differences between book basis and tax basis distributable earnings are primarily due to amortization of bond premium and mark-to-market adjustments on futures.
To the extent the Fund's net realized capital gains, if any, can be offset by capital loss carryforwards, it is the policy of the Fund not to distribute such gains. Capital loss carryforward rules allow for RICs to carry forward capital losses indefinitely and to retain the character of capital loss carryforwards as short-term or long-term. As determined at December 31, 2020, the Fund had unused capital loss carryforwards available for federal income tax purposes to offset future net realized capital gains, if any, as follows:
Capital Loss Carryforwards | |
Long-Term | | Short-Term | |
$ | 23,758,954 | | | $ | 3,263,528 | | |
6 Distributions to shareholders: The Fund may earn income, net of expenses, daily on its investments. Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, are generally distributed once a year (usually in October) and are recorded on the ex-date.
7 Foreign taxes: Foreign taxes withheld, if any, represent amounts withheld by foreign tax authorities, net of refunds recoverable.
8 Expense allocation: Certain expenses are applicable to multiple funds within the complex of related investment companies. Expenses directly attributable to a fund are charged to that fund. Expenses of the Trust that are not directly attributable to a particular series of the Trust (e.g., the Fund) are allocated among the series of the Trust, on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the series can otherwise be made fairly. Expenses borne by the complex of related investment companies, which includes open-end and closed-end investment companies for which NBIA serves as investment manager, that are not directly attributable to a particular investment company in the complex (e.g., the Trust) or series thereof are allocated among the investment companies in the complex or series thereof on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the investment companies in the complex or series thereof can otherwise be made fairly.
9 Investments in foreign securities: Investing in foreign securities may involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation) and the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, less governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States. Foreign securities also may experience greater price volatility, higher rates of inflation, and delays in settlement.
10 Investment company securities and exchange-traded funds: The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), within the limitations prescribed by (a) the 1940 Act, (b) the exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Fund to invest in both affiliated and unaffiliated investment companies, including ETFs, in excess of the limits in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, subject to the terms and conditions of such order, or (c) the ETF's exemptive order or other relief. Some ETFs seek to track the performance of a particular market index. These indices include both broad-based market indices and more narrowly-based indices, including those relating to particular sectors, markets, regions or industries. However, some ETFs have an actively-managed investment objective. ETF shares are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, which will decrease returns.
In October 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 12d1-4, which permits a fund to exceed the limits prescribed by Section 12 of the 1940 Act in the absence of an exemptive order, if the Fund complies with the adopted framework for fund of funds arrangements. Rule 12d1-4 contains elements from the SEC's current exemptive orders and rules permitting
21
fund of funds arrangements, and includes (i) limits on control and voting; (ii) required evaluations and findings; (iii) required fund of funds investment agreements; and (iv) limits on complex structures. In connection with the new rule, on or about January 19, 2022, the SEC is expected to rescind the Fund's current exemptive order and Rule 12d1-2 under the 1940 Act. After this occurs, a fund seeking to exceed the limits in Section 12 of the 1940 Act will need to rely on Rule 12d1-4.
11 When-issued/delayed delivery securities: The Fund may purchase securities with delivery or payment to occur at a later date beyond the normal settlement period. At the time the Fund enters into a commitment to purchase a security, the transaction is recorded and the value of the security is reflected in the NAV. The price of such security and the date when the security will be delivered and paid for are fixed at the time the transaction is negotiated. The value of the security may vary with market fluctuations. No interest accrues to the Fund until payment takes place. At the time the Fund enters into this type of transaction it is required to segregate cash or other liquid assets at least equal to the amount of the commitment. When-issued and delayed delivery transactions can have a leverage-like effect on the Fund, which can increase fluctuations in the Fund's NAV. Certain risks may arise upon entering into when-issued or delayed delivery securities transactions from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts or if the issuer does not issue the securities due to political, economic, or other factors. Additionally, losses may arise due to changes in the value of the underlying securities.
The Fund may also enter into a TBA agreement and "roll over" such agreement prior to the settlement date by selling the obligation to purchase the pools set forth in the agreement and entering into a new TBA agreement for future delivery of pools of mortgage-backed securities. TBA mortgage-backed securities may increase prepayment risks because the underlying mortgages may be less favorable than anticipated by the Fund.
12 Derivative instruments: The Fund's use of derivatives during the six months ended June 30, 2021, is described below. Please see the Schedule of Investments for the Fund's open positions in derivatives, if any, at June 30, 2021. The Fund has adopted the provisions of ASC 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"). The disclosure requirements of ASC 815 distinguish between derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting and those that do not. Because investment companies value their derivatives at fair value and recognize changes in fair value through the Statement of Operations, they do not qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, even though the Fund's investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are considered non-hedge transactions for purposes of this disclosure.
In October 2020, the SEC adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund could enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager. While the new rule became effective February 19, 2021, funds will not be required to fully comply with the new rule until August 19, 2022. It is not currently clear what impact, if any, the new rule will have on the availability, liquidity or performance of derivatives. When fully implemented, the new rule may require changes in how the Fund will use derivatives, may adversely affect the Fund's performance and may increase costs related to the Fund's use of derivatives.
Futures contracts: During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Fund used U.S. Treasury futures to manage the duration of the Fund.
At the time the Fund enters into a futures contract, it is required to deposit with the futures commission merchant a specified amount of cash or liquid securities, known as "initial margin," which is a percentage of the value of the futures contract being traded that is set by the exchange upon which the futures contract is traded. Each day, the futures contract is valued at the official settlement price of the board of trade or U.S. commodity exchange on which such futures contract is traded. Subsequent payments, known as "variation margin," to and from the broker are made on a daily basis, or as needed, as the market price of the futures contract fluctuates. Daily variation margin adjustments, arising from this "mark to market," are recorded by the Fund as unrealized gains or losses.
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Although some futures by their terms call for actual delivery or acquisition of the underlying securities or currency, in most cases the contracts are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures. When the contracts are closed or expire, the Fund recognizes a gain or loss. Risks of entering into futures contracts include the possibility there may be an illiquid market, possibly at a time of rapidly declining prices, and/or a change in the value of the contract may not correlate with changes in the value of the underlying securities. Futures executed on regulated futures exchanges have minimal counterparty risk to the Fund because the exchange's clearinghouse assumes the position of the counterparty in each transaction. Thus, the Fund is exposed to risk only in connection with the clearinghouse and not in connection with the original counterparty to the transaction.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the futures transactions undertaken by the Fund may cause the Fund to recognize gains or losses from marking contracts to market even though its positions have not been sold or terminated, may affect the character of the gains or losses recognized as long-term or short-term, and may affect the timing of some capital gains and losses realized by the Fund. Also, the Fund's losses on transactions involving futures contracts may be deferred rather than being taken into account currently in calculating the Fund's taxable income.
At June 30, 2021, the Fund had the following derivatives (which did not qualify as hedging instruments under ASC 815), grouped by primary risk exposure:
Asset Derivatives
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Interest Rate Risk | | Total | |
Futures | | Receivable/Payable for accumulated variation margin on futures contracts | | $ | 28,570 |
| | $ | 28,570 |
| |
Total Value—Assets | | | | $ | 28,570 | | | $ | 28,570 | | |
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Interest Rate Risk | | Total | |
Futures | | Receivable/Payable for accumulated variation margin on futures contracts | | $ | (169,576 | ) | | $ | (169,576 | ) | |
Total Value—Liabilities | | | | $ | (169,576 | ) | | $ | (169,576 | ) | |
The impact of the use of these derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations during the six months ended June 30, 2021, was as follows:
Realized Gain/(Loss)
Derivative Type | | Statement of Operations Location | | Interest Rate Risk | | Total | |
Futures | | Net realized gain/(loss) on: Expiration or closing of futures contracts | | $ | 420,740 |
| | $ | 420,740 |
| |
Total Realized Gain/(Loss) | | | | $ | 420,740 | | | $ | 420,740 | | |
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Change in Appreciation/(Depreciation)
Derivative Type | | Statement of Operations Location | | Interest Rate Risk | | Total | |
Futures | | Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) in value of: Futures contracts | | $ | (156,654 | ) | | $ | (156,654 | ) | |
Total Change in Appreciation/(Depreciation) | | | | $ | (156,654 | ) | | $ | (156,654 | ) | |
13 Securities lending: The Fund, using State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") as its lending agent, may loan securities to qualified brokers and dealers in exchange for negotiated lender's fees. These fees, if any, would be disclosed within the Statement of Operations under the caption "Income from securities loaned-net" and are net of expenses retained by State Street as compensation for its services as lending agent.
The initial cash collateral received by the Fund at the beginning of each transaction shall have a value equal to at least 102% of the prior day's market value of the loaned securities (105% in the case of international securities). Thereafter, the value of the cash collateral is monitored on a daily basis, and cash collateral is moved daily between a counterparty and the Fund until the close of the transaction. The Fund may only receive collateral in the form of cash (U.S. dollars). Cash collateral is generally invested in a money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that is managed by an affiliate of State Street. The risks associated with lending portfolio securities include, but are not limited to, possible delays in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the loaned securities. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned and any interest earned or dividends paid or owed on those securities during the term of the loan would accrue to the Fund.
As of June 30, 2021, the Fund had outstanding loans of securities to certain approved brokers, with a value of $774,680 for which it received collateral as follows:
| | Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements | |
| | Overnight and Continuous | | Less Than 30 Days | | Between 30 & 90 Days | | Greater Than 90 Days | | Total | |
Securities Lending Transactions(a) | |
Corporate Bonds | | $ | 789,125 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 789,125 | | |
(a) Amounts represent the payable for loaned securities collateral received.
The Fund is required to disclose both gross and net information for assets and liabilities related to over-the-counter derivatives, repurchase and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities lending and securities borrowing transactions, if any, that are eligible for offset or subject to an enforceable master netting or similar agreement. The Fund's securities lending assets at fair value are reported gross in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The following tables present the Fund's securities lending assets by counterparty and net of the related collateral received by the Fund for assets as of June 30, 2021.
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 | |
Securities Lending | | $ | 774,680 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 774,680 | | |
Total | | $ | 774,680 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 774,680 | | |
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Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Counterparty | | Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities | | Liabilities Available for Offset | | Cash Collateral Received(a) | | Net Amount(b) | |
SSB | | $ | 774,680 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (774,680 | ) | | $ | — | | |
Total | | $ | 774,680 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (774,680 | ) | | $ | — | | |
(a) Collateral received is limited to an amount not to exceed 100% of the net amount of assets (or liabilities) in the tables presented above.
(b) Net Amount represents amounts subject to loss at June 30, 2021, in the event of a counterparty failure.
14 Indemnifications: Like many other companies, the Trust's organizational documents provide that its officers ("Officers") and trustees ("Trustees") are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, both in some of its principal service contracts and in the normal course of its business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnifications to other parties for certain types of losses or liabilities. The Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this could involve future claims against the Trust.
15 Other matters—Coronavirus: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in many countries has, among other things, disrupted global travel and supply chains, and adversely impacted global commercial activity, the transportation industry and commodity prices in the energy sector. The impact of this virus has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including liquidity and volatility. The development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to its ultimate impact, which may have a continued adverse effect on global economic and market conditions. Such conditions (which may be across industries, sectors or geographies) have impacted and may continue to impact the issuers of the securities held by the Fund.
Note B—Investment Management Fees, Administration Fees, Distribution Arrangements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
The Fund retains NBIA as its investment manager under a Management Agreement. For such investment management services, the Fund pays NBIA an investment management fee at the annual rate of 0.17% of the first $2 billion of the Fund's average daily net assets and 0.15% of average daily net assets in excess of $2 billion. Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2021, the investment management fee pursuant to the Management Agreement was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.17% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Fund retains NBIA as its administrator under an Administration Agreement. The Fund pays NBIA an administration fee at the annual rate of 0.40% of its average daily net assets under this agreement. Additionally, NBIA retains State Street as its sub-administrator under a Sub-Administration Agreement. NBIA pays State Street a fee for all services received under the Sub-Administration Agreement.
NBIA has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the Fund so that the total annual operating expenses do not exceed the expense limitation as detailed in the following table. This undertaking excludes interest, taxes, transaction costs, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, if any (commitment fees relating to borrowings are treated as interest for purposes of this exclusion) ("annual operating expenses"); consequently, net expenses may exceed the contractual expense limitation. The Fund has agreed that it will repay NBIA for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed provided that repayment does not cause the annual operating expenses to exceed its contractual expense limitation in place at the time the fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, or the expense limitation in place at the time the Fund repays NBIA, whichever is lower. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which NBIA incurred the expense.
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During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there was no repayment to NBIA under these agreements.
At June 30, 2021, the Fund had no contingent liabilities to NBIA under the agreement.
| | | | | | Expenses Reimbursed in Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | | | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | Subject to Repayment until December 31, | |
Class | | Contractual Expense Limitation(a) | | Expiration | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 | |
Class I | | | 0.95 | %(b) | | 12/31/24 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | |
(a) Expense limitation per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets.
(b) Prior to February 28, 2020, the contractual expense limitation was 1.00%.
Neuberger Berman BD LLC is the Fund's "principal underwriter" within the meaning of the 1940 Act. It acts as agent in arranging for the sale of the Fund's Class I shares without sales commission or other compensation and bears all advertising and promotion expenses incurred in the sale of those shares. The Board adopted a non-fee distribution plan for the Fund's Class I shares.
Note C—Securities Transactions:
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there were purchase and sale transactions of long-term securities (excluding futures) as follows:
Purchases of U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | | Purchases excluding U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | | Sales and Maturities of U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | | Sales and Maturities excluding U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | |
$ | 31,216,454 | | | $ | 43,016,282 | | | $ | 36,720,342 | | | $ | 29,310,789 | | |
Note D—Fund Share Transactions:
Share activity for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, was as follows:
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | | For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
| | Shares Sold | | Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions | | Shares Redeemed | | Total | | Shares Sold | | Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions | | Shares Redeemed | | Total | |
Class I | | | 1,596,886 | | | | — | | | | (1,016,796 | ) | | | 580,090 | | | | 2,426,694 | | | | 227,914 | | | | (3,137,858 | ) | | | (483,250 | ) | |
Note E—Line of Credit:
At June 30, 2021, the Fund was a participant in a syndicated committed, unsecured $700,000,000 line of credit (the "Credit Facility"), to be used only for temporary or emergency purposes. Series of other investment companies managed by NBIA also participate in this line of credit on substantially the same terms. Interest is charged on borrowings under this Credit Facility at the highest of (a) a federal funds effective rate plus 1.00% per annum, (b) a Eurodollar rate for a one-month period plus 1.00% per annum, and (c) an overnight bank funding rate plus 1.00% per annum; provided that should the Administrative Agent of the Credit Facility determine that the Eurodollar rate is unavailable, then the interest rate option described in (b) shall be replaced with a benchmark replacement
26
determined to be applicable by such Administrative Agent. The Credit Facility has an annual commitment fee of 0.15% per annum of the available line of credit, which is paid quarterly. The Fund has agreed to pay its pro rata share of the annual commitment fee, based on the ratio of its individual net assets to the net assets of all participants at the time the fee is due, and interest charged on any borrowing made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund. Because several mutual funds participate in the Credit Facility, there is no assurance that the Fund will have access to all or any part of the $700,000,000 at any particular time. There were no loans outstanding under the Credit Facility at June 30, 2021. During the period ended June 30, 2021, the Fund did not utilize the Credit Facility.
Note F—Recent Accounting Pronouncement:
In March 2020, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04 ("ASU 2020-04"), "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)". In response to concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates, and particularly the risk of cessation of LIBOR, regulators have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. ASU 2020-04 is elective and applies to all entities, subject to meeting certain criteria, that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The guidance is effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.
Note G—Unaudited Financial Information:
The financial information included in this interim report is taken from the records of the Fund without audit by an independent registered public accounting firm. Annual reports contain audited financial statements.
27
Short Duration Bond Portfolio
The following table includes selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and other performance information derived from the Financial Statements. Amounts that do not round to $0.01 or $(0.01) per share are presented as $0.00 or $(0.00), respectively. Ratios that do not round to 0.01% or (0.01)% are presented as 0.00% or (0.00)%, respectively. A "—" indicates that the line item was not applicable in the corresponding period.
Class I | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | | $ | 10.68 | | | $ | 10.57 | | | $ | 10.40 | | | $ | 10.46 | | | $ | 10.52 | | | $ | 10.52 | | |
Income From Investment Operations: | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss)@ | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.24 | | | | 0.18 | | | | 0.14 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.07 | | |
Net Gains or Losses on Securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | (0.00 | ) | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.20 | | | | (0.03 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | 0.06 | | |
Total From Investment Operations | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.36 | | | | 0.38 | | | | 0.11 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 0.13 | | |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net Investment Income | | | — | | | | (0.25 | ) | | | (0.21 | ) | | | (0.17 | ) | | | (0.15 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | | $ | 10.80 | | | $ | 10.68 | | | $ | 10.57 | | | $ | 10.40 | | | $ | 10.46 | | | $ | 10.52 | | |
Total Return† | | | 1.12 | %* | | | 3.46 | % | | | 3.69 | %^ | | | 1.02 | %^ | | | 0.89 | %‡^ | | | 1.22 | %^ | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |
Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) | | $ | 110.4 | | | $ | 103.1 | | | $ | 107.0 | | | $ | 117.6 | | | $ | 131.6 | | | $ | 143.0 | | |
Ratio of Gross Expenses to Average Net Assets# | | | 0.82 | %** | | | 0.86 | % | | | 0.88 | % | | | 0.87 | % | | | 0.85 | % | | | 0.88 | % | |
Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets | | | 0.82 | %** | | | 0.86 | % | | | 0.88 | % | | | 0.87 | % | | | 0.75 | %ß | | | 0.88 | % | |
Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets | | | 2.27 | %** | | | 2.26 | % | | | 1.69 | % | | | 1.34 | % | | | 1.03 | %ß | | | 0.68 | % | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 63 | %* | | | 162 | % | | | 91 | % | | | 60 | % | | | 87 | % | | | 79 | % | |
See Notes to Financial Highlights
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Notes to Financial Highlights Short Duration Bond Portfolio
(Unaudited)
@ Calculated based on the average number of shares outstanding during each fiscal period.
† Total return based on per share NAV reflects the effects of changes in NAV on the performance of the Fund during each fiscal period. Returns assume income dividends and other distributions, if any, were reinvested. Results represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current returns may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment returns and principal will fluctuate and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. The total return information shown does not reflect charges and other expenses that apply to the separate accounts or the related insurance policies or other qualified pension or retirement plans, and the inclusion of these charges and other expenses would reduce the total return for all fiscal periods shown.
^ The class action proceeds listed in Note A of the Notes to Financial Statements had no impact on the Fund's total return for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The class action proceeds received in 2019 and 2017 had no impact on the Fund's total return for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2017, respectively. Had the Fund not received class action proceeds in 2018 and 2016, total return based on per share NAV for the years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2016, would have been:
| | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2018 | | 2016 | |
Class I | | | 0.92 | % | | | 0.64 | % | |
* Not annualized.
‡ In May 2016, the Fund's custodian, State Street, announced that it had identified inconsistencies in the way in which the Fund was invoiced for categories of expenses, particularly those deemed "out-of-pocket" costs, from 1998 through November 2015, and refunded to the Fund certain expenses, plus interest, determined to be payable to the Fund for the period in question. These amounts were refunded to the Fund by State Street during the year ended December 31, 2017. These amounts had no impact on the Fund's total return for the year ended December 31, 2017.
# Represents the annualized ratios of net expenses to average daily net assets if Management had not reimbursed certain expenses and/or waived a portion of the investment management fee and/or if the Fund had not received refunds, plus interest, from State Street noted in ‡ above for custodian out-of-pocket expenses previously paid during the year ended December 31, 2017. Management did not reimburse or waive fees during the fiscal periods shown.
** Annualized.
ß The custodian expenses refund noted in ‡ above is non-recurring and is included in these ratios. Had the Fund not received the refund, the annualized ratio of net expenses to average net assets and the annualized ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets would have been:
| | Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets Year Ended December 31, 2017 | | Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets Year Ended December 31, 2017 | |
Class I | | | 0.85 | % | | | 0.92 | % | |
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Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free) and on the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is also available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free), on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and on Neuberger Berman's website at www.nb.com.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Trust files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. The Trust's Form N-PORT is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The portfolio holdings information on Form N-PORT is available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll free).
30
Neuberger Berman
Advisers Management Trust
Sustainable Equity Portfolio
I Class Shares
S Class Shares
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2021
As permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, you may no longer receive paper copies of the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports by mail from the insurance company that issued your variable annuity and variable life insurance contract or from the financial intermediary that administers your qualified pension or retirement plan, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from your insurance company or financial intermediary. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund's website www.nb.com/AMTliterature, and may also be available on a website from the insurance company or financial intermediary that offers your contract or administers your retirement plan, and such insurance company or financial intermediary will notify you by mail each time a report is posted and provide you 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. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the insurance company or financial intermediary electronically by following the instructions provided by the insurance company or financial intermediary. If offered by your insurance company or financial intermediary, you may elect to receive all future reports in paper and free of charge from the insurance company or financial intermediary. You can contact your insurance company or financial intermediary if you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds available under your contract or retirement plan.
Sustainable Equity Portfolio Commentary
The Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Sustainable Equity Portfolio Class I generated a 13.49% total return for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 (the reporting period), trailing the 15.25% total return of its benchmark, the S&P® 500 Index (the Index). (Performance for all share classes is provided in the table immediately following this letter.)
Equity markets performed well during the first half of 2021, as companies—especially in cyclical sectors—delivered stronger-than-expected earnings. A successful vaccine rollout, economic stimulus programs and pent-up demand were key factors behind both business and market performance.
U.S. GDP is expected to have grown more than 6% in the first half of 2021. Unemployment numbers continued to decline, and business and consumer confidence continued improving. U.S. consumers are also in good shape, with healthier balance sheets and higher savings than before the pandemic.
Overall, our businesses performed well this period, and in most cases, their stocks reflect that. Stock selection was most advantageous within the Consumer Discretionary and Communication Services sectors.
Top contributors included Alphabet, the parent of Google, which benefited from an increase in digital advertising spending and industrial and construction equipment rental firm United Rentals, which advanced on growing confidence in the economy and optimism about infrastructure spending.
The Fund's underperformance versus the Index resulted primarily from stock selection in the Financials sector and our zero weighting in Energy, which rebounded as economic activity picked up.
Individual detractors included Cognizant Technology Solutions, a technology services and solutions provider. Despite robust demand and delivering better than expected revenues, the company faced a demand-supply imbalance for talent that left them short-staffed. The company appears to be addressing this.
After more than doubling in 2020, Vestas Wind Systems declined in a sell-off that impacted other renewable energy stocks. Vestas also missed operating income consensus estimates due to increased warranty provisions, supply chain challenges, and rising raw material costs. We believe the long-term outlook remains constructive for both wind and Vestas.
GoDaddy, a leading infrastructure gateway to the internet for individuals and small and medium businesses, was an addition to the Fund during this period. We sold US Bancorp, Eversource Energy and Booking Holdings, given rich valuations and potentially better risk-reward opportunities in other portfolio holdings.
We anticipate continued economic recovery as the year progresses, notwithstanding risks from evolving virus variants. While the U.S. Federal Reserve Board may raise rates late in 2022, we believe current monetary policy—coupled with fiscal stimulus and improving employment, consumer and business trends—should support near-term economic recovery and consequently, capital markets.
Any improvement in trade relations driven by the current administration would further support the markets. However, unlike in prior years, where appreciation was largely driven by valuation expansion, we believe future returns will likely come primarily from earnings growth.
Although inflation appears transitory and related to pandemic bottlenecks, we remain aware of potential impacts on the Fund. We believe inflation could become an issue if demand continues to outstrip businesses' ability to increase supply, a result of the skilled labor shortage.
In our view, companies' ability to provide solutions to leading sustainability challenges will continue to serve as attractive underlying drivers of secular growth. We continue to position the Fund toward what we believe are best-in-class businesses with the relevant and material Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) advantages, that are likely to be beneficiaries in the current environment, while being mindful of valuations.
1
We believe our team's process of seeking businesses with good growth prospects, high Return on Invested Capital, strong balance sheets, ESG leadership, and diversification positions the Fund well for a variety of backdrops.
We look forward to continuing to serve your investment needs.
Sincerely,
INGRID S. DYOTT AND SAJJAD S. LADIWALA
CO-PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Information about principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth in the prospectus and statement of additional information.
The portfolio composition, industries and holdings of the Fund are subject to change without notice.
The opinions expressed are those of the Fund's portfolio managers. The opinions are as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice.
To read more on how we integrate sustainability issues into our investment process, please visit www.nb.com/sustainableequity.
2
Sustainable Equity Portfolio
SECTOR ALLOCATION
(as a % of Total Investments*) | |
Communication Services | | | 10.3 | % | |
Consumer Discretionary | | | 10.3 | | |
Consumer Staples | | | 4.9 | | |
Financials | | | 8.6 | | |
Health Care | | | 17.3 | | |
Industrials | | | 13.8 | | |
Information Technology | | | 29.0 | | |
Materials | | | 1.8 | | |
Utilities | | | 2.3 | | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 1.7 | | |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | |
* Derivatives, if any, are excluded from this chart.
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
| | Inception | | Six Month Period Ended | | Average Annual Total Return Ended 06/30/2021 | |
| | Date | | 06/30/2021 | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | 10 Years | | Life of Fund | |
Class I | | 02/18/1999 | | | 13.49 | % | | | 44.79 | % | | | 15.63 | % | | | 12.36 | % | | | 8.49 | % | |
Class S2 | | 05/01/2006 | | | 13.35 | % | | | 44.42 | % | | | 15.36 | % | | | 12.12 | % | | | 8.36 | % | |
S&P 500® Index1,3 | | | | | 15.25 | % | | | 40.79 | % | | | 17.65 | % | | | 14.84 | % | | | 7.80 | % | |
The performance data quoted represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For current performance data, including current to the most recent month-end, please visit http://www.nb.com/amtportfolios/performance.
The results shown in the table reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The results do not reflect the effect of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. The results do not reflect fees and expenses of the variable annuity and variable life insurance policies or the qualified pension and retirement plans whose proceeds are invested in the Fund.
The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Returns would have been lower if Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("NBIA") had not reimbursed certain expenses and/or waived a portion of the investment management fees during certain of the periods shown. Repayment by a class (of expenses previously reimbursed and/or fees previously waived by NBIA) will decrease the class's returns. Please see Note B in the Notes to Financial Statements for specific information regarding expense reimbursement and/or fee waiver arrangements.
As stated in the Fund's most recent prospectus, the total annual operating expense ratios for fiscal year 2020 were 0.92% and 1.18% for Class I and Class S shares, respectively (before expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, if any). The total annual operating expense ratio for Class S includes the class's repayment of expenses previously reimbursed and/or fees waived by Management pursuant to the terms of the contractual expense limitation agreement. The expense ratios for the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2021 can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.
3
1 The date used to calculate Life of Fund performance for the index is February 18, 1999, the inception date of Class I shares, the Fund's oldest share class.
2 Performance shown prior to May 1, 2006 for Class S shares is that of Class I shares, which has lower expenses and correspondingly higher returns than Class S shares.
3 The S&P 500® Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that focuses on the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity market, and includes a significant portion of the total value of the market. Please note that the index described in this report does not take into account any fees, expenses or tax consequences of investing in the individual securities that it tracks, and that individuals cannot invest directly in any index. Data about the performance of an index are prepared or obtained by Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The Fund may invest in securities not included in a described index and generally does not invest in all securities included in a described index.
The investments for the Fund are managed by the same portfolio manager(s) who manage(s) one or more other registered funds that have names, investment objectives and investment styles that are similar to those of the Fund. You should be aware that the Fund is likely to differ from those other mutual fund(s) in size, cash flow pattern and tax matters. Accordingly, the holdings and performance of the Fund can be expected to vary from those of the other mutual fund(s).
Shares of the separate Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Portfolios, including the Fund, are not available to the general public. Shares of the Fund may be purchased only by life insurance companies to be held in their separate accounts, which fund variable annuity and variable life insurance policies, and by qualified pension and retirement plans. Statistics and projections in this report are derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be regarded as a representation of future results of the Fund. This report is prepared for the general information of shareholders and is not an offer of shares of the Fund. Shares are sold only through the currently effective prospectus, which must precede or accompany this report.
The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo and "Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC" name are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. The individual Fund name in this piece is either a service mark or registered service mark of Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC, an affiliate of Neuberger Berman BD LLC, distributor, member FINRA.
© 2021 Neuberger Berman BD LLC, distributor. All rights reserved.
4
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs such as fees and expenses that are, or may be, imposed under your variable contract or qualified pension plan; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (if applicable), and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in U.S. dollars) of investing in the Fund and compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
This table is designed to provide information regarding costs related to your investments. The following examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the six month period ended June 30, 2021 and held for the entire period. The table illustrates the Fund's costs in two ways:
Actual Expenses and Performance: | | The first section of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in dollars, based on the Fund's actual performance during the period indicated. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses 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 section of the table under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During the Period" to estimate the expenses you paid over the period. | |
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes: | | The second section of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return at 5% per year before expenses. This return 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 this Fund versus other funds. To do so, compare the expenses shown in this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. | |
Please note that the expenses in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not include any transaction costs, such as fees and expenses that are, or may be imposed under your variable contract or qualified pension plan. Therefore, the information under the heading "Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)" 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 transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Expense Example (Unaudited)
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST SUSTAINABLE EQUITY PORTFOLIO
Actual | | Beginning Account Value 1/1/21 | | Ending Account Value 6/30/21 | | Expenses Paid During the Period 1/1/21 – 6/30/21 | | Expense Ratio | |
Class I | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,134.90 | | | $ | 4.76 | (a) | | | 0.90 | % | |
Class S | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,133.50 | | | $ | 6.19 | (a) | | | 1.17 | % | |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | |
Class I | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,020.33 | | | $ | 4.51 | (b) | | | 0.90 | % | |
Class S | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,018.99 | | | $ | 5.86 | (b) | | | 1.17 | % | |
(a) For each class, expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio for the class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).
(b) Hypothetical expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratios for each class, multiplied by the average account value over the period (assuming a 5% annual return), multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).
5
Schedule of Investments Sustainable Equity Portfolio^ (Unaudited) June 30, 2021
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | VALUE | |
Common Stocks 98.2% | | | |
Auto Components 2.9% | | | |
| 138,014 | | | Aptiv PLC | | $ | 21,713,743 | * | |
Banks 3.1% | | | |
| 146,639 | | | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | | | 22,808,230 | | |
Biotechnology 2.1% | | | |
| 27,602 |
| | Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | |
| 15,416,821 | * | |
Capital Markets 3.0% | | | |
| 190,137 |
| | Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. | |
| 22,569,262
|
| |
Communications Equipment 2.3% | | | |
| 47,314 | | | Arista Networks, Inc. | | | 17,142,335 | * | |
Electrical Equipment 2.2% | | | |
| 416,432 | | | Vestas Wind Systems A/S | | | 16,255,540 | | |
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components 3.1% | | | |
| 43,153 |
| | Zebra Technologies Corp. Class A | |
| 22,849,082 | * | |
Health Care Equipment & Supplies 7.1% | | | |
| 81,507 | | | Becton, Dickinson & Co. | | | 19,821,687 | | |
| 66,283 | | | Danaher Corp. | | | 17,787,706 | | |
| 125,449 | | | Medtronic PLC | | | 15,571,985 | | |
| | | 53,181,378 | | |
Health Care Providers & Services 5.1% | | | |
| 134,888 | | | AmerisourceBergen Corp. | | | 15,443,327 | | |
| 96,842 | | | Cigna Corp. | | | 22,958,333 | | |
| | | 38,401,660 | | |
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 4.2% | | | |
| 946,745 | | | Compass Group PLC | | | 19,932,604 | * | |
| 100,430 | | | Starbucks Corp. | | | 11,229,078 | | |
| | | 31,161,682 | | |
Household Products 2.3% | | | |
| 212,490 | | | Colgate-Palmolive Co. | | | 17,286,062 | | |
Insurance 2.6% | | | |
| 194,317 | | | Progressive Corp. | | | 19,083,873 | | |
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | VALUE | |
Interactive Media & Services 4.7% | | | |
| 14,512 | | | Alphabet, Inc. Class A | | $ | 35,435,256 | * | |
IT Services 10.2% | | | |
| 39,494 | | | Accenture PLC Class A | | | 11,642,436 | | |
| 260,848 |
| | Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A | |
| 18,066,332 |
| |
| 103,459 | | | Fiserv, Inc. | | | 11,058,733 | * | |
| 165,242 | | | GoDaddy, Inc. Class A | | | 14,369,444 | * | |
| 58,350 | | | MasterCard, Inc. Class A | | | 21,303,002 | | |
| | | 76,439,947 | | |
Machinery 3.9% | | | |
| 101,605 | | | Otis Worldwide Corp. | | | 8,308,241 | | |
| 101,691 | | | Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | | | 20,845,638 | | |
| | | 29,153,879 | | |
Materials 1.8% | | | |
| 49,953 | | | Sherwin-Williams Co. | | | 13,609,695 | | |
Media 5.6% | | | |
| 513,818 | | | Comcast Corp. Class A | | | 29,297,902 | | |
| 401,351 | | | Discovery, Inc. Class A | | | 12,313,449 | * | |
| | | 41,611,351 | | |
Multi-Utilities 2.3% | | | |
| 1,338,606 | | | National Grid PLC | | | 17,050,395 | | |
Personal Products 2.6% | | | |
| 327,795 | | | Unilever PLC ADR | | | 19,176,008 | | |
Pharmaceuticals 2.9% | | | |
| 57,659 | | | Roche Holding AG | | | 21,720,664 | | |
Road & Rail 1.9% | | | |
| 454,764 | | | CSX Corp. | | | 14,588,829 | | |
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment 4.7% | | | |
| 181,014 | | | Texas Instruments, Inc. | | | 34,808,992 | | |
Software 8.7% | | | |
| 18,284 | | | ANSYS, Inc. | | | 6,345,645 | * | |
| 35,317 | | | Intuit, Inc. | | | 17,311,334 | | |
| 152,840 | | | Microsoft Corp. | | | 41,404,356 | | |
| | | 65,061,335 | | |
Specialty Retail 3.2% | | | |
| 115,917 | | | Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | | | 23,779,213 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
6
Schedule of Investments Sustainable Equity Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | VALUE | |
Trading Companies & Distributors 5.7% | | | |
| 65,849 | | | United Rentals, Inc. | | $ | 21,006,489 | * | |
| 49,216 | | | W.W. Grainger, Inc. | | | 21,556,608 | | |
| | | 42,563,097 | | |
| |
| | Total Common Stocks (Cost $412,195,060) | |
| 732,868,329 |
| |
Short-Term Investments 1.7% | | | |
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | |
Certificates of Deposit 0.0%(a) | | | |
$ | 100,000 |
| | Self Help Credit Union, 0.10%, due 7/29/2021 | |
| 100,000 |
| |
| 100,000 |
| | Self Help Federal Credit Union, 0.10%, due 9/9/2021 | |
| 100,000 |
| |
| | | 200,000 | | |
NUMBER OF SHARES | | | | VALUE | |
Investment Companies 1.7% | | | |
| 12,635,369
|
| | State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund Premier Class, 0.01%(b) | | $ | 12,635,369
|
| |
| |
| | Total Short-Term Investments (Cost $12,835,369) | |
| 12,835,369 |
| |
| |
| | Total Investments 99.9% (Cost $425,030,429) | |
| 745,703,698 |
| |
| | | | Other Assets Less Liabilities 0.1% | | | 411,113 | | |
| | | | Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 746,114,811 | | |
* Non-income producing security.
(a) Represents less than 0.05% of net assets of the Fund.
(b) Represents 7-day effective yield as of June 30, 2021.
See Notes to Financial Statements
7
Schedule of Investments Sustainable Equity Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
POSITIONS BY COUNTRY
Country | | Investments at Value | | Percentage of Net Assets | |
United States | | $ | 638,733,118 | | | | 85.6 | % | |
United Kingdom | | | 56,159,007 | | | | 7.5 | % | |
Switzerland | | | 21,720,664 | | | | 2.9 | % | |
Denmark | | | 16,255,540 | | | | 2.2 | % | |
Short-Term Investments and Other Assets-Net | | | 13,246,482 | | | | 1.8 | % | |
| | $ | 746,114,811 | | | | 100.0 | % | |
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements), of inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of June 30, 2021:
Asset Valuation Inputs | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Investments: | |
Common Stocks(a) | | $ | 732,868,329 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 732,868,329 | | |
Short-Term Investments | | | — | | | | 12,835,369 | | | | — | | | | 12,835,369 | | |
Total Investments | | $ | 732,868,329 | | | $ | 12,835,369 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 745,703,698 | | |
(a) The Schedule of Investments provides information on the industry or sector categorization as well as a Positions by Country summary.
^ A balance indicated with a "—", reflects either a zero balance or an amount that rounds to less than 1.
See Notes to Financial Statements
8
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | SUSTAINABLE EQUITY PORTFOLIO | |
| | June 30, 2021 | |
Assets | |
Investments in securities, at value* (Note A)—see Schedule of Investments: | |
Unaffiliated issuers(a) | | $ | 745,703,698 | | |
Foreign currency(b) | | | 11 | | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 1,288,041 | | |
Receivable for Fund shares sold | | | 66,317 | | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 31,157 | | |
Total Assets | | | 747,089,224 | | |
Liabilities | |
Payable to investment manager (Note B) | | | 318,859 | | |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | | | 328,781 | | |
Payable to administrator—net (Note B) | | | 213,120 | | |
Payable to trustees | | | 12,400 | | |
Other accrued expenses and payables | | | 101,253 | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 974,413 | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 746,114,811 | | |
Net Assets consist of: | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 374,176,983 | | |
Total distributable earnings/(losses) | | | 371,937,828 | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 746,114,811 | | |
Net Assets | |
Class I | | $ | 601,366,004 | | |
Class S | | | 144,748,807 | | |
Shares Outstanding ($.001 par value; unlimited shares authorized) | |
Class I | | | 17,264,719 | | |
Class S | | | 4,149,050 | | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | |
Class I | | $ | 34.83 | | |
Class S | | | 34.89 | | |
*Cost of Investments: | |
(a) Unaffiliated Issuers | | $ | 425,030,429 | | |
(b) Total cost of foreign currency | | $ | 11 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
9
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | SUSTAINABLE EQUITY PORTFOLIO | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | |
Investment Income: | |
Income (Note A): | |
Dividend income-unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 5,398,276 | | |
Interest and other income-unaffiliated issuers | | | 189 | | |
Foreign taxes withheld | | | (98,014 | ) | |
Total income | | $ | 5,300,451 | | |
Expenses: | |
Investment management fees (Note B) | | | 1,866,135 | | |
Administration fees (Note B): | |
Class I | | | 857,875 | | |
Class S | | | 206,019 | | |
Distribution fees (Note B): | |
Class S | | | 171,682 | | |
Shareholder servicing agent fees: | |
Class I | | | 10,991 | | |
Class S | | | 4,528 | | |
Audit fees | | | 20,055 | | |
Custodian and accounting fees | | | 43,839 | | |
Insurance | | | 9,258 | | |
Interest | | | 2,633 | | |
Legal fees | | | 74,706 | | |
Repayment to Management of expenses previously assumed by Management (Note B) | | | 12,724 | | |
Shareholder reports | | | 62,353 | | |
Trustees' fees and expenses | | | 25,226 | | |
Miscellaneous | | | 16,080 | | |
Total expenses | | | 3,384,104 | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 1,916,347 | | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments (Note A): | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on: | |
Transactions in investment securities of unaffiliated issuers | | | 32,948,649 | | |
Settlement of foreign currency transactions | | | 6,952 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) in value of: | |
Investment securities of unaffiliated issuers | | | 54,678,050 | | |
Foreign currency translations | | | (31,115 | ) | |
Net gain/(loss) on investments | | | 87,602,536 | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 89,518,883 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
10
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | SUSTAINABLE EQUITY PORTFOLIO | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) | | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets: | |
From Operations (Note A): | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | 1,916,347 | | | $ | 2,472,783 | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments | | | 32,955,601 | | | | 14,881,814 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments | | | 54,646,935 | | | | 92,887,849 | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 89,518,883 | | | | 110,242,446 | | |
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note A): | |
Distributable earnings: | |
Class I | | | — | | | | (22,511,583 | ) | |
Class S | | | — | | | | (5,103,478 | ) | |
Total distributions to shareholders | | | — | | | | (27,615,061 | ) | |
From Fund Share Transactions (Note D): | |
Proceeds from shares sold: | |
Class I | | | 14,592,056 | | | | 14,924,396 | | |
Class S | | | 6,332,860 | | | | 4,216,713 | | |
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends and distributions: | |
Class I | | | — | | | | 22,511,583 | | |
Class S | | | — | | | | 5,103,477 | | |
Payments for shares redeemed: | |
Class I | | | (29,532,746 | ) | | | (51,895,208 | ) | |
Class S | | | (8,731,413 | ) | | | (16,365,759 | ) | |
Net increase/(decrease) from Fund share transactions | | | (17,339,243 | ) | | | (21,504,798 | ) | |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets | | | 72,179,640 | | | | 61,122,587 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 673,935,171 | | | | 612,812,584 | | |
End of period | | $ | 746,114,811 | | | $ | 673,935,171 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
11
Notes to Financial Statements Sustainable Equity Portfolio
(Unaudited)
Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
1 General: Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust organized pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Instrument dated March 27, 2014. The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Sustainable Equity Portfolio (the "Fund") is a separate operating series of the Trust and is diversified. The Fund offers Class I and Class S shares. The Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") may establish additional series or classes of shares without the approval of shareholders.
A balance indicated with a "—", reflects either a zero balance or a balance that rounds to less than 1.
The assets of the Fund belong only to the Fund, and the liabilities of the Fund are borne solely by the Fund and no other series of the Trust.
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 946 "Financial Services—Investment Companies."
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("Management" or "NBIA") to make estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Shares of the Fund are not available to the general public and may be purchased only by life insurance companies to serve as an investment vehicle for premiums paid under their variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts and to certain qualified pension and other retirement plans.
2 Portfolio valuation: In accordance with ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), all investments held by the Fund are carried at the value that Management believes the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment under current market conditions. Various inputs, including the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in the market, are considered in valuing the Fund's investments, some of which are discussed below. Significant Management judgment may be necessary to value investments in accordance with ASC 820.
ASC 820 established a three-tier hierarchy of inputs to create a classification of value measurements for disclosure purposes. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below.
• Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
• Level 2—other observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, amortized cost, etc.)
• Level 3—unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing an investment are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The value of the Fund's investments in equity securities, for which market quotations are readily available, is generally determined by Management by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on the latest sale price quoted on a principal exchange or market for that security (Level 1 inputs). Securities traded primarily on the NASDAQ Stock Market are normally valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") provided by NASDAQ each business day. The NOCP is the most recently reported price as of 4:00:02 p.m., Eastern Time, unless that price is outside the range of the "inside" bid and asked prices (i.e., the bid and asked prices that
12
dealers quote to each other when trading for their own accounts); in that case, NASDAQ will adjust the price to equal the inside bid or asked price, whichever is closer. Because of delays in reporting trades, the NOCP may not be based on the price of the last trade to occur before the market closes. If there is no sale of a security on a particular day, the independent pricing services may value the security based on market quotations.
Management has developed a process to periodically review information provided by independent pricing services for all types of securities.
Certificates of deposit are valued at amortized cost (Level 2 inputs).
Investments in non-exchange traded investment companies with a readily determinable fair value are valued using the respective fund's daily calculated net asset value ("NAV") per share (Level 2 inputs).
If a valuation is not available from an independent pricing service, or if Management has reason to believe that the valuation received does not represent the amount the Fund might reasonably expect to receive on a current sale in an orderly transaction, Management seeks to obtain quotations from brokers or dealers (generally considered Level 2 or Level 3 inputs depending on the number of quotes available). If such quotations are not readily available, the security is valued using methods the Board has approved in the good-faith belief that the resulting valuation will reflect the fair value of the security. Inputs and assumptions considered in determining the fair value of a security based on Level 2 or Level 3 inputs may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer and/or analysts; an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the inputs that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.
The value of the Fund's investments in foreign securities is generally determined using the same valuation methods and inputs as other Fund investments, as discussed above. Foreign security prices expressed in local currency values are normally translated from the local currency into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates as of 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time on days the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") is open for business. The Board has approved the use of ICE Data Services ("ICE") to assist in determining the fair value of foreign equity securities when changes in the value of a certain index suggest that the closing prices on the foreign exchanges may no longer represent the amount that the Fund could expect to receive for those securities or on days when foreign markets are closed and U.S. markets are open. In each of these events, ICE will provide adjusted prices for certain foreign equity securities using a statistical analysis of historical correlations of multiple factors (Level 2 inputs). In the absence of precise information about the market values of these foreign securities as of the time as of which the Fund's share price is calculated, the Board has determined on the basis of available data that prices adjusted or evaluated in this way are likely to be closer to the prices the Fund could realize on a current sale than are the prices of those securities established at the close of the foreign markets in which the securities primarily trade.
Fair value prices are necessarily estimates, and there is no assurance that such a price will be at or close to the price at which the security is next quoted or next trades.
In December 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The rule also defines when market quotations are "readily available" for purposes of the 1940 Act, which is the threshold for determining whether a fund must fair value a security. The rule became effective on March 8, 2021, however, the SEC adopted an eighteen-month transition period beginning from the effective date. Management is currently evaluating this guidance.
3 Foreign currency translations: The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are normally translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on days the NYSE is open for business, to determine the value of investments, other assets and liabilities. Purchase and sale prices of securities, and income and expenses, are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rate of
13
exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net unrealized foreign currency gain/(loss), if any, arises from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, as a result of changes in exchange rates and is stated separately in the Statement of Operations.
4 Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on trade date for financial reporting purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign dividends, as soon as the Fund becomes aware of the dividends. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income, including accretion of discount (adjusted for original issue discount, where applicable), and amortization of premium, where applicable, is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions and foreign currency transactions, if any, are recorded on the basis of identified cost and stated separately in the Statement of Operations. Included in net realized gain/(loss) on investments are proceeds from the settlement of class action litigation(s) in which the Fund participated as a class member. The amount of such proceeds for the six months ended June 30, 2021, was $30,847.
5 Income tax information: The Fund is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") by complying with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to its shareholders. To the extent the Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to shareholders, no federal income or excise tax provision is required.
The Fund has adopted the provisions of ASC 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"). ASC 740 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax positions as an income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. The Fund is subject to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities for returns filed for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not yet expired. As of June 30, 2021, the Fund did not have any unrecognized tax positions.
For federal income tax purposes, the estimated cost of investments held at June 30, 2021 was $425,566,298. The estimated gross unrealized appreciation was $321,322,083 and estimated gross unrealized depreciation was $1,184,683 resulting in net unrealized appreciation in value of investments of $320,137,400 based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Fund, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Fund. The Fund may also utilize earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemption of their shares as a part of the dividends-paid deduction for income tax purposes.
Any permanent differences resulting from different book and tax treatment are reclassified at year-end and have no impact on net income, NAV or NAV per share of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no permanent differences requiring a reclassification between total distributable earnings/(losses) and paid-in capital.
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, was as follows:
| | Distributions Paid From: | |
| | Ordinary Income | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | Total | |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | |
| | | | $ | 3,286,053 | | | $ | 2,241,408 | | | $ | 24,329,008 | | | $ | 31,793,233 | | | $ | 27,615,061 | | | $ | 34,034,641 | | |
14
As of December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a U.S. federal income tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income | | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gain | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | | Loss Carryforwards and Deferrals | | Other Temporary Differences | | Total | |
$ | 2,523,788 | | | $ | 14,395,619 | | | $ | 265,499,538 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 282,418,945 | | |
The temporary differences between book basis and tax basis distributable earnings are primarily due to losses disallowed and recognized on wash sales and tax adjustments related to real estate investment trusts ("REITs").
6 Distributions to shareholders: The Fund may earn income, net of expenses, daily on its investments. Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, are generally distributed once a year (usually in October) and are recorded on the ex-date.
It is the policy of the Fund to pass through to its shareholders substantially all REIT distributions and other income it receives, less operating expenses. The distributions received from REITs are generally composed of income, capital gains, and/or return of REIT capital, but the REITs do not report this information to the Fund until the following calendar year. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the character of distributions paid to shareholders of the Fund, if any, disclosed within the Statements of Changes in Net Assets is based on estimates made at that time. Based on past experience it is possible that a portion of the Fund's distributions during the current fiscal year, if any, will be considered tax return of capital, but the actual amount of the tax return of capital, if any, is not determinable until after the Fund's fiscal year-end. After calendar year-end, when the Fund learns the nature of the distributions paid by REITs during that year, distributions previously identified as income are often recharacterized as return of capital and/or capital gain. After all applicable REITs have informed the Fund of the actual breakdown of distributions paid to the Fund during its fiscal year, estimates previously recorded are adjusted to reflect actual results. As a result, the composition of the Fund's distributions as reported herein may differ from the final composition determined after calendar year-end.
7 Foreign taxes: Foreign taxes withheld, if any, represent amounts withheld by foreign tax authorities, net of refunds recoverable.
8 Expense allocation: Certain expenses are applicable to multiple funds within the complex of related investment companies. Expenses directly attributable to a fund are charged to that fund. Expenses of the Trust that are not directly attributable to a particular series of the Trust (e.g., the Fund) are allocated among the series of the Trust, on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the series can otherwise be made fairly. Expenses borne by the complex of related investment companies, which includes open-end and closed-end investment companies for which NBIA serves as investment manager, that are not directly attributable to a particular investment company in the complex (e.g., the Trust) or series thereof are allocated among the investment companies in the complex or series thereof on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the investment companies in the complex or series thereof can otherwise be made fairly. The Fund's expenses (other than those specific to each class) are allocated proportionally each day among its classes based upon the relative net assets of each class.
9 Investments in foreign securities: Investing in foreign securities may involve sovereign and other risks, in addition to the credit and market risks normally associated with domestic securities. These additional risks include the possibility of adverse political and economic developments (including political instability, nationalization, expropriation, or confiscatory taxation) and the potentially adverse effects of unavailability of public information regarding issuers, less governmental supervision and regulation of financial markets, reduced liquidity of certain financial markets, and the lack of uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards or the application of standards that are different or less stringent than those applied in the United States. Foreign securities also may experience greater price volatility, higher rates of inflation, and delays in settlement.
15
10 Investment company securities and exchange-traded funds: The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), within the limitations prescribed by (a) the 1940 Act, (b) the exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Fund to invest in both affiliated and unaffiliated investment companies, including ETFs, in excess of the limits in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, subject to the terms and conditions of such order, or (c) the ETF's exemptive order or other relief. Some ETFs seek to track the performance of a particular market index. These indices include both broad-based market indices and more narrowly-based indices, including those relating to particular sectors, markets, regions or industries. However, some ETFs have an actively-managed investment objective. ETF shares are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, which will decrease returns.
In October 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 12d1-4, which permits a fund to exceed the limits prescribed by Section 12 of the 1940 Act in the absence of an exemptive order, if the Fund complies with the adopted framework for fund of funds arrangements. Rule 12d1-4 contains elements from the SEC's current exemptive orders and rules permitting fund of funds arrangements, and includes (i) limits on control and voting; (ii) required evaluations and findings; (iii) required fund of funds investment agreements; and (iv) limits on complex structures. In connection with the new rule, on or about January 19, 2022, the SEC is expected to rescind the Fund's current exemptive order and Rule 12d1-2 under the 1940 Act. After this occurs, a fund seeking to exceed the limits in Section 12 of the 1940 Act will need to rely on Rule 12d1-4.
11 Securities lending: The Fund, using State Street Bank and Trust Company ("State Street") as its lending agent, may loan securities to qualified brokers and dealers in exchange for negotiated lender's fees. These fees, if any, would be disclosed within the Statement of Operations under the caption "Income from securities loaned-net" and are net of expenses retained by State Street as compensation for its services as lending agent.
The initial cash collateral received by the Fund at the beginning of each transaction shall have a value equal to at least 102% of the prior day's market value of the loaned securities (105% in the case of international securities). Thereafter, the value of the cash collateral is monitored on a daily basis, and cash collateral is moved daily between a counterparty and the Fund until the close of the transaction. The Fund may only receive collateral in the form of cash (U.S. dollars). Cash collateral is generally invested in a money market fund registered under the 1940 Act that is managed by an affiliate of State Street. The risks associated with lending portfolio securities include, but are not limited to, possible delays in receiving additional collateral or in the recovery of the loaned securities. Any increase or decrease in the fair value of the securities loaned and any interest earned or dividends paid or owed on those securities during the term of the loan would accrue to the Fund.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Fund did not participate in securities lending.
12 Indemnifications: Like many other companies, the Trust's organizational documents provide that its officers ("Officers") and trustees ("Trustees") are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, both in some of its principal service contracts and in the normal course of its business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnifications to other parties for certain types of losses or liabilities. The Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this could involve future claims against the Trust.
13 Other: All net investment income and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the Fund are allocated, on the basis of relative net assets, pro rata among its respective classes.
14 Other matters—Coronavirus: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in many countries has, among other things, disrupted global travel and supply chains, and adversely impacted global commercial activity, the transportation industry and commodity prices in the energy sector. The impact of this virus has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including liquidity and volatility. The development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to its ultimate impact, which may have a continued adverse effect on global economic and market conditions. Such conditions (which may be across industries, sectors or geographies) have impacted and may continue to impact the issuers of the securities held by the Fund.
16
Note B—Investment Management Fees, Administration Fees, Distribution Arrangements, and Other Transactions with Affiliates:
The Fund retains NBIA as its investment manager under a Management Agreement. For such investment management services, the Fund pays NBIA an investment management fee at the annual rate of 0.55% of the first $250 million of the Fund's average daily net assets, 0.525% of the next $250 million, 0.50% of the next $250 million, 0.475% of the next $250 million, 0.45% of the next $500 million, 0.425% of the next $2.5 billion, and 0.40% of average daily net assets in excess of $4 billion. Accordingly, for the six months ended June 30, 2021, the investment management fee pursuant to the Management Agreement was equivalent to an annual effective rate of 0.53% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Fund retains NBIA as its administrator under an Administration Agreement. Each class pays NBIA an administration fee at the annual rate of 0.30% of its average daily net assets under this agreement. Additionally, NBIA retains State Street as its sub-administrator under a Sub-Administration Agreement. NBIA pays State Street a fee for all services received under the Sub-Administration Agreement.
NBIA has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the Fund's Class I and Class S shares so that the total annual operating expenses of those classes do not exceed the expense limitations as detailed in the following table. These undertakings exclude interest, taxes, transaction costs, brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, if any (commitment fees relating to borrowings are treated as interest for purposes of this exclusion) ("annual operating expenses"); consequently, net expenses may exceed the contractual expense limitations. The Fund has agreed that each of its classes will repay NBIA for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed for that class provided that repayment does not cause that class's annual operating expenses to exceed its contractual expense limitation in place at the time the fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, or the expense limitation in place at the time the Fund repays NBIA, whichever is lower. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which NBIA incurred the expense.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Fund's Class S shares repaid NBIA $12,724, under its contractual expense limitation.
At June 30, 2021, the Fund's contingent liabilities to NBIA under the agreements were as follows:
| | | | | | Expenses Reimbursed in Year Ended December 31, | |
| | | | | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | Subject to Repayment until December 31, | |
Class | | Contractual Expense Limitation(a) | | Expiration | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 | |
Class I | | | 1.30 | % | | 12/31/24 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | |
Class S | | | 1.17 | % | | 12/31/24 | | | 8,102 | | | | 1,611 | | | | — | | | | — | | |
(a) Expense limitation per annum of the respective class's average daily net assets.
Neuberger Berman BD LLC (the "Distributor") is the Fund's "principal underwriter" within the meaning of the 1940 Act. It acts as agent in arranging for the sale of the Fund's Class I shares without sales commission or other compensation and bears all advertising and promotion expenses incurred in the sale of those shares. The Board adopted a non-fee distribution plan for the Fund's Class I shares.
The Board has adopted a distribution and shareholder services plan (the "Plan") for Class S shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plan provides that, as compensation for administrative and other services related to the sale and distribution of Class S shares, and ongoing services provided to investors in the class, the Distributor receives from Class S a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of Class S's average daily net assets. The
17
Distributor may pay a portion of the proceeds from the 12b-1 fee to institutions that provide such services, including insurance companies or their affiliates and qualified plan administrators ("intermediaries") for services they provide respecting the Fund to current and prospective variable contract owners and qualified plan participants that invest in the Fund through the intermediaries. Those institutions may use the payments for, among other purposes, compensating employees engaged in sales and/or shareholder servicing. The amount of fees paid by the class during any year may be more or less than the cost of distribution and other services provided to the class. FINRA rules limit the amount of annual distribution fees that may be paid by a mutual fund and impose a ceiling on the cumulative distribution fees paid. The Plan complies with those rules.
Note C—Securities Transactions:
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there were purchase and sale transactions of long-term securities of $62,660,340 and $83,978,532, respectively.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, no brokerage commissions on securities transactions were paid to affiliated brokers.
Note D—Fund Share Transactions:
Share activity for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020, was as follows:
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | | For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
| | Shares Sold | | Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions | | Shares Redeemed | | Total | | Shares Sold | | Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions | | Shares Redeemed | | Total | |
Class I | | | 437,879 | | | | — | | | | (895,899 | ) | | | (458,020 | ) | | | 599,225 | | | | 818,008 | | | | (1,968,226 | ) | | | (550,993 | ) | |
Class S | | | 190,488 | | | | — | | | | (263,177 | ) | | | (72,689 | ) | | | 159,875 | | | | 184,775 | | | | (626,951 | ) | | | (282,301 | ) | |
Note E—Line of Credit:
At June 30, 2021, the Fund was a participant in a syndicated committed, unsecured $700,000,000 line of credit (the "Credit Facility"), to be used only for temporary or emergency purposes. Series of other investment companies managed by NBIA also participate in this line of credit on substantially the same terms. Interest is charged on borrowings under this Credit Facility at the highest of (a) a federal funds effective rate plus 1.00% per annum, (b) a Eurodollar rate for a one-month period plus 1.00% per annum, and (c) an overnight bank funding rate plus 1.00% per annum; provided that should the Administrative Agent of the Credit Facility determine that the Eurodollar rate is unavailable, then the interest rate option described in (b) shall be replaced with a benchmark replacement determined to be applicable by such Administrative Agent. The Credit Facility has an annual commitment fee of 0.15% per annum of the available line of credit, which is paid quarterly. The Fund has agreed to pay its pro rata share of the annual commitment fee, based on the ratio of its individual net assets to the net assets of all participants at the time the fee is due, and interest charged on any borrowing made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund. Because several mutual funds participate in the Credit Facility, there is no assurance that the Fund will have access to all or any part of the $700,000,000 at any particular time. There were no loans outstanding under the Credit Facility at June 30, 2021. During the period ended June 30, 2021, the Fund did not utilize the Credit Facility.
Note F—Unaudited Financial Information:
The financial information included in this interim report is taken from the records of the Fund without audit by an independent registered public accounting firm. Annual reports contain audited financial statements.
18
Sustainable Equity Portfolio
The following tables include selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and other performance information derived from the Financial Statements. Amounts that do not round to $0.01 or $(0.01) per share are presented as $0.00 or $(0.00), respectively. Ratios that do not round to 0.01% or (0.01)% are presented as 0.00% or (0.00)%, respectively. A "—" indicates that the line item was not applicable in the corresponding period.
Class I | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | | $ | 30.69 | | | $ | 26.89 | | | $ | 22.70 | | | $ | 25.61 | | | $ | 22.57 | | | $ | 21.46 | | |
Income From Investment Operations: | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss)@ | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.13 | | | | 0.17 | | | | 0.14 | | | | 0.12 | | | | 0.13 | | |
Net Gains or (Losses) on Securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 4.04 | | | | 4.98 | | | | 5.59 | | | | (1.48 | ) | | | 3.99 | | | | 1.94 | | |
Total From Investment Operations | | | 4.14 | | | | 5.11 | | | | 5.76 | | | | (1.34 | ) | | | 4.11 | | | | 2.07 | | |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net Investment Income | | | — | | | | (0.17 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (0.13 | ) | | | (0.16 | ) | |
Net Realized Capital Gains | | | — | | | | (1.14 | ) | | | (1.46 | ) | | | (1.44 | ) | | | (0.94 | ) | | | (0.80 | ) | |
Total Distributions | | | — | | | | (1.31 | ) | | | (1.57 | ) | | | (1.57 | ) | | | (1.07 | ) | | | (0.96 | ) | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | | $ | 34.83 | | | $ | 30.69 | | | $ | 26.89 | | | $ | 22.70 | | | $ | 25.61 | | | $ | 22.57 | | |
Total Return† | | | 13.49 | %^* | | | 19.56 | %^ | | | 25.88 | %^ | | | (5.73 | )%^ | | | 18.43 | %^‡ | | | 9.86 | % | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |
Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) | | $ | 601.4 | | | $ | 544.0 | | | $ | 491.3 | | | $ | 339.0 | | | $ | 379.6 | | | $ | 329.1 | | |
Ratio of Gross Expenses to Average Net Assets# | | | 0.90 | %** | | | 0.92 | % | | | 0.93 | % | | | 0.95 | % | | | 0.94 | % | | | 1.00 | % | |
Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets | | | 0.90 | %** | | | 0.92 | % | | | 0.93 | % | | | 0.95 | % | | | 0.93 | %ß | | | 1.00 | % | |
Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets | | | 0.59 | %** | | | 0.48 | % | | | 0.67 | % | | | 0.53 | % | | | 0.50 | %ß | | | 0.59 | % | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 9 | %* | | | 22 | % | | | 21 | %ñ | | | 13 | % | | | 18 | % | | | 31 | % | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
19
Financial Highlights (cont'd)
Class S | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | | $ | 30.78 | | | $ | 26.97 | | | $ | 22.79 | | | $ | 25.69 | | | $ | 22.66 | | | $ | 21.54 | | |
Income From Investment Operations: | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss)@ | | | 0.05 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 0.10 | | | | 0.08 | | | | 0.06 | | | | 0.09 | | |
Net Gains or (Losses) on Securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 4.06 | | | | 5.00 | | | | 5.61 | | | | (1.48 | ) | | | 3.99 | | | | 1.94 | | |
Total From Investment Operations | | | 4.11 | | | | 5.06 | | | | 5.71 | | | | (1.40 | ) | | | 4.05 | | | | 2.03 | | |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net Investment Income | | | — | | | | (0.11 | ) | | | (0.07 | ) | | | (0.06 | ) | | | (0.08 | ) | | | (0.11 | ) | |
Net Realized Capital Gains | | | — | | | | (1.14 | ) | | | (1.46 | ) | | | (1.44 | ) | | | (0.94 | ) | | | (0.80 | ) | |
Total Distributions | | | — | | | | (1.25 | ) | | | (1.53 | ) | | | (1.50 | ) | | | (1.02 | ) | | | (0.91 | ) | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | | $ | 34.89 | | | $ | 30.78 | | | $ | 26.97 | | | $ | 22.79 | | | $ | 25.69 | | | $ | 22.66 | | |
Total Return† | | | 13.35 | %^* | | | 19.28 | %^ | | | 25.58 | %^ | | | (5.94 | )%^ | | | 18.11 | %^‡ | | | 9.64 | % | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |
Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) | | $ | 144.7 | | | $ | 130.0 | | | $ | 121.5 | | | $ | 69.6 | | | $ | 85.7 | | | $ | 78.2 | | |
Ratio of Gross Expenses to Average Net Assets# | | | 1.17 | %** | | | 1.17 | % | | | 1.18 | % | | | 1.20 | % | | | 1.19 | % | | | 1.25 | % | |
Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets | | | 1.17 | %§** | | | 1.17 | %§ | | | 1.17 | % | | | 1.17 | % | | | 1.17 | %ß | | | 1.17 | % | |
Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets | | | 0.32 | %** | | | 0.22 | % | | | 0.39 | % | | | 0.31 | % | | | 0.25 | %ß | | | 0.42 | % | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate | | | 9 | %* | | | 22 | % | | | 21 | %ñ | | | 13 | % | | | 18 | % | | | 31 | % | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
20
Notes to Financial Highlights Sustainable Equity Portfolio
(Unaudited)
@ Calculated based on the average number of shares outstanding during each fiscal period.
† Total return based on per share NAV reflects the effects of changes in NAV on the performance of the Fund during each fiscal period. Returns assume income dividends and other distributions, if any, were reinvested. Results represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current returns may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment returns and principal will fluctuate and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Total return would have been lower if Management had not reimbursed and/or waived certain expenses. The total return information shown does not reflect charges and other expenses that apply to the separate accounts or the related insurance policies or other qualified pension or retirement plans, and the inclusion of these charges and other expenses would reduce the total return for all fiscal periods shown.
^ The class action proceeds listed in Note A of the Notes to Financial Statements had no impact on the Fund's total return for the six months ended June 30, 2021. The class action proceeds received in 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017 had no impact on the Fund's total returns for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
‡ In May 2016, the Fund's custodian, State Street, announced that it had identified inconsistencies in the way in which the Fund was invoiced for categories of expenses, particularly those deemed "out-of-pocket" costs, from 1998 through November 2015, and refunded to the Fund certain expenses, plus interest, determined to be payable to the Fund for the period in question. These amounts were refunded to the Fund by State Street during the year ended December 31, 2017. These amounts had no impact on the Fund's total returns for the year ended December 31, 2017.
* Not Annualized.
# Represents the annualized ratios of net expenses to average daily net assets if Management had not reimbursed certain expenses and/or waived a portion of the investment management fee and/or if the Fund had not received refunds, plus interest, from State Street noted in ‡ above for custodian out-of-pocket expenses previously paid during the year ended December 31, 2017. Management did not reimburse or waive fees during the fiscal periods shown for Class I.
§ After repayment of expenses previously reimbursed and/or fees previously waived by Management, as applicable. Had the Fund not made such repayments, the annualized ratios of net expenses to average net assets would have been:
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
Class S | | | 1.15 | % | | | 1.17 | % | |
** Annualized.
21
Notes to Financial Highlights Sustainable Equity Portfolio
(Unaudited) (cont'd)
ß The custodian expenses refund noted in ‡ above is non-recurring and is included in these ratios. Had the Fund not received the refund, the annualized ratio of net expenses to average net assets and the annualized ratio of net investment income/(loss) to average net assets would have been:
| | Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets Year Ended December 31, 2017 | | Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets Year Ended December 31, 2017 | |
Class I | | | 0.94 | % | | | 0.48 | % | |
Class S | | | 1.17 | % | | | 0.25 | % | |
ñ After the close of business on April 30, 2019, the Fund acquired all of the net assets of Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Guardian Portfolio ("Guardian") and Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Large Cap Value Portfolio ("Large Cap Value") in a tax-free exchange of shares pursuant to a Plan of Reorganization and Dissolution approved by the Board. Portfolio turnover excludes purchases of $114,219,008 of securities acquired pursuant to the reorganization, and there were no sales made following a purchase-of-assets transaction relative to the reorganization.
22
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free) and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is also available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free), on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and on Neuberger Berman's website at www.nb.com.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Trust files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. The Trust's Form N-PORT is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The portfolio holdings information on Form N-PORT is available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll free).
23
Neuberger Berman
Advisers Management Trust
U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio
S Class Shares
Semi-Annual Report
June 30, 2021
As permitted by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund's annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund's website www.nb.com/fundliterature, 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. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800.877.9700 or by sending an e-mail request to fundinfo@nb.com.
You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with the Fund, you can
call 800.877.9700 or send an email request to fundinfo@nb.com to inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all funds held with the fund complex if you invest directly with the Fund.
U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio Commentary
The Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio Class S generated a total return of 11.54% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 (the reporting period), outperforming its benchmark, a blend consisting of 42.5% CBOE S&P 500 One-Week PutWrite Index/42.5% CBOE S&P 500 PutWrite Index/7.5% CBOE Russell 2000 One-Week PutWrite Index/7.5% CBOE Russell 2000 PutWrite Index (collectively, the Index), which posted a total return of 9.54% for the same period.
Two good quarters for U.S. equity markets had the S&P 500® Index off to one of its best first halves since 1998. We believe the most straightforward 'reason' for such robust equity market returns seems to be simply that it is where the money went. Per Goldman Sachs, global equity fund flows for the first half of 2021 were the highest on record dating back to 1996. At $517 billion, flows were over 2.5 times greater than the previous high in 2017. That's a staggering number and it's difficult to discount its impact on equity prices. With 125 trading days in the first half of 2021, that's ~$4 billion in average daily demand. During the reporting period, the S&P 500 Index returned 15.25%, the CBOE S&P 500 PutWrite Index (PUT) climbed 11.77%, and the CBOE Russell 2000 PutWrite Index (PUTR) rallied 19.08%.
Over the reporting period, both S&P 500 and Russell 2000 exposures contributed to Fund performance. Year-to-date, the S&P 500 PutWrite segment of the Fund produced an attractive return but fell slightly behind the PUT return of 11.77%. Over the same period, the CBOE S&P 500 One-Week PutWrite Index (WPUT)'s weekly rolling strategy significantly lagged the monthly rolling of the PUT by 4.87%. Year-to-date, the Russell 2000 PutWrite segment of the Fund underperformed the PUTR return of 19.08%. The CBOE Russell 2000 One-Week PutWrite Index (WPTR)'s 2.76% return also fell well behind the PUTR return of 19.08%. The Fund's collateral holdings continue to be a positive contributor to overall performance.
The Fund's average option notional exposure over the period remained consistent with strategic targets of 85% S&P 500 Index and 15% Russell 2000® Index.
Implied volatility levels continued to subside globally and realized volatility levels continued to further recede, yielding what we believe are attractive implied volatility premiums. Assuming markets continue to heal from 2020, we anticipate premiums to continue to normalize while overall volatility levels remain elevated relative to historically low levels observed in the years prior to the pandemic. However, as we have written in the past, normal is going to feel volatile relative to the tranquil periods prior to the pandemic. Looking forward, volatility markets continue to price higher levels of implied volatility into the second half of 2021 and early 2022. Potential sources of volatility abound, and we believe economic control mechanisms are unlikely to offer their historical levels of efficacy.
Like halftimes in sports, many investors like to spend their summer vacations talking about potential portfolio adjustments they should make for the second half of the year. For us, we find little to do in this regard. Overall, strategy performance has continued to benefit from healthy equity market gains and elevated volatility levels. When we look out to the second half of the year and towards 2022, we believe our strategy is playing to its strengths and is in a position to continue to be competitive against most asset class exposures. After many years of grinding out a respectable record, we believe our 'franchise players' are finally in 'top form' which makes 'tinkering' a risky tactic.
Sincerely,
DEREK DEVENS AND RORY EWING
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Information about principal risks of investing in the Fund is set forth in the prospectus and statement of additional information.
The portfolio composition, industries and holdings of the Fund are subject to change without notice.
The opinions expressed are those of the Fund's portfolio managers. The opinions are as of the date of this report and are subject to change without notice.
1
U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio
PORTFOLIO BY TYPE OF SECURITY
(as a % of Total Net Assets) | |
Common Stocks | | | 0.0 | % | |
Rights | | | 0.0 | | |
U.S. Government Agency Securities | | | 61.6 | | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations | | | 25.5 | | |
Put Options Written | | | (0.5 | ) | |
Short-Term Investments | | | 12.9 | | |
Other Assets Less Liabilities | | | 0.5 | | |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | |
PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS1
| | Inception | | Six Month Period Ended | | Average Annual Total Return Ended 06/30/2021 | |
| | Date | | 06/30/2021 | | 1 Year | | 5 Years | | Life of Fund | |
Class S* | | 05/01/2014 | | | 11.54 | % | | | 27.57 | % | | | 6.92 | % | | | 3.79 | % | |
42.5% CBOE S&P 500 One-Week PutWrite Index/42.5% CBOE S&P 500 PutWrite Index/7.5% CBOE Russell 2000 One-Week PutWrite Index/7.5% CBOE Russell 2000 PutWrite Index2,3 | | | | | | | 9.54 | % | | | 23.51 | % | | | 4.58 | % | | | 4.06 | % | |
85% S&P 500® Index/15% Russell 2000® Index2,3 | | | | | | | 15.64 | % | | | 43.94 | % | | | 17.55 | % | | | 14.14 | % | |
* Prior to May 1, 2017, the Fund had different investment goals, fees and expenses, principal investment strategies and portfolio managers. Please also see Endnote 1.
The performance data quoted represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. For current performance data, including current to the most recent month-end, please visit http://www.nb.com/amtportfolios/performance.
The results shown in the table reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The results do not reflect the effect of taxes a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the redemption of Fund shares. The results do not reflect fees and expenses of the variable annuity and variable life insurance policies or the qualified pension and retirement plans whose proceeds are invested in the Fund.
The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Returns would have been lower if Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("NBIA") had not reimbursed certain expenses and/or waived a portion of the investment management fees during certain of the periods shown. Repayment by a class (of expenses previously reimbursed and/or fees previously waived by NBIA) will decrease the class's returns. Please see Note B in the Notes to Financial Statements for specific information regarding expense reimbursement and/or fee waiver arrangements.
As stated in the Fund's most recent prospectus, the total annual operating expense ratio for fiscal year 2020 was 1.63% for Class S shares (before expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers, if any). The expense ratio was 1.07% for Class S shares after expense reimbursements and/or fee waivers. The expense ratios for the semi-annual period ended June 30, 2021 can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.
2
1 The Fund was relatively small prior to December 31, 2014, which could have impacted Fund performance. The same techniques used to produce returns in a small fund may not work to produce similar returns in a larger fund. Effective May 1, 2017, Absolute Return Multi-Manager Portfolio changed its name to the U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio and changed its investment goal, fees and expenses, principal investment strategies, risks and portfolio manager(s). Prior to that date, the Fund had a higher management fee, different expenses, a different goal and principal investment strategies, which included a multi-manager strategy, and different risks. Its performance prior to that date might have been different if the current fees and expenses, goal, and principal investment strategies had been in effect.
2 The date used to calculate Life of Fund performance for the index is May 1, 2014, the Fund's commencement of operations.
3 The 42.5% CBOE S&P 500 One-Week PutWrite Index/42.5% CBOE S&P 500 PutWrite Index/7.5% CBOE Russell 2000 One-Week PutWrite Index/7.5% CBOE Russell 2000 PutWrite Index is a blended index composed of 42.5% CBOE S&P 500 One-Week PutWrite Index/42.5% CBOE S&P 500 PutWrite Index/7.5% CBOE Russell 2000 One-Week PutWrite Index/7.5% CBOE Russell 2000 PutWrite Index, and is rebalanced monthly. The CBOE S&P 500® One-Week PutWrite Index is designed to track the performance of a hypothetical strategy that sells an at-the-money (ATM) S&P 500 Index (SPX) put option on a weekly basis. The maturity of the written SPX put option is one week to expiry. The written SPX put option is collateralized by a money market account invested in one month Treasury bills. The index rolls on a weekly basis, typically every Friday. The CBOE S&P 500 PutWrite Index (PUT) is designed to represent a proposed hypothetical short put strategy. PUT is an award-winning benchmark index that measures the performance of a hypothetical portfolio that sells SPX put options against collateralized cash reserves held in a money market account. The PUT strategy is designed to sell a sequence of one-month, ATM SPX puts and invest cash at one- and three-month Treasury Bill rates. The CBOE Russell 2000® One-Week PutWrite Index is designed to track the performance of a hypothetical strategy that sells an ATM Russell 2000 Index put option on a weekly basis. The maturity of the written Russell 2000 put option is one week to expiry. The written Russell 2000 put option is collateralized by a money market account invested in one-month Treasury bills. The index rolls on a weekly basis, typically every Friday. The CBOE Russell 2000 PutWrite Index is designed to represent a proposed hypothetical short put strategy that sells a monthly ATM Russell 2000 Index put option. The written Russell 2000 put option is collateralized by a money market account invested in one-month Treasury bills. The 85% S&P 500® Index/15% Russell 2000® Index is a blended index composed of 85% S&P 500 Index and 15% Russell 2000 Index, and is rebalanced monthly. The S&P 500 Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index that focuses on the large-cap segment of the U.S. equity market, and includes a significant portfolio of the total value of the market. The Russell 2000 Index is a float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity market. It includes approximately 2,000 of the smallest securities in the Russell 3000® Index (which measures the performance of the 3,000 largest U.S. public companies based on total market capitalization). The index is rebalanced annually in June. Please note that individuals cannot invest directly in any index. The indices described in this report do not take into account any fees, expenses or tax consequences of investing in the individual securities that they track. Data about the performance of an index are prepared or obtained by Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC and reflect the reinvestment of income dividends and other distributions, if any. The Fund may invest in securities not included in a described index and generally does not invest in all securities included in a described index.
The investments for the Fund are managed by the same portfolio manager(s) who manage one or more other registered funds that have names, investment objectives and investment styles that are similar to those of the Fund. You should be aware that the Fund is likely to differ from those other mutual fund(s) in size, cash flow pattern and tax matters. Accordingly, the holdings and performance of the Fund can be expected to vary from those of the other mutual fund(s).
3
Shares of the separate Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust Portfolios, including the Fund, are not available to the general public. Shares of the Fund may be purchased only by life insurance companies to be held in their separate accounts, which fund variable annuity and variable life insurance policies, and by qualified pension and retirement plans. Statistics and projections in this report are derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be regarded as a representation of future results of the Fund. This report is prepared for the general information of shareholders and is not an offer of shares of the Fund. Shares are sold only through the currently effective prospectus, which must precede or accompany this report.
The "Neuberger Berman" name and logo and "Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC" name are registered service marks of Neuberger Berman Group LLC. The individual Fund name in this piece is either a service mark or registered service mark of Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC, an affiliate of Neuberger Berman BD LLC, distributor, member FINRA.
© 2021 Neuberger Berman BD LLC, distributor. All rights reserved.
4
Information About Your Fund's Expenses (Unaudited)
As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs such as fees and expenses that are, or may be, imposed under your variable contract or qualified pension plan; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees (if applicable), and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in U.S. dollars) of investing in the Fund and compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.
This table is designed to provide information regarding costs related to your investments. The following examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the six month period ended June 30, 2021 and held for the entire period. The table illustrates the Fund's costs in two ways:
Actual Expenses and Performance: | | The first section of the table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses in dollars, based on the Fund's actual performance during the period indicated. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses 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 section of the table under the heading entitled "Expenses Paid During the Period" to estimate the expenses you paid over the period. | |
Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes: | | The second section of the table provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund's actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return at 5% per year before expenses. This return 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 this Fund versus other funds. To do so, Compare the expenses shown in this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds. | |
Please note that the expenses in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not include any transaction costs, such as fees and expenses that are, or may be imposed under your variable contract or qualified pension plan. Therefore, the information under the heading "Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)" 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 transaction costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Expense Example (Unaudited)
NEUBERGER BERMAN ADVISERS MANAGEMENT TRUST U.S. EQUITY INDEX PUTWRITE STRATEGY PORTFOLIO
Actual | | Beginning Account Value 1/1/2021 | | Ending Account Value 6/30/2021 | | Expenses Paid During the Period 1/1/2021 – 6/30/2021 | |
Class S | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,115.40 | | | $ | 5.51 | (a) | |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) | |
Class S | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,019.59 | | | $ | 5.26 | (b) | |
(a) Expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio of 1.05%, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).
(b) Hypothetical expenses are equal to the annualized expense ratio of 1.05%, multiplied by the average account value over the period (assuming a 5% annual return), multiplied by 181/365 (to reflect the one-half year period shown).
5
Schedule of Investments U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio^ (Unaudited) June 30, 2021
PRINCIPAL AMOUNT | | | | VALUE | |
U.S. Government Agency Securities 61.6% | | | |
| | | | Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp., | | | | | |
$ | 2,800,000 | | | 1.59%, 1/10/2024 | | $ | 2,888,977 | | |
| 1,200,000 | | | 2.62%, 2/26/2024(a) | | | 1,270,943 | | |
| | | | FFCB, | | | | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | 1.60%, 1/21/2022 | | | 1,008,497 | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | 0.25%, 5/6/2022 | | | 1,001,430 | | |
| | | | FHLB, | | | | | |
| 4,500,000 | | | 2.38%, 9/10/2021(a) | | | 4,519,838 | | |
| | | | FHLMC, | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 | | | 1.13%, 8/12/2021 | | | 2,002,492 | | |
| 5,000,000 | | | 2.38%, 1/13/2022 | | | 5,061,200 | | |
| | | | FNMA, | | | | | |
| 7,000,000 | | | 2.63%, 1/11/2022 | | | 7,094,033 | | |
| | | | Total U.S. Government Agency Securities (Cost $24,799,745) | |
| 24,847,410
|
| |
U.S. Treasury Obligations 25.5% | | | |
| | | | U.S. Treasury Notes, | | | | | |
| 2,000,000 | | | 2.75%, 9/15/2021 | | | 2,011,128 | | |
| 1,500,000 | | | 2.38%, 3/15/2022 | | | 1,524,375 | | |
| 1,000,000 | | | 1.75%, 6/15/2022 | | | 1,015,742 | | |
| 3,100,000 | | | 1.50%, 9/15/2022(a) | | | 3,150,980 | | |
| 2,500,000 | | | 1.63%, 12/15/2022(a) | | | 2,553,125 | | |
| | | | Total U.S. Treasury Obligations (Cost $10,256,359) | |
| 10,255,350
|
| |
NO. OF RIGHTS | | | | | |
Rights 0.0% | | | |
Biotechnology 0.0% | | | |
| 225
|
| | Tobira Therapeutics, Inc., CVR*(b)(c) | |
| — |
| |
NO. OF RIGHTS | | | | VALUE | |
Media 0.0% | | | |
| 2,550 | | | Media General, Inc., CVR*(b)(c) | | $ | — | | |
| | | | Total Rights (Cost $7,171) | |
| —
|
| |
SHARES | | | | | |
Common Stocks 0.0% | | | |
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure 0.0% | | | |
| 425
|
| | Diamond Resorts International, Inc. Escrow*(b)(c) (Cost $—) | |
| —
|
| |
Short-Term Investments 12.9% | | | |
Investment Companies 12.9% | | | |
| 5,219,587
|
| | Invesco Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class, 0.03%(d) | |
| 5,219,587
|
| |
| 1,591
|
| | Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds Treasury Portfolio Institutional Class, 0.01%(d)(e) | |
| 1,591
|
| |
| | | | Total Investment Companies (Cost $5,221,178) | |
| 5,221,178
|
| |
| | | | Total Investments 100.0% (Cost $40,284,453) | |
| 40,323,938
|
| |
| | | | Other Assets Less Liabilities 0.0%(f)(g) | | | 7,933 | | |
| | | | Net Assets 100.0% | | $ | 40,331,871 | | |
*
(
* Non-income producing security.(a) All or a portion of this security is pledged with the custodian for options written.
(b) Security fair valued as of June 30, 2021, in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. Total value of all such securities at June 30, 2021, amounted to $0, which represents 0.0% of net assets of the Fund.
(c) Value determined using significant unobservable inputs.
(d) Represents 7-day effective yield as of June 30, 2021.
(e) All or a portion of this security is segregated in connection with obligations for options written with a total value of $1,591.
(f) Includes the impact of the Fund's open positions in derivatives at June 30, 2021.
(g) Represents less than 0.05% of net assets of the Fund.
See Notes to Financial Statements
6
Schedule of Investments U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
Abbreviations
CVR Contingent Value Rights
FFCB Federal Farm Credit Bank
FHLB Federal Home Loan Bank
FHLMC Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.
FNMA Federal National Mortgage Association
Derivative Instruments
Written option contracts ("options written")
At June 30, 2021, the Fund had outstanding options written as follows:
Description | | Number of Contracts | | Notional Amount | | Exercise Price | | Expiration Date | | Value | |
Puts | |
Index | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 5 | | | $ | (1,155,275 | ) | | $ | 2,280 | | | 7/2/2021 | | $ | (1,700 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 2 | | | | (462,110 | ) | | | 2,315 | | | 7/2/2021 | | | (2,580 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 1 | | | | (231,055 | ) | | | 2,320 | | | 7/9/2021 | | | (2,605 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 2 | | | | (462,110 | ) | | | 2,325 | | | 7/9/2021 | | | (5,710 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 1 | | | | (231,055 | ) | | | 2,330 | | | 7/9/2021 | | | (3,135 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 2 | | | | (462,110 | ) | | | 2,335 | | | 7/9/2021 | | | (6,850 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 3 | | | | (693,165 | ) | | | 2,250 | | | 7/16/2021 | | | (4,065 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 3 | | | | (693,165 | ) | | | 2,280 | | | 7/16/2021 | | | (6,135 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 1 | | | | (231,055 | ) | | | 2,310 | | | 7/16/2021 | | | (3,070 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 3 | | | | (693,165 | ) | | | 2,320 | | | 7/23/2021 | | | (13,365 | ) | |
Russell 2000 Index | | | 3 | | | | (693,165 | ) | | | 2,340 | | | 7/23/2021 | | | (16,380 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 1 | | | | (429,750 | ) | | | 4,210 | | | 7/2/2021 | | | (78 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 19 | | | | (8,165,250 | ) | | | 4,220 | | | 7/2/2021 | | | (1,710 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 1 | | | | (429,750 | ) | | | 4,210 | | | 7/9/2021 | | | (605 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 10 | | | | (4,297,500 | ) | | | 4,230 | | | 7/9/2021 | | | (7,650 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 9 | | | | (3,867,750 | ) | | | 4,240 | | | 7/9/2021 | | | (7,830 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 13 | | | | (5,586,750 | ) | | | 4,180 | | | 7/16/2021 | | | (15,600 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 5 | | | | (2,148,750 | ) | | | 4,220 | | | 7/16/2021 | | | (7,975 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 1 | | | | (429,750 | ) | | | 4,230 | | | 7/16/2021 | | | (1,725 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 1 | | | | (429,750 | ) | | | 4,240 | | | 7/16/2021 | | | (1,875 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 2 | | | | (859,500 | ) | | | 4,245 | | | 7/23/2021 | | | (5,860 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 10 | | | | (4,297,500 | ) | | | 4,265 | | | 7/23/2021 | | | (33,600 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 8 | | | | (3,438,000 | ) | | | 4,275 | | | 7/23/2021 | | | (28,920 | ) | |
S&P 500 Index | | | 1 | | | | (429,750 | ) | | | 4,275 | | | 7/30/2021 | | | (4,695 | ) | |
Total options written (premium received $578,195) | | | | | | | | | | $ | (183,718 | ) | |
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the average market value for the months where the Fund had options written outstanding was $(560,537). At June 30, 2021, the Fund had securities pledged in the amount of $11,494,886 to cover collateral requirements for options written.
See Notes to Financial Statements
7
Schedule of Investments U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio^ (Unaudited) (cont'd)
The following is a summary, categorized by Level (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements), of inputs used to value the Fund's investments as of June 30, 2021:
Asset Valuation Inputs | | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3* | | Total | |
Investments: | |
U.S. Government Agency Securities | | $ | — | | | $ | 24,847,410 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 24,847,410 | | |
U.S. Treasury Obligations | | | — | | | | 10,255,350 | | | | — | | | | 10,255,350 | | |
Rights(a) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Common Stocks(a) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Short-Term Investments | | | — | | | | 5,221,178 | | | | — | | | | 5,221,178 | | |
Total Long Positions | | $ | — | | | $ | 40,323,938 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 40,323,938 | | |
(a) The Schedule of Investments provides information on the industry or sector categorization for the portfolio.
* The following is a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balances of investments in which unobservable inputs (Level 3) were used in determining value:
| | Common Stocks(a) | | Rights(a) | | Total | |
Assets: | |
Investments in Securities: | |
Beginning Balance as of January 1, 2021 | | $ | — | | | $ | 13 | | | $ | 13 | | |
Transfers into Level 3 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Transfers out of Level 3 | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Accrued discounts/(premiums) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Realized gain/(loss) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) | | | — | | | | (13 | ) | | | (13 | ) | |
Purchases | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Sales | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | |
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments still held as of June 30, 2021 | | $ | — | | | $ | (13 | ) | | $ | (13 | ) | |
(a) As of the six months ended June 30, 2021, these investments were fair valued in accordance with procedures approved by the Board of Trustees. These investments did not have a material impact on the Fund's net assets; therefore, disclosure of unobservable inputs used in formulating valuations is not presented.
The following is a summary, categorized by level (see Note A of Notes to Financial Statements), of inputs used to value the Fund's derivatives as of June 30, 2021:
Other Financial Instruments
| | Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Options Written | |
Liabilities | | $ | (183,718 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (183,718 | ) | |
^ A balance indicated with a "—", reflects either a zero balance or an amount that rounds to less than 1.
See Notes to Financial Statements
8
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | U.S. EQUITY INDEX PUTWRITE STRATEGY PORTFOLIO | |
| | June 30, 2021 | |
Assets | |
Investments in securities, at value* (Note A)—see Schedule of Investments: | |
Unaffiliated issuers(a) | | $ | 40,323,938 | | |
Cash | | | 59,291 | | |
Dividends and interest receivable | | | 267,168 | | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 1,225 | | |
Total Assets | | | 40,651,622 | | |
Liabilities | |
Options contracts written, at value(b) (Note A) | | | 183,718 | | |
Payable to administrator—net (Note B) | | | 1,855 | | |
Payable to investment manager (Note B) | | | 14,628 | | |
Payable for Fund shares redeemed | | | 34,822 | | |
Payable to trustees | | | 19,931 | | |
Other accrued expenses and payables | | | 64,797 | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 319,751 | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 40,331,871 | | |
Net Assets consist of: | |
Paid-in capital | | $ | 33,473,094 | | |
Total distributable earnings/(losses) | | | 6,858,777 | | |
Net Assets | | $ | 40,331,871 | | |
Shares Outstanding ($.001 par value; unlimited shares authorized) | | | 3,506,705 | | |
Net Asset Value, offering and redemption price per share | |
Class S | | $ | 11.50 | | |
*Cost of Investments: | |
(a) Unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 40,284,453 | | |
(b) Premium received from option contracts written | | $ | 578,195 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
9
Statement of Operations (Unaudited)
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | U.S. EQUITY INDEX PUTWRITE STRATEGY PORTFOLIO | |
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | |
Investment Income: | |
Income (Note A): | |
Interest income—unaffiliated issuers | | $ | 157,050 | | |
Total income | | $ | 157,050 | | |
Expenses: | |
Investment management fees (Note B) | | | 84,928 | | |
Administration fees (Note B) | | | 56,619 | | |
Distribution fees (Note B) | | | 47,182 | | |
Shareholder servicing agent fees | | | 479 | | |
Audit fees | | | 20,817 | | |
Custodian and accounting fees | | | 40,453 | | |
Insurance | | | 577 | | |
Legal fees | | | 3,691 | | |
Shareholder reports | | | 8,847 | | |
Trustees' fees and expenses | | | 29,470 | | |
Miscellaneous | | | 3,866 | | |
Total expenses | | | 296,929 | | |
Expenses reimbursed by Management (Note B) | | | (98,644 | ) | |
Total net expenses | | | 198,285 | | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | (41,235 | ) | |
Realized and Unrealized Gain/(Loss) on Investments (Note A): | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on: | |
Transactions in investment securities of unaffiliated issuers | | | 1,605 | | |
Expiration or closing of option contracts written | | | 4,252,580 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) in value of: | |
Investment securities of unaffiliated issuers | | | (142,177 | ) | |
Foreign currency translations | | | (41 | ) | |
Option contracts written | | | 81,441 | | |
Net gain/(loss) on investments | | | 4,193,408 | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | $ | 4,152,173 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
10
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust
| | U.S. EQUITY INDEX PUTWRITE STRATEGY PORTFOLIO | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 (Unaudited) | | Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets: | |
From Operations (Note A): | |
Net investment income/(loss) | | $ | (41,235 | ) | | $ | 117,011 | | |
Net realized gain/(loss) on investments | | | 4,254,185 | | | | 2,240,055 | | |
Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments | | | (60,777 | ) | | | 293,606 | | |
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 4,152,173 | | | | 2,650,672 | | |
Distributions to Shareholders From (Note A): | |
Distributable earnings | | | — | | | | (2,556,319 | ) | |
Total distributions to shareholders | | | — | | | | (2,556,319 | ) | |
From Fund Share Transactions (Note D): | |
Proceeds from shares sold | | | 2,774,665 | | | | 2,504,642 | | |
Proceeds from reinvestment of dividends and distributions | | | — | | | | 2,556,318 | | |
Payments for shares redeemed | | | (2,640,111 | ) | | | (3,728,254 | ) | |
Net increase/(decrease) from Fund share transactions | | | 134,554 | | | | 1,332,706 | | |
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets | | | 4,286,727 | | | | 1,427,059 | | |
Net Assets: | |
Beginning of period | | | 36,045,144 | | | | 34,618,085 | | |
End of period | | $ | 40,331,871 | | | $ | 36,045,144 | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements
11
Notes to Financial Statements U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio (Unaudited)
Note A—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
1 General: Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust (the "Trust") is a Delaware statutory trust organized pursuant to an Amended and Restated Trust Instrument dated March 27, 2014. The Trust is registered as an open-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), and its shares are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Neuberger Berman Advisers Management Trust U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio (the "Fund") is a separate operating series of the Trust and is diversified. The Fund currently offers only Class S shares. The Trust's Board of Trustees (the "Board") may establish additional series or classes of shares without the approval of shareholders.
A balance indicated with a "—", reflects either a zero balance or a balance that rounds to less than 1.
The assets of the Fund belong only to the Fund, and the liabilities of the Fund are borne solely by the Fund and no other series of the Trust.
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 946 "Financial Services—Investment Companies."
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC ("Management" or "NBIA") to make estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Shares of the Fund are not available to the general public and may be purchased only by life insurance companies to serve as an investment vehicle for premiums paid under their variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts and to certain qualified pension and other retirement plans.
2 Portfolio valuation: In accordance with ASC 820 "Fair Value Measurement" ("ASC 820"), all investments held by the Fund are carried at the value that Management believes the Fund would receive upon selling an investment in an orderly transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment under current market conditions. Various inputs, including the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability in the market, are considered in valuing the Fund's investments, some of which are discussed below. Significant Management judgment may be necessary to value investments in accordance with ASC 820.
ASC 820 established a three-tier hierarchy of inputs to create a classification of value measurements for disclosure purposes. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad Levels listed below.
• Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
• Level 2—other observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, amortized cost, etc.)
• Level 3—unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The inputs or methodology used for valuing an investment are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
The value of the Fund's investments in equity securities, exchange traded options written and rights for which market quotations are readily available, is generally determined by Management by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on the latest sale price quoted on a principal exchange or market for that security (Level 1 inputs). Securities traded primarily on the NASDAQ Stock Market are normally valued at the
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NASDAQ Official Closing Price ("NOCP") provided by NASDAQ each business day. The NOCP is the most recently reported price as of 4:00:02 p.m., Eastern Time, unless that price is outside the range of the "inside" bid and asked prices (i.e., the bid and asked prices that dealers quote to each other when trading for their own accounts); in that case, NASDAQ will adjust the price to equal the inside bid or asked price, whichever is closer. Because of delays in reporting trades, the NOCP may not be based on the price of the last trade to occur before the market closes. If there is no sale of a security on a particular day, the independent pricing services may value the security based on market quotations.
The value of the Fund's investments in debt securities is determined by Management primarily by obtaining valuations from independent pricing services based on readily available bid quotations, or if quotations are not available, by methods which include various considerations based on security type (generally Level 2 inputs). In addition to the consideration of yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type, indications as to values from dealers, and general market conditions, the following is a description of other Level 2 inputs and related valuation techniques used by independent pricing services to value certain types of debt securities held by the Fund:
U.S. Treasury Obligations. Inputs used to value U.S. Treasury securities generally include quotes from several inter-dealer brokers and other market information which may include benchmark yield curves, reported trades, broker-dealer quotes, issuer spreads, comparable securities and reference data, such as market research publications, when available ("Other Market Information").
U.S. Government Agency Securities. Inputs used to value U.S. Government Agency securities generally include obtaining benchmark quotes and Other Market Information.
Management has developed a process to periodically review information provided by independent pricing services for all types of securities.
Investments in non-exchange traded investment companies with a readily determinable fair value are valued using the respective fund's daily calculated net asset value ("NAV") per share (Level 2 inputs).
If a valuation is not available from an independent pricing service, or if Management has reason to believe that the valuation received does not represent the amount a Fund might reasonably expect to receive on a current sale in an orderly transaction, Management seeks to obtain quotations from brokers or dealers (generally considered Level 2 or Level 3 inputs depending on the number of quotes available). If such quotations are not readily available, the security is valued using methods the Board has approved in the good-faith belief that the resulting valuation will reflect the fair value of the security. Inputs and assumptions considered in determining the fair value of a security based on Level 2 or Level 3 inputs may include, but are not limited to, the type of the security; the initial cost of the security; the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security's disposition; the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies; quotations or evaluated prices from broker-dealers and/or pricing services; information obtained from the issuer, and/or analysts; an analysis of the company's or issuer's financial statements; an evaluation of the inputs that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.
Fair value prices are necessarily estimates, and there is no assurance that such a price will be at or close to the price at which the security is next quoted or next trades.
In December 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, which establishes requirements for determining fair value in good faith for purposes of the 1940 Act, including related oversight and reporting requirements. The rule also defines when market quotations are "readily available" for purposes of the 1940 Act, which is the threshold for determining whether a fund must fair value a security. The rule became effective on March 8, 2021, however, the SEC adopted an eighteen-month transition period beginning from the effective date. Management is currently evaluating this guidance.
3 Foreign currency translations: The accounting records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Foreign currency amounts are normally translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate as of 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time,
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on days the New York Stock Exchange is open for business, to determine the value of investments, other assets and liabilities. Purchase and sale prices of securities, and income and expenses, are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing rate of exchange on the respective dates of such transactions. Net unrealized foreign currency gain/(loss), if any, arises from changes in the value of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities, as a result of changes in exchange rates and is stated separately in the Statement of Operations.
4 Securities transactions and investment income: Securities transactions are recorded on trade date for financial reporting purposes. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date or, for certain foreign dividends, as soon as the Fund becomes aware of the dividends. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at the fair market value of the securities received. Interest income, including accretion of discount (adjusted for original issue discount, where applicable) and amortization of premium, where applicable, is recorded on the accrual basis. Realized gains and losses from securities transactions and foreign currency transactions, if any, are recorded on the basis of identified cost and stated separately in the Statement of Operations.
5 Income tax information: The Fund is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to continue to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company ("RIC") by complying with the requirements of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code applicable to RICs and to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to its shareholders. To the extent the Fund distributes substantially all of its net investment income and net realized capital gains to shareholders, no federal income or excise tax provision is required.
The Fund has adopted the provisions of ASC 740 "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"). ASC 740 sets forth a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of a tax position taken, or expected to be taken, in a tax return. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax positions as an income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. The Fund is subject to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities for returns filed for the tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not yet expired. As of June 30, 2021, the Fund did not have any unrecognized tax positions.
For federal income tax purposes, the estimated cost of investments held at June 30, 2021, was $39,706,258. The estimated gross unrealized appreciation was $134,556 and estimated gross unrealized depreciation was $13,630 resulting in net unrealized appreciation in value of investments of $120,926 based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Income distributions and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These differences are primarily due to differing treatments of income and gains on various investment securities held by the Fund, timing differences and differing characterization of distributions made by the Fund. The Fund may also utilize earnings and profits distributed to shareholders on redemption of their shares as a part of the dividends-paid deduction for income tax purposes.
Any permanent differences resulting from different book and tax treatment are reclassified at year-end and have no impact on net income, NAV, or NAV per share of the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2020, there were no permanent differences requiring a reclassification between total distributable earnings/(losses) and paid-in capital.
The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, was as follows:
| | Distributions Paid From: | |
| | Ordinary Income | | Long-Term Capital Gain | | Total | |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | |
| | | | $ | 1,201,796 | | | $ | 50,670 | | | $ | 1,354,523 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 2,556,319 | | | $ | 50,670 | | |
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As of December 31, 2020, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated losses) on a U.S. federal income tax basis were as follows:
Undistributed Ordinary Income/(Loss) | | Undistributed Long-Term Capital Gain | | Unrealized Appreciation/ (Depreciation) | | Loss Carryforwards and Deferrals | | Other Temporary Differences | | Total | |
$ | 1,086,509 | | | $ | 1,442,299 | | | $ | 181,763 | | | $ | — | | | $ | (3,967 | ) | | $ | 2,706,604 | | |
The temporary differences between book basis and tax basis distributable earnings are primarily due to mark-to market adjustments on options contracts and unamortized organization expenses.
6 Foreign taxes: Foreign taxes withheld, if any, represent amounts withheld by foreign tax authorities, net of refunds recoverable.
7 Distributions to shareholders: The Fund may earn income, net of expenses, daily on its investments. Distributions from net investment income and net realized capital gains, if any, are generally distributed once a year (usually in October) and are recorded on the ex-date.
8 Expense allocation: Certain expenses are applicable to multiple funds within the complex of related investment companies. Expenses directly attributable to a fund are charged to that fund. Expenses of the Trust that are not directly attributable to a particular series of the Trust (e.g., the Fund) are allocated among the series of the Trust, on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the series can otherwise be made fairly. Expenses borne by the complex of related investment companies, which includes open-end and closed-end investment companies for which NBIA serves as investment manager, that are not directly attributable to a particular investment company in the complex (e.g., the Trust) or series thereof are allocated among the investment companies in the complex or series thereof on the basis of relative net assets, except where a more appropriate allocation of expenses to each of the investment companies in the complex or series thereof can otherwise be made fairly.
9 Investment company securities and exchange-traded funds: The Fund may invest in shares of other registered investment companies, including exchange-traded funds ("ETFs"), within the limitations prescribed by (a) the 1940 Act, (b) the exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Fund to invest in both affiliated and unaffiliated investment companies, including ETFs, in excess of the limits in Section 12(d)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act, subject to the terms and conditions of such order, or (c) the ETF's exemptive order or other relief. Some ETFs seek to track the performance of a particular market index. These indices include both broad-based market indices and more narrowly-based indices, including those relating to particular sectors, markets, regions or industries. However, some ETFs have an actively-managed investment objective. ETF shares are traded like traditional equity securities on a national securities exchange or NASDAQ. The Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, which will decrease returns.
In October 2020, the SEC adopted Rule 12d1-4, which permits a fund to exceed the limits prescribed by Section 12 of the 1940 Act in the absence of an exemptive order, if the Fund complies with the adopted framework for fund of funds arrangements. Rule 12d1-4 contains elements from the SEC's current exemptive orders and rules permitting fund of funds arrangements, and includes (i) limits on control and voting; (ii) required evaluations and findings; (iii) required fund of funds investment agreements; and (iv) limits on complex structures. In connection with the new rule, on or about January 19, 2022, the SEC is expected to rescind the Fund's current exemptive order and Rule 12d1-2 under the 1940 Act. After this occurs, a fund seeking to exceed the limits in Section 12 of the 1940 Act will need to rely on Rule 12d1-4.
10 Derivative instruments: The Fund's use of derivatives during the six months ended June 30, 2021, is described below. Please see the Schedule of Investments for the Fund's open positions in derivatives at June 30, 2021. The Fund has adopted the provisions of ASC 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" ("ASC 815"). The disclosure requirements
15
of ASC 815 distinguish between derivatives that qualify for hedge accounting and those that do not. Because investment companies value their derivatives at fair value and recognize changes in fair value through the Statement of Operations, they do not qualify for hedge accounting. Accordingly, even though the Fund's investments in derivatives may represent economic hedges, they are considered non-hedge transactions for purposes of this disclosure.
In October 2020, the SEC adopted new regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Rule 18f-4 will impose limits on the amount of derivatives a fund could enter into, eliminate the asset segregation framework currently used by funds to comply with Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and require funds whose use of derivatives is more than a limited specified exposure to establish and maintain a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager. While the new rule became effective February 19, 2021, funds will not be required to fully comply with the new rule until August 19, 2022. It is not currently clear what impact, if any, the new rule will have on the availability, liquidity or performance of derivatives. When fully implemented, the new rule may require changes in how the Fund will use derivatives, may adversely affect the Fund's performance and may increase costs related to the Fund's use of derivatives.
Options: The Fund's principal investment strategy is an options-based strategy. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, the Fund used options written to manage or adjust the risk profile of the Fund or the risk of individual index exposures and to gain exposure more efficiently than through a direct purchase of the underlying security or to gain exposure to securities, markets, sectors or geographical areas. Options written were also used to generate incremental returns.
Premiums paid by the Fund upon purchasing a call or put option are recorded in the asset section of the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are subsequently adjusted to the current market value. When an option is exercised, closed, or expired, the Fund realizes a gain or loss and the asset is eliminated. For purchased call options, the Fund's loss is limited to the amount of the option premium paid.
Premiums received by the Fund upon writing a call option or a put option are recorded in the liability section of the Fund's Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are subsequently adjusted to the current market value. When an option is exercised, closed, or expired, the Fund realizes a gain or loss and the liability is eliminated.
When the Fund writes a call option on an underlying asset it does not own, its exposure on such an option is theoretically unlimited. When writing a covered call option, the Fund, in return for the premium, gives up the opportunity for profit from a price increase in the underlying security above the exercise price, but conversely retains the risk of loss should the price of the security decline. When writing a put option, the Fund, in return for the premium, takes the risk that it must purchase the underlying security at a price that may be higher than the current market price of the security. If a call or put option that the Fund has written expires unexercised, the Fund will realize a gain in the amount of the premium. All securities covering outstanding written options are held in escrow by the custodian bank.
The Fund (as the seller of a put option) receives premiums from the purchaser of the option in exchange for providing the purchaser with the right to sell the underlying instrument to the Fund at a specific price (i.e., the exercise price or strike price). If the market price of the instrument underlying the option exceeds the strike price, it is anticipated that the option would go unexercised and the Fund would earn the full premium upon the option's expiration or a portion of the premium upon the option's early termination. If the market price of the instrument underlying the option drops below the strike price, it is anticipated that the option would be exercised and the Fund would pay the option buyer the difference between the market value of the underlying instrument and the strike price.
16
At June 30, 2021, the Fund had the following derivatives (which did not qualify as hedging instruments under ASC 815), grouped by primary risk exposure:
Liability Derivatives
Derivative Type | | Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location | | Equity Risk | |
Options written | | Option contracts written, at value | | $ | 183,718 |
| |
The impact of the use of these derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations during the six months ended June 30, 2021, was as follows:
Realized Gain/(Loss)
Derivative Type | | Statement of Operations Location | | Equity Risk | |
Options written | | Net realized gain/(loss) on: Expiration or closing of option contracts written | | $ | 4,252,580 |
| |
Change in Appreciation/(Depreciation)
Derivative Type | | Statement of Operations Location | | Equity Risk | |
Options written | | Change in net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) in value of: Option contracts written | | $ | 81,441 |
| |
While the Fund may receive rights and warrants in connection with its investments in securities, these rights and warrants are not considered "derivative instruments" under ASC 815.
11 Indemnifications: Like many other companies, the Trust's organizational documents provide that its officers ("Officers") and trustees ("Trustees") are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Trust. In addition, both in some of its principal service contracts and in the normal course of its business, the Trust enters into contracts that provide indemnifications to other parties for certain types of losses or liabilities. The Trust's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this could involve future claims against the Trust.
12 Other matters—Coronavirus: The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in many countries has, among other things, disrupted global travel and supply chains, and adversely impacted global commercial activity, the transportation industry and commodity prices in the energy sector. The impact of this virus has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including liquidity and volatility. The development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to its ultimate impact, which may have a continued adverse effect on global economic and market conditions. Such conditions (which may be across industries, sectors or geographies) have impacted and may continue to impact the issuers of the securities held by the Fund.
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Note B—Investment Management Fees, Administration Fees, Distribution Arrangements, and Other Transactions With Affiliates:
The Fund retains NBIA as its investment manager under a Management Agreement. For such investment management services, the Fund pays NBIA an investment management fee at the annual rate of 0.45% of the Fund's average daily net assets.
The Fund retains NBIA as its administrator under an Administration Agreement. The Fund pays NBIA an administration fee at the annual rate of 0.30% of its average daily net assets under this agreement. Additionally, NBIA retains JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA ("JPM") as its sub-administrator under a Sub-Administration Agreement. NBIA pays JPM a fee for all services received under the Sub-Administration Agreement.
NBIA has contractually agreed to waive fees and/or reimburse the Fund so that the total annual operating expenses do not exceed the expense limitation as detailed in the following table. This undertaking excludes interest, taxes, brokerage commissions, dividend and interest expenses relating to short sales, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses, if any (commitment fees relating to borrowings are treated as interest for purposes of this exclusion) ("annual operating expenses"); consequently, net expenses may exceed the contractual expense limitation. The Fund has agreed that it will repay NBIA for fees and expenses waived or reimbursed provided that repayment does not cause the annual operating expenses to exceed its contractual expense limitation in place at the time the fees and expenses were waived or reimbursed, or the expense limitation in place at the time the Fund repays NBIA, whichever is lower. Any such repayment must be made within three years after the year in which NBIA incurred the expense.
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there was no repayment to NBIA under this agreement.
At June 30, 2021, the Fund's contingent liabilities to NBIA under the agreement were as follows:
| | | | | | Expenses Reimbursed in Year Ending, December 31, | |
| | | | | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | |
| | | | | | Subject to Repayment Until December 31, | |
| | Contractual Expense Limitation(1) | | Expiration | | 2021 | | 2022 | | 2023 | | 2024 | |
Class S | | | 1.05 | % | | 12/31/24 | | $ | 176,764 | | | $ | 192,742 | | | $ | 183,237 | | | $ | 98,644 | | |
(1) Expense limitation per annum of the Fund's average daily net assets.
Neuberger Berman BD LLC (the "Distributor") is the Fund's "principal underwriter" within the meaning of the 1940 Act. It acts as agent in arranging for the sale of the Fund's Class S shares. The Board has adopted a distribution and shareholder services plan (the "Plan") for Class S shares pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plan provides that, as compensation for administrative and other services related to the sale and distribution of Class S shares, and ongoing services provided to investors in the class, the Distributor receives from Class S a fee at the annual rate of 0.25% of Class S's average daily net assets. The Distributor may pay a portion of the proceeds from the 12b-1 fee to institutions that provide such services, including insurance companies or their affiliates and qualified plan administrators ("intermediaries") for services they provide respecting the Fund to current and prospective variable contract owners and qualified plan participants that invest in the Fund through the intermediaries. Those institutions may use the payments for, among other purposes, compensating employees engaged in sales and/or shareholder servicing. The amount of fees paid by the class during any year may be more or less than the cost of distribution and other services provided to the class. FINRA rules limit the amount of annual distribution fees that may be paid by a mutual fund and impose a ceiling on the cumulative distribution fees paid. The Plan complies with those rules.
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Note C—Securities Transactions:
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, there were purchase and sale transactions of long-term securities (excluding written option contracts) as follows:
Purchases of U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | | Purchases excluding U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | | Sales and Maturities of U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | | Sales and Maturities excluding U.S. Government and Agency Obligations | |
$ | 7,746,552 | | | $ | 223,562 | | | $ | 14,500,000 | | | $ | 222,439 | | |
During the six months ended June 30, 2021, no brokerage commissions on securities transactions were paid to affiliated brokers.
Note D—Fund Share Transactions:
Share activity for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows:
| | For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | | For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | |
| | Shares Sold | | Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions | | Shares Redeemed | | Total | | Shares Sold | | Shares Issued on Reinvestment of Dividends and Distributions | | Shares Redeemed | | Total | |
Class S | | | 252,315 | | | | — | | | | (241,073 | ) | | | 11,242 | | | | 253,053 | | | | 263,267 | | | | (383,302 | ) | | | 133,018 | | |
Other: At June 30, 2021, affiliated persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, owned 0.08% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
Note E—Line of Credit:
At June 30, 2021, the Fund was a participant in a syndicated committed, unsecured $700,000,000 line of credit (the "Credit Facility"), to be used only for temporary or emergency purposes. Series of other investment companies managed by NBIA also participate in this line of credit on substantially the same terms. Interest is charged on borrowings under this Credit Facility at the highest of (a) a federal funds effective rate plus 1.00% per annum, (b) a Eurodollar rate for a one-month period plus 1.00% per annum, and (c) an overnight bank funding rate plus 1.00% per annum; provided that should the Administrative Agent of the Credit Facility determine that the Eurodollar rate is unavailable, then the interest rate option described in (b) shall be replaced with a benchmark replacement determined to be applicable by such Administrative Agent. The Credit Facility has an annual commitment fee of 0.15% per annum of the available line of credit, which is paid quarterly. The Fund has agreed to pay its pro rata share of the annual commitment fee, based on the ratio of its individual net assets to the net assets of all participants at the time the fee is due, and interest charged on any borrowing made by the Fund and other costs incurred by the Fund. Because several mutual funds participate in the Credit Facility, there is no assurance that the Fund will have access to all or any part of the $700,000,000 at any particular time. There were no loans outstanding under the Credit Facility at June 30, 2021. During the period ended June 30, 2021, the Fund did not utilize the Credit Facility.
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Note F—Recent Accounting Pronouncement:
In March 2020, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04 ("ASU 2020-04"), "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848)". In response to concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates, and particularly the risk of cessation of LIBOR, regulators have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. ASU 2020-04 is elective and applies to all entities, subject to meeting certain criteria, that have contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments are effective as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the guidance.
Note G—Unaudited Financial Information:
The financial information included in this interim report is taken from the records of the Fund without audit by an independent registered public accounting firm. Annual reports contain audited financial statements.
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U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio
The following table includes selected data for a share outstanding throughout each period and other performance information derived from the Financial Statements. Amounts that do not round to $0.01 or $(0.01) per share are presented as $0.00 or $(0.00), respectively. Ratios that do not round to 0.01% or (0.01)% are presented as 0.00% or (0.00)%, respectively. A "—" indicates that the line item was not applicable in the corresponding period.
Class S | |
| | Six Months Ended June 30, | | Year Ended December 31, | |
| | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2016 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | | $ | 10.31 | | | $ | 10.30 | | | $ | 8.95 | | | $ | 9.90 | | | $ | 9.28 | | | $ | 9.39 | | |
Income From Investment Operations: | |
Net Investment Income/(Loss)‡ | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.09 | | | | 0.04 | | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.12 | ) | |
Net Gains or Losses on Securities (both realized and unrealized) | | | 1.20 | | | | 0.77 | | | | 1.28 | | | | (0.70 | ) | | | 0.64 | | | | 0.06 | | |
Total From Investment Operations | | | 1.19 | | | | 0.81 | | | | 1.37 | | | | (0.66 | ) | | | 0.62 | | | | (0.06 | ) | |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net Investment Income | | | — | | | | (0.09 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | |
Net Realized Capital Gains | | | — | | | | (0.71 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.29 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.05 | ) | |
Total Distributions | | | — | | | | (0.80 | ) | | | (0.02 | ) | | | (0.29 | ) | | | — | | | | (0.05 | ) | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | | $ | 11.50 | | | $ | 10.31 | | | $ | 10.30 | | | $ | 8.95 | | | $ | 9.90 | | | $ | 9.28 | | |
Total Return†† | | | 11.54 | %** | | | 8.26 | % | | | 15.26 | % | | | (6.78 | )% | | | 6.68 | % | | | (0.65 | )% | |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |
Net Assets, End of Period (in millions) | | $ | 40.3 | | | $ | 36.0 | | | $ | 34.6 | | | $ | 12.0 | | | $ | 12.2 | | | $ | 14.5 | | |
Ratio of Gross Expenses to Average Net Assets# | | | 1.57 | %* | | | 1.61 | % | | | 1.72 | % | | | 2.59 | % | | | 3.68 | % | | | 6.83 | % | |
Ratio of Gross Expenses to Average Net Assets (excluding dividend and interest expense relating to short sales)# | | | — | %* | | | — | % | | | — | % | | | — | % | | | 3.50 | % | | | 5.99 | % | |
Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets | | | 1.05 | %* | | | 1.05 | % | | | 1.05 | % | | | 1.05 | % | | | 1.72 | % | | | 3.24 | % | |
Ratio of Net Expenses to Average Net Assets (excluding dividend and interest expense relating to short sales) | | | — | %* | | | — | % | | | — | % | | | — | % | | | 1.54 | % | | | 2.40 | % | |
Ratio of Net Investment Income/(Loss) to Average Net Assets | | | (0.22 | )%* | | | 0.36 | % | | | 0.97 | % | | | 0.46 | % | | | (0.24 | )% | | | (1.33 | )% | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate (including securities sold short) | | | — | %** | | | — | % | | | — | % | | | — | % | | | 368 | % | | | 547 | % | |
Portfolio Turnover Rate (excluding securities sold short) | | | 29 | %** | | | 48 | % | | | 26 | % | | | 23 | % | | | 342 | % | | | 546 | % | |
See Notes to Financial Highlights
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Notes to Financial Highlights U.S. Equity Index PutWrite Strategy Portfolio
†† Total return based on per share NAV reflects the effects of changes in NAV on the performance of the Fund during each fiscal period. Returns assume income dividends and other distributions, if any, were reinvested. Results represent past performance and do not indicate future results. Current returns may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted. Investment returns and principal will fluctuate and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost. Total return would have been lower if Management had not reimbursed and/or waived certain expenses. The total return information shown does not reflect charges and other expenses that apply to the separate accounts or the related insurance policies or other qualified pension or retirement plans, and the inclusion of these charges and other expenses would reduce the total return for all fiscal periods shown.
‡ Calculated based on the average number of shares outstanding during each fiscal period.
# Represents the annualized ratios of net expenses to average daily net assets if Management had not reimbursed certain expenses and/or waived a portion of the investment management fee.
* Annualized.
** Not annualized.
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Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
A description of the policies and procedures that the Trust uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is available, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free) and on the SEC's website, at www.sec.gov. Information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is also available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free), on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, and on Neuberger Berman's website at www.nb.com.
Quarterly Portfolio Schedule
The Trust files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the Fund with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its report on Form N-PORT. The Trust's Form N-PORT is available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The portfolio holdings information on Form N-PORT is available upon request, without charge, by calling 800-877-9700 (toll-free).
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